Are you a meal planner? This is a dish that I threw together not having much planned ahead of time. Which isn’t always like me. I like to plan my meals in advance. I like knowing what I’m eating for dinner the morning of – or heck, even the night before. But sometimes we can’t always plan.  And that was one of those nights. Luckily, we had a few ingredients on hand, and some frozen shrimp, that when put together made for a pretty good dish.

B even suggested we make this again – so it’s a winner in my book!

Cajun Shrimp Freekeh

Here’s what you need:

• 1 c. dry freekeh (I used Freekeh Foods original)
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or diced
• 2 red peppers
• 1 10-oz can diced tomatoes with green chilis
• 12 oz frozen shrimp, or four servings
• 2 TBS Cajun or Creole seasoning (I like this “Creole” mix from Emeril)

Here’s what you do:

1. Prepare freekeh according to package directions (my freekeh said to add to 2 1/2 c water, boil, then simmer). About halfway through cooking add 1 TBS cajun seasoning to freekeh. Stir, and continue to cook freekeh nearly to completion – I cooked mine for about 17 minutes (package said to cook for 20).
2. While freekeh is cooking, heat 1-2 TBS olive oil on a pan over medium low heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add in garlic and red pepper and cook for 3-4 more minutes.
3. At this point, freekeh should be nearly done cooking. Add nearly-done (definitely soft, it may have 2-3 more minutes) freekeh, can of diced tomatoes and 1 TBS cajun seasoning to the onion/garlic/pepper mixture. Cook for 3 more minutes on medium heat, stirring to make sure all flavors are combined.
4. Add defrosted shrimp to pan and cook for 4-6 minutes until shrimp is warm and flavors are all absorbed. When shrimp is ready your dish is too.
5. Enjoy!

Makes: 4 main courses

Anyway, I’ve really been enjoying cooking with my freekeh that Freekeh Foods sent me. I started small/easy, with the freekeh chickpea and goat cheese salad, and have been eating it as a side dish, as a main dish, and more. I think I need to try it as a dessert – freekeh pudding or cookies anyone? Maybe that’s next.

• Have you tried freekeh yet?
• Do you like Cajun food?
• Do you count fish as meat? I wanted to post this on a Monday as a Meatless Monday .. but would it even count as a Meatless Monday?