A Cajun crowd-pleaser

Paa is delighted to have Tanzanian chef Monalisa Rwechungura as its new cookery columnist. The business graduate’s culinary brand has its own YouTube channel, Diko by Monalisa, in which she shares short video recipes for international dishes as well as Tanzanian classics all in Swahili. For us, she starts with this fiery seafood dish and breaks down the steps to create it in English and Swahili. Furaha ya chakula!

Let’s talk about the deliciousness that is Cajun shrimp!!!

Packed with big and bold flavours from the Cajun seasoning, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Not to mention that it is a total time-saver, clocking in at just 20 minutes from prep to cooking time.

This recipe includes homemade Cajun seasoning that you can make as spicy as you want. It gives the shrimp an amazing flavour! Perfect as a starter for a party, or as a main course served with rice/pasta or just add a simple vegetable on the side and dinner is served.

And let’s not forget, it’s a healthy meal, which makes it perfect for most dietary requirements.

Let’s get to it!

Ingredients

•Shrimp 0.5 kg

• Dry spices for seasoning: garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, black pepper, paprika, Cayenne pepper, thyme, basil, parsley, oregano, salt

• Diced pineapples.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 5 minutes

To stream from the full list of video recipes, visit the Diko by Monalisa YouTube channel. More information is also available at the Instagram page @dikobymonalisa

Method

1. If you are using wooden/ bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes, skip if using iron ones.

2. Clean, de-vein and wash the shrimp.

3. In a clean bowl mix all your dry spices to form a Cajun seasoning rub.

Cajun seasoning rub and let sit for 30 minutes.

4. Season the shrimp with the

5. Skewer the shrimp while alternating with the diced pineapples. 6. Apply oil to the grill and set temperature to 170°C.

7. Once the grill is hot, place skewers on and grill for 2.5 minutes per side.

8. Drizzle with lemon juice and garnish with fresh parsley.

Mahitaji

•Kamba 0.5 Kg, Kitunguu Swaumu cha Unga, Kitunguu Maji cha Unga, Pilipili Manga Nyeupe, Pilipili Manga, Paprika, Pilipili ya Unga, Thaimu, Majani ya Mrehani, Majani ya Parsley, Majani ya Oregano, Chumvi na Vipande vya Nanasi.

Muda wa Maandalizi Dakika 15

Muda wa Kupika Dakika 5

Mbinu

Kama unatumia fimbo za kuchoma za mbao, ziloweke kwa dakika 30, ruka hii hatua kama unatumia fimbo za chuma.

Menya, safisha na kuwaosha kamba.

Ndani ya bakuli safi changanya viungo vikavu vyote ili kupata mchanganyiko unaofahamika kama Cajun seasoning rub.

Weka mchanganyiko wa viungo (Cajun seasoning rub) kwenye Kamba na uache Kamba wakae kwa dakika 30.

Weka Kamba kwenye fimbo za kuchoma zikipshana na vipande vya nanasi. Paka mafuta jiko la kuchomea na uweke moto wa 170°C.

Jiko likipata moto weka Kamba na uwachome kwa dakika 2.5 kila upande.

Nyunyuzia maji ya limao na kupamba na majani ya parsley.