Sign Up for the Recipe Publishing Newsletter
Shrimp Tostadas
Tostadas number among many people's favorite Mexican dishes and it is easy to see why. These crunchy fried corn tortillas can be topped with more or less anything you like, opening up a whole world of possibilities for cooks and diners.
While most Americans probably are most familiar with vegetarian tostadas topped with refried beans, cheese, and vegetables (which are one of the most common types in Mexico as well, actually) or perhaps beef or chicken, seafood is also a good choice.
Being a country with long coastlines on the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Mexican cuisine is full of seafood recipes and shrimp is one food with a long history in the country's culinary tradition. It is also great on a tostada, like in this shrimp tostadas recipe where it is tossed with smoky chipotle chili powder and paired with creamy avocado and the bright acidity of lime juice and orange for a delicious, sophisticated tostada.
Shrimp and Avocado Tostadas
Ingredients -
6 Tostada shells
24 shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 small red onion, diced small
1 ripe avocado, peeled, seeded and diced
1 jalapeno or Serrano pepper, cut into thin rings (optional)
2 tsp chipotle chili powder
1-2 tsp olive or vegetable oil for sautéing
½ a small orange, peeled, pith removed and cut into small pieces
Juice of one lime, plus extra lime wedges and fresh cilantro for serving
Preparation:
Peel and seed the avocado and dice, then mix gently with the juice of one lime to coat. This will add flavor and keep the avocado from browning before you serve the tostadas. Peel and remove the pith from a small orange (Minneola is a good choice if it is in season; seedless tangerines are also a good choice).
Remove the membranes from each segment if possible and cut each segment into 3-4 pieces. Dice the onion and slice the jalapeno, if using.
Toss peeled, deveined shrimp with chipotle chili powder and cook over medium heat until the shrimp are cooked through, about 2 minutes per side; take care not to overcook.
Top the tostadas with shrimp, avocado, orange pieces, jalapeno (if desired), and serve with lime wedges and chopped cilantro.
(Makes 3)
Photo Description:
Shrimp is perhaps the most popular seafood among Americans and this shrimp tostada recipe is a wonderful way to enjoy this popular ingredient. The key to making this recipe turn out as good as possible is the same secret as for any successful seafood dish: fresh ingredients. Make sure that the shrimp you use for this recipe is as fresh as possible - unless you live close to the ocean and can buy freshly caught shrimp locally, go for frozen (a lot of "fresh" shrimp at grocery stores is actually shrimp which has been frozen and thawed for sale).
Other than making sure your shrimp and vegetables are fresh, this recipe is pretty easy. You can get the chipotle chili powder at any Mexican grocery or many supermarkets and putting it all together takes so little time and effort that this shrimp tostada recipe is one you can make any time you feel like having an old favorite in a new and exciting way.
