Cajun Shrimp Chowda

I get several emails filtering through my inbox daily regarding requests to pass on information through my blog. While I read every single piece of mail I receive, not all the requests see the light of day. But every now and then, I get an email that’s worth mentioning and sharing with others.

Yesterday I received a note from Kimberly over at The Hospitality House of Charlotte asking me to help promote their virtual Valentines fundraiser. I love working with local charities and giving back to the community I live in and the hospitality house administers a much needed service of providing housing for out-of-town families with medical needs. I’m hoping to get the chance to donate some cookies and take a tour in the upcoming days so that I can share a bit more of this wonderful charity with you. In the meantime, check out what the Hospitality house is all about and see if you can find it in your heart to help out with their worthy cause.

Hospitality House of Charlotte is thinking outside the box this Valentine’s Day. Inside these chocolates, you won’t find caramel or coconut. Instead, you’ll find the opportunity to provide a warm bed and a hot meal for families in medical crisis. Donors who participate in our “Give A Piece of Your Heart” virtual Valentine’s campaign can “purchase” a piece of chocolate and, if they choose, post a special message on our site in honor or memory of someone special. We’ll also send an e-mail message acknowledging this thoughtful gift made in their honor.

With 22 pieces of candy in our box and 22 bedrooms in our house, you can help us raise funds to fill our house for a night. Donations will provide shelter and comfort to families who are in unimaginably difficult circumstances. As a guest at Hospitality House, they’ll have a safe, homelike place to rest, launder clothing and prepare meals as well as the support of caring staff and volunteers if a sympathetic ear or a shoulder to cry on is needed. It’s a sweet Valentine’s Day gift from the heart with none of the calories!

And of course, I couldn’t leave you hanging without a delicious recipe as well, so here’s a bowl of Cajun Shrimp Chowda to warm you from the inside out. I’ve aptly named it “chowda” because it’s missing the potatoes which is technically what makes it an official chowder. I’m guessing if I call it by it’s full given name, the chowder police may come after me and tell me it ain’t legit. Trust me when I tell you that ya don’t need no stinkin’ potatoes. This chowder, I mean chowda, is perfectly perfect without them.

Ingredients Needed:

3 Slices of Bacon
1 Pd of Peeled and Cooked Shrimp
8 Oz. of Asparagus Spears, Cut into Thirds
1 Small Onion, Chopped
2 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
1 Cup of Corn
1 14.5 Oz. Can of Diced Tomatoes
2 Cups of Broth (Chicken or Seafood)
1/2 tsp of Old Bay Seasoning
1 Tbsp of Cajun Spice
1 tsp of Lemon Pepper
1/2 Cup of Heavy Cream
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Grab up your frying pan and cook up the three strips of bacon. When they’re cooked up, pull them out, chop them up, and drain the bacon fat, reserving about a tablespoon. Turn your heat up to medium and add in your asparagus, onion, and garlic. Cook it up for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add in the corn and tomatoes.

Mix it together, give it a minute or two to warm up and then add in the broth, the chopped bacon and your spices; the old bay, cajun, lemon pepper, and salt and pepper to taste.

Let the whole kit and kaboodle heat up for a good five minutes and then add in your cream.

And last but most definitely not least, grab up your shrimp and pop them into the pan.

Give the whole pan a swirl or two and allow the soup a couple minutes to heat back up.

Chowda, Chowder. Pashaw. Just trust me when I tell ya it’s good. Really good. And that’s the whole truth and nothing but the truth.