| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 12 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 365 | 18g | 6g | 15g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 8g | 5g | 21g | 0.9g |
I’ve always had a deep-seated love for the bold and bountiful flavors that my home state of Texas is known for. Cooking dishes that are packed with this vivacity feels incredibly powerful, truly like a reflection of my heritage. But, there’s always room to experiment and introduce a new spin to these classics. On this journey of culinary artistry, one of my top recipes has been the ‘Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Papalo. There’s something magically delicious about the combination of spicy shrimp, creamy avocados and tangy fruits that never fails to bring a symphony of flavors to your taste buds.
What Makes This Recipe Stand Out?
The allure of the ‘Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Papalo’ lies in its unique medley of ingredients. With the heat from chili and cayenne pepper beautifully balanced with the sweet and tangy presence of pineapple and mango, it’s unlike any other. Not to be forgotten, the highlighted ingredient – Papalo, is an underutilized, yet delightful herb with a unique flavor profile reminiscent of cilantro, but with a spicy, aromatic pop, taking this dish to another level.
Celebrating Health in Each Bite
As much as these tacos make your taste buds dance, they also offer a good balance of nutrients. Protein from the shrimp, healthy fats from the avocados, and fiber from the fruits, all adding to the benefits. Additionally, the spices used in this dish such as chili and cayenne pepper have been connected with some health benefits like improved metabolism and appetite reduction. Just one peek at the ingredients and you know it’s a wholesome meal.
Some might liken this thoughtfully crafted dish to the traditional ‘Baja-Style Shrimp Tacos’—the cousin from the coast, if you will. But unlike the Baja-style recipe, our ‘Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Papalo’ offers a unique, non-traditional element with the addition of fruit. The flavors from the pineapple and mango provide a tropical twist that lyrically intertwines with the traditional Tex-Mex roots of this dish.
These Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Papalo pair excellently with a fresh red salsa or a cool Pico de gallo. Whether served at your next BBQ party or enjoyed as a quick weeknight dinner, these tacos will not disappoint.
What You’ll Need
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 6 small corn tortillas
- 2 large ripe avocados, thinly sliced
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh papalo leaves
- 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
- 1 cup diced fresh mango
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
Method
Step One
Begin by heating the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp to the pan.
Step Two
Season the shrimp with the chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Stir well and continue to cook until the shrimp is opaque and cooked through, which should take approximately 2-3 minutes.
Step Three
While the shrimp is cooking, in a small bowl mix the sour cream and lime juice to make a tangy lime cream sauce. Set aside.
Step Four
Heat the corn tortillas either on a grill, in a dry skillet, or directly over a gas flame until they are warm and pliable.
Step Five
Assemble the tacos by laying a few slices of avocado on each tortilla. Top with a generous spoonful of the cooked spicy shrimp.
Step Six
Sprinkle some of the thinly sliced red onion over the shrimp, then add a few leaves of fresh papalo.
Step Seven
Top each taco with a mixture of the pineapple and mango, a sprinkling of chopped cilantro, and a few pieces of the jalapeno pepper if using.
Step Eight
Drizzle a bit of the lime cream over the top of each taco before serving. Enjoy your Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Papalo!
