Cajun Shrimp Pasta

cajun spice mix

• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

shrimp pasta

• 16 extra large shrimp peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil
• 12 ounces linguine
• 5 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
• 1/4 yellow onion thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper seeded and thinly sliced
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce
• 2 ounces Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon minced cilantro
• 2 green onions thinly sliced

salt and pepper to taste

On Off

1. Place all Cajun spice mix ingredients into a small mixing bowl and whisk together.
2. In another mixing bowl toss together shrimp, oil and half of the spice mix until shrimp is evenly coated. Allow mixture to sit for 15 minutes.
3. Fill a large pot with water, place over high heat and bring to a boil. Add a small handful of salt and add linguine. Cook linguine, stirring occasionally until al dente, 7 to 9 minutes. Drain pasta and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
4. Place a large skillet over medium heat and melt 1 1/2 tablespoon butter. Add half the shrimp and sear on each side for about 3 minutes or until shrimp just turns opaque and barely cooks through. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside. Repeat with remaining shrimp.
5. Return skillet to stove and melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add onion and bell peppers and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle vegetables with remaining spice mix and continue to sauté for an additional 2to 3 minutes. Deglaze skillet with pasta water and simmer until water evaporates and vegetables have softened. Transfer vegetables to plate with shrimp.
6. Return skillet to stove and melt remaining butter. Pour cream into skillet and simmer until cream has reduced by 1/3, about 4 minutes.
7. Pour hot sauce and grated Parmesan to cream and stir together until sauce thickens enough to coat a wooden spoon.
8. Add pasta to sauce and toss together.
9. Add shrimp, vegetables and cilantro to skillet and continue to toss together until everything is evenly coated in sauce. Season with salt and pepper and toss together.
10. Top shrimp pasta with sliced green onion and serve.
11. cajun spice blend
12. Place all Cajun spice mix ingredients into a small mixing bowl and whisk together.