Easy Battered Shrimp Tacos, La Paz Style
• Posted July 12 • 2024.
Easy Battered Shrimp Tacos, La Paz Style
The first time I tried these tacos, it was a pleasant surprise. Like everyone else, or almost everyone, I had tried Mexican tacos and their not-so-great American imitations. Of course, I had also enjoyed the taste of shrimp, but until that moment, I had never combined them into one dish. Delicious! However, I feel that this word falls short in describing them because, like the best food around the world, it’s not just about the taste but also the texture and the sensations when you bite into and savor them. No wonder these La Paz-style battered shrimp tacos are one of the favorite dishes of this beautiful city and, of course, they enchant everyone who visits and tastes this Pacific Mexican delicacy. So, let's go to the recipe!
Recipe for La Paz Style Battered Shrimp Tacos
Ingredients
For the Battered Shrimp:
- 1 kg medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup light beer (can be substituted with sparkling water)
- 1 large egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Tacos:
- 12 corn tortillas (you can use flour tortillas if you prefer)
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup pico de gallo (finely chopped tomato, onion, and cilantro with a bit of lime juice and salt)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Dressings and sauces (You'll find 3 delicious options below)
- Limes, quartered
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Instructions
Prepare the Battered Shrimp:- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the flour with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the batter: In another bowl, start by beating the egg and gradually add the beer (or sparkling water), mixing until you get a smooth, lump-free consistency.
- Incorporate the dry ingredients: Add the flour mixture to the egg and beer mixture, stirring until everything is well combined.
- Prepare the shrimp: First, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and then dip them in the batter, ensuring they are well coated.
- Fry the shrimp: Heat enough oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Be careful, because the oil needs to be very hot. A tip I got from Mexican friends to check if the oil is ready is to carefully place a piece of tortilla in it; if it starts bubbling and frying, it's ready. I suggest using tongs or a tool to protect yourself. Once the oil is hot, fry the battered shrimp in small batches until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes on each side. Place the fried shrimp on a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Heat the tortillas: Warm the corn tortillas in the microwave. I mean, I know ideally you should use a griddle or skillet, but honestly, it's easier to do it in the microwave. 40-45 seconds are more than enough. If you prefer the Mexican style and use a griddle or skillet, just make sure they are ready by noting they are soft and flexible.
- Assemble the tacos: Place 3-4 battered shrimp in each warm tortilla.
- Add the veggies: Add some shredded cabbage, a spoonful of pico de gallo, and a few slices of avocado over the shrimp.
- Dressings and sauces: Add a spoonful of your favorite dressing (if desired). You can squeeze a lime wedge over the tacos to intensify the flavor. And that's it! It's that easy to make these La Paz style battered shrimp tacos.
- Serve: Serve the battered shrimp tacos immediately to your family or guests, accompanied by more limes, veggies, and sauces to taste.
Easy Battered Shrimp Tacos, La Paz Style
Thousand Island Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped pickles
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, and white vinegar. Mix very well until the ingredients are well incorporated and there are no lumps. Remember that mayonnaise can be lumpy sometimes, so it needs to be mixed well.
- Add the sugar: Add the sugar and continue mixing until it completely dissolves.
- Add the solid ingredients: Incorporate the pickles and onion, making sure they are finely chopped. Mix well with the rest of the ingredients.
- Season: Add the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and ground black pepper. Continue mixing all the ingredients until well combined.
- Refrigerate: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dressing for at least 1 hour before serving. This will allow it to thicken and the flavors to intensify.
- Serve: Thousand Island dressing is perfect for salads, seafood, burgers, and of course, your battered tacos. Enjoy!
Thousand Island Dressing
Recipe for Spicy Mayonnaise Dressing (Chipotle Style)
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1-2 teaspoons chipotle hot sauce (adjust to your desired spice level)
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix the base: In a bowl, place the mayonnaise.
- Add the lemon juice: Add the 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice to the mayonnaise and mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Incorporate the chipotle sauce: Add 1-2 teaspoons of chipotle hot sauce, adjusting the amount based on your spice preference. It should at least tint the mixture and give it some flavor. Mix well to ensure it is evenly distributed and complements the other ingredients.
- Add the garlic (optional): If you decided to use garlic, add it finely chopped and mix well.
- Season: Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well one last time.
- Refrigerate: Place the sauce in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to intensify and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve the sauce: This lemon and chipotle mayonnaise sauce is perfect for accompanying your battered tacos, as well as seafood, salads, or even as a dip for vegetables and fries. Enjoy!
Spicy Mayonnaise Dressing (Chipotle Style)
Recipe for Mayo-Cream Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream (Mexican crema)
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix the base: In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise and sour cream. Mix well until you get a smooth, lump-free consistency, especially from the mayonnaise.
- Add the lemon juice: Add 1-2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, according to your preference. Mix well to incorporate the juice into the base mixture.
- Incorporate the garlic (optional): If you decided to use garlic, make sure it is finely chopped and mix it well with the other ingredients.
- Season: Taste the mayo-cream and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well one last time.
- Refrigerate: Store the dressing in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving. You will see it thicken and the flavors intensify.
- Serve the sauce: Mayo-cream is widely used in Mexico for seafood dishes, especially on the Pacific coast. However, due to its popularity, it can be found in other parts of the country. It pairs perfectly with your battered shrimp tacos!
In conclusion, as it always has been and will be, recipes can and should be altered to suit different tastes and improvements. That is a fact. But it is also a fact that these tacos with any of these dressings are an incredible delight—soft yet crunchy, fresh yet intensely flavorful. In short, La Paz Style battered shrimp tacos are a must-have in your seafood recipes. Finally, I recommend accompanying this dish with a refreshing Mexican horchata or a delicious cold Coca-Cola. For some reason, both beverages taste even better in La Paz. Perhaps it’s the heat, or maybe I'm just in love with this city.
Mayo-Cream Dressing
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Tastes of La Paz.