Southwest Grilled Shrimp Salad
To complement the Southwest flavor orientation of this refreshing grilled shrimp salad, Margaret Pache suggests a garnish of chopped pecans. This may not sound regional, but in fact, pecan production flourishes in Arizona.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
In a bowl, mix shrimp, vinegar, tequila, liqueur, oil, jalapeño, garlic, green onions, cumin, and cayenne. Cover and chill 30 minutes or up to 1 day, mixing occasionally.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, cut peel and white membrane from orange. Working over a bowl to catch juice, cut between fruit and inner membranes to release segments into bowl. Squeeze juice from membranes into bowl; discard membranes and peel.
Step 3
3
Pit, peel, and slice avocados; add to oranges and mix gently.
Step 4
4
Drain shrimp, reserving marinade. Thread shrimp onto flat metal skewers. Lay skewered shrimp on a barbecue grill over very hot coals or very high heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level only 1 to 2 seconds); close lid on gas grill. Cook shrimp, turning once and brushing frequently with marinade for the first 2 to 3 minutes, until bright pink and opaque but still moist-looking in center of thickest part (cut to test), 4 to 5 minutes total.
Step 5
5
Mound salad mix equally on dinner plates. Push hot shrimp from skewers. Arrange shrimp, orange segments, and avocados equally on salad mix; moisten equally with chili-orange dressing, and add salt to taste.
Ingredients
1 pound (16 to 20 per lb.) shelled, deveined shrimp, rinsed
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1/4 cup tequila
2 tablespoons orange-flavor liqueur or orange juice
3 tablespoons salad oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh jalapeño chili
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced or pressed
1/4 cup minced green onions (including tops)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1 orange (3/4 lb.)
2 firm-ripe avocados (about 1/2 lb. each)
2 quarts salad mix (1/2 lb.), rinsed and crisped
Salt
Directions
Step 1
1
In a bowl, mix shrimp, vinegar, tequila, liqueur, oil, jalapeño, garlic, green onions, cumin, and cayenne. Cover and chill 30 minutes or up to 1 day, mixing occasionally.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, cut peel and white membrane from orange. Working over a bowl to catch juice, cut between fruit and inner membranes to release segments into bowl. Squeeze juice from membranes into bowl; discard membranes and peel.
Step 3
3
Pit, peel, and slice avocados; add to oranges and mix gently.
Step 4
4
Drain shrimp, reserving marinade. Thread shrimp onto flat metal skewers. Lay skewered shrimp on a barbecue grill over very hot coals or very high heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level only 1 to 2 seconds); close lid on gas grill. Cook shrimp, turning once and brushing frequently with marinade for the first 2 to 3 minutes, until bright pink and opaque but still moist-looking in center of thickest part (cut to test), 4 to 5 minutes total.
Step 5
5
Mound salad mix equally on dinner plates. Push hot shrimp from skewers. Arrange shrimp, orange segments, and avocados equally on salad mix; moisten equally with chili-orange dressing, and add salt to taste.
