cooking day 2 – Saturday

Yesterday I posted the recipe for the Vegetable Tacos. That post was titled “cooking day 1”. Today we have the recipe for the Shrimp Tacos and I’m calling this post “cooking day 2.” That makes it sound as though the only thing I cooked on Friday was veggies and that the only I cooked on Saturday was shrimp. Far from it!

Photo courtesy of griffithimaging.com

On Friday, I also cooked up the seasoned ground beef in the Instant Pot.  I shredded and put together the chicken for the chicken tacos, which I had grilled at home before we left on Thursday morning. I also made all sorts of fresh salsa, cilantro chimichurri, roasted peppers, onions, etc.

Photo courtesy of griffithimaging.com

And on Saturday, I not only made the shrimp but also chopped and diced all the toppings for the tacos, made the guacamole, and cooked the side dishes; beans, tomatillo rice, and the Mexican corn.

Photo courtesy of griffithimaging.com

Plus there were the signature cocktails to make; Cody’s Skinny Margarita and Chanté’s Strawberry Vodka Lemonade.

Many of those recipes will be posted in the days to come.

Plus I have to tell you that I did have help from the family in the kitchen throughout. Kim and Paul each helped with prep, including chopping onions and cutting corn cobs into quarters. Thank you both for the much-needed and much-appreciated grunt work.

Photo courtesy of griffithimaging.com

On Friday, Cody’s Aunt Barbara squeezed so many pounds of limes. More limes than any human should ever have to squeeze! Kim’s long-time BFF, Sandy, used her artistic flair to write out all the chalkboard signage for the buffet table. There were more than 30 little signs to make. Thank you, Sandy!

Photo courtesy of griffithimaging.com

On Saturday, I realized I had a few more chalkboards that needed making, including the boards for the signature cocktails. My writing is awful, so that is one job I always want to farm out! Cody’s youngest brother, Trevor, has a gorgeous girlfriend, Clair.

Photo courtesy of griffithimaging.com

As you can plainly see, Clair also has gorgeous handwriting and chalkboard flair!  Many thanks to the friends and family of the Howard clan for pitching in! xoxo

Spicy Shrimp Tacos

• 40 medium shrimp peeled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ancho or chipotle chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Juice of 1 lime
• 12 small flour or corn tortillas

In a medium bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and salt. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours.

Heat a large heavy skillet over high heat for 2 minutes. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.

Reduce heat to medium-high, add shrimp and sauté until pink and cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and squeeze the juice of 1 lime over the top. Fill tortillas with shrimp and enjoy.

Makes 12 tacos