Lemon-Garlic Cajun Shrimp

{ Lemon-Garlic Cajun Shrimp prepared for my son and brother's birthday bash }

I love that scene from Forrest Gump (one of my favorite movies) when Bubba tells Forrest about all the different kinds of shrimp.

"Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it."

It makes my mouth water every time I hear it.

Though there are so many wonderful ways to prepare shrimp, my favorite is the simplest and most basic of them all -- prepared with lemon, garlic, and butter.  It doesn't get any better or easier than this.  Well, actually if you add just a hint of cajun spices for a little bit of heat, that about makes it complete and takes it to a whole new level which I'm sure even Bubba would approve.  This is perfect over a bed of pasta, cajun rice, or paella.

Lemon-Garlic Cajun Shrimp
Adapted from PBS/Everyday Food

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1-½ pounds medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 tablespoon of Cajun spice (if you don't have one prepared, here's an easy recipe)
2 tablespoons juice squeezed from fresh lemon
Coarse salt & pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, stir and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.  Add shrimp and Cajun spices; cook, tossing occasionally, until pink and opaque, 5 to 7 minutes.  
2. Toss with lemon juice.  Remove from heat.  Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with chopped parsley.