If you've been anywhere near Toronto for the past few weeks, you'll know that the weather hasn't exactly been conducive to thoughts of throwing a big Cinco de Mayo party.
It's been cold. And rainy. And all kinds of blah.
So when I received a guacamole kit courtesy of Miss Ava Cado so that I could prepare for their blogger guacamole recipe challenge, I have to admit I was stumped.
Miss Cado's minions were kind enough to include pretty much everything I needed to make a kick-ass guacamole, including jalapenos, limes, onions, and (most importantly) four buttery-soft Hass avocados from Mexico.
However, they couldn't manage to send me the most critical ingredient of all... it seems that warm, sunny Mexican weather just can't be sent by courier. Though, in their defence, the did try to make up for it with a package of sunny yellow napkins.
Seeking Inspiration from the Avocado Muse
So I sat on a grey drizzly day, contemplating my avocados and waiting for inspiration to strike. I needed to make my guacamole extra-special - something appropriately celebratory to fit the Cinco de Mayo theme, and impressive enough to catch the eye of Mexico's sultry avocado ambassador, Miss Ava Cado herself.
When my attempt to play Avocado Whisperer failed to deliver inspiration, I decided it was time to bring in the big guns. I donned a sombrero, put some mariachi music on the stereo, and whipped up a blenderful of margaritas.
Maybe it's the margaritas that did it, but after a couple of drinks, inspiration finally struck. I'd make a Mexican twist on classic old-school shrimp cocktail - a fabulously creamy grilled avocado guacamole paired with jumbo margarita-marinated shrimp.
Want a More Delicious Guacamole? Grill It!
Yes, you heard me right. Grilled avocado guacamole. That wasn't a tequila-induced typo.
While avocados don't generally take well to being cooked, Hass avocados can be briefly exposed to heat without any adverse effects - which means they're an ideal choice for grilling.
The trick is to pick avocados that are just barely ripe, with a glossy dark greenish-black skin and flesh that just barely yields to pressure, and then to grill them over a medium-high flame just long enough to create a few dark brown char marks on the bright green flesh.
A Mexican-Inspired Twist on the Shrimp Cocktail
The end result of using grilled avocado is a subtly smoky and luxuriously creamy guacamole.
It's quite lovely with nothing more than a pile of tortilla chips, but it's even better paired with a quartet of jumbo shrimp. Especially when said shrimp have been grilled to pink perfection after ever-so-briefly marinating in a margarita-inspired mixture of tequila, lemon, lime, and jalapeno.
When combined, you've got yourself a wonderfully sunny twist on the shrimp cocktail. I mean, who needs cocktail sauce when you've got a gorgeous scoop of guac instead?
How to Serve Margarita Shrimp and Grilled Guacamole
For a properly festive starter to a Cinco de Mayo fiesta, fill martini glasses with a generous dollop of guacamole and carefully dangle shrimp on the rim.
Add a six-pack of ice-cold Mexican beer, some lime wedges and a basket of tortilla chips, and you've got yourself an instant Cinqo de Mayo party (mariachi band entirely optional).
Leftovers (assuming you have any) make fabulous burritos - start with a large flour tortilla, top with Mexican yellow rice, leftover shrimp, your favourite fixin's (tomatoes, olives, sour cream, cheese, etc) and a spoonful of leftover guacamole. Ole!
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Disclosure: In return for my participation in the Guacamole Challenge, I was provided with a complimentary guacamole-making kit and ingredients by Avocados from Mexico.
For more information about Mexican avocados and other delicious avocado recipes, please visit Miss Ava Cado.
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Margarita Shrimp with Grilled Avocado Guacamole
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
A Mexican-style twist on shrimp cocktail - grilled shrimp marinated with a margarita-inspired mixture of tequila, lemon, lime, and jalapeno paired with a subtly smoky guacamole made from grilled avocados.
Ingredients
Margarita Shrimp
- ¼ cup gold tequila
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 lemon
- 1 lime
- 1 lb jumbo (16-20 count) uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
Guacamole
- 3 firm-ripe Mexican Haas avocados
- ½ cup finely chopped red onion
- 4-6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- Juice of 2 limes
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 small plum tomato, seeded and chopped (optional)
Accompaniments
- Tortilla chips
- Lime wedges
Instructions
Marinate the Shrimp:
- In a large zip-seal plastic bag, combine the tequila, jalapeno and salt. Zest and juice the lemon and lime, and add to the marinade. Add shrimp. Seal the bag closed and shake to evenly coat the shrimp with marinade. Transfer to the refrigerator, and marinate for at least 30 minutes. (Warning! Do not marinate for more than one hour - any longer, and the acid from the citrus will begin turning the shrimp to ceviche).
