Spicy BBQ'd Shrimp Served in Tortillas

How to Make

• 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.