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Cajun Carbonara, Fried Green Tomato & Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Cajun Carbonara piled high with fried green tomato and bacon wrapped shrimp
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Creole, Pasta
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Fried Green Tomatoes

  • 1 large green tomato sliced in 1/4 inch rounds
  • 1 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup corn meal
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 tsp Cajun seasoning such as Slap Ya Mama Zatarains or Tony Cachere's
  • vegetable oil for frying

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

  • 12 large/extra large shrimp cleaned, shell removed, tail left on
  • 6 slices thick cut mesquite bacon cut in half
  • 2 ears corn cut off the cob
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup sugar peas sliced on bias
  • 1 tbsp shallot

Cajun Carbonara

  • 9 oz fresh fettuccine cooked according to directions, reserve 1/2 cup pasta water
  • 2 egg yolks beaten
  • 1/2 cup parmesan shredded
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley fine chopped
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning

Extras

  • 1 lemon cut in wedges for serving

Instructions

Fried Green Tomatoes

  • Heat vegetable oil in a wide rimmed pan about an inch deep over medium heat.
    Set up three bowls: 1 cup of flour in one bowl, 2 eggs in second bowl, and 1/2 cup flour plus 1/2 cup cornmeal plus Cajun seasoning in third bowl. Dredge each green tomato slice in flour, then egg and finally the cornmeal mixture. Let sit on a wire rack or paper towel until ready to fry.
  • Fry each green tomato until golden brown. Season with a pinch of Cajun seasoning immediately after frying.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

  • Wrap each shrimp with a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place in a large saute pan over medium heat and cook until bacon starts to brown, about 3 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
  • Increase heat to medium-high. Add shallot, corn and peas to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook another 2 minutes. Push mixture over to side and add shrimp back to the pan, toothpicks removed. (the bacon should be cooked enough that is stays on the shrimp). Reduce heat to low and keep warm until ready to plate.

Cajun Carbonara

  • In a small bowl, combine egg yolks and parmesan. Drain cooked fettuccine (reserving about 1/2 cup of the water). Combine egg yolk mixture with fettuccine and toss to combine. Add reserved pasta water, Cajun seasoning and fresh parsley.

Plate your dish

  • Pile Cajun Carbonara on plate, top with a fried green tomato and top that with the bacon wrapped shrimp mixture. Drizzle with lemon.