Savor the Spice: Crafting Blackened Shrimp & Crispy Chilled Cucumbers from Ally’s Kitchen Cookbook
Today marks a truly special occasion as I get to introduce you to not only a truly delectable recipe for Blackened Shrimp and Crispy Chilled Cucumbers, but also to one of the very first “foodie pals” I connected with when I started my blogging journey: the incredible Ally. Approximately four years ago, as I ventured into the vibrant world of food blogging, Ally was one of those warm, welcoming souls who instantly made me feel at home. Through mutual friends in the culinary community, I had the pleasure of discovering her infectious energy and genuine kindness. She possesses that enchanting sweet southern drawl that instantly makes you want to pull up a chair in her kitchen, sip on something comforting, and simply get lost in her wonderful stories.
It’s this very essence of Ally that shines through magnificently in her brand new, absolutely awesome cookbook! Beyond the mouth-watering recipes, what truly captured my heart about her book is its captivating narrative style. Reading through it feels less like browsing a typical recipe collection and more like embarking on a beautiful, vivid storytelling adventure. Each page is a magic carpet ride, whisking you away through foreign lands and culinary landscapes, expertly guided by Ally’s talented writing and an awakening of your taste buds. The personal anecdotes and rich descriptions are incredibly immersive, drawing you in hook, line, and sinker long before you even get to the ingredients list. This isn’t just a cookbook; it’s an experience, a journey, and a testament to Ally’s unique ability to connect food with memory and emotion.
Isn’t she just adorable? Her warmth and authenticity are truly magnetic. Someday, I genuinely hope to have the opportunity to meet Ally in person, to share a meal, and of course, to have her autograph my copy of her cherished cookbook. For now, it holds a place of pride, not tucked away on a shelf, but prominently displayed on my coffee table. It’s simply too beautiful and inspiring to be relegated to a corner. (As the saying goes, “Nobody puts baby in a corner!”) This cookbook is a conversation starter, a source of inspiration, and a constant reminder of the wonderful connections fostered through our shared love of food.
For those eager to get their hands on this culinary treasure, Ally’s cookbook is readily available online. You can find it on major platforms like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For those who prefer the tactile experience of flipping through pages in person, it will also be hitting physical bookstores starting May 12th! How exciting is that? It’s a fantastic opportunity to dive into a world of flavors and stories that will undoubtedly enrich your cooking repertoire and your spirit.
Choosing the Perfect Dish: A Culinary Dilemma
Once you get your copy of Ally’s cookbook, prepare yourself for a delightful challenge: choosing which recipe to try first. Trust me, it’s an enjoyable struggle! Every page offers a new temptation, a new culinary adventure begging to be explored. After much deliberation, I finally landed on these tantalizing blackened shrimp. Something about the promise of bold, spicy flavors perfectly complemented by a refreshing element immediately drew me in. I knew, without a doubt, that this would be the inaugural recipe from Ally’s kitchen that I would bring to life in my own.
My love for spicy food runs deep, and when dining out, “blackened” seafood is almost always my go-to order. However, I must confess, despite my enthusiasm for its flavors, I had never ventured into making my own blackening rub or cooking it myself at home. There’s something inherently intimidating about creating that perfect char and spice balance. But with Ally’s encouragement through her beautifully written recipe, I decided to take the plunge. To my absolute delight, it was not only incredibly easy but the outcome was utterly scrumptious! The process was surprisingly straightforward, and the aroma filling my kitchen was simply divine, a tantalizing preview of the deliciousness to come.
The homemade mixture of spices for the blackening rub was pure perfection. It delivered a harmonious blend of smoky, savory, and spicy notes that truly elevated the shrimp. As they cooked, they glistened with that characteristic fiery sheen, promising an explosion of flavor with every bite. The robust seasoning created an irresistible crust, sealing in the succulent tenderness of the shrimp while imparting a deep, complex flavor profile that satisfied my craving for bold, spicy seafood. It’s a testament to the magic of a well-balanced spice blend and Ally’s expertise in guiding even a novice blackener like myself to culinary success.
The Perfect Counterpoint: Chilled Cucumbers
As delicious as the blackened shrimp were on their own, the genius of this recipe truly lies in its pairing. The only way to make these spicy powerhouses even better was to accompany them with a generous serving of crisp, chilled cucumbers. These cucumbers weren’t just any side dish; they were bathed in a tangy, refreshing dressing of lime and fresh cilantro, creating a vibrant counterpoint to the shrimp’s heat. It was an absolutely perfect synergy: just as your tongue began to feel the fiery warmth from the blackening spices, the cool, crisp cucumber, with its zesty lime and herbaceous cilantro notes, offered an immediate and welcome refreshment. You might even say they were “Cool as a Cucumber!” 😉 This thoughtful combination elevates the dish from merely spicy to a beautifully balanced culinary experience, showcasing Ally’s mastery of flavor pairings.
