Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

This easy recipe makes fantastic and flavorful shrimp fajitas.  This recipe works well in a fajita bowl with rice and sauce or wrapped in a flour or corn tortilla.  This is a recipe that you can prepare quickly, usually in about 15 minutes or so.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil, divided
• 1 large red onion, sliced
• 3-4 bell peppers of different colors, sliced
• a handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Tortillas for serving (we use the "Carb Smart" from Mission)

Fajita Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika (you can use sweet paprika instead, but I prefer the smoky flavor)
• 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 1tablespoon of cumin
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt or kosher salt

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together all fajita seasoning ingredients.
2. Add the shrimp to a shallow bowl and sprinkle with half of the seasoning.  Mix well to coat, then set aside.
3. Heat a tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the onions and bell peppers and sauté for 5 minutes or until the vegetables have softened.
4. Add the remaining seasoning and mix well, remove vegetables from pan and set aside.
5. Heat the remaining oil and add the shrimp.  Cook for 3-4 minutes until the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
6. Return vegetables to the skillet and mix to combine.  Garnish with fresh, chopped cilantro and serve with warm tortillas.
7. Top the tortillas with cheese, sour cream and guacamole or eat it as is...whatever you prefer.
8. ENJOY

Drink Pairings:

Wine: A nice white Sangria goes perfect with this meal.  (I will be sharing a white Sangria recipe in the future)

Beer: If you are local to this area (northeast Ohio) then I recommend Lockpuerto Cerveza from Lockport Brewing.  Enjoy this Mexican-style dark lager with or without a lime.  If you can't get Lockport beers then I recommend that you move closer.  If that isn't possible, then I would go with a Negra Modelo.

www.lockportbeer.com 

Cocktail: The Tequila Sunrise cocktail pairs very well with this dinner, especially if you are enjoying it "al fresco" on your patio or deck.  To make a Tequila Sunrise cocktail you only need three ingredients, tequila, grenadine, and orange juice.

Directions:

1. Add the tequila and then the orange juice to a chilled highball glass filled with ice.
2. Top with grenadine, which will sink to the bottom of the glass, creating a layered effect.
3. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bloody Mary Brats---Give them a try, you will not be disappointed.

 

I love this recipe.  These brats are good on game day or just if you want to have some friends over for a gathering on your deck or patio.  Your dinner guests will ask for this recipe, there is not question about it.  Everyone that I know, loves these brats.  Served up on a "crusty bread bun" is the best way to serve them, in my opinion but many people will just eat them sliced up on their plate with the peppers and the sauce.

Ingredients

• 10 brats, I prefer spicy brats but any style works with this recipe.
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 red pepper, seeded and sliced
• 1 orange pepper, seeded and sliced
• 1 yellow pepper, seeded and sliced
• 1 poblano pepper, sliced
• 1 bottle of Bloody Mary mix. (I use Zing Zang bold but any type of mix will do)
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 10 Hoagie or Sausage buns

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a pan/skillet add in onion, celery, peppers.  Cover and allow to cook for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
2. Add the bottle of Bloody Mary Mix and allow to simmer uncovered.  While the sauce is simmering grill your brats, once the brats are fully cooked, add them to the sauce and pepper mixture and allow them to simmer for a few more minutes.
3. Serve in a bun topped with the vegetables and ladle out a small bowl of the sauce for dipping.
4. ENJOY!!  

I prepared this entire outside on my patio.  I used my Charbroil Commerical grade infrared grill with side burner.  I have had this grill for several years and it has been the best that I have ever owned.  If you get a chance, check it out on the charbroil page linked below.

 

4-Burner Gas Grill | Commercial Series™ | Amplifire™ | Char-Broil® (charbroil.com)

 

 

Drink Pairings

Beer or Ale-Any style of beer will compliment this diner.  I would recommend something like Ruckus IPA from Lockport Brewing or Falls IPA from Hoodletown Brewing company.  French Ridge from Millersburg Brewing is another strong choice for this meal.

Wine-I would definitely recommend a "hearty" red wine with this meal.  Dusty Dewey from French Ridge Vineyards is a good choice as is the Cabernet Sauvignon from Josh.

For a cocktail, what better choice than a Bloody Mary, if you are really feeling adventurous you could use a chunk of the bratwurst as a garnish along with a celery stick and a couple of jalapeno slices. 

     links:

Brewery | Lockport Brewery | United States (lockportbeer.com)

Hoodletown Brewing Company - Brewery in Dover, Ohio

Millersburg Brewing Company | Craft Beer | Millersburg Ohio

French Ridge Vineyards

Bloody Mary Mix – Zing Zang