Casual Company

Fish tacos are a favorite in our house for entertaining. When having company over in the summer for dinner, tacos are an easy way to feed a crowd. With a little advance prep work, you can entertain your guests without having to be stuck in the kitchen. Plus to serve this dish you can set up a buffet and let your guests put together their own plate (buffet=not setting the table). To make this a rounded meal add a simple bean and corn salad (which can also be made in advance) to the table. Don't forget the margarita or Mexican cervaza. ¡Buen provecho


Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Serves 6

2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 Tbs canola oil
2+ Tbs blackening seasoning (Bayou Blackening is my favorite.. you can order it or find it at Fresh Market if you have one near you.... otherwise any blackening will do)

corn tortillas (white or yellow)
yellow or purple cabbage, sliced thinly
tomatoes, diced
shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack)
guacamole (recipe to follow)
yogurt & mayo white sauce (recipe to follow)
limes, cut into wedges


Toss shrimp with oil and blackening seasoning. Skewer, and grill for 5-6 minutes over medium-high heat.

To assemble tacos, place a spoonful of guacamole on tortilla and spread to coat. Top that with tomatoes, cabbage, a few shrimp, cheese and a drizzle of taco sauce. Finish your creation off with a squeeze of lime. So simple and a great change from your typical taco night!


Non Recipe Guacamole

When I make guacamole I usually just wing it. It turns out different every time, but I love cooking that way. Sometimes I am missing onions so I go without. Sometimes I don't have limes, so I use lemons. Taste a lot and make it the way you like! This is just a suggestion! This recipe makes enough to share with 4-5 hungry adults.

4-5 ripe avocados, meat scooped out
1/2 large red onion, finely chopped
2-3 Roma tomatoes, sliced in half and seeds removed ( you don't want that extra liquid in your guac.)
1/2 - 1 jalapeno finely chopped (depending on how hot you like things)
big handful of cilantro, finely chopped
1-2 limes, juiced (depending on how much you like and how juicy your limes are)
Kosher or sea salt, to taste


Mash avocados with a potato masher in a large bowl. Fold in onion, tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice and salt. Enjoy on tacos on with a big bowl of tortilla chips!


Yogurt & Mayo White Sauce

1/2 cup plain yogurt ( don't use Greek yogurt here.. you want the consistency to be thin, and this won't work)
1/2 cup mayonnaise (Spectrum Canola is the BEST!)
fresh lime juice as needed to get the sauce to a runny consistency
1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced (you can use a habanero if you are feeling brave)
1 tsp capers, chopped
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried dill
1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper

Mix yogurt and mayonnaise in a bowl. Add lime juice until you get a slightly runny consistency. Add in jalapeno, capers, oregano, cumin, dill and cayenne. This will keep in the refrigerator for a while so don't worry if it makes a lot more than you need. Otherwise you can half it easily.