Showing posts with label Limes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Limes. Show all posts

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Restaurant (Re)creation: Las Ventanas' Chipotle Shrimp & Chorizo Tacos




On a recent trip to Mexico, I had the pleasure of taking a cooking class with Fabrice Guisset, the Executive Chef at Las Ventanas. The pleasure quadrupled when I found out everyone else in my class cancelled, so I had my own private class.  I had put in some dish requests the night before and Fabrice took all of my requests and put together a great little menu.  We made ceviche (recipe to come), shrimp & chorizo tacos, and fresh guacamole. I choose to share the shrimp & chorizo tacos and guacamole now since I figured it would be the perfect Cinco De Mayo dish to cook for your friends. The guacamole is a simple traditional Mexican recipe and the shrimp taco is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy with a kick from the chorizo and chipotle peppers.  Nothing will compare to Fabrice's al fresco cooking class, but at least we can make some authentic Mexican dishes on Cinco de Mayo (and dream of poolside margaritas in the process!)


Serves 4


Ingredients:


Guacamole

  • 3 Avocados
  • 1/2 bunch of cilantro
  • 1 jalapeño chili, seeds removed and diced 
  • 1 oz. fresh lime juice
  • salt

Shrimp & Chorizo Tacos

  • 1 pound raw medium size peeled shrimp, sliced in half lengthwise
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 8 oz chorizo
  • 1 pound finely chopped tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup sliced white onions
  • 2 pieces canned or dried chipotle chilies, cut into strips
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 piece holy leaf (optional)
  • 1 tbsp dry oregano
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
  • Vegetable (or corn) oil
  • Small tortillas

Directions:


Guacamole


-Cut the avocado in half and take out the seed.
-Scoop avocado into a bowl and mash with a fork to blend.
-Add the rest of the ingredients finely chopped and season with salt and lime juice.


Shrimp & Chorizo Tacos


-Heat a skillet over low heat and drizzle with vegetable oil.
-Crumble the meat of the chorizo into a skillet and cook until the fat is rendered out. 
-Add the onion to the pan and fry for about 5 minutes.
-Add the raw shrimp, brown sugar, herbs & chilies to the skillet.
-Adjust the seasoning and cook for about 10 minutes.
-Serve on a tortilla (or a tostada) with refried black beans, sour cream, queso fresco, and guacamole.


¡Buen Provecho!


Las Ventanas
Transpeninsular Hwy 23400 
San Jose del Cabo, 
Baja California Sur, Mexico
www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/lasventanas/

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Libation (Re)creation: The Tres (Agaves) Margarita



Tres (formerly Tres Agaves) can be quite the scene on a Friday or Saturday night.  You can always rely on their margaritas to take your night from good to epic and you rarely have a hangover the next day.  The key to their recipe is agave nectar.  Their margarita is very similar to the award-winning version at Tommy's Mexican Restaurant, which also uses agave nectar.  Neither restaurant uses Cointreau, Triple Sec, or any gross mixes- just limes, tequila, and agave nectar.  Agave is light and not as caloric or sweet as straight sugar, which certainly helps your head (and waistline) the next day. You can make these margaritas with any type of decent 100% agave tequila but I prefer it with Partida Añejo tequila.  For the rim, you can use any coarse salt but I am partial to a chili salt called Tajin Clásico that I bought when I was in México.   Either way you serve them, they are guaranteed to be delicious, refreshing, and serious crowd-pleasers.  Olé

Makes: 1 solid Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz 100% Agave Tequila (blanco or añejo)
  • 2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz agave nectar
  • Kosher or Chili Salt (for rim)
  • Ice cubes

Directions:

Pour tequila, lime juice & agave nectar in a cocktail shaker with ice.

Moisten the outer rim of your glass with lime juice and lightly coat with salt.

Pour the margarita in your salt-rimmed glass over ice.

Enjoy responsibly ; )


Tres
130 Townsend Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 227-0500
tressf.com