Tacos Gobernador: A Shrimp Lover’s Dream Recipe
These aren’t your average tacos! Tacos Gobernador, meaning “Governor’s Tacos,” are a culinary delight that originated in Sinaloa, Mexico. Legend has it that these creamy, cheesy, and shrimp-filled tacos were created for a governor who fell in love with them. Now, you can bring the taste of Sinaloa into your own kitchen with this detailed recipe.
What are Tacos Gobernador?
Imagine succulent shrimp sautéed with flavorful vegetables, then smothered in melted cheese and nestled in a warm tortilla. That’s the essence of a Tacos Gobernador. The key elements that set these tacos apart are the use of shrimp (often Pacific white shrimp), the creamy sauce created by the melting cheese and the sautéed vegetables, and the satisfying crunch of the lightly grilled or pan-fried tortilla. They are incredibly flavorful and satisfying, making them a perfect meal for a casual weeknight dinner or a special weekend gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
* **Flavor Explosion:** The combination of sweet shrimp, savory vegetables, and melty cheese creates an unforgettable flavor profile.
* **Relatively Easy to Make:** While they might seem fancy, Tacos Gobernador are surprisingly simple to prepare.
* **Customizable:** You can adjust the spice level and add your favorite vegetables to tailor the recipe to your taste.
* **Crowd-Pleaser:** These tacos are guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends.
* **Authentic Taste:** This recipe captures the authentic flavors of traditional Tacos Gobernador.
Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Shrimp:** 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp (medium or large size recommended). Pacific white shrimp are traditional, but any good quality shrimp will work. Make sure to remove the tails.
* **Tortillas:** 12 corn or flour tortillas (6-inch size). Corn tortillas are more traditional, but flour tortillas are also delicious and easier to fold.
* **Cheese:** 1 ½ cups of shredded Oaxaca cheese (or a blend of Monterey Jack and mozzarella). Oaxaca cheese is a stringy, melty cheese that is essential for the authentic flavor. If you can’t find it, a blend of Monterey Jack and mozzarella will work well.
* **Onion:** ½ medium white onion, finely chopped.
* **Tomato:** 1 medium tomato, finely chopped.
* **Bell Pepper:** ½ green bell pepper, finely chopped. You can use red or yellow bell pepper for added color and sweetness.
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves garlic, minced.
* **Butter:** 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided.
* **Epazote (Optional):** A few sprigs of fresh epazote (optional, but adds an authentic flavor). If you can’t find epazote, you can omit it without significantly impacting the flavor.
* **Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce (Optional):** 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (for added spice). Adjust the amount to your spice preference. If you want to keep it mild, omit the chipotle peppers.
* **Olive Oil:** 1 tablespoon.
* **Lime:** 1 lime, cut into wedges (for serving).
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.
* **Optional Toppings:** Crema Mexicana, guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo, shredded cabbage.
Equipment You’ll Need
* Large skillet or sauté pan
* Cutting board
* Sharp knife
* Spatula or tongs
* Cheese grater
* Small bowl
* Tortilla warmer (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
This recipe is divided into easy-to-follow steps for preparing the shrimp filling, assembling the tacos, and cooking them to perfection.
**Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp**
1. **Rinse and Dry:** Thoroughly rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This helps them to brown properly and prevents them from steaming in the pan.
2. **Season:** In a small bowl, toss the shrimp with a pinch of salt and pepper. If you’re using chipotle peppers, add a small amount of the adobo sauce to the shrimp for extra flavor.
**Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables**
1. **Melt Butter:** In a large skillet or sauté pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
2. **Sauté Onion and Bell Pepper:** Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the pan and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until they become softened and translucent.
3. **Add Garlic and Tomato:** Add the minced garlic and chopped tomato to the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant and the tomatoes start to break down.
4. **Incorporate Epazote (Optional):** If using epazote, add the sprigs to the pan and cook for about a minute to release their aroma. Remove the sprigs before proceeding to the next step.
**Step 3: Cook the Shrimp**
1. **Add Shrimp to the Pan:** Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and add the shrimp to the other side. You may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
2. **Cook Until Pink:** Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque and are cooked through. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they will become tough and rubbery. Overcooked shrimp is the most common error in this recipe.
3. **Combine with Vegetables:** Once the shrimp are cooked, mix them with the sautéed vegetables.
4. **Add Chipotle Peppers (Optional):** If using chipotle peppers, stir them into the shrimp and vegetable mixture.
**Step 4: Assemble the Tacos**
1. **Warm Tortillas (Optional):** Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat or in a tortilla warmer. This makes them more pliable and prevents them from tearing. You can also warm them in the microwave, wrapped in a damp paper towel, for about 30 seconds.
2. **Add Cheese:** Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese (about ¼ cup) onto one half of each tortilla.
3. **Add Shrimp Filling:** Top the cheese with a spoonful of the shrimp and vegetable mixture (about ¼ cup).
4. **Fold the Taco:** Fold the tortilla in half to create a taco.
**Step 5: Cook the Tacos**
There are two main ways to cook the tacos: pan-frying and grilling. Pan-frying is more common, but grilling adds a nice smoky flavor. I recommend pan-frying for ease and consistency.
**Option 1: Pan-Frying**
1. **Melt Butter:** Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet you used to cook the shrimp.
2. **Cook Tacos:** Place the tacos in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted and gooey. Press down gently on the tacos with a spatula to ensure even cooking.
3. **Remove and Drain:** Remove the tacos from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess butter.
**Option 2: Grilling**
1. **Preheat Grill:** Preheat your grill to medium heat.
2. **Lightly Brush with Oil:** Lightly brush the outside of the tacos with olive oil.
3. **Grill Tacos:** Place the tacos on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the tortillas are lightly charred and the cheese is melted. Watch closely to prevent burning.
**Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!**
1. **Garnish (Optional):** Garnish the tacos with your favorite toppings, such as Crema Mexicana, guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo, or shredded cabbage.
2. **Serve with Lime:** Serve the tacos immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the filling.
Tips for Success
* **Don’t Overcook the Shrimp:** This is the most important tip! Overcooked shrimp are tough and rubbery. Cook them just until they turn pink and opaque.
* **Use Good Quality Cheese:** Oaxaca cheese is ideal for its melting properties and stringy texture. If you can’t find it, use a blend of Monterey Jack and mozzarella.
* **Warm the Tortillas:** Warming the tortillas makes them more pliable and prevents them from tearing.
* **Adjust the Spice Level:** If you like spicy food, add more chipotle peppers or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the shrimp mixture. If you prefer a milder flavor, omit the chipotle peppers altogether.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pan:** When cooking the shrimp, work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding will lower the temperature of the pan and cause the shrimp to steam instead of sear.
* **Use Fresh Ingredients:** Fresh ingredients will always result in the best flavor. Use fresh shrimp, vegetables, and herbs whenever possible.
* **Experiment with Toppings:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings to find your favorite combination.
* **Serve Immediately:** Tacos Gobernador are best served immediately while the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
Variations and Substitutions
* **Seafood Variations:** While shrimp are traditional, you can also use other types of seafood, such as crab, lobster, or scallops. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
* **Vegetarian Option:** For a vegetarian version, substitute the shrimp with mushrooms or hearts of palm. Sauté the mushrooms or hearts of palm with the vegetables until they are tender.
* **Spicy Version:** Add more chipotle peppers, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a few drops of your favorite hot sauce to the shrimp mixture.
* **Different Cheese:** While Oaxaca cheese is traditional, you can also use other types of cheese, such as queso asadero, provolone, or even a sharp cheddar for a different flavor profile.
* **Add More Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to the filling, such as corn, zucchini, or poblano peppers.
* **Creamy Version:** For an extra creamy taco, stir in a tablespoon or two of Mexican crema or sour cream to the shrimp and vegetable mixture just before assembling the tacos.
* **Make it lighter:** Use low-fat cheese and cook the shrimp in less butter or olive oil.
Serving Suggestions
Tacos Gobernador are a complete meal on their own, but they can also be served with a variety of sides.
* **Rice and Beans:** A classic side dish for tacos is Mexican rice and refried beans.
* **Salad:** A simple salad with a lime vinaigrette is a refreshing accompaniment to the rich tacos.
* **Guacamole and Chips:** Serve with guacamole and tortilla chips for a complete Mexican feast.
* **Elote:** Grilled Mexican street corn (elote) is another delicious side dish.
* **Agua Fresca:** A refreshing agua fresca, such as hibiscus or watermelon, is the perfect drink to pair with Tacos Gobernador.
Make-Ahead Instructions
While Tacos Gobernador are best served fresh, you can prepare some of the components ahead of time to save time on the day of serving.
* **Shrimp and Vegetable Mixture:** The shrimp and vegetable mixture can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
* **Shred Cheese:** Shred the cheese ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
* **Chop Vegetables:** Chop the vegetables ahead of time and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
When ready to serve, simply reheat the shrimp and vegetable mixture, assemble the tacos, and cook them according to the recipe instructions.
Storage Instructions
Leftover Tacos Gobernador can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, the tortillas may become soggy over time. To reheat, bake the tacos in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in a skillet over medium heat, but the tortillas may become too crispy.
Freezing is not recommended, as the texture of the shrimp and tortillas will change.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
(Per taco, without toppings):
* Calories: 350-450
* Protein: 25-35g
* Fat: 20-30g
* Carbohydrates: 20-30g
*Note: Nutritional information can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*
Enjoy your homemade Tacos Gobernador! They are a true taste of Sinaloa that you can easily recreate at home. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different variations and toppings to create your own signature version.