Smoky Texas BBQ Shrimp with Creamy Bleu Cheese Slaw

Texas Barbecue Shrimp with Bleu Cheese Slaw is a culinary masterpiece that brings together the bold flavors of tangy barbecue sauce, succulent shrimp, and creamy bleu cheese slaw. Created by Chef Wendy Jordan of Rosemary’s Restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada, this recipe promises to elevate your lunch or snack time with its rich taste and satisfying textures.

Recipe Overview

Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Preparation Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Calories per Serving: 1326.3
Rating: 5 stars from 1 review

Ingredients

For the Texas Barbecue Sauce:

• 1 1/4 cups low-sodium Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/4 cups soy sauce
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 1/4 cups tomato puree
• 4 tablespoons dark brown sugar

For the Bleu Cheese Mayonnaise:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon sherry wine vinegar
• 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

For the Slaw:

• 1 head green cabbage, shredded
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

For the Shrimp:

• 36 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (prepared or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

For Serving:

• Crusty bread
• Cold beer (optional, but highly recommended!)

Instructions

Texas Barbecue Sauce:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, mix Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, lemon juice, tomato puree, and brown sugar. Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves.

2. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Prepare Cream Mixture: In another saucepan, boil heavy cream until thickened. Mix in some of the barbecue sauce base to taste. Simmer until thickened. Set aside.

Bleu Cheese Mayonnaise:

1. Blend Ingredients: In a food processor, blend egg, lemon juice, mustard, and vinegar for 30 seconds.

2. Add Oil: With the processor running, slowly add oil in a thin stream until emulsified.

3. Season and Add Cheese: Season with salt and pepper, then pulse in crumbled blue cheese for 5 seconds. Strain through a sieve and refrigerate.

Slaw:

1. Combine Ingredients: Toss shredded cabbage with enough bleu cheese mayonnaise to coat evenly.

2. Add Flavors: Mix in green onions and crumbled blue cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Shrimp:

1. Season and Sauté: Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in large skillets until almost smoking. Cook shrimp until golden and opaque, about 1 minute per side. Drain on paper towels.

Serving:

1. Plate Up: Arrange slaw in the center of each plate. Lean 5 shrimp against the slaw and place one on top.

2. Baste and Garnish: Baste each shrimp with barbecue sauce. Drizzle extra sauce around the plate. Sprinkle with additional blue cheese and green onions. Dust plate rims with black pepper.

Tips for Success

• Barbecue Sauce: Adjust sweetness and tanginess by varying amounts of brown sugar and lemon juice in the sauce.
• Mayonnaise: Ensure the mayonnaise is well emulsified before adding blue cheese to achieve a smooth texture.
• Shrimp: Do not overcrowd the pan when sautéing to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior.
• Presentation: Garnish generously with blue cheese and green onions for a visually appealing dish.

Enjoy Your Culinary Creation

Texas Barbecue Shrimp with Bleu Cheese Slaw is a delightful fusion of Southern and gourmet flavors, perfect for a satisfying lunch or a hearty snack. Pair it with crusty bread and a cold beer to complete the experience. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or treating yourself to a special meal, this recipe by Chef Wendy Jordan promises to impress with its robust flavors and elegant presentation.