Life has taken me to live to different cities. When I just got there, I was barely acquainted with anyone. Sometimes I felt I didn't know where to start to get to know my new surroundings. I remember I would be looking through my window trying to identify the least strange of my neighbors to go and say hello, or trying to small talk with the dead serious front desk man in the lobby of my building, or wandering the wrong streets up and down trying to find a payphone because I didn't have a cell or land phone, walking 3 kms under the Los Angeles intense sun to get a cab (I imagined there were going to be as many as in New York). Anyway adapting to a new environment is a process of trial and error. It can be a frustrating and somehow a funny journey. However I can say that I have found an almost infallible way to get to around my new location: discovering, observing and trying the local food.
For me food is a language that speaks to you. A language that talks about traditions, history, geography and customs. Every time I try a new dish, its Ingredients tell me about a its background and I try to appreciate and understand the new flavors. Right now I am living in LA. The move from New York to the West Coast was overwhelming at the beginning. In New York my family and I had already figured out our favorite places to enjoy all kinds of food, from Shanghai soup crab and pork dumplings in Chinatown to savory soft Greek lemon potatoes in Astoria, from the tangy flavor of the mint and cilantro Indian sauce in Jackson Heights to Russian cold cuts in Brighton Beach. When we arrived in LA we started to trace a new map for our taste buds.
Los Angeles is a multi ethnic city that hasn’t spared culinary surprises. In this sunny side of the country there is an abundance of choices for burgers, for Asian Latin fusion plates and of course many other opportunities to sample international gastronomy. One big thing is the big variety of tacos sold in Food Trucks or in trendy Mexican eateries. You can find traditional ingredients, or adventurous mixes, such the tacos sold at Central Market made with carne asada and Korean kimchi. Tacos are made from beef, chicken, vegetables, fish and seafood. Being born and raised in Mexico I enjoy the pleasure of eating a good taco, it can come from a street vendor. or from a fine restaurant or even better from my kitchen. Here is an easy and tasty recipe for Shrimp Tacos and Tomato and Jalapeno Salsa.
Los Angeles is a multi ethnic city that hasn’t spared culinary surprises. In this sunny side of the country there is an abundance of choices for burgers, for Asian Latin fusion plates and of course many other opportunities to sample international gastronomy. One big thing is the big variety of tacos sold in Food Trucks or in trendy Mexican eateries. You can find traditional ingredients, or adventurous mixes, such the tacos sold at Central Market made with carne asada and Korean kimchi. Tacos are made from beef, chicken, vegetables, fish and seafood. Being born and raised in Mexico I enjoy the pleasure of eating a good taco, it can come from a street vendor. or from a fine restaurant or even better from my kitchen. Here is an easy and tasty recipe for Shrimp Tacos and Tomato and Jalapeno Salsa.
Shrimp Tacos
- One pound of raw and peeled shrimp
- One big Red Pepper cut into strips
- One Jalapeno Pepper (big if you want it spicy or small if you want a smooth flavor) cut into strips
- One Medium onion cut into strips
- Two tablespoons of lemon juice
- Half of a big onion
- Four tablespoons of chopped cilantro
- Two chopped garlic cloves
- Four tablespoons of oil (corn, vegetable or olive)
- 12 corn tortillas
- Salt and Pepper
Preparation
In a big skillet, warm up the oil at medium heat. Add the shrimp and season with salt and pepper. Toss them when they start to turn orange add the garlic and the lemon juice. Stir the ingredients together for two minutes. Then add the red pepper, cilantro, onion and jalapeno pepper strips. Keep moving the ingredients , so the flavors can mix. When the red pepper strips start to look and feel softer. Remove the skillet from the heat. Meanwhile warm the tortillas in a skillet or in the microwave, and plate 3 tortillas in each dish, in order to make four portions. Put the shrimp on the tortillas. Tacos are ready!!!
Basic Mexican Salsa Recipe
There is a huge variety of Mexican Salsas. This is an easy recipe that you can make with the very four basic ingredients of most salsas: peppers, Tomatoes, onions and cilantro. The variations in the amounts of ingredients alters the flavor, for example more tomatoes will make make it less spicy, more peppers will make it hotter. The following recipe is for a medium hot taste.
Ingredients
4 big Roma tomatoes
2 medium jalapeno peppers
Half big onion
Half cup of fresh cilantro
1 tbsp of white or apple vinegar
Salt
Bring the tomatoes and jalapenos to boil. Boil them at medium heat for about 15-20 minutes until they change colors and become really tender.
Take the tomatoes and jalapenos out of the boiling water put them in the blender. Add the cilantro and the onion, as well as the salt. Blend it until all ingredients are liquefied,you will notice how the salsa turns green. Put in a ceramic bowl and add the vinegar and mix it with a spoon.
Enjoy with tacos, quesadillas, sandwiches and chips.
