Shrimp With Chipotle Sauce

Elly in Canada's Note:

This is one of my favourite appetizers, adapted from The Surreal Gourmet. You can adjust the 'heat' by changing the amount of chipotle pepper and adobo sauce. I usually serve this as an appetizer over a mesclun mix of leaf lettuces, herbs, and tender greens.

• Total Time: 18 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 3 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

Dry rub for shrimp

• ¾ lb shrimp , 12/15 count shrimp, tails on
• 1 -2 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon lemon pepper or 1 teaspoon dried lemon peel
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 whole chipotle chile in adobo , chopped finely
• 2 teaspoons adobo sauce

Cilantro Dipping Sauce

• 1 cup lightly packed cilantro , leaves only, stems discarded before measuring
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• ½ cup sour cream

Directions:

1. Chipotle Dry rub:.
2. Shell, clean, and devein shrimp. Leave the tails on.
3. Pat dry with a paper towel.
4. In a medium-size bowl, mix oregano, thyme, lemon pepper, salt, and black pepper.
5. Toss shrimp thoroughly with mixed spices. Keep refrigerated until ready for cooking.
6. Heat oil and chipotle pepper and sauce in a well-seasoned iron skillet or non-stick pan over high heat.
7. Place about ten shrimp in pan so that each one has enough room to lie on its side.
8. Cook for approximately 1-1/2 minutes per side, or until shrimp is no longer translucent. Do not overcook.
9. Serve hot, or at room temperature, with cilantro dipping sauce.
10. To prepare Cilantro Dipping Sauce:.
11. Blend cilantro and lime juice in a food processor or blender until cilantro is liquefied. Pour into a small bowl and use a fork to blend in sour cream until fully blended into a pale green sauce.
12. Refrigerate until ready for use.

Reviews

[ELS]

These were just 'ok' for me. I made them exactly as written. I thought the cilantro sauce was too runny and the lime flavor was very overpowering - by itself it was disgusting, but with the shrimp it was ok. I don't think I will make this again. Sorry!

[Mrs.Jack]

I served this Christmas Eve and it was my husband's favorite dish of the night! I did cut back the heat but it was still great, with or without the sauce. I did add a little mayo to the sauce to thicken it a bit. Fast, easy, and sooooo good!!!