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Cajun Shrimp and Salmon with Garlic Cream Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans: A Flavor-Packed Dinner to Impress

To plate, scoop a generous portion of mashed potatoes onto each plate Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 14 reviews

This Cajun Shrimp and Salmon with Garlic Cream Sauce served alongside creamy mashed potatoes and buttery green beans is a perfect flavor-packed dinner to impress your guests. The dish balances the bold, spicy notes of Cajun seasoning with a rich garlic cream sauce, complemented by smooth mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans for a complete and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cajun Shrimp and Salmon:

  • 4 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin on or off depending on preference
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and oregano)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter

For the Garlic Cream Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

For the Mashed Potatoes:

  • 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Green Beans:

  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: Peel and cut the russet potatoes into even chunks. Boil them in a large pot of salted water for 15-20 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain and return potatoes to pot, mash until smooth with a potato masher or hand mixer. Add butter and milk while mashing, continue until creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and set aside to keep warm.
  2. Cook the Cajun Shrimp and Salmon: Pat shrimp and salmon dry; season generously with Cajun seasoning on both sides. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, cook shrimp 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque; remove and set aside. Add butter to the skillet, melt, then cook salmon fillets skin side down if skin on, 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through and flaky. Remove and set aside with shrimp.
  3. Prepare the Garlic Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Bring to a simmer and cook 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning as needed and add extra broth if too thick. Return shrimp and salmon to skillet, coat with sauce, simmer 2-3 minutes.
  4. Cook the Green Beans: Blanch green beans in boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and set aside. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, add garlic and optional red pepper flakes, sauté 1-2 minutes. Add green beans, toss and sauté for 3-4 minutes until slightly caramelized and heated through. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Plate and Serve: Serve a generous scoop of mashed potatoes topped with a salmon fillet and several Cajun shrimp. Spoon garlic cream sauce over the seafood and potatoes. Place sautéed green beans alongside. Garnish with fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

  • Adjust Cajun seasoning amount based on your preferred spice level.
  • Use skin-on salmon for more flavor and crispy texture; skin-off if preferred milder.
  • Make sure potatoes are dry after draining for creamier mashed potatoes.
  • Garlic cream sauce consistency can be adjusted by altering chicken broth quantity.
  • Blanching green beans before sautéing keeps their bright color and crisp texture.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently to preserve texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp, salmon, garlic cream sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans, seafood dinner, spicy seafood recipe, easy dinner, Cajun seasoning

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/to-plate-scoop-a-generous-portion-of-mashed-potatoes-onto-each-plate-recipe/