Spicy BBQ'd Shrimp Served in Tortillas

Step 1: Sauce ... Add the garlic, peppercorns, and olive oil to a small pot and bring to medium heat and saute for just a minute or two. Then, add the clam juice, beer, hot sauce, worcesershire, vinegar, lemon juice, and bring to a light boil. Then, reduce to low and simmer for 5-8 minutes. You want to reduce the sauce by half. Add the butter, and continue to simmer another 2 minutes; and season with salt if necessary. Remove from the heat to cool. This can easily be made ahead of time, then reheated.

Step 2: Shrimp ... Fresh shrimp is always better; but, can be very expensive. Frozen shrimp will work fine for this - but a few notes on thawing. Always remove from the package, and put in a colander or strainer over a bowl; then, cover with plastic wrap. This allows the shrimp to drain, rather than sitting in water as they thaw. This, also should be done in the refrigerator, NEVER on the counter.

Step 3: Once thawed, let the shrimp set on the counter to take the chill off. Pat them dry, and lay them out on a pan, or a sheet of parchment paper or foil, for easy clean up. Season with cajun seasoning and salt on both sides.

Step 4: Garnishes ... The shrimp only takes minutes to cook; so, make sure you have all the garnishes prepared. Have a bowl of the avocado and mango diced, mixed together - and, make sure to squeeze a couple of the lime wedges over the fruit, so the avocado doesn't brown. A bowl of the cotija cheese, and the remaining lime wedges.

Step 5: Shrimp ... I like to use a grill pan, or better yet - an outdoor grill. But, a saute pan also works. Remember to lightly oil your grill (outside or inside), or saute pan. Then, simply saute on medium high to high heat; a couple of minutes on each side, until they just begin to curl and turn pink. Then remove remove from the heat.

Step 6: BBQ Sauce ... As the shrimp cook, warm up the BBQ sauce, I just just used the microwave; this is only if you made the sauce ahead of time. You do want the sauce warm, but not boiling - just warm.

Step 7: Toss ... Add the shrimp and sauce to bowl and toss to combine.

Step 8: Tortillas ... The easiest way to warm them up - take 5-6 tortillas stacked and wrapped in a damp paper towel, and microwave for 1 minute on medium heat, flip once during cooking. Then they are done. Then do the second batch. Do this right before serving. It is easy and quick.

Step 9: Serve ... Family style. A bowl of the BBQ shrimp, the avocado and mango, cotija cheese and warm tortillas; and, let everyone make their own. ENJOY! As mentioned, these can be appetizers, lunch, a snack, great party food, BBQ Potluck food, or an light dinner. They are just addictive.