Mexican Molcajete Shrimp Recipes

MEXICAN MOLCAJETE SHRIMP

Steps:

• Start by boiling the tomatillos and chiles de árbol in two cups of water. Boil until completely cooked, then let cool for 10 minutes. Afterward, purée the tomatillos and peppers along with the boiled water. Season with salt as desired.
• Pre-heat the molcajete (stone mortar) in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit-this step isn't necessary, but I do it to keep the shrimp hot while at the table.
• Separately, in a medium-sized skillet add the olive oil and butter; place over medium-high heat and let the butter completely melt before adding the sliced onion. Sauté for one minute then stir-in the chopped garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds and incorporate the shrimp. Stir occasionally and cook until the shrimp have begun to turn orange in color. When ready, pour the tomatillo salsa over the shrimp and simmer until the sauce begins to boil.
• Using oven mitts remove the molcajete from the oven and place over a heat-proof surface or dish (to avoid burning your table!) To finish, spoon the cooked shrimp with tomatillo sauce into the molcajete and garnish with diced avocado and queso fresco. Accompany with toast or corn tortillas and enjoy!

CAMARONES BORRACHOS (DRUNKEN SHRIMP)

Steps:

• Peel and devein the shrimp.
• Chop onion finely.
• Wash the cilantro in several changes of water, dry it by squeezing it in a towel, and then chop in finely.
• Mash the chiptole chile.
• Heat a saute pan or frying pan over a high flame. Add butter, onions and chipotle chile.
• Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
• When pan begins to sizzle, add the shrimp. Stir fry until shrimp are almost cooked, approximately 3 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat, add the tequila and return it to the flame. Be careful when adding the tequila because it may flame up.
• Cook the shrimp for another 2 minutes, add the cilantro, and remove the pan from the fire.
• Taste the juice in the pan and season it with a salt and pepper.

MEXICAN STYLE MEAT AND VEGETABLE STEW - AZTECA'S MOLCAJETE

Steps:

• Fry the bacon in a large skillet until crispy; remove from pan, reserving drippings, cut into small pieces, and set aside.
• Add the oil to the bacon drippings over medium temperature, then sauté the chicken and beef strips until browned, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes.
• In another large saucepan over medium heat, stir together the boiling water and bouillon granules until dissolved.
• Add remaining ingredients (including reserved bacon) and the cooked meat strips, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Garnish, serve, and enjoy!
• Note: to make the seafood version of Azteca's Molcajete, omit the chicken/beef and instead have 1/2 pound shelled and deveined shrimp, 1/2 pound scallops, and as much skinned and deboned whitefish fillet pieces as you'd like (about 1/4 pound or more) which you will add in during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• Note #2: we've also added a can of black beans to the recipe, to good effect. If the soup isn't as thick as you'd like it to be, try adding a can of refried beans - it works well! We've also served it with crisp tortilla strips and a dollop of Mexican crema instead of monterey jack. It's a versatile recipe, so experiment and enjoy yourself! :) If you have made the Rich and Delicious Enchilada sauce recipe of mine, you might recognize many of the soup ingredients - to make the sauce into soup, use 2 cups of the sauce, add 1 cup hot water and 1/2 teaspoon chicken stock granules, then add the cooked chicken and garnish ingredients as usual.

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN SHRIMP COCKTAIL (COCTEL DE CAMARONES ESTILO MEXICANO)

Steps:

• Mix onion with lime juice in a small bowl and allow to stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, toss shrimp, roma tomatoes, cucumber, celery, jalapeno, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until thoroughly combined.
• Whisk tomato and clam juice cocktail, ketchup, cilantro, and hot pepper sauce in a separate bowl; stir dressing into shrimp mixture. Gently fold in avocados. Cover and chill thoroughly, at least 1 hour.