Ally’s presentation suggestion of placing a blackened shrimp artfully atop each cucumber slice transformed this simple dish into a fun and elegant appetizer. Imagine serving these at your next gathering – they’re visually appealing and incredibly easy to enjoy. For our meal, we decided to elevate it to a main course, serving the succulent shrimp and refreshing cucumber salad alongside a wholesome side of brown rice. The result? Pure culinary bliss. There wasn’t a single morsel left by the end of the meal, a true testament to how satisfying and delicious this combination is. It’s a dish that caters to both bold flavor enthusiasts and those who appreciate a refreshing, light meal, making it incredibly versatile for any occasion.
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Print Recipe
Blackened Shrimp and Crisp Chilled Cucumbers
Ingredients
- 16-20 about 1 1/4 pounds large deveined shrimp, tails on
- FOR THE SPICE
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried ground oregano
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to your heat index
- 1/4 to 1/2 red chili flakes adjust to your heat index
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- Cooking spray
- FOR THE CUCUMBERS
- 1-20 1/2 inch thick slices of English cucumbers
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/3 cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
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Combine cucumber slices in a bowl with the olive oil, lime juice, sea salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro. Toss gently to combine. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. (Preparing this a few hours or even the morning of enhances the flavors.)
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Prepare the blackening spices by mixing paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, sea salt, pepper, dried ground thyme, dried ground oregano, cayenne pepper, and red chili flakes in a small bowl. Adjust the cayenne and chili flakes to achieve your desired level of heat.
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In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron works best for blackening), melt the butter over medium-high heat. While the butter melts, lightly spray both sides of your deveined shrimp with cooking spray, then thoroughly dredge each shrimp in the prepared blackening seasoning mixture, ensuring an even coat. Place the seasoned shrimp into the hot skillet in a single layer, taking care not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for approximately 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on each side, until the shrimp are opaque, pink, and have a beautiful blackened crust. Add additional cooking spray to the skillet if needed to prevent sticking or burning.
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Serve the hot, flavorful blackened shrimp immediately with the crisp, chilled, and tangy cucumbers. They can be enjoyed as a vibrant appetizer, a light main course, or as a side with brown rice or quinoa.
Nutrition
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Beyond the Recipe: Dive Deeper into Ally’s Kitchen
Ready to explore more culinary delights and captivating stories from Ally? Her new cookbook is just the beginning! If you’re as enchanted by her approach to food as I am, there’s a whole world of content waiting for you to discover. Ally is a true gem in the food community, and her passion for cooking and sharing is truly inspiring.
Visit Ally’s Kitchen Official Website
Her website is a treasure trove of recipes, travel adventures, and personal stories that will keep you entertained and inspired for hours. It’s a fantastic extension of her cookbook, offering even more insight into her unique culinary philosophy.
Watch the Cookbook Video Trailer
Get a sneak peek into the beautiful world of her cookbook by watching the official video trailer. It perfectly captures the spirit and visual appeal of what awaits within its pages.
Join the Virtual Blog Tour: Discover More from Ally’s Foodie Friends
Be sure to follow Ally’s virtual blog tour throughout May! Each day, a different foodie friend (like me!) will be sharing their favorite recipes and insights from “Ally’s Kitchen.” It’s a wonderful way to experience the diversity of her cookbook through various perspectives and discover new blogs along the way.
Speaking of delicious discoveries, the Blackened Shrimp and Crispy Chilled Cucumbers weren’t the only gems I found in Ally’s new book. Another recipe that instantly caught my eye and delighted my palate was featured on page 35: her Rustic Lemon Cheese Cupcakes. These charming cupcakes were the absolute perfect dessert – light, tangy, and utterly irresistible. They offered a refreshing end to our meal, proving once again that Ally’s culinary range is truly impressive, moving seamlessly from savory to sweet with effortless grace.
I won’t spoil all the details of those divine lemon cheese cupcakes here. You’ll just have to check them out for yourself when you get your very own copy of Ally’s incredible new cookbook! And here’s the best part: you actually have a chance to WIN one! Ally is generously giving away THREE cookbooks to lucky readers. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to add her captivating stories and delicious recipes to your own collection. Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a copy for yourself!
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