I was eight years old when my family moved to the United States. We sold all of our belongings, packed a bag with our clothes, and headed North with the hope of the “American dream.” My uncle and his family generously took all six of us in, where we lived for the next six months while we attempted to familiarize ourselves with our new surroundings, land jobs and start public school. It was definitely one of the most difficult times in my family’s life. One of the things I learned during that transition, was the meaning of convivir. Translated, convivir means to live together. However, to me convivir became a way of life. After leaving my uncle’s home, we in turn, opened our doors and welcomed family and friends who had the same desire that we did. To this day, my fondest memories revolve around the act of convivir.
Looking back, I now see the verb convivir as a description of our latin culture. It is the opportunity to share with generations, to learn from one another and to enjoy life to the fullest besides those who we hold dear to us. Although in the literal translation, convivir describes my upbringing, it is so much more than just the act of living together, it’s the idea that we share each others values, passions and the same desire for the American dream.
These days, we make it a point to celebrate with loved ones by sharing meals together. This year, I will be recreating my moms famous spicy tacos with a twist. I will be making Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Cups. They are a fun version of my mom’s that incorporate the same great latin flavors with a contemporary twist which is perfect for a huge family dinner. The secret ingredient in this recipe is Clamato® Tomato Cocktail. It functions as a base for the dish and adds a fresh flavor to the shrimp.
Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Cups (for a large crowd)
Ingredients- shrimp
6 tbs olive oil
2 large onion diced
6 large garlic cloves – minced
4 1/2 cup Clamato® Tomato Cocktail
3 tablespoons of cumin
2 teaspoons of salt
2teaspoons of Spanish oregano
Directions
Heat a dutch oven or large deep pot to medium heat and add the olive oil and onions.
Cook the onions for about 10 minutes or until translucent, mixing continuously to avoid burning.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another five minutes
Add the Clamato Tomato juice and lower the heat to low
Add the salt, cumin, and oregano and mix well
Pickled onions
1 large red onion, sliced
1 cup red white vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tsp salt
2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp fresh ground pepper
Directions
Place all of the ingredients in an airtight container. Mix and set in the refrigerator to cool.
Lime sauce
1 cup of mayonnaise
1/2 cup of lime juice
1/2 tablespoon of lime zest
3 cloves of minced garlic
Direction
Mix all ingredients until well blended
For lettuce cups
10-12 butter lettuce leaves
Chopped cilantro for garnish
Lime for serving
Chopped grape tomatoes for serving
Chopped jalapeños for garnish
Sliced radishes for serving
Assembly
Spoon shrimp onto the lettuce (2-3 shrimp) top with lime sauce, cilantro, tomatoes, jalapeño, radishes, and a twist of lime. Serve 2 wraps per person with a wedge of lime. Serve with Michelada.
Michelada
Fill a tall glass of about 1/3 of a way up with Clamato® Tomato Cocktail juice
Fill the rest with light beer
Dash of hot sauce
Juice of one lime
Garnish with a slice of lime and enjoy!
