Shocking as it will be to many, until this week I had never cooked shrimp. I do not like shrimp.  In fact the closest thing to seafood that I like is deep-fried catfish. I do not even like the smell of seafood. I’ve learned to tolerate it a little more as I have “aged,” but I was concerned our marriage might be in trouble early on.  (Side Note:  We will celebrate 24 years of marriage on Monday, August 26th.)  Jonathan ordered shark fajitas at a restaurant  and the smell was so overpowering…. but I managed.  Rachel and Jonathan both love shrimp. They love to go to a local restaurant, Austin’s, on Tuesday nights and eat spicy shrimp. Then, we were at some friends a couple of weeks ago and she cooked frozen shrimp in the oven. Jonathan and Rachel said it was tasty so here I went!

It can be difficult to cook something you don’t eat because you don’t know if the taste is off (I’m a cook and add a little this and that kind of gal) or if it is fully cooked for that matter. I scoured the internet and then combined a few recipes to come up with my own.  Purchasing the shrimp was my first challenge because I didn’t know if it was supposed to be shelled, peeled, declawed – whatever! I managed. This is the recipe I came up with:

One 1 lb bag of frozen shrimp (peeled)

1 stick of butter (or margarine)

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 T. Who Dat’s Cajun Seasoning

1 T. lemon juice

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

On large baking sheets with sides, spread the shrimp in a single layer. First, I ran cold water over the shrimp in a colander and patted dry.  This removed any ice or shells.  Then, I took my little Oskar (mini food processor that is 24 years old because it was a wedding gift!)

and mixed the butter, garlic, Cajun seasoning and lemon juice together. I crumbled the butter mixture over the shrimp. I cooked at 375 for 15 minutes and then I turned it and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.  I cooked for 10 more minutes. Jonathan and I decided it was done. I served it in a bowl and Rachel and Jonathan said it was excellent.  There were no leftovers.

This recipe does closely resemble one from the Pioneer Woman with different seasonings.

Enjoy!