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Zatarain's shrimp boil and fish fry

2020-06-14

I like Cajun, prepare it fairly regularly.

This was a day of experimentation with 2 Cajun-kitchen products that I had never used before. Sadly enough It wasn't a great success since it appears that I had some sensitivity to one of the products. The aftermath of the meal is not a pleasant memory.

Shrimp boil

WARNING:
Even though I can normally tolerate spiciness levels up to serrano peppers without any problems, I found this way too spicy, possibly too spicy for my bodily comfort.

• The label says to use the entire jar in 6 gallons of water, bring to a boil and then add a 45-lb. bag of crawfish. I don't think I'll ever find an entire bag of crawfish here in the NM desert, unless someone would have it flown in overnight. I didn't even have crawfish tails, so I made do with shrimp.
• I started out a bit overly generous with that crab boil, literally choked on it when I tasted the broth, so spicy hot was the stuff. Also way too salty to my taste.
• I poured away the liquid and started over with just 1 tbsp. of the crab boil in 4 qts. of water. Even that was borderline assault with deadly weapon. 1 1/2 lbs. of shrimp, 2 lbs. of mixed vegetables and 10 minutes later, it was done. But I did not eat it as a soup. I tossed the liquid and served the vegetables with the fish fry meal. Even so, they were way too spicy for Marielos.  

INGREDIENTS

This is what you need for 4 quarts = 8+ servings:

• Zatarain's crab boil mix to taste
• 1 1/2 lbs. of shrimp, XL, tail-on
• 2 lbs. of (frozen) mixed vegetables
  peas, carrots, corn, garden beans

Pic1: shrimp boil with mixed vegetables

Directions

2020-06-14

Pic2: Zatarain's crab boil mix
Pic3: with mixed vegetables
Pic4:  add shrimp

• Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil.
• Add Zatarain's crab boil mix to taste.
  DO TASTE. Don't overdo it, you might live to regret it.
• Add the vegetables of your choice.
• Return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 8-12 minutes.
• Add the shrimp.
• Return to a boil.
• Remove from the heat, cover and rest 5 minutes before serving.
  That should be enough to fully warm through the shrimp.
• Serve as a spicy soup;
  OR serve only the shrimp and vegetables like I did. (see below)
• Enjoy.

---

b. dorado (mahi-mahi) fish fry

Zatarain's seasoned fish fry breading mix is not a batter. I also found it different from just flour in that it didn't seem to stick to the fish nearly as well as flour does. Yet it must have some, because the end result did come out golden brown.

The process was pretty simple. I placed the fish fillets in a Ziploc bag and added 1 heaped tbsp. of the fish fry breading mix, then shaked and baked, or rather Spanish-fried the fish in olive oil.

I served the fish with the soup veggies from above — a bit spicy, but not nearly like the broth — fresh pineapple and fresh grape tomatoes.

On the side was a serving of refried beans with cheese, lots of gooey cheese.  And since it was Sunday, there was pizza for Marielos.

INGREDIENTS

This is what you need for 2-3 servings:

• 3 8-oz. dorado steaks
• 1 tbsp. Zatarain's fish fry breading mix

the rest of the meal:

• rice / 7 grains mix
• vegetable medley
• freshly-cut pineapple
• grape tomatoes

Pic5: dorado fish fry and more

Directions

2020-06-14

Pic6: mahi-mahi
Pic7: in fish fry breading mix
Pic8: Spanish-frying

• Thaw, rinse and dry the fish.
• Combine the fish and 1 heaped fish fry breading mix in a ziploc bag.
• Shake off and discard excess breading mix.
• Heat 3/4: olive oil in a large frying pan or deep-fryer.
• Spanish-fry or deep-fry the fish until golden brown.

 

Pic9: all done
Pic10: served
Pic11: white flesh

• Drain and dry the fish on paper towels.
• Serve and enjoy.

 

Pic12: the spicy soup veggies
Pic13: 7-grains mixture
Pic14: freshly-cut pineapple, grape tomatoes

• I served this with the very spicy soup veggies, cooked 7-grain mix and freshly-cut pineapple.

 

Pic15: potatoes in tomato sauce
Pic16: refried beans with lots of cheese
Pic17: pizza

• Also served with this meal were potatoes in tomato sauce, cheese with refried beans and pizza.

 

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