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Soo, hey!! Who’s ready for Monday!
I have been sitting at my desk now for a good twenty minutes, just kind of staring at my screen, wracking my brain for just how to start this Cajun Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp post. I’ve said this before, but the first line of every single post is typically the hardest for me to write. I just need a starting point and from there I can usually keep going.
WATCH THE HOW-TO VIDEO:
After twenty minutes of coming up with nothing catchy, I figured I’d just start with the truth. My brain is full of thoughts right now, but no good starting lines, so we’ll just randomly dive right into things!
Cool. 🙂
If you guys follow me on Snapchat or Instagram then you know I started to shoot the recipes for the cookbook this weekend. I’m only shooting a handful of recipes this week, I just need to make sure I get to use all the killer summer tomatoes and peaches that are currently taking over my local farm stand before they disappear for the season. The rest of the shots will happen in September. Here’s the thing, I have been stockpiling new props for “cookbook shoots only” for the last six months. For a while, I was actually being good and not using them, but then I got tired of using the same props over and over, and well, the inevitable happened, I broke into the sacred “cookbook only” props and started using them for blog photo shoots and other projects.
NOOO… Â like why did I have to do that?
Now I am scrambling to find new props that you guys have never seen before. No joke, I have all my family members searching high and low for dishes and surfaces. My phone is constantly buzzing with new photos of this and that. This all started with my brother Brendan and his girlfriend Lyndsie. They live in Portland, which is the land of awesome pottery and vintage packed flea markets. I asked them if they would be willing to shop around for me and they jumped at the chance. I mean, this is Brendan’s and Lyndsie’s thing. Soo for the last week they have been all over the place looking for new items for me to shoot with. They even made the drive up to Seattle to roam around there for two days. They found some goods, but trust me, I am picky, and prop shopping is not the easiest task… they did good though!
On Saturday I was texting with Kai (my younger brother who is closest to me in age), he mentioned that he and Cait (his girlfriend) were going to World Market…oh man, he should have never told me that. For some reason when he said it like a light went off in my head, “oh my gosh, he’s in LA, they can totally find me some awesome stuff”. After that he basically had no choice other than to help me out and shop till they dropped. Poor Kai, Cait’s a pro shopper, but Kai? Well, he’s just a really, really good sport.
I couldn’t believe they spent all day looking, like that’s not an easy thing to do, and they sent me a gazillion photos. They didn’t end up getting all that much, because like I said, I am really picky when it comes to dishes, but their efforts where super impressive, and what they did find was cool.
Soo really what I am trying to say is that my family members are awesome and I love that they will always have my back… one of the bonuses of being part of a large family. 🙂
And that was my weekend in a nut shell. Many other things happened, but all in all it was busy, and good.
What did you guys do???
OkOK. Let’s talk about this big bowl of comfort right here.
We are sadly nearing the end of August. Asher starts school tomorrow. For me this means slowly introducing more comfort foods, while still retaining their summery vibe. So guys, say hello to the bestest shrimp piled over the creamiest, most perfect cheesy corn polenta.
Honestly, this is what late summer dinner perfection looks like.
The shrimp is possibly the simplest thing ever, it’s also so fast to make. PLUS, it is totally delish! But then, how could anything covered in cajun seasoning, garlic, lemon and butter not be insanely amazing!?!
Most of the time when I make shrimp, I pair it with one of three carbs, rice, pasta or polenta. Since I really wanted to include some summer corn in this recipe I knew I had no choice other than creamy, buttery polenta.
I mean, DUH.
The polenta is a must… A MUST. You spoon the saucy shrimp over top and it’s just beyond perfect. Spicy, buttery, slightly cheesy, creamy… and filled with summer corn and fresh basil.
Yes please!
Cajun Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp with Caramelized Corn Polenta.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 620 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Caramelized Corn Polenta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 ears sweet corn, kernels removed from the cob
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup dry polenta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper
Cajun Lemon Butter Shrimp
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail on or off
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 cup fresh basil
- juice from 1 lemon
Instructions
Caramelized Corn Polenta
- Add the butter to a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the corn and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Cook 5-8 minutes or until the corn has browned lightly and caramelized.
- Bring 1 1/2 cups water and 1 1/2 cups milk to a low boil in a medium size pot. Whisk in the polenta and cook 15-20 minutes until thickened. Stir in the parmesan cheese and corn, season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Add the shrimp, cajun seasoning and a large pinch of pepper. Cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side. Stir in the garlic and continue to cook the shrimp in the butter until the garlic begins to caramelize and turn a LIGHT golden brown, about another minute or two. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil and lemon juice. If needed, season to taste with salt.
