Description
Prepare a restaurant-quality Caesar salad topped with perfectly seasoned and cooked blackened shrimp.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons blackened seasoning blend (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large heads Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup homemade Caesar dressing
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup homemade or store-bought croutons
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Toss the dry shrimp with the blackened seasoning blend until evenly coated.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
- Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes per side until a dark crust forms and the shrimp is opaque throughout. Do not overcook. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the salad base: In a large bowl, combine the chopped Romaine lettuce.
- Add the Caesar dressing and toss gently until the lettuce is lightly coated.
- Divide the dressed lettuce among serving plates. Top each salad evenly with the blackened shrimp, grated Parmesan cheese, and croutons. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For the blackened seasoning: Combine 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat preference), 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well.
- For a classic Caesar dressing: Whisk together 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 clove minced garlic, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, and salt and pepper to taste. For a less intense flavor, reduce or omit anchovy paste if using.
- To achieve the ‘blackened’ crust without burning, maintain medium-high heat and cook the shrimp quickly. The dark color comes from the spices caramelizing, not burning.
- You can prepare the dressing and seasoning blend up to two days ahead of time.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 24
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 250