Cajun Rice Salad Recipes

CAJUN BOUDIN

Steps:

• Combine the pork shoulder, liver, and 4 cups of water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the pork cubes are tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Bring the rice and 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside.
• Once the pork is tender, remove from the saucepan with a slotted spoon and allow to cool a bit. While the pork is cooling, stir the green onion, chopped onion, celery, bell pepper, parsley, cilantro, and garlic into the simmering pork broth. Season with salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the onion is tender. Meanwhile, grind the meat using the coarse plate of a meat grinder. Stir the ground meat into the vegetable mixture, and cook, stirring frequently until the water has nearly evaporated, about 10 minutes. Stir in the cooked rice, and set aside to cool.
• While the meat mixture is cooling, rinse the sausage casings inside and out with plenty of warm water. Keep the casings in a bowl of warm water until ready to stuff. Once the sausage mixture is cool enough to handle, stuff into the prepared casings using a sausage stuffer. Prick the sausage with a needle every 4 to 6 inches.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to keep the water at a very gentle simmer. Add the sausage and cook gently until the sausage is hot on the inside, firm to the touch, and has plumped, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

CAJUN RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Cook rice according to packet instructions. Cool the rice.
• Combine the cooked rice, peppers, chilli, red onion and celery in a salad bowl.
• Toss thoroughly with sufficient vinaigrette to moisten, and season to taste with the optional Tabasco.
• Sprinkle with the chopped spring onions and parsley before serving.

CAJUN RICE SALAD WITH SHRIMP AND OKRA

Steps:

• For the Cajun seasoning: Combine the garlic powder, oregano, paprika, allspice, if using, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
• For the salad: Combine 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning with the rice and cook according to the rice package directions. Set aside in a bowl.
• Meanwhile, in a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the shrimp, lemon juice, oil and 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning; cover the bowl with plastic wrap, leaving a 1-inch opening for a vent. Microwave at 80-percent power, stirring once per minute, until the shrimp are opaque, about 3 minutes. Add the shrimp and the cooking liquid to the rice. (Save the remainder of the Cajun seasoning for another use.)
• In a small saucepan, bring the okra and 1/2 cup water to a boil; cook until crisp-tender, 3 minutes. Add to the shrimp and rice.
• Stir the bell pepper and parsley into the rice salad and serve at room temperature.

CAJUN RED BEANS AND RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 cups water to boil in small saucepan. Stir in rice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 thyme sprig; return to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer rice to large bowl; remove thyme sprig. Cool 5 minutes.
• Stir beans, bell pepper, and green onions into rice. Add oil, vinegar, Cajun seasoning, and 1 tablespoon chopped thyme; mix well. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with remaining thyme sprig and serve.

CAJUN CORN SALAD WITH A CAJUN DRESSING

Steps:

• Toss all the salad ingredients together in serving bowl; set aside.
• Prepare dressing.
• In a 2 qt bowl whisk all the ingredients except the olive oil until combined.
• Add the oil in a slow steady stream whisking slightly until thickened.
• Pour the dressing over salad and use a fork to coat.
• Refrigerate and let set overnight or up to 3 days.