Creamy Polenta with Spicy Shrimp
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A comfort dish with creamy, cheesy polenta and spicy sauteed shrimp in a smoky tomato sauce.
Serves: 4 meals
Ingredients
  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1 cup polenta or yellow cornmeal
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan
  • ⅓ cup shredded Italian cheese
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ½ cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes*
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • ~24 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tablespoons cream**
  • Optional: additional grated cheese, thyme or red pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 teaspoon salt and 4 cups of water to a boil.
  2. Once boiling, reduce stove to low and slowly add in the polenta whisking constantly during the addition
  3. Continue to whisk vigorously for 2 minutes then cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes
  4. While the polenta simmers, begin cooking the vegetables and shrimp
  5. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with the cajun seasoning, cumin, chili powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and smoked paprika. Set aside
  6. Heat the olive oil In a large skillet over medium-high heat
  7. Add the sliced onions, garlic and red pepper flakes
  8. Cook until onions begin to brown lightly
  9. Add in the grape tomatoes and cook until soft
  10. Once the tomatoes are softened, add in the shrimp and saute until cooked on both sides, about 2-3 total
  11. To finish the shrimp, onions and tomatoes add in the thyme leaves and 2 tablespoons of cream, stirring lightly and remove from heat.
  12. To finish the polenta, once 20 minutes has passed, remove the polenta from the heat whisk in the butter, cheeses, and salt until incorporated throughout.
  13. To serve, spoon polenta into a dish and top with the shrimp and vegetables
  14. Garnish with additional fresh thyme, grated cheese or red pepper flakes
Notes
*If you have a mild palate when it comes to spice, I would suggest leaving the red pepper flakes out and simply rely on the cajun seasoning for spice. You can always add a bit of red chili flake prior to serving if more spice is desired.
**Milk may be substituted but it's not recommended to use anything less than 2%
Recipe by Her Modern Kitchen at https://www.hermodernkitchen.com/creamy-polenta-with-spicy-shrimp/