Camarones Embarazados Adobo Grilled Shrimp Food

CAMARONES EMBARAZADOS (ADOBO GRILLED SHRIMP)

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the whole tomatoes, guajillo chiles, chiles de árbol and garlic cloves, and cover with water by an inch or two. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until the tomatoes are very soft and their skins start to break, 8 to 10 minutes. (The chiles should rehydrate and plump up.) Using a slotted spoon, transfer the solids to a blender, and add the scallions, oregano, allspice, cumin, thyme, vinegar, butter, Mexican chocolate and salt. (Discard the cooking water.) Purée until completely smooth, then scrape the adobo into a large bowl and let cool completely.
• Place the shrimp in the bowl with the cooled adobo and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
• When ready to eat, take the shrimp out of the refrigerator. Prepare an outdoor charcoal or gas grill for direct grilling over high heat. Thread the shrimp onto skewers and place on a sheet pan. If using head-on shrimp or shell-on shrimp, insert the skewer where the head meets the body, thread the skewer through the body while straightening it out, then push it out through the tail end. If using peeled shrimp, thread the skewer through the tops and bottoms of the shrimp without passing it through the length of the bodies. Once all are skewered, generously douse the shrimp with more adobo (reserve some for serving) and sprinkle a bit of salt on top.
• Scrape the remaining adobo into a small saucepan or skillet and set over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and continue simmering, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape into a serving bowl and set aside.
• Set the skewers on the hot grill grate. For head-on shrimp, cook, flipping once, until the shells have crisped, browned and achieved some charring, and the bodies have cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. For headless shell-on shrimp, grill for about 3 minutes per side, and for peeled shrimp, about 2 minutes per side. (If using a gas grill, close the lid between flips.)
• Transfer the skewers to a platter and serve with the reserved adobo sauce and lime wedges. Let everyone eat by dipping the shrimp in the adobo sauce and squeezing fresh lime juice on top. The shrimp can be eaten in their entirety - heads, shells, tails and everything in between - or peeled.

SCALLOP PANZANELLA

Steps:

• Heat a charcoal or gas grill until very hot. Brush the grill grate with a little oil and put it 3 or 4 inches from the heat.
• Brush the bread, tomatoes and scallops with oil; season with salt and pepper.
• Grill the scallops until brown on both sides and release easily from the grill, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Take the scallops off the grill before the interior becomes totally opaque. Cook the bread until it's browned on both sides and the tomatoes until they're lightly charred.
• Chop the bread and tomatoes into large cubes and toss with the scallops. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice to taste; season with salt and pepper. Garnish with basil and serve immediately.

GRILLED JERK SHRIMP

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium-high and grease the grates with oil.
• In a food processor, combine the 2 chopped scallions with the chiles and garlic, and pulse until finely chopped. Add the thyme, lime juice, soy sauce, sugar, allspice, salt, pepper and the 3 tablespoons of oil; pulse until a coarse paste forms. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, add the shrimp and toss until evenly coated. Let stand for 15 minutes, tossing occasionally.
• Working in batches, grill shrimp directly on the grill grates until nicely charred and just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with the sliced scallions and serve with lime wedges.

GRILLED FISH FILLETS OR STEAKS

Steps:

• Heat a charcoal or gas grill until quite hot, and put the rack 3 or 4 inches from the heat source. Drizzle the flesh of the fish with olive oil, and sprinkle it with salt and pepper.
• When the fire is ready, grill the fish for about 5 minutes, or until it's firm enough to turn. Turn, and grill until done, usually another 3 to 5 minutes. When done, the fish will still be firm and juicy but opaque, and a thin-bladed knife will pass through it fairly easily. Serve with tomato salsa.

SCALLOPS AND MANGO SKEWERS

Steps:

• Heat a charcoal or gas grill until very hot. Brush the grill grate with a little oil and put it 3 or 4 inches from the heat.
• Thread the scallops through their equators onto metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternating them with mango, red bell pepper and onion. Brush with oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill skewers until browned and release easily from the grill, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Take the scallops off the grill before the interior becomes totally opaque.
• Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

WHOLE FISH IN FENNEL

Steps:

• Slice stems and fronds from fennel bulbs and lay on a work surface.
• Rub fish inside and out with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Tuck some fennel stems in fish cavity. Cover fish with remaining fennel stems and fronds. Use butcher's cord to tie fennel to fish, enclosing it. Rub fennel with another tablespoon olive oil. Trim fennel bulbs and slice 1/2-inch thick.
• Heat grill to very hot and oil grates. Place fish in fennel on grill, preferably at least 8 inches from coals or fire. Grill about 15 minutes on one side. Fennel will char.
• While fish grills, place sliced bulbs in a saucepan of boiling, salted water and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain well on paper towel.
• Turn fish and grill about 15 minutes on other side, or until flesh in cavity looks opaque and can easily be separated from the bone when poked with a knife. Remove to a platter and snip off cords.
• Rub fennel slices with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and place on grill. Sear on each side. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the juice of 1/2 lemon. Bone fish and serve, with lemon wedges, additional oil for drizzling and seared fennel alongside.

GRILLED SARDINES

Steps:

• Prepare a hot grill, making sure the grill is oiled. Rinse the sardines, and dry with paper towels. Toss with the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
• When the grill is ready, toss the rosemary sprigs directly on the fire. Wait for the flames to die down, then place the sardines directly over the heat, in batches if necessary. Grill for a minute or two on each side, depending on the size. Transfer from the grill to a platter using tongs or a wide metal spatula, and serve with lemon wedges.