
Again, carb is not my favorite nutrient in food, as you could probably tell from my recipe collections, there are no bake goods or dessert recipe, because I don’t like the taste of carbs. Growing up in Asia, my mother thought that in order to make her children grow up, they should eat rice. So there are so many cheeky things I did just to avoid eating rice.
I also never have birthday cake in my life, cause why would you eat the thing you hate the most. But now as an adult, I could eat some carbs, not much but at least I don’t pick them out of my plate while eating. With one condition: the ratio of carb to protein is 1:2.
Now that I cook my own meal, I don’t have to force my self eating carbs. Also now I can do whatever I want in the kitchen. I ended up cooking and eating lots of pasta, because it is so easy, quick and using the least amount of ingredients -usually. I had a roommate who ate boiled pasta with just olive oil and garlic!
Anyway, the whole point of this rant is basically to tell you that, this is the most complicated pasta making I ever encountered, so far. I made risotto once, but that one need patience not a lot of steps like this one. But this cajun pasta is so delicious, I’d cook this again!
Ingredients:
3 cups dried penne
1/2 pound large raw shrimp -peeled and deveined and tail removed
2 tbsp and 1 tsp cajun seasoning
4 tbsp olive oil
4 ounces andouille sausage -about 2 links, sliced
1/2 yellow onion -diced
1/2 red peppers -cut into strips
4 oz mushrooms -sliced
2 cloves garlic -minced
1/2 cup diced tomatoes with juices
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup parmesan cheese -grated
2 tsp fresh parsley -chopped
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Cook pasta as directed from the package/box, aim for al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, season shrimp with 1 tsp cajun seasoning and salt, make sure it’s well coated.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, add olive oil and cook shrimp in a single layer (work in batches if necessary) for about 2 minutes each side. Remove shrimp from skillet, set aside.
- In the same skillet, cook sliced sausage for about 2-3 minutes each side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp olive oil, then cook onion, red pepper, mushroom and 2 tbsp cajun seasoning. Toss everything together until well coated. Cook until the veggies are soft, for about 4-5 minutes.
- Add garlic, let it cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the diced tomatoes, chicken broth and heavy cream. Give it a good stir and bring it to a simmer. Scrape the pan with your spatula to get any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for about 5 more minutes or sauce thickens to your desire.
- Add in parmesan cheese, cooked pasta, shrimp & sausage. Stir all ingredients together and continue cooking for about 2-3 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning, add more salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy!