Description
This Cajun Shrimp and Salmon recipe features succulent seafood seasoned with a spicy Cajun blend, pan-seared to perfection and topped with a luxurious garlic cream sauce. Served alongside creamy mashed potatoes and tender green beans, this hearty dish brings rich flavors and comforting textures to your table, perfect for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood and Seasoning
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garlic Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Mashed Potatoes
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Green Beans
- 2 cups fresh green beans, trimmed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to have it ready for later use or warming.
- Mix Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful spice rub.
- Season Seafood: Evenly rub the seasoning mixture over the peeled shrimp and salmon fillets to coat thoroughly.
- Heat Skillet: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Cook Salmon Skin-Side Down: Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the hot skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the skin becomes crispy.
- Flip and Finish Salmon: Turn salmon fillets over and cook an additional 3-4 minutes until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily.
- Set Salmon Aside: Remove cooked salmon from skillet and place on a plate to rest.
- Cook Shrimp: Using the same skillet, add seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Set Shrimp Aside: Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside with the salmon.
- Melt Butter: Add butter to the skillet and allow it to melt over medium heat.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant and golden but not burned.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine the ingredients smoothly.
- Simmer Sauce: Bring the cream sauce to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, letting it reduce and thicken slightly.
- Add Parmesan: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce turns creamy and rich.
- Return Seafood: Place the cooked shrimp and salmon back into the skillet, spooning sauce over the top to coat well.
- Simmer Gently: Reduce heat to low and simmer the seafood in the garlic cream sauce while preparing the sides, allowing flavors to meld.
- Boil Potatoes: In a large pot, cover diced potatoes with water and bring to a boil, cooking for 10-12 minutes until tender and fork-ready.
- Drain and Mash Potatoes: Drain water from potatoes, return them to the pot, then add milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy.
- Keep Potatoes Warm: Set mashed potatoes aside and keep warm until ready to serve.
- Cook Green Beans: Bring a separate pot of water to a boil, add green beans, and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender yet still bright green.
- Drain Green Beans: Drain green beans and set aside.
- Plate the Dish: Serve a generous scoop of mashed potatoes on each plate, top with salmon fillet and shrimp, then spoon garlic cream sauce over the seafood.
- Add Green Beans: Arrange green beans on the side for a fresh, crisp vegetable component.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for color and flavor, then serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the skillet is hot before adding seafood to achieve a good sear.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Do not overcook shrimp as they can become rubbery; cook until just opaque.
- If you prefer, mashed potatoes can be made creamier with more milk or butter adjusted to your taste.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh finish but can be omitted if unavailable.
