Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos with a Mango Salsa

These tacos scream summertime!! This is actually one of my favorite recipes to make during the hot summer months because of all the yummy fresh ingredients that I usually grow in my garden. Just kidding I don't grow anything.. I kill everything. 

Anyways, I am ready for SUMMER!! Not just because my sweet baby boy will be here but because that is when all of my favorite veggies and fruits are in season and that my friends, is what makes all the difference when cooking!!!! 

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos with a Mango Salsa

Shopping List:

One lb of shrimp- tails cut off, peels off, and deveined ( or you could just buy them that way...I choose to go the harder route :)) 

One cup of cilantro- rough chopped

Two Roma Tomatoes chopped and diced

One red bell pepper seeded chopped and diced

one large clove of garlic-minced

one Jalepeno- seeded chopped and diced ( to cut the heat put the pepper in an ice bath for about an hour before cooking with it)

1 purple onion chopped and diced

One mango- diced

One Avocado -diced

juice of two limes and some zest

Seasonings: cumin, cayenne, S & P, a little chilli powder, olive oil

Fresh corn tortillas

Procedure:

Start by preparing your mango salsa. In a bowl combine the diced mango, 1/2 or even 1/4 of your chopped purple onion, chopped Romas, bell pepper, 1/2 cup of the cilantro, Jalepeno-  seeded & chopped, Avocado, and the juice of one lime.  Mix together with your hands until nice and combined, throw in some salt and pepper and then pop in the fridge to let those flavors marinate for a while. 

Meanwhile start deveining your shrimp if you haven't already. In a medium bowl place the shrimp, the rest of the cilantro, a glug or two of olive oil, salt/pepper, - the rest of the seasonings ( to your taste), the juice of the second lime plus the zest, and the rest of the purple onion. 

Over medium high heat place two pats of butter and let it melt. Then throw your minced garlic on ( watch your garlic so it doesn't burn!!!!) when it starts giving off that yummy garlic smell, throw the shrimp with all the goodie with it into the pan and turn the heat down just a little. Usually my shrimp take about 2 1/2 -3 minutes per side to cook. Make sure they are PINK!!! We don't want to cook them to long or else they become rubbery.. and nobody likes that so babysit those shrimps!!! Once you are sure your shrimp is cooked then its time to build that taco!

Start with your corn tortilla, place some shrimp on them and top with some mango salsa that has been marinating in the fridge! Need some extra tang? Squeeze some lime juice on that sucker and then squeeze the rest in your Dos Equis!! ENJOY!

Shrimp "Zoodle" Pasta...in a Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

So I'm really into this zoodle thing..  I am trying to watch my carbs so these veggie noodle make for a really great substitute. Get. A. Zoodle. Maker. 

So I decided I was feeling Italian and decided to go with a nice light simple shrimp pasta and it turned out really yummy!!!

Shopping list:

two zucchini-already zoodled
two squash-already zoodled
one green bell pepper cut and diced
jar of capers
parm cheese
chicken stock
white wine
1/4 stick of butter
S&P
zest of a lemon and juice of a lemon
three garlic cloves diced and minced
1/2 white or yellow onion chopped and minced

1/2 lb of devieend shrimp

Procedure:

Start by sautéing your onion, garlic, bell pepper and butter until fragrant
deglaze your pan with a little chicken stock and white wine...add in the capers and a little sauce ( I just eyeball the amount.. if you add to much it will be WAYY salty so I just add a few finger fulls of capers and a little juice) generously salt and pepper the mixture and stir for about five minutes. zest your lemon and squeeze a little lemon juice to perk up this sauce :) really yummy!

mean while

Add your zoodles to a pot over medium high heat with a little olive oil, S/P, and 1/4 cup of water. Allow them to cook with the lid on for about 5 minutes..or until soft and pliable. This allows them to feel more like an actual noodle!!!

Add the sauce to the zoodles and coat generously ensuring that the veggies absorb the yummy sauce.

In the same pan that the sauce was made add your shrimp! Salt and pepper them and maybe add a bit more olive oil...coat and cook until pink and curled into a tight little comma shape.

once cooked add some zoodles to your plate, top with shrimp, garnish with fresh parsley, shredded parm, and you are all set for this amazing yummy dinner!!!!

 

 

Also I don't normally do this, but I thought I would share an amazing wine pairing with you.

 

 

This wine is exceptional and tastes SO yummy with the shrimp. It is from Napa Valley and has a nice easy crisp taste...I love Sauvi B with anything fish related..it does not over power the meal and gives you a great compliment to add to the dinner. Groth can be found at HEB or Specs.

 

 

YUM!

 

Shrimp Creole

As far back as I can remember my Nana would always make this Shrimp Creole dish. We love spicy food in our family and this dish puts off just the right amount of heat to make your mouth do a little happy dance! Chocked full of veggies and sprinkled with the perfect amount of seafood, this supper is a crowd pleaser for sure!!!!

 

 

Shopping List

 

one half of a medium sized yellow onion-chopped

two cloves of garlic

one lb of shrimp( can be cooked or uncooked..I always buy cooked shrimp and just throw it in there last second)

one bag of frozen okra

one jar of tomato sauce

one jar of rotel

one green bell pepper-chopped

one package of bacon-chopped in to small bits

cayenne pepper

salt and pepper

tony sacherys or cajun all seasoning

cumin

 

 

Procedure

1. In a Cast iron skillet start by sautéing the bacon
2. to the bacon add the onions and garlic and sautee until clear and fragrant
3. add your chopped bell pepper and bag of frozen okra. Cook until wilted and soft
4. Once veggies are wilted and soft add your can of rotel and a HALF can of tomato sauce let simmer
5. once veggies are coated with the sauce and starting to simmer then flavor it with cayenne, salt, pepper, and Cajun all seasoning.. taste it until it is to your liking or spice level.
6. lastly once everything is tasting right add your shrimp. If you chose to do uncooked shrimp you will want it to cook in the pot for about 5-7 minutes(until pinked) if you used cooked shrimp like I do then you can just throw it in there for about three minutes.
7. Serve and Enjoy!