Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Louisiana with Bayou Eggplant and Shrimp Dressing, a delectable dish that embodies the vibrant spirit of Cajun cuisine. This savory dish is a harmonious blend of tender eggplant, succulent shrimp, and an aromatic dressing that tantalizes the taste buds. The eggplant, roasted to perfection, exudes a smoky flavor that complements the plump, juicy shrimp. The dressing, a symphony of flavors, is crafted with a medley of fresh herbs, tangy vinegar, and a hint of spice, creating a perfect balance of tartness and warmth. Served piping hot, Bayou Eggplant and Shrimp Dressing is a feast for the senses, sure to leave you craving for more.
In addition to the main recipe, the article presents a treasure trove of culinary gems, offering variations and accompaniments to elevate your dining experience. Discover the secrets to creating a crispy fried eggplant that adds a delightful textural contrast to the dish. Learn how to make a flavorful shrimp stock from scratch, infusing the dressing with an umami-rich depth. For those seeking a vegetarian alternative, a meatless version of the dressing is provided, ensuring that everyone can savor the goodness of this Cajun classic.
GRILLED SHRIMP AND EGGPLANT WITH FISH SAUCE AND MINT
The nuoc mam brings out the saline character of the shrimp and seems to heighten the sweetness of the eggplant, while the garlic adds its sharp bite, and the mint a cool freshness.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, easy, main course
Time 1h
Yield 2 to 3 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat a grill to medium or the oven to 425 degrees. Toss eggplant with 6 tablespoons oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Place in a grill basket, or spread in an even layer on one or two rimmed baking sheets (leave plenty of room between pieces so they can brown). Grill or roast until eggplant softens and browns, about 10 to 20 minutes.
- While eggplant cooks, toss shrimp with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Thread shrimp onto skewers if grilling. If roasting, remove baking sheet from oven and add shrimp, stirring well. Return to oven to bake until shrimp is just opaque and eggplant is golden brown, an additional 10 to 12 minutes. Or grill shrimp alongside eggplant until shrimp is cooked and eggplant very soft and brown, 5 to 10 minutes longer.
- Using a mortar and pestle or a heavy knife, pound or mince together the garlic and a pinch of salt until a paste forms (if using a knife, use flat side after garlic is minced). In a bowl or platter, toss shrimp, eggplant, garlic paste, mint and fish sauce together. Serve with mint sprigs for garnish.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 525, UnsaturatedFat 31 grams, Carbohydrate 24 grams, Fat 38 grams, Fiber 11 grams, Protein 25 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 1335 milligrams, Sugar 14 grams, TransFat 0 grams
RAGIN' CAJUN EGGPLANT AND SHRIMP SKILLET
We always have a large summer garden where lots of produce lingers into fall. That's when we harvest our onion, bell pepper, tomatoes and eggplant, the main ingredient of this dish. This recipe turns Cajun with the Holy Trinity (onion, celery and bell pepper), shrimp and red pepper flakes. -Barbara Hahn, Park Hills, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place eggplant in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until tender, 3-4 minutes. Drain., Preheat oven to 350°. In an ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add celery, onion and green pepper; saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; stir in tomatoes and eggplant. Saute 5 minutes. Stir in seasonings. Add shrimp and bread crumbs; saute 5 minutes longer, stirring well., Bake 30 minutes. Remove skillet from oven; top with cheese. Bake 5 minutes more.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 399 calories, Fat 21g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 131mg cholesterol, Sodium 641mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 28g protein.
BLEND OF THE BAYOU
My sister-in-law shared this recipe with me when I first moved to Louisiana. It's been handed down in my husband's family for generations. It's quick to prepare, nutritious and beautiful. I've passed it on to my children, too. -Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 45m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, cook and stir cream cheese and 2 tablespoons butter over low heat until melted and smooth. , In a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, saute onion, celery and green pepper in remaining butter until tender. Stir in shrimp, crab, soup, rice, mushrooms, garlic salt, pepper sauce, cayenne and cream cheese mixture., Combine cheddar cheese and cracker crumbs; sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 25-30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 366 calories, Fat 23g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 164mg cholesterol, Sodium 981mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 23g protein.
ALEX PATOUT'S EGGPLANT DRESSING
Provided by Marian Burros
Categories side dish
Time 1h10m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Peel shrimp; set aside. Cover shells with 2 cups water; boil to reduce to 1 cup. Strain; set stock aside.
- Heat butter in large skillet; add onion, peppers and celery. Cook slowly, 15 minutes, until mixture is very soft.
- Peel and cut two eggplants into 3/4-inch cubes; place in saucepan with water to cover half way up eggplant. Cook until eggplant is tender, about 7 minutes; drain to remove as much water as possible; puree.
- Add eggplant, stock and seasonings to sauteed vegetables; cook over medium-low heat about 20 minutes.
- Add shrimp; cook 7 to 10 minutes over moderately high heat until shrimp are pink. Add crab meat; heat through.
- Stir in green onion and parsley.
- Peel and slice remaining eggplant into 12 1/2-inch-thick slices. Brown in hot oil. Repeat until all slices are done. Drain.
- Serve dressing over slices of fried eggplant.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 732, UnsaturatedFat 36 grams, Carbohydrate 27 grams, Fat 63 grams, Fiber 12 grams, Protein 21 grams, SaturatedFat 24 grams, Sodium 1359 milligrams, Sugar 15 grams, TransFat 2 grams
BAYOU SHRIMP
Categories Appetizer Sauté Low Carb Quick & Easy Shrimp Bon Appétit
Yield 2 Servings; can be doubled
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Mix in water, lemon juice, pepper, rosemary, paprika and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer sauce until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 3 minutes. Season with salt. Add shrimp to sauce. Cover pan; cook until shrimp turn pink and are just cooked through, about 4 minutes.
- Transfer shrimp and sauce to shallow bowls, dividing equally, and serve.
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, gather and measure all your ingredients. This will make the cooking process go much smoother.
- Choose the Right Eggplant: Look for eggplants that are firm and have a deep purple color. Avoid eggplants that are soft or have blemishes.
- Soak the Eggplant: Soaking the eggplant in salted water for 30 minutes will help to remove the bitterness.
- Season the Eggplant Well: Be generous with the salt and pepper when seasoning the eggplant. This will help to bring out the flavor of the vegetable.
- Don't Overcook the Eggplant: Eggplant is a tender vegetable and it can easily be overcooked. Cook the eggplant just until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
- Use Fresh Shrimp: Fresh shrimp is always best in this dish. If you can't find fresh shrimp, you can use frozen shrimp that has been thawed.
- Cook the Shrimp Properly: Shrimp cooks very quickly, so it's important to not overcook it. Cook the shrimp just until it is pink and opaque.
- Make the Dressing Ahead of Time: The dressing for this dish can be made ahead of time and refrigerated. This will save you time when you're ready to serve the dish.
Conclusion:
Bayou Eggplant and Shrimp Dressing is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of tender eggplant, succulent shrimp, and flavorful dressing is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give Bayou Eggplant and Shrimp Dressing a try. You won't be disappointed!
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