Puerto Rican Shrimp with Crispy Onions & Avocado Salad
🕒 Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
🥘 Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
🔪 Prep Time: 20 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 2
Description:
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rican cuisine with this tantalizing recipe for Puerto Rican Shrimp with Crispy Onions & Avocado Salad. With a perfect blend of Caribbean spices, succulent shrimp, crispy onions, and creamy avocado, this dish is sure to become a favorite for lunch or snacks.
Ingredients:
For the Shrimp Marinade:
- 6 large shrimp
- 1 tablespoon dark rum
- 1 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 clove
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon dark molasses
- 1/2 tablespoon canola oil
For the Crispy Onions:
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup canola oil, for frying
For the Avocado Salad:
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
Instructions:
-
Marinate the Shrimp:
- In a small saucepan, combine dark rum, star anise, cinnamon stick, lemon juice, clove, bay leaf, dark molasses, and canola oil.
- Heat the mixture to a boil, then reduce by half. Let it cool.
- Add the shrimp to the cooled marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Allow the shrimp to marinate for at least two hours.
-
Cook the Shrimp:
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Remove the shrimp from the marinade and discard excess marinade.
- Grill the shrimp for about a minute on each side, or until they just lose their translucency. Keep the shrimp warm while preparing the rest of the dish.
-
Prepare the Crispy Onions:
- Heat the canola oil in a deep fat fryer or a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Soak the thinly sliced red onions in buttermilk, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Dredge the soaked onions in all-purpose flour until they are evenly coated.
- Carefully place the coated onions in the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain the fried onions on paper towels to remove excess oil. Keep them warm until ready to serve.
-
Assemble the Dish:
- To plate, arrange a mound of crispy onions in the center of each serving plate.
- Place three slices of ripe avocado in the corners of the plate.
- Arrange the grilled shrimp on top of the avocado slices.
- Garnish the dish with lemon wedges and fresh cilantro leaves.
-
Serve:
- Serve the Puerto Rican Shrimp with Crispy Onions & Avocado Salad immediately while still warm.
- Enjoy the explosion of flavors and textures in every bite!
This Puerto Rican-inspired dish is a delightful combination of savory shrimp, crispy onions, and creamy avocado, elevated by the exotic spices and flavors of the Caribbean. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is sure to impress your family and friends. Give it a try and experience a taste of Puerto Rico right in your own kitchen! 🍤🥑🍋