Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Corn Salad

• Recipe by Laurent Tourondel

For this tangy salad, Tourondel looked to the Gulf Coast, flavoring shrimp with both a Cajun spice blend and Old Bay, a mix of ground peppers, celery salt and other seasonings popular in the South and mid-Atlantic. For a true bayou peel-and-eat experience, leave the shrimp shells on.

Ingredients

PICKLED RED ONION

1. 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2. 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
3. 1/2 tablespoon sugar
4. 1/2 tablespoon freshly ground pepper
5. 1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced

SALAD

1. 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
2. 1 teaspoon Cajun spice blend
3. 1 teaspoon hot pimentón de la Vera (smoked Spanish paprika)
4. 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
5. 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
7. 20 large shrimp, shelled and deveined
8. 7 ears of corn, shucked
9. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
10. Salt and freshly ground pepper
11. 4 Kirby cucumbers, diced
12. 2 Medjool dates, pitted and diced
13. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
14. 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
15. Pea shoots, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. PICKLE THE ONION: In a small saucepan, bring the vinegar to a boil with the salt, sugar and pepper. Cook over high heat until the salt and sugar dissolve, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the onion slices, and let the onion pickle stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
2. MEANWHILE, MAKE THE SALAD: Light a grill. In a large bowl, mix the Old Bay, Cajun spice, smoked paprika, rosemary, cayenne and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the shrimp and toss well. Grill the shrimp over high heat, turning once, until the shrimp are lightly charred and white throughout, about 2 minutes.
3. Rub the corn with the butter and season with salt and black pepper. Grill over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until the kernels are charred and tender, about 10 minutes. Let the ears cool slightly.
4. Using a serrated knife, cut the kernels from the ears over a large bowl. Toss the corn with the cucumbers, dates, cilantro, lime juice and the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Drain the pickled onion strips and add them to the salad. Season with salt and pepper and toss well. Transfer to a platter, top with the grilled shrimp, garnish with the pea shoots and serve.

Make Ahead

The pickled onion can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. The dressed salad can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours; serve lightly chilled.