Ingredients
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2 lbs best-quarity large shrimp, peeled and deveined
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1/2 lime
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1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 cup rice flour (available at Latin or Asian Markets)
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1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
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3/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
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3/4 teaspoon cayenne
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1/2 teaspoon dried whole Mexican oregano, rubbed to a powder
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1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
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1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
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1 (12 ounce) bottle cold beer, plus more
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beer, to thin the batter if necessary
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vegetable oil
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1/4 ripe avocado, peeled
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3 drops of freshly squeezed lime juice
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1 -2 tablespoon water or 1 -2 tablespoon milk
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2 fresh fresh cilantro stems, stemmed and chopped
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1/2 cup mayonnaise or 1/2 cup lime mayonnaise
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2 teaspoons white vinegar
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1 1/2 tablespoons water or 1 1/2 tablespoons milk
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fresh corn tortilla, warmed
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salsa, de chiles de arbol or bottled hot sauce
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1 pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Cut each shrimp into two or three pieces, Spritz a little lime over the shrimp to moisten- don't overdo it - and refrigerate.
- Make the batter: Combine the flour and seasonings in a bowl and mix thoroughly with a whisk. Add the beer all at once, whishk until smooth, and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Pour the oil into a deep, wide pan to a depth of 2 inches and heat over medium-high heat to 365 degrees.
- Check the batter; it should be a thick coating consistency. If it seems too thick, add beer, water, or milk, 1 teaspoons at a time, until the right consistency is achieved. It's better to be slightly too thick than too thin!
- Pat the shrimp dry and add to the batter. Fish out a ew pieces at a time and fry until golden brown. Drain the shrimp on paper towels.
- To prepare hold a tortilla in your hand and add a spoonful of avocado sauce (directions for sauce are in the following step). Add the shrimp, a squeeze of secret sauce (recipe follows), and a healthy shot of hot salsa. Top with lettuce, pico de gallo, and onion and cilantro. Squeeze lime over the whole thing.
- Avocado Sauce: Place the avocado, salt, and lime juice ina blender or small food processor. Add 1 tablespoon water and pulse. Add more liquid as necessary to make a sauce the consistency of thick cream. Add the cilantro and pulse again just to blend. Taste for seasoning; it should be a little bland.
- Mayonesa Secret Sauce: Place the mayonnaise in a bowl and use a fork to slowly stir in vinegar to taste. Add water to loosen to the consistency of thick cream.