Quick Creole Shrimp and Beans

Shrimp Baby Shrimp!

I wanted to cook something quick, simple, tasty, and a little bit spicy today. I did not have time to do my daily grocery run, so I went with what I had in stock. I always have shrimp, it's a southern thang, and I always have bacon (don't tell) and veggies are a must to counteract the bacon.

Dice the bacon up and fry until crisp. Set aside while we cook up some green beans. 

It is very important that you boil the green beans for a couple of minutes, then shock them into an ice cold water bath, to stop the cooking and preserve the beautiful green color.

Yep, it's shrimp baby shrimp time. I had these little shrimp that Big Goo bought, they are too little for me that is why I waited to use them. I like jumbo shrimp, sorry, I just do. If I am going to peel, and devein some shrimp they need to be big. 

And note to shrimp people, please stop mislabeling shrimp calling them jumbo when they really are medium, I am watching you, and this girl knows her shrimp!

Look at this, it's so pretty, and the bacon doesn't hurt! Cook up some hot rice and enjoy!

Quick Creole Shrimp and Beans

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 lb of green beans
1 lb. of shrimp, peeled, deveined
6 slices thick cut bacon, diced
1 red onion, sliced into half moons
3 cloves of garlic, minced
3 Thai chili's (optional), sliced
2 tsp. creole seasoning
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
green onions to garnish

Directions:

Fill a medium bowl with ice and water and set aside.

In a large pasta pot fill with water and bring to a boil, add about 1 teaspoonful of salt to water and stir. Add green beans and boil for 3 minutes, drain and shock in ice cold water.  When beans chill drain in a strainer and set aside.

Mix seasoning blend together and set aside.

In a medium bowl add shrimp and seasoning with a couple of teaspoons of seasoning blend and set aside.

In a large skillet add olive oil and heat over medium heat, add bacon and saute until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, place into a paper napkin and set aside.

Reserve bacon grease and add onion, Thai chili and saute for about 5 minutes, add garlic and saute 1 minute more, add green beans and season with about 1 teaspoonful more of seasoning blend and mix well. Add shrimp and saute for about 4-5 minutes until shrimp are cooked. Test seasonings, add remaining seasoning if desired. I love a lot of seasoning so I add it all.

Remove from heat and toss bacon in and mix well.Serve with a side of hot rice and enjoy!