A friend gave me this recipe for Mardi Gras Shrimp Casserole. Living in Louisiana, she had many Cajun recipes that I have thoroughly enjoyed. This is a hearty seafood casserole filled with shrimp, cheese and rice.

I always reduce the amount of spicy seasoning in my food — I seem to like it better that way — but many of my friends and family enjoy spicy seasoning more than I do. So when you bake this casserole, pay attention to the cayenne pepper and adjust to your taste.

Mardi Gras Shrimp Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 pounds large fresh shrimp
• 1 stick butter
• 1 14.4-ounce package frozen onions and peppers
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups sliced okra
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 10 ¾-ounce can cream of shrimp soup
• ½ cup white wine
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 cups cooked long-grain rice
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Garnishes: lemon slices, fresh parsley sprigs, green onions, peeled sliced red pearl onions

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and devein shrimp. Set aside. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the package of frozen onions and peppers, sauté for 5 minutes or until crisp tender. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in okra, lemon juice and salt; sauté for 5 minutes. Add shrimp and cook 3 minutes more or until shrimp turns pink. Stir in soup, wine, soy sauce, cayenne pepper and rice. Mix well. Pour into a lightly greased 9-by-12-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 minutes; serve warm.

Adjust the cayenne pepper and salt to your taste. Prepare the casserole a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Let it stand for about 20 minutes at room temperature before baking your casserole. This is also a good casserole to make ahead and freeze. Do not add cheese if you plan to freeze; add it when you get ready to bake.

From the scriptures

Spiritual food is essential for all of us, as well as physical food. We should nourish our mind and feed our spirit daily just as we feed our body. To memorize a weekly Bible verse is a fabulous spiritual food. Try it, and you will see how easy it is to memorize just one Bible verse each week!

Our Memory Verse for this week is: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10