CHILI-GLAZED SHRIMP WITH TOMATILLO-CILANTRO SAUCE

Chili-Glazed Shrimp with Tomatillo-Cilantro Sauce image

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

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1 pound tomatillos,* husked
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon minced seeded jalapeño chili
1 garlic clove, crushed
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
24 jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails left intact
2 tablespoons ground mild chili (such as ancho or New Mexican*)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Queso fresco* or feta cheese

Steps:

Cook tomatillos in large pot of boiling salted water until olive-green color, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to blender. Add onion, jalapeño, and garlic and process tomatillo sauce until smooth.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in skillet over medium heat. Add sauce and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Cool to room temperature. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill. Bring to room temperature before using.)
Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Toss shrimp with remaining 2 tablespoons oil in large bowl. Add ground chili, onion powder, and garlic powder; toss to combine. Sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper. Grill shrimp until just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side.
Spoon about 3 tablespoons tomatillo sauce into center of each of 6 plates. Arrange shrimp atop sauce. Sprinkle with queso fresco.
Tomatillos (green tomato-like vegetables with paper-thin husks), ground New Mexican chilies, and queso fresco (also known as queso blanco) are available at Latin American markets and some supermarkets.