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Spicy Asian Cajun BBQ Shrimp

August 2, 2018 by Cathy Arkle 12 Comments

This recipe for Spicy Asian Cajun BBQ Shrimp with Grilled Baguette is uniquely spiced for a sandwich full of flavor.

spicy asian cajun bbq shrimp - from Secrets of the Southern Table Cookbook

Spicy Asian Cajun BBQ Shrimp with Grilled Baguette is truly representative of the new global southern kitchen as told about in Secrets of the Southern Table by award-winning chef and cookbook author Virginia Willis. 

Virginia traveled to 11 southern states to tell the stories of local farmers, catchers, harvesters, and artisans who enrich the current Southern food scene. The 80 recipes in Secrets of the Southern Table reflect Virginia’s passion for discovering and presenting the unexpected in southern cuisine. What’s more, each recipe is geared for the home cook, so anyone can make any one of them easily, at home.

 secrets of the southern table cookbook by Virginia Willis

I recently met Virginia Willis, who is French-trained and born and raised in Georgia, at a Melissa’s Produce luncheon and demo. Virginia is the epitome of Southern grace and charm. She demonstrated how simple it is to make her Southeast Asian-inspired Tomato-Ginger Green Beans recipe on page 36.

Virginia Willis demo at Melissas Produce

Fellow bloggers Sarah from My Imperfect Kitchen & Sue from It’s Ok to Eat the Cupcake taking in Virginia’s southern charm and simple techniques.

I have made this recipe several times at home and now I can’t imagine cooking green beans without the added ginger.

Here are a few of the other recipes we tasted.

spicy mac and cheese - from Secrets of the Southern Table Cookbook

Spicy Macaroni and Cheese pg. 130

With the addition of jalapeno and hot sauce, this perfectly spiced mac and cheese is a new favorite for me.

pecan sweet rolls - Secrets of the Southern Table

Dulce de Leche Pecan Sweet Rolls pg. 246

Dulce de Leche loosely translates to “sweet jam of milk” and seriously now, this element elevates cinnamon rolls to another level of sugary gooey heaven.

chocolate pudding from Virginia Willis

Mexican Chocolate Puddings w/ Bourbon Cream pg. 285 with Beene Seed Crisps pg. 275

The twist in this Chocolate pudding is the cinnamon and cayenne pepper that gives its creamy goodness a touch of heat that complements the sweetness.

If you haven’t tried grilling okra, it is super easy and tasty when paired with Virginia’s Spicy Yogurt Dipping Sauce on page 28. It’s earthy and undeniably green flavor caramelizes on the grill, and when I made it at home, it was met with rave reviews from our guests couldn’t believe it was okra.

grilled okra

As if all of these recipes weren’t good enough, well, there is the amazing sandwich below. It combines so many delicious flavors and textures that you might want to eat the shrimp right out of the pan. I could see this shrimp also served in a lettuce cup for a lighter lunch.

Today’s Recipe; Spicy Asian Cajun BBQ Shrimp  

BBQ shrimp in New Orleans has nothing to do with the grill or BBQ sauce. It is a dish of butter-poached shrimp flavored with spices and herbs. In the nineteenth century, trade routes opened between Sicily and New Orleans and thousands of Italians migrated to the U.S. By 1870, New Orleans claimed the largest Italian born population in the US. A more recent immigration of Vietnamese people explains the new flavors in this very Southern dish.

This dish comes together quickly as you only cook it for a few minutes in a pan, grill your bread and serve.

Shrimp cooking in pan recipe from Secrets of the Southern Table by Virginia Willis

I served this Spicy Asian Cajun BBQ Shrimp with Grilled Baguette alongside Seared Summer Squash with Spiced Lemon Vinaigrette.

spicy asian cajun bbq shrimp - from Secrets of the Southern Table Cookbook

This perfectly spiced dish was inspired by chef-owner Rafih Benjelloun of Imperial Fez, a beloved Moroccan restaurant in Atlanta.

pan seared summer squash from Secrets of the Southern Table by Virginia Willis

Virginia explains in her book the importance of cutting the seeds off the squash to prevent the dish from being too watery, which is just one of the useful tips to be found inside Secrets of a Southern Table.

spicy asian cajun bbq shrimp - from Secrets of the Southern Table Cookbook
Print

Spicy Asian Cajun BBQ Shrimp with Grilled Baguette

This Asian and Cajun-influenced shrimp sandwich is simple to make and bursting with flavor. Try it in a lettuce cup for a lighter lunch. If you can't find lemongrass you can use zest of lemon instead.

