1cup(or more) shredded Mexican cheese blendI use Trader Joe’s
Toppings
1/3cuptomatoeschopped
1/2smallavocadopit removed and diced
1-2tablespoonsjalapeño sliceseither fresh or Trader Joe's Hot & Sweet Jalapeños
1-2tablespoonscliantro leaveswhole, torn, or rough chopped
a few red onion slicesthinly sliced
lime wedges and extra cilantrofor garnish
Shrimp
6shrimp, U-12 size or smaller (approx 1/3 lb)raw, peeled, and cut in half vertically*
1/4teaspooncumin
1tablespoonolive oil
Kosher salt and pepper to season
Lime Crema
1/4cupsour cream or plain yogurt
1/4teaspoonlime zest
1teaspoonlime juicefresh squeezed
1/8 teaspoongarlicminced
pinchof salt
Instructions
Shrimp
Mix cumin, olive oil, salt and pepper together. Add shrimp and combine to coat.
Light grill on medium-high heat. Once preheated, spray with non-stick oil and then carefully place shrimp onto grill. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until bottom side turns color. Flip and cook for an additional 1 minute, until both sides are pink. Place shrimp in a bowl or on a plate and set aside.
Lime Crema
Mix sour cream, lime zest and juice, garlic, and salt. Set aside.
Assembly
Reduce heat on grill low to avoid burning the tortillas. Re-spray grill if necessary. Place 2 tortillas on the grill and sprinkle 3/4 of the cheese onto each tortilla. Once cheese begins to melt, top with shrimp, avocado, tomato, onion, and jalapeño slices. Then top with remaining cheese and cilantro and cover the grill. Total cooking time is 3-5 minutes, or until all cheese is melted and tortillas are toasted. Carefully remove tortillas from the grill with a large spatula and place on a serving platter.
To Serve
Place Open-Faced Shrimp Quesadillas on a large platter. Drizzle or spoon the lime crema onto the quesadillas and garnish with lime wedges and cilantro.
Notes
*Smaller sized shrimp can be used in this recipe. If using smaller shrimp they will not need to be cut in half vertically but remember to reduce the cooking time because smaller shrimp need less time to cook. Also, If you're in a time pinch, cooked shrimp can be used but the texture and taste won’t be nearly as good as when you cook the shrimp yourself. ** If drizzling the lime crema, place in a plastic baggie and make a very small cut off the tip of the baggie to drizzle the crema onto the quesadillas.All of the toppings are optional and can be modified or deleted. For example, you can use salsa or salsa verde, scallions, bacon, edamame, and/or avocado cream. It’s your quesadilla, make it your way!If not gluten free, use your favorite store-bought tortilla; or better yet, make your own!These quesadillas can also be made on a griddle pan instead of on the grill.