Cajun Pastry
A flavorful Cajun-inspired savory pastry filled with seasoned rice, seafood, and vegetables, perfect for a hearty meal or entertaining guests with bold southern flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Mahatma or Water Maid rice ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 2/3 cup chopped bell pepper ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley ⓘ
- 1 (2 oz) jar pimentos, drained
- 1/4 cup margarine
- 1 1/2 tsp seasoned salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp red pepper ⓘ
- 1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can Orleans crabmeat ⓘ
- 1 can Orleans shrimp ⓘ
- 8 small pie shells ⓘ
Instructions
- Prepare rice according to package directions.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a medium skillet, sauté chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, minced garlic, chopped celery, chopped parsley, and pimentos in margarine until vegetables are tender.
- Add seasoned salt and red pepper; mix until blended.
- Stir in cream of mushroom soup, crabmeat, shrimp, and cooked rice; combine well.
- Place about 1/2 cup of the mixture into each pie shell.
- Bake for 20 minutes until golden and heated through.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider using fresh herbs instead of dried ones. If you don't have crabmeat or shrimp on hand, cooked chicken or sausage can be a great substitute. For a bit of heat, adding a dash of hot sauce to the filling can elevate the dish. This recipe is versatile and can be adapted to your taste preferences, similar to Shrimp Artichoke Casserole.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Cajun Pastries warm, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color. They make a wonderful appetizer or main dish and pair beautifully with a side salad or some southern-style coleslaw. For a complete meal, consider serving them alongside Quick Shrimp for an extra seafood touch.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Cajun Pastry can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the pastries in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the pastry soggy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cajun Pastry contains roughly 242 calories, with 12g protein, 26g carbohydrates, and 10g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (72% of the Daily Value) and protein (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1467mg per serving (64% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice in this recipe?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but it will require a longer cooking time. Be sure to adjust the cooking instructions for the rice accordingly, as brown rice typically takes about 45 minutes to cook compared to white rice.
What can I substitute for the cream of mushroom soup?
If you prefer a healthier option or don't have cream of mushroom soup, you can use a homemade white sauce or a can of cream of chicken soup. Both alternatives will maintain the creamy texture needed for the filling.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To increase the spice level, consider adding diced jalapeños or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the filling. You can also serve the pastries with a spicy dipping sauce or hot sauce on the side for those who enjoy an extra kick.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).