Guajillo Shrimp Recipes

GUAJILLO SHRIMP

Steps:

• Defrost (if needed), peel and devein shrimp, set aside on paper towels.
• Pour olive oil in a large preheated non-stick skillet on medium-high heat.
• Add garlic, shallot, onion, bell pepper, bay leaf, peas, Guajillo chili, allspice, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
• Cook until onions and bell pepper just begin to brown.
• Add shrimp.
• Stir and cook only until they are pinkish and opaque.
• Remove from heat and stir in saffron and cayenne pepper to taste.
• Note: Guajillo are medium-hot chilies; the cayenne pepper adds heat so add as much or a little as you like.
• Taste and add more salt if needed.
• Garnish with cilantro and green onions.
• Serve over steamed long grain or jasmine rice.

TEQUILA SHRIMP WITH GARLIC AND GUAJILLO CHILE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil, add the garlic, and saute until golden brown. Add the sliced chile and continue mixing until the oil has taken on the color of the chile.
• Add the shrimp to the hot pan and saute for 3 minutes. Add the lemon juice and the tomatoes. Add the tequila to the shrimp and carefully flambe. Cook until the alcohol burns out. On low heat, add the butter and swirl until the sauce slightly thickens.
• To serve, plate the shrimp in the center of each plate and add the sauce in the center. Garnish each plate with chive sprigs.

SHRIMP ENCHILADAS WITH GUAJILLO SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat the butter in a heavy medium saute pan over high heat. Add the garlic and saute 10 seconds. Add the shrimp and saute until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and let cool slightly.
• In a medium saucepan, heat the Guajillo Salsa over medium heat until warm.
• In a separate medium saute pan over medium-high heat, pour enough vegetable oil to come 1-inch up the sides of the pan. Fry the tortillas until slightly golden but still pliable. Then transfer to the pan with the salsa, turning the tortillas in the salsa until fully coated.
• Transfer the salsa-coated tortillas to a baking sheet (it's kind of messy so doing it on a baking sheet keeps it clean). Add a couple tablespoons of sauteed shrimp and a sprinkle of Oaxaca cheese. Roll up like a cigar and place in an 11-by-7-inch glass baking dish. Repeat with 7 or 8 tortillas, fitting snuggly into the dish.
• Pour the remaining sauce over the prepared enchiladas (There should be some sauce left in the saucepan to top the enchiladas. If necessary, whisk in 2 tablespoons of water or chicken broth to increase the yield.) Top with the remaining Oaxaca cheese.
• Bake in the oven until the cheese melts, about 20 minutes. Drizzle with crema and serve.
• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, place 4 cups water, the guajillo chilies, garlic cloves and white onion and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer until the chiles are soft and tender, about 25 minutes. Transfer the boiled vegetables, the tomato and 2 cups of the boiling liquid to a large blender and set aside to cool before blending. Process until smooth. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper.
• In a medium, heavy saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Strain the pureed guajillo salsa into the pan. Add the bay leaf and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning, adding additional salt and pepper as desired.
• Reserve for enchiladas and pork.

SPANISH GARLIC SHRIMP (GAMBAS AL AJILLO)

Steps:

• Slice garlic thinly. Season shrimp with kosher salt and paprika. Mix to coat.
• Heat garlic and oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until garlic starts to turn golden, about 2 minutes. Add shrimp and increase heat to high. Toss and turn shrimp with tongs until starting to curl but still undercooked, about 2 minutes. Pour in sherry. Cook, stirring continuously, until sauce comes up to a boil and shrimp is cooked through, about 1 minute more. Remove from heat. Stir in parsley with a spoon.

GARLIC SHRIMP

Steps:

• Wipe chiles clean and discard stems, seeds, and ribs. Cut into 1/3-inch squares with kitchen shears.
• Heat chiles in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until oil is hot but not smoking, then sauté chiles, stirring, just until they turn a shade darker, about 1 minute. (Do not let mixture smoke or chiles blacken.) Add onion and garlic and sauté, stirring, until beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and 1/4 teaspoon salt and sauté, stirring, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand at least 30 minutes to soften chiles.
• Toss shrimp with remaining teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
• Bring tomato mixture to a simmer over moderately high heat, then add shrimp and cook, stirring, until shrimp are just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
• *Available at Mexican markets, many supermarkets, and Chile Today-Hot Tamale (800-468-7377).