Coconut rum, ginger and lime give this dish a tropical flavor.  Due to the need to marinate plan ahead!




2  pounds medium shrimp, shelled
2  mini bottles of coconut rum
2  tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2  tablespoons olive oil
3  limes
18 bamboo skewers 

Mix the rum, garlic, ginger and oil in a bowl.
Add shrimp and cover.
Marinate at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
Slice limes very thinly and then slice "rounds" into halves (semicircles).
Thread 6 shrimp per skewer.
Thread shrimp "straddling" lime piece as pictured.
Grill over a low flame until cooked.

Serves 6

This easy to fix filling for tacos or "scoops" takes very little time and is a fun, easy recipe that even the kids can handle.  Top with cheese, lettuce, sour cream or any other of your favorite toppings.  

1 pound raw, shelled, shrimp
1  16 ounce jar salsa


Chop shrimp coarsely.
Heat salsa in a skillet over medium/high.
Add the shrimp when it starts to sizzle.
Stir while cooking until done 

Makes 3 cups filling

Fresh is best – when it comes to shrimp and also with your herbs when possible.  Check your produce section for fresh cilantro and if you like a bold taste try poblano peppers in place of standard green peppers.

1 pound shrimp, shelled
cooking oil spray
1 medium onion, chopped finely
1 medium green pepper, chopped finely
5 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cumin
1   4-4.5 ounce package long grain wild rice mix
3 tablespoons lime juice  
2 ½ cups finely shredded Colby / Monterey Jack cheese
10 8” tortillas

Heat a skillet to medium-high.
Spray with oil and cook the onion, pepper and garlic until soft.
Meanwhile chop the shrimp coarsely.
Leave the vegetables in the skillet.
Add the cilantro, salt and cumin.
Discard any seasoning mix that came with the wild rice.
Cook the wild rice according to the directions in the same skillet.
When almost all of the liquid is absorbed add the shrimp.
Cook until the shrimp are done.
Stir in the lime juice.

Assemble the quesadillas:
Spread 2/3 cup of the cooked mixture on each of 5 tortillas.
Top each with ½ cup cheese, spread evenly.
Top with a tortilla.

Cook in a quesadilla maker or one at a time in a skillet.
For a skillet: heat to medium-high.
Spray with oil.
Cook for 5-6 minutes or until starting to brown.
Turn carefully with spatulas or tongs.
Cook for 5-6 more minutes or until starting to brown.
Cut into each quesadilla into 6 wedges.
(Kitchen scissors are great for this!)

Makes 30 wedges

Shrimp (“camarones” in Spanish) Relleno provides a little "South of the Border" flavor.   This easy to make Relleno Sauce uses ingredients found in most pantries so give this a whirl and serve over rice or in a tortilla.  

1 pound uncooked shrimp, shelled
cooking oil spray
1 medium onion, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
½ teaspoon salt
1/16 teaspoon cinnamon
1 small bay leaf
¾ cups chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes, un-drained


Heat a skillet over medium-high.
Sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
Add the seasonings, broth and can of diced tomatoes.
Simmer until thickened (about 20 minutes).
Add shrimp and stir until shrimp are cooked (about 5 minutes).

Serves 4