CHILE-LIME SHRIMP TACOS WITH CITRUS SALSA

Next to Italian food our families second favorite is Mexican.  I am always trying to come up with recipes that have a Mexican flavor...but with a twist.  Last night I "concocted"...that is my word for when I have not gotten to the grocery store and I search the fridge and pantry for fun ingredients to create a fun new recipe. So anyway...I concocted a grilled shrimp taco, but served a really tasty citrus salsa over the top.  One word...awesome!  I marniated the shrimp with a few ingredients and popped them in the fridge for about two hours.  Whipped up the salsa and put that in the fridge.  The only thing I had to do was grill the shrimp, which took not even 5 minutes, and dinner was served!  This meal is light and full of flavor!

CHILE- LIME SHRIMP TACOS WITH CITRUS SALSA 

For the Shrimp Tacos:

• 2 lbs. cleaned and deveined shrimp - remove tails
• Juice of one lime
• 1/2 TB. grated lime peel
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 TB. dried and crushed chili peppers or crushed red pepper
• 4 - 6 flour tortillas (heated)
• shredded cheddar cheese
• sour cream

1. Place all ingredients above (except for cheddar cheese and sour cream) in a large ziplock baggie.  Mix well.  Place in fridge for at least 2 hours.
2. Heat a cast iron indoor grill or your outdoor grill.  Remove shrimp from baggie and place on grill.
3. Grill on each side only 1 to 2 minutes or until pink and done.
4. Place a few shrimp on a heated flour tortilla.  Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream and Citrus Salsa.
5. Serve

For the salsa:

• 1 blood orange - peeled, segmented and chopped into small pieces.  You could substitute another kind of orange, but I love the taste and look of a blood orange.
• 1 cup grape tomatoes - quartered
• 1 TB. chopped red onion
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper - chopped
• 1 TB. olive oil
• 1/2 TB. apple cider vinegar
• jalapeno - chopped ( how much depends on how hot you like your salsa) - I only use a 1/4 of a pepper
• 2 TB. water
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 2 TB. chopped fresh cilantro
• dash of garlic powder
• salt & pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in a medium sized bowl.  Mix well and place in fridge for at least 1 hour so the flavors meld together.  Serve over shrimp tacos.