Shrimp is a good source of protein and a favorite food for many in Houston, but when it comes to Cajun fried shrimp, it can be protein filled and delicious as well. Preparing fried shrimp is an art, and like most culinary specialties, how one prepares it and the ingredients they use can make all the difference when it comes to the tastebuds.
What Goes in to Preparing Fried Shrimp and Why It Matters
As with any dish, the type of ingredients you use and how you prepare them has a substantial influence over the meal.
Even selecting the shrimp for the meal is important to the outcome. Some specific considerations include:
- Freshness: Using fresh shrimp is ideal because that freshness can add to the taste of a meal. For locations that are close to the ocean or a gulf, like Houston, obtaining fresh seafood may be more feasible. Grocery stores and restaurants who are not close to a body of saltwater and do not receive regular shipments of shrimp may have to rely on frozen shrimp. Be aware that frozen shrimp tends to not fry as well and may also have less flavor.
- Size: Shrimp typically shrink during the cooking process. For this reason, many chefs opt for jumbo or large shrimp to avoid too much shrinkage or overcooking.
- Flavor: Adding the flavor is typically done in two primary ways: seasoning or marinating.
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- Seasoning: Cajun fried shrimp is made with plenty of flavorful seasoning. Spices such as salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion, paprika and other Cajun seasonings are applied generously.
- Marinating: Some chefs will choose to marinate shrimp for an hour or so in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice before frying them up as it provides a different type of flavor.
- Coating: The type of coating a chef uses for their fried shrimp is telling. Some do breading by first dipping the shrimp into a well-beaten egg mixture before placing them in either breadcrumbs, seasoned flour, or a mixture of both. The flour and breadcrumbs are usually heavily seasoned.
- Oil: When it comes to frying the shrimp, you need a high smoke point which generally means using canola, vegetable, or peanut-based oils. It is important to keep the oil temperature as consistent as possible throughout the cooking process for the best results and even cooking.
A common mistake when making fried shrimp is putting too many into the frying pan at one time, which is known to make them become soggy and greasy. If the shrimp do come out too greasy for your liking, simply remove them from the pan with a slotted spoon and then place them on a paper towel lined dish to help absorb even more of the unwanted grease. Be sure to replate the shrimp without the paper towel before serving.
Why Cajun Fried Shrimp Is Popular in Houston
Since shrimp can be made boiled, baked, or fried, what makes Cajun fried shrimp so popular? If you ask ten people what they like best about it, you are likely to get ten different answers. This is in large part because enjoying Cajun fried shrimp is more of an experience.
For example, in the Cajun tradition, friends and family come together to enjoy an old-fashioned seafood boil or fried shrimp extravaganza. These gatherings typically include groups of eight or more individuals who forgo the fine China for paper plates. A plastic tablecloth or layers of newspaper make for easy cleanup. The vibe is casual, with a focus on enjoying the food and the company, often with some fun and relaxing music playing in the background.
One reason Cajun fried shrimp is popular for these gatherings is that they do not necessarily have to be made at home. Sometimes when the weekend rolls around, the last thing a person wants to do is spend time in the kitchen cooking. Fortunately, Houston is lucky to have top notch restaurants like 7Spice Cajun that can cook delicious Cajun fried shrimp for you to pick up and bring to the table without all the work.
A bonus to ordering out for authentic Cajun fried shrimp is that you can order the sides that go with it too, making a complete meal easy. Whether you are interested in coleslaw, red potatoes, corn, Boudin balls, gumbo, hush puppies, French fries or sweet potato fries, or maybe some of each, a true Cajun restaurant offering fried shrimp should have these items available to add to the menu for your gathering. If your get-together is particularly large, consider ordering a few party trays, which have fried shrimp along with other delicious Cajun offerings.
To make your dinner a success all the way around, it’s a good idea to have plenty of Cajun fried shrimp with an offering or two of something non-seafood based for those who prefer that. Fried chicken strips are a favorite non-seafood offering.
If your tastebuds have you craving some delicious Cajun fried shrimp, head to 7Spice Cajun for some delicious fried shrimp with all the fixings!