HOMEMADE SUYA-SPICED SHRIMP TACOS

After six weeks and counting of this lockdown due to COVID, I have found cooking and trying out new recipes therapeutic and a temporary escape from our reality. So in the spirit of food exploration, I took a trip to Mexico, with a Nigerian twist, in my kitchen, and whipped up homemade flour tortillas with suya-spiced sautéed shrimps and onions, mango-avocado-habanero salsa, chopped fresh spinach, and spicy roasted garlic mayo dressing. I absolutely loved it, and so did my family; the spiciness, the burst of varying flavors - so juicy, fresh and tasty! Just all-around YUM! To follow my cooking journey, subscribe to my blog and follow me on Instagram - click @theynxfeed

STEP 1: MANGO-AVOCADO-HABANERO SALSA

• 1/2 mango
• 1 tomato (de-seeded)
• 1 avocado
• 1/2 red onion
• 1/4 habanero pepper
• 1/8  teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Pinch of fine salt
• 1/2 lemon 

a. In a medium bowl, dice the mango, tomato, avocado, red onion and habanero pepper.

b. Add black pepper, crushed red peppers and fine salt to taste.

c. Squeeze the juice of lemon (remove the seeds); this keeps the avocado from turning brown. Gently mix to combine.

d. Store in a tightly sealed container and refrigerate.

STEP 2: HOMEMADE ROASTED GARLIC & SPICY MAYO DRESSING

• 5 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1/2 small orange or tangerine

a. Roast garlic in a preheated 400°F oven for about 20 mins or until brown.

b. Remove from oven and mash into a coarse pulp with a fork. 

c. Mix in the mayonnaise, ground black pepper and ground red pepper. 

d. To thin out the consistency, add the juice of freshly squeezed 1/2 orange or tangerine. Gently mix. 

e. Store dressing in a tightly sealed container, and refrigerate.

STEP 3: HOMEMADE TORTILLAS 

• To make the homemade tortillas, I used this recipe I found online.

STEP 4: CHOPPED SPINACH

• 2 handfuls of fresh spinach

a. Chop spinach and set aside. 

STEP 5: SUYA-SPICED SAUTÉED SHRIMPS & ONIONS

• 1lb raw medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1 teaspoon suya seasoning (purchase at your local African grocery store)
• Pinch of salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 red onion (sliced)

a. Season shrimp with suya seasoning and salt to taste. Allow to marinate for 15-20 minutes.

b. In a frying pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and add sliced onions. Sauté until translucent.

c. Add the shrimps to the frying pan and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until pink and opaque; stirring occasionally. Set aside.

THE ASSEMBLY

Now that your taco add-ons have been prepared, it's time to assemble and enjoy.

• Take your flour tortilla; spread the chopped spinach down the middle.
• Next, add the salsa, followed by the sautéed shrimps and onions, and lastly top with the roasted garlic mayo dressing; take a big juicy bite and savor the taste! Delicious...

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