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Grilled Achiote Shrimp

Last weekend I got ahold of some great shrimp from Mexico.  I cooked them up two ways, one Al Mojo De Ajo, and the other Achiote.  My wife liked the Achiote so much, today she brought home a pound and a half of the same shrimp and "suggested" that I make them tonight :).  We visit Puerto Vallarta Mexico a couple of times per year and find the shrimp down their absolutely amazing.  We rarely order shrimp in California since we have been spoiled by the sweet and succulent Mexican shrimp.  We found a local store that brings the Mexican shrimp in which were flash frozen on the boats and now we can enjoy our Mexican shrimp at home.  So here is the cook in pictures.  I must admit that this time they did not turn out as well as last weekend, the spices were good, but over powered the shrimp.

Ingredients:  Bitter Orange juice, Garlic, Achiote paste and some salt.

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Shelled and deviened shrimp.
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Shrimp marinating in the bitter orange
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Garlic and salt in the mocaljete
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Garlic and salt ground into a paste, with a little of the bitter orange
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The finished product, the Garlic paste with the Achiote paste mixed together.
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And finally, the shrimp coated with the paste and on the egg.
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Simi Valley, California
LBGE, PBC, Annova, SMOBot

Comments

  • I've had a box of Achiote in the pantry for about three years now.  I don't know how it tastes or how to use it.  Thanks.  I may give it a try now.  Why do you think you overpowered it on your last batch?  Too long a marinate in the OJ or too much paste on the shrimp?
    __________________________________________

    Dripping Springs, Texas.
    Just west of Austintatious


  • jlsm
    jlsm Posts: 1,011
    I didn't think achiote had much flavor. It's generally used in Caribbean pork roasts and chicken for color. 
    *******
    Owner of a large and a beloved mini in Philadelphia
  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    jlsm said:
    I didn't think achiote had much flavor. It's generally used in Caribbean pork roasts and chicken for color. 
    There isn't much, just a slight smoky flavor. It's all about the color. 

    For those that can't find achiote, look for annatto. 
  • The shrimp had a nice citrus flavor to it, but not overpowering.  I think it may have been the 4 cloves of garlic that I then mixed the Achiote with that may have pushed the flavoring over the top.  Like I said, the ones I made last week were great, but I just winged the ratios.  

    Achiote is a paste made from Annato seeds and spices.  Annato gives it the rich red color, the spices give it the flavor.  So I guess the amount of flavor provided by the paste is based on how rich the spices are that are used in the paste.  I have made the paste from scratch and the recipe that I use has allspice, cumin, oregano, peppercorns and of course the annato seeds.



    Simi Valley, California
    LBGE, PBC, Annova, SMOBot
  • Mickey
    Mickey Posts: 19,669
    At what point did you take the shells off? The plated pic looks like no shell? The cooked pic looks like shell?
    Salado TX & 30A  FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Plus a couple Pit Boss Pellet Smokers.   

  • I've been using "ricado" or "ricardo" which I believe from a google search is the same thing.  I brought the stuff back from Belize.  It looks like a red "Play Dough" rolled into a hot dog shape.  I know a good Belizean cook and he uses it in half the stuff he cooks.  He always says it has no taste but I disagree.  I like the stuff.  I do a shrimp that is great. 

    I basically do onions, bell peppers, and what ever else I have around with a little garlic and add the ricado with some water or broth.  The shrimp or the fish is sauteed in a skillet and then added to the mix.  It is excellent. 

    The Belizeans do chicken the same way except the chicken is sauteed in a mixture of coconut oil and brown sugar before adding the chicken to the mix.

    And you have to add hot sauce before you eat it!
  • I shelled them before marinating. So no shell at all. Maybe leaving the shell on would be better?
    Simi Valley, California
    LBGE, PBC, Annova, SMOBot
  • Dyal_SC
    Dyal_SC Posts: 6,024
    Man, that looks incredible. 
  • I shelled them before marinating. So no shell at all. Maybe leaving the shell on would be better?
    a little less achiote paste next time. It can be gritty and a little overpowering when overdone. I love achiote but had to learn a little goes a long way (still learning)


    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
  • I've had a box of Achiote in the pantry for about three years now.  I don't know how it tastes or how to use it.  Thanks.  I may give it a try now.  Why do you think you overpowered it on your last batch?  Too long a marinate in the OJ or too much paste on the shrimp?
    mix it with some orange (sour orange if you can) and soy/ponzu/teriyaki  (any or all) and it makes an awesome fajita marinade base. Throw your other normal stuff in there (cumin, mexican oregano, chili powder, whatever)  and you are off to the races.  I rub a little on the meat and let it sit for 30 minutes then in the bath. It dyes the meat red and gives it a subtle earthy flavor. I use it a lot- I think you'll like it
    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX