Here is a great Caribbean recipe that is easy to prepare in the kitchen and simply divine on the palate. Spice up a more traditional recipe by adding fresh jalapeno peppers. This recipe for tequila lime shrimp can be made with either frozen shrimp that have been appropriately thawed or the fresh caught variety. Take this opportunity to present dinner guests with a variety of fresh vegetables to build their meal. This is an excellent recipe for serving over toasted French rolls, cooked rice, linguine noodles or simply rolled up in a warm tortilla. If you are far from the sea or it is a cold winter day and you just want to bring in the sunshine, try this recipe to awaken your wintry taste buds.

Spicy Tequila Lime Shrimp

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup sliced onion
1/2 cup julienne-cut seeded jalapeno pepper
5 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 stick butter, unsalted
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and de-veined
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup tequila
3 cups chopped seeded tomato
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 peeled medium avocado, cut into wedges
Pico de Gallo - for serving (optional)
Guacamole - for serving (optional)

Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add onion and garlic, season with soy sauce, and sweat until translucent, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Add butter, shrimp and saut頵ntil they just begin to turn pink, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from heat, add tequila, and scrape the bottom of the pan to incorporate any browned bits. Return the pan to heat.

Simmer until the alcohol smell has cooked off and shrimp are fully cooked, about 3 more minutes. Remove from heat, stir in sherry vinegar, lemon juice, lime juice, tomato, cilantro and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Taste, adjust seasoning as needed, and serve with lime wedges, avocado, Pico de Gallo and/or Guacamole.

Remove the heat from this dish by eliminating the jalapeno or change the heat by exchanging the jalapeno for Tabasco or another hot sauce. Some of the most common additions you might serve with this dish include: shredded lettuce; shredded raw spinach; a variety of shredded cheese; sour cream or cr譥 fraiche; sliced olives; shredded raw or green onion; even paper-thin pieces of prosciutto or Serrano ham. Let your family and guests create their own spicy, Caribbean sandwich meal. Enjoy!