Prawn Ginger Garlic Tacos

Quick dinners are my life saviour at the moment. We’ve been busily chugging along ever since school started. The ease of summer break when the days were relaxed and calm have gone. Instead it’s work, photo shoots crammed in between guitar lessons, swim practice, homework and school projects. During the week I slip into the role of a single mum as Tom’s current project has him in Amsterdam from Monday to Friday. Weekdays are packed, mostly with fun and laughter but there are tantrums and the stubbornness of a pre-teen that need to be fended. So sometimes I cannot wait till Friday comes around when I can hand over the baton of responsibility to Tom.

There are the occasional evenings when dinners resemble “feeding time", a quick bite then homework, reading time and bedtime … quick, hurry and rush! And as Soeren falls asleep upstairs in his bed, a busy and strenuous day behind him, downstairs on the sofa, I feel guilty for having to fast forward such an important aspect of our day - dinnertime.

Reminiscing back on my own childhood I cannot remember having any rushed dinners. I am sure we had the quick soup and sandwich evenings but I never felt any urgency in my parents demeanor. It has always been an important factor in my family and I value having the time to properly sit down to a meal with my own family. But I wonder - when did this time for a family meal become an expensive commodity?

We love talking and enjoy dissecting the day, updating each other on the highs and the lows, the good and the bad of the day. There will be jokes and giggles and plans for the weekend. I hate having to miss out on this precious time. So, on most weekdays I try to save time in the kitchen to have more time to sit and enjoy the meal with the family at the table. That does not mean I skimp on flavor or the quality of the meal.

Take these tacos - they are incredibly quick to make and have all the flavors of a tantalizing and appealing meal. Zesty, spicy and fresh prawn tacos - my little trick to keep us at the dinner table just a little longer. Time that is important for the family, to listen to what Soeren’s day was like, what his emotions, mood and thoughts are currently and to be able to attentively give him a feeling of security. It is important for me too. The time at the dinner table with the family grounds me and usually takes away the mental stress. So we will lay the table together, take out the place mats, napkins and set the table with plates, cutlery and glasses, place bowls of salads, pitchers of water and simply enjoy the whole process leading to dinner. 

Enjoy!

Recipe: Prawn Ginger Garlic Tacos

Printable version of recipe here

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 400g raw prawns, peeled
• A glug of olive oil
• 1 avocado, cubed
• Handful cherry tomatoes, halved
• Small bunch of coriander, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• A pinch of salt
• Juice of 1 lime
• thumb size piece of ginger, minced
• ½ - 1 teaspoon espelette pepper powder (substitute with smoky paprika powder)
• 4 flour tortillas, warmed

Method:

1. Make the salsa by tossing the avocado, tomatoes, cilantro, salt, espelette pepper and lime juice together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ginger and garlic and quickly stir fry till fragrant. Add the shrimp, cook until opaque and pink.
3. Place a few shrimp onto a warm tortilla, top with avocado tomato salsa and fold together. Repeat with remaining ingredients and serve.

---

Verdict

I love the combination of the garlicky and gingery prawns paired with the slightly spicy and refreshing flavors of the salsa. The espelette pepper adds a wonderful peppery and smoky aroma taking the salsa to a new level. I hope you enjoy your time with the family at dinnertime … these tacos will have them glued to the table for sure!

Wishing you all a great week ahead and a relaxing weekend with the family!!

You might like these great dinner ideas from WFLH:

Falafel with Tahini Yogurt Sauce and Minty Tabouleh	Risotto with Riesling, Leek and Bacon	Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

---

All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2013 Meeta Khurana Wolff unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First