“Blackened” is a method of Cajun cooking in which fish, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, etc. are coated in a spice rub then seared at high heat. The seasonings char, deepen in flavor and mingle with the butter to create an irresistible dark crust that is smoky, spicy and complex giving way to juicy, tender protein – in this case fish. Blackening became popular in the 1980’s as a way to replicate the taste of charcoal grilling in the kitchen. What makes this technique unique is the spice blend used. While the proportions of the seasonings vary, blackening seasoning typically includes paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne, salt and pepper.