When I first moved to Florida over 18 months ago (has it really been that long already??!), there were many silly misconceptions that I had.
I thought that tropical storms and hurricanes happened all year.
I thought that it was hot and sunny and beautiful but never too hot.
I thought that everyone went to the beach everyday.
I thought that seeing palm trees everywhere would lose its novelty (not so, still love it).
I thought everyone would be walking around in flip-flops and tropical shirts drinking pina coladas, singing Jimmy Buffet. Ok so maybe not but… ok, yes, maybe…
Most of all, I thought that seafood would be cheap!
Yes it is definitely available in larger quantities and wider varieties, and yes it is twice as fresh, but cheaper? No. Unless it’s on sale, in which case I am on that like white on rice.
Luckily for me, the Publix that I frequent has quite a large seafood counter and shrimp is often on sale, so I can justify buying a half pound every now and then. If only scallops weren’t so expensive…
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
1 box whole wheat linguini
1/2 lb peeled and deveined shrimp
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped bell pepper of choice
1 tbsp flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
salt to taste
- In a large pot, boil pasta until desired tenderness
- While pasta cooks, heat large skillet on medium heat with one turn of the pan oil (EVOO)
- In a small bowl, mix shrimp with 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning and add to skillet
- Cook until just pink, about 3 minutes. Transfer to plate
- In skillet over medium heat, add turn of the pan of oil and garlic. Heat until fragrant
- Add remaining teaspoon cajun seasoning, onion and bell pepper to sweat
- Reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in flour, cook until golden, about 1-2 minutes
- Combine milk and broth together in a separate container, and slowly whisk into the skillet, scraping up bits on the bottom
- Slowly bring to a boil and reduce to low heat to simmer for 5-10 minutes (now would be a good time to taste for extra needed salt)
- Once sauce is reduced, stir in parmesan cheese and add shrimp back to pan. Heat through, adjusting seasoning as desired
- Serve immediately over linguini noodles (or rice would be good too!)
What comes to mind when you think of Florida? What’s your favorite type of seafood?
Yum I love shrimp dinners
Makes me feel fancy when I eat shrimp, haha
This recipe looks delicious!
Is it bad that I hear “Florida” and think of elderly people? My grandparents lived in Florida when I was a kid, so I totally blame that!
HAH! No not at all, that’s actually a misconception I forgot to add because I definitely used to think that.. I think SoFla is a little out of the ordinary though in how much of a younger scene it is
Hahaha, I share many of those misconceptions with you. I’m still wondering why they don’t have fresh squeezed OJ wherever I go. Blows my mind. That pasta looks amazing!
I desperately want to just find random citrus trees and start picking but I’ve learned that people guard their oranges like crazy! Not fair
REALLY. I’ve always wanted to casually be walking Bentley and just pick an orange off a tree. Guess that’s a no go. Time to plant my own.
The “people go to the beach everyday stereotype?” Totally believed that one! However, my best friend who spent 18 months in Florida did seem to be at the beach (studying or playing volleyball) every time I called…
Totally agree — palm trees could never lose their novelty!
oooohh I WISH going to the beach everyday were possible!
I love all of the colors your bell peppers add to this dish! When I think of Florida I think of spring break and retirement homes, is that weird? I’d love to live in Florida or anywhere close to an ocean – I love all kinds of seafood!!
I love seafood too, if I could eat it everyday I probably would!
My grandparents were typical New Yorkers and retired to Florida- they lived in New Port Richey until my grandma died 6 years ago. SO when I think Florida, I think grandparents and golf carts (they lived in a retirement community with a country club/golf course)…with lots of hot rain mixed in, since we always visited in the summer
I’ve lived in California most of my life and I will never tire of palm trees! This shrimp is even better than I was expecting
Love that it’s creamy without any added cream cheese/heavy cream/sour cream/etc!
well considering my apartment is sandwiched between an assisted living facility and a golf course I would say you aren’t too far off hahah .. and YES I was determined to make a creamy pasta that wasn’t going to make me feel guilty, it was perfect! You could even forgo the parm cheese at the end, you just might need to add a little more seasoning and salt for flavor
My grandparents live in Ft. Myers and last January I went to visit. Of course I thought Florida was like Hawaii, tropical and hot all the time. I was wrong, so very wrong. It was cold and I brought all summer clothing, hello trip to the mall for me! oops!
January and February are the two months that actually can get chilly! Hah
I think of spring break (I went to daytona beach for sb in college on year), miami (I’d be lying if I didn’t say DASH store) and pina coladas. ha! This looks so delicious. I’m jealous that you have access to fresh seafood- I am very leery of buying seafood here in Ohio (although I cave and sometimes buy it anyway).
hah I have yet to visit the Dash store.. traffic on south beach is obscene so I hardly venture down there!
Umm so I am like 12….and when I think of Florida I think of DISNEYWORLD!! I’ve only been once, but cannot wait to return haha!!! I don’t eat seafood, but this looks SOOO GOOD! So creamy!
You could totally make it sans-shrimp… just use more veggies! Although it still wouldnt be vegan.. ha
This is so interesting for me to read, because Florida is where my family goes for spring break trips every once in awhile. I always tell everyone how much I would love to live there, and I have a lot of the assumptions you listed.
Have a great day, girl.
As for your recipe- Holy. Yum. This looks so awesome! Shrimp will always have a place in my heart. Maybe I should get me some of those noodles!
They are delicious!
I’m a huge lobster fan– especially lobster macaroni and cheese. It’s so rich but SO GOOD!!
Oye, would you believe me if I said I’d never tried lobster mac?? I dream of it, but have yet to come across it on a menu! Need that in my life, STAT