128 | island flavors: ancho-guahillo chile shrimp

 

One of my favorite foodie related things about having grown up in a Caribbean island is the many culinary influences that eventually make their way into our local cuisine.  It is always pretty funny-- and annoying at times when people assume Puerto Rican food is like Mexican food: hot and very spicy.  And they could not be further from the truth.  Yes, my island's cuisine has some spicy dishes but mainly Puerto Rican food is all about flavors than it is about heat.  We use lots of aromatics and spices to add flavor not spiciness. 
That being said I do love to add some heat to my food from time to time and this recipe is a happy medium.  The two key ingredient for this dish are the chiles, of course.
 
photo via

Ancho chiles (which are known as Poblanos when they are fresh) are mild chiles and are also the sweetest of them.  I like using them because they add a beautiful depth of flavor to any dish.  Some people say they have a flavor that reminds them of raisins but I do not get that flavor.  It is more of a fruity dark-cherry like sort of note.  Guahillos on the other hand I love for heat because they are moderately hot but also for its earthy citrusy like flavor.  So if spicy is not your thing, go easy or skip these.  I like buying different varieties of dried peppers and keeping them in my pantry in case the foodie muse strikes and I need them.


A couple of things about this recipe:
  • Do not skip the lime juice.  It is amazing how this really brings all the flavors together in a bright way.
  • You may notice that the shrimp is kind of an orangie color and that is because of the achiote powder.  I personally love the color it gives this dish but you can skip it.  If you want to give it a try, you can find this product in the international isle of most grocery stores.  
  •  I like to add a sprinkle of parsley at the end to follow on that bright note of the citrus.  And I forgot to include it on the recipe card. :)

This is one of my favorite recipes and funnily enough I came up with it during a "I won't buy more groceries until I use everything I have in the refrigerator and the pantry" period.  So, I started mixing stuff and this came to be.  This recipe is perfect as a main dish, side dish... or as part of a dish too!  It is that good.  This is a killer combo of flavors that will immediately put you in a party mood and will make you want a margarita or a beer.  And if that is not your thing, then skip the libations and head straight for the plate.  The good thing is that these babies make for a healthy option because all the flavors come from the olive oil (which is a healthy fat) and the garlic and chiles.  So guess what? No need to feel guilty.  Your welcome. :-)




15 comments :

  1. This dish looks so so delicious MA... I love shrimp! Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to taste much Puerto Rican food, but would love to. By the way, love the new look of your blog, so pretty and light!

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    1. Thanks, Catherine! I like declutering once in a while!

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  • This looks incredible. Wow. Also, love the added heat! Thanks for linking up to this recipe on #RECIPEFRIDAY :)

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  • Woow that looks so good! and your pictures make it look so appetizing!

    Thank you so much for linking up to lovely Thursdays!!!
    -Rekita

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  • Oh my gosh looks soooo good!! I always love new shrimp recipes and I will definitely try this out this week!! Visiting from Im Fit Possible Link Love!!

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  • OMG, this looks so delish. Definitely gonna try this with some frozen margaritas :)

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  • I've been wanting to learn more about chiles thanks so much for bringing this dish to foodie friday.

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  • What a lovely dish, Maria, so colourful and with so many lovely layers of flavour. I was interested to learn more about ancho-guahillo chiles - I did not realise they were sweet as well as a bit spicy. Thank you for sharing this beautiful shrimp dish with us at the Hearth and Soul hop.

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  • Hi Maria,
    Your Ancho Guahilo Chilie Shrimp dish looks fantastic and we can't wait to try it! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope to see you again real soon!
    Miz Helen

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  • We eat a lot of shrimp at our house and love dishes with some heat. This one looks so delicious. Hope I can find the guahillo peppers as they seem like an interesting addition. Thanks for sharing on Full Plate Thursday.

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  • Just wanted you to know that your recipe is being featured today on Foodie Friday. I will be pinning and tweeting it this week too.
    http://www.simplelivingeating.com/2014/04/warm-corn-salad-with-huevo-frito-foodie.html

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  • Congratulations!
    Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you are having a great weekend and enjoy your new Red Plate!
    Miz Helen

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