One of my wife’s favorite dishes is fried rice. She requests it often. I thought it was time to throw a curve ball, make a little twist, on the classic that she loves so much. Failure was not an option, because messing with a long-time favorite is risky business. I dove in and made Cajun shrimp fried rice. A fantastic variation on the classic, this dish contains wonderfully spicy shrimp in a traditional rice mixture. This was a major hit. My wife loved it!
This Cajun shrimp fried rice was perfect just as it was. I didn’t really feel a need to mess with it. Oh, I thought well, I could add some roasted peanuts or cashews. Or more sesame oil. Yeah, I could’ve done that. But I might’ve gotten looks. Best to make it just as it’s written, because it’s great!
Also try my cauliflower fried rice.
Cajun Shrimp Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper or more, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ground black pepper to taste
- 2 large egg whites beaten
- 1 large whole egg beaten
- ½ medium onion chopped
- ½ medium bell pepper chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 5 medium green onions chopped, whites and greens separated
- vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes or more, to taste
- 4 teaspoon soy sauce or more, to taste
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce or just add more soy sauce
Instructions
- Cook the rice per package instructions. Remove from heat and keep covered when done.
- Place the shrimp into a medium bowl. Add the chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne and salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat well.
- Add a splash of oil to a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the eggs and cook, whisking or stirring as they cook, 1-2 minutes. Remove to a plate.
- Increase heat to high and add the sesame oil.
- Add the onion, bell pepper, and green onion whites. Cook 1-2 minutes.
- Add the garlic and pepper flakes and cook another minute.
- Add the shrimp and cook until no longer translucent, tossing constantly, 2-3 minutes.
- Add rice. Stir then let cook 2-3 minutes to brown.
- Add in the egg, soy sauce and fish sauce. Stirring constantly, cook another 2 minutes.
- Serve top with the chopped green onion tops.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.