Grill the Avocados and Shrimp:
- Meanwhile, preheat a gas or charcoal grill on low heat. Lightly oil the grate.
- Halve each avocado lengthwise. Remove and discard the pit. Lightly oil the cut surfaces.
- Arrange the avocado halves cut side down on preheated grill. Cover and grill for about 3-5 minutes, just long enough to char marks on the avocado flesh. Transfer to a platter and set aside to cool.
- Turn up the heat on the grill to high, and lightly oil the grate again.
- Remove shrimp from the the marinade and arrange on the grill. Discard the marinade. Cook shrimp for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until bright pink and opaque. Transfer to a platter, and set aside until ready to assemble the cocktails.
Prepare the Guacamole:
- When ready to serve, prepare the guacamole. Using a fork, scoop the avocado flesh into a mixing bowl, and mash until slightly chunky (or until completely smooth, depending on your preference). Stir in onion, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice and salt. Add tomato, if using.
- To assemble the cocktails, spoon the guacamole into four martini glasses, then dangle four shrimps from the rim of each glass. Serve with a basket of tortilla chips and extra lime wedges.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
Cara says
I love the idea of making guacamole from grilled avocados! There is a restaurant near me that serves a grilled avocado salad and it's incredible.
Greg says
I never would have thought to grill and avocado. I like the idea and anything served with shrimp in a martini glass has to be good! Great post.
Jean (Lemons and Anchovies) says
I've been toying with some avocado ideas recently but it never occurred to me to grill them. What a fantastic idea. It works for other fruits and vegetables, right? I just had a "duh" moment. Thanks for sharing this truly wonderful recipe. Definitely trying this! :-)
kita says
Some of my best recipes always hit me after a drink or two. Maybe it just has to do with being more relaxed? I wish I had a sombrero and mariachi music and a dollop of that guacamole at the moment!
Dan Clapson says
Hello summer! Woot! Can we have an impromtu (although, I know understand that it will no longer be impromtu because I'm suggesting we plan it) food blogger BBQ while at EWR? If it happens, you are making these!
katerina says
I didn't know you could successfully cook avocados, very interesting.
Aisha Jameel says
mmmmm... the guacamole looks yumm dear :)
https://kitchensojourn.blogspot.com
foodies at home says
You definitely caught my attention with the grilled guac! Sounds so good...and if you are missing some sunny weather...head on down to California, we have plenty here! Or just drink another margarita and then you won't care! lol
Tessa says
This sounds like a PERFECT Cinco de Mayo recipe - tasty and super cute. I've never grilled avocado before, I'll have to give that a try.
cakewhiz says
Your guacamole sounds divine! i don't grill my avocados but i think that's a great idea... will try that next time :)
Pacheco Patty says
This looks like a keeper for a fun delicious take on two of my favorites, avocado and shrimp. I never would have thought to grill an avocado, mash in a tuna salad, yes but grill, no. Thanks for the recipes and enjoy your week;-)
RavieNomNoms says
OH MY GOSH!! That looks sooooo good! I have never had grilled avocado, but I am intrigued! I love anything with avocado so I know I would just love this. What a fantastic idea, thanks so much for sharing it!
Isabelle says
Thanks for the kind comments, everyone!
Celia: That's a pretty awesome visual... dashing indeed! :) Grilled poblanos would probably be fabulous in this dish. I was all set to grill the jalapenos when I first dreamed up the recipe, but it was rather chilly that day and I couldn't get the grill hot enough to char peppers... maybe next time.
Mardi: Can't wait to see what you came up with, especially if it involves cooked avocado! I've always found it tricky not to end up with a slightly bitter flavour.
Jill@MadAboutMacarons says
Wow. Grilled avocado like that for prawns and guacamole? That's enough to take anyone's mind off the drizzly weather!
Ruth says
Sounds amazing. You had me at avocado and shrimp, but add cilantro and lime in there, and I'm truly sold!
C says
Yum!
I hate shrimp, but I love guacamole. mmmm!
Sandra says
Love your pictures and your inspiration. Grilled avocado is definitely an original. You did an awesome job!
Mardi @eatlivetravelwrite says
What a fun twist! I *just* finished writing up my Guac challenge post for tomorrow and I will tell you that I cooked my avocadoes and they survived. I absolutely love your take on this challenge. YUM!
Celia says
I am totally picturing you with faux-stache a la your Twitter avatar, as well as sombrero. It's a dashing look, I assure you. I'm also wondering how grilled poblano peppers would go with grilled avocado. Genius idea; I'm totally trying it next time I get near a fire! Hopefully I will not set my [inevitably] tequila-soaked self on fire... :-)