Cajun Shrimp Casserole

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 pounds unpeeled, large fresh shrimp
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 small red onion, chopped*
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper*
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper*
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper*
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups fresh or frozen sliced okra
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of shrimp soup**
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 cups cooked long-grain rice
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Garnishes: quartered lemon slices, fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs

Instructions

1. Peel shrimp; de-vein, if desired.
2. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add onion and next 3 ingredients (through all bell peppers); sauté for 7 minutes or until tender. Add garlic, and sauté 1 minute.
4. Stir in okra, lemon juice, and salt; sauté 5 minutes.
5. Add shrimp, and cook 3 minutes or until shrimp turns pink. Add soup and next 4 ingredients (through long-grain rice), continually stirring until blended well.
6. Pour into a lightly greased 11 x 7 inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese.
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes or until casserole is bubbly and cheese is lightly browned. Garnish, if desired.

Notes

* 1 (10 ounce) package frozen onions and peppers may be substituted for fresh onion and bell peppers.

** 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup may be substituted for cream of shrimp soup.

Unbaked casserole may be made one day in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking as directed. To freeze unbaked casserole, prepare as directed, omitting Parmesan cheese. Cover tightly, and freeze. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking.

Bake, covered, at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese, and bake 10 more minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.