Author Virginia Willis

Ingredients

  • 1 baguette cut into thirds and halved lengthwise
  • 1 1/2 pounds extra-large 16/20-count shrimp
  • 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning or to taste
  • 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) unsalted butter cut into cubes
  • 6 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 1/2 jalapeno or to taste, seeded and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lemongrass (or lemon zest) finely chopped
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • coarse kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Working with a few pieces at a time, cook the bread until browned and toasted 2 to 3 minutes. (Alternatively, heat the oven to broil and broil the bread until toasted, about 2 minutes, depending on the strength of your broiler.) Set aside and keep warm.

  2. Place the shrimp in a bowl. Add the Creole seasoning and toss to coat. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic, jalapeno, ginger, and lemongrass. Cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the shrimp and increase the heat to medium-high. Add the lemon juice, hot sauce, and fish sauce. Cook, turning once or twice, until the shrimp are firm and pink, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.

  3. Spoon the shrimp and juices atop the grilled bread. Serve immediately, with lots of napkins!

Secrets of the Southern Table will expand your culinary landscape and understanding of what is truly Southern. It proves that Southern cuisine is chicken and collard greens as well as international dishes such as arepas and bulgogi. I love this fusion of cultures that continues to shape the food we eat.
and then…she paused for thought.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Secrets of the Southern Table to cook with, as always, all opinions are my own.

 

Yum

Filed Under: Fish & Seafood, Main Dishes, Meat, Party Food, Recipes, Shrimp Tagged With: Melissa's Produce, Secrets of a Southern Table, Shrimp recipes, Southern cooking, Spicy Asian Cajun BBQ Shrimp

Previous Post: « Tomatoes Provencales – French Grill
Next Post: Asian Pear and Daikon Salad »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sippitysup

    August 2, 2018 at 2:22 pm

    I have fond childhood memories of my time eating in the South. This post reminds me of those delicious times. GREG

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      August 2, 2018 at 3:43 pm

      Southern cooking is new to me so I guess I will be creating new delicious memories of Southern cuisine from now on. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  2. valentina maria kenney wein

    August 2, 2018 at 3:25 pm

    Oh yum! I definitely would LOVE this sandwich! I love spice with shellfish!

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      August 2, 2018 at 4:36 pm

      Thanks Valentina, it is such a wonderful mix of flavors.

      Reply
  3. Nanette La Salle

    August 2, 2018 at 6:16 pm

    I looked her recipes up on the internet and found sweet corn ice cream! Sounds like something for a girl from Iowa! 😉

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      August 2, 2018 at 9:49 pm

      I must find that recipe and try it. 🙂

      Reply
  4. myimpkitchen

    August 3, 2018 at 1:21 pm

    Ha! I didn’t realize you were sitting right behind us! Love this! The shrimp in this recipe is divine. Thank you for sharing it!!

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      August 8, 2018 at 5:35 pm

      I can’t say enough good things about this shrimp recipe!

      Reply
  5. Christina Conte

    August 4, 2018 at 7:58 pm

    All of those dishes look fabulous! But that SHRIMP! Wow, I just had dinner, but am craving shrimp all the same! 🙂 Looks like a great cookbook!

    Reply
    • ShePaused4Thought

      August 8, 2018 at 5:36 pm

      Thanks Christina, I am very excited about cooking more for this cookbook once it is cool enough to turn on the oven again.

      Reply
  6. Karen (Back Road Journal)

    October 14, 2018 at 6:51 am

    I make New Orleans BBQ shrimp and can’t wait to try this Asian version…I’m pinning.

    Reply
    • Cathy Arkle

      October 14, 2018 at 3:01 pm

      Thanks Karen, I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did.

      Reply

I would love to hear from you! Cancel reply

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