- Serve the shrimp over the polenta, spooning any sauce left in the pan over the shrimp. EAT!
Monday Dinner = Done and DONEÂ ?
PS. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite bloggers in the Bloglovin 2016 awards…Half Baked Harvest is nominated for best food blog, yeah!!
PSS. I’ve also been nominated for the SAVEUR Magazine 2016 Blog Awards for Most Inspired Weeknight Dinners! I would be so grateful if you would go and vote for your favorite blogger. You can vote everyday from now until August 31st! ?
You’re very lucky to have such an amazing and supporting family so you better keep them LOL! Kidding aside, you’re truly blessed to be surrounded by love and support. This dish is so right up our alley. We love seafood and cajun! My hubby could easily gobble this and would want seconds and thirds!
That is so awesome!! Well I hope you and your hubby love this! Thanks so much Sheila!
Thank you so much for making me look like a shining star in the kitchen tonight! This recipe was so uncomplicated and quick to make after a long day at the office, but was full of beautiful flavor — such a refreshing addition to a mundane weeknight dinner routine!
SO happy it was perfect for you Quinn!! Thanks so much! ?
Just made this and smashed it. So good. The only thing I changed was I added caramelized onions and then added the corn. You can impress ANYONE with this dish. It’s the first dish I’ve made from your site and I’m so impressed. That citrus and butter combo. Gurl, dang.
YES!! Love hearing this! So happy it turned out perfect for you, thanks so much Brenna!!
This was easy, fast, pretty, and delicious. Thank you!
Perfect! So happy you loved it! Thank you Emily. ?
I hate starting blog posts… I’m trying to write one right now and am getting nowhere – hence why I am procrastinating. The shrimp sounds amazing, as does the polenta and I’m going to have to make it this week.
Awh just relax you got it!! (I totally procrastinate too lol). Anyway, thanks so much Hannah! I hope you love it!!
Bless your family! I wish I had family who would help me find props! I spend most of my time on my phone pursuing ebay and etsy because there are literally no thrift shops in my area. U.G.H!!!
But anyway, this dish is just beyond. Beyond, beyond, beyond. Shrimp is my favorite food in the world and so now all I can think about is cajun garlic lemon butter shrimp.
Haha trust me, I spend a ton of time on Etsy too. They just have soo much stuff!! But thanks so much Amanda! I am so happy you love this, and enjoy!!
you basically have your own personal horde of shoppers (: sounds awesome! and i think it’d be cool if you did use some of your pre-existing props in your cookbook (especially any that are super special to you if you have anything like that!).
That is actually an awesome idea.. Thanks so much Heather!! ?
This looks awesome, but, I don’t like grits and my husband can’t eat corn. What else could I serve it with?
Hi Janet!! I would serve this over rice or with pasta. Either option will be great! Thanks!
This looks glorious and delicious. What brand of Cajun and Creole seasonings did you use. There are so many out there! What do you Recommend?
HI Nann! I use either McCormick or Simple Organic Spices. Both are great. Thanks!
Now I know what to do with all the spices I bought in New Orleans. I love the combination of seafood with creamy polenta, especially when roasted corn is added. Thank you Teagan and good luck with your cookbook.
Sounds like a fun place to cook!! Hope you love it and thank you!!
I’ve never made polenta before although it always wanted to try. Do you need to continually whisk the polenta while it’s cooking so it stays smooth?
Wowzers, just yum! And I so know what you mean about drawing a blank when you need to write something, it sucks. You always pull it together into a fun and inspirational post, Tieghan!
Oh come on! I have some serious trouble with it! I don’t know about always haha, but thanks Tori!
Like you said, yesssss please to that bowl of shrimp and polenta! And yay to all the new props you have! I love your collection, and it’s so difficult to find them in India that I always envy it.
Thanks Richa!! So happy you like it (:
I’ve already pinned the recipe — it looks amazing. And YES, the first line of a post is difficult. That one little sentence has a lot of responsibility. It’s supposed to capture the reader and tantalize them to continue reading. Whew!! That is a lot on the shoulders of one sentence. And I know what you mean about props — I’m constantly searching. I don’t want shiny. It’s hard finding “dull” looking dinnerware. I voted for you again both days this weekend. Have a wonderful day!!
Its the hardest line!! Sometimes takes me hours to get it right!
I think we become some of the pickiest people when looking for dishes!
Thanks So much Marisa!! Means a lot (:
Gorgeous as usual. Gotta say Tieghan, I have not been this excited for a cookbook release in ages!!!! CANNOT wait to get my paws on this book when it comes out!
Ah, I can’t wait either Debs!! Starting to get nervous!!