Have you guys tried chinese 5-spice powder yet? It’s been a popular up-and-coming spice for a while now, and I’m just now getting on board. Chinese five-spice is a blend of Szechwan pepper, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and fennel. It has a wonderfully warming characteristic that pairs perfectly with other Asian flavors, such as ginger, and is not spicy. My five spice shrimp tacos with rhubarb ginger sauce are an amazing twist between Asian and Mexican cuisines!
I love making savory dishes with rhubarb, like my rhubarb tagine. In this dish, rhubarb makes a perfect base for a tangy taco sauce, paired with ginger. I chose not to make these tacos spicy because I wanted to be able to taste all the immense flavors going on. I usually love to add a splash of hot sauce to my tacos, but you really don’t need it. Without it you can better taste all the flavors of the five-spice, the succulent shrimp, and the rhubarb ginger sauce.
Variations to the Five Spice Shrimp Tacos with Rhubarb Ginger Sauce recipe:
- Vegetarian: try tofu, chickpeas, or cauliflower in place of the shrimp if you do not eat meat.
- If you’re in a hurry, you can skip brining the shrimp (soaking them in salt water), and simply add a little salt in with the five spice powder.
- If you don’t like cilantro, try scallions as a garnish.
- 1 cup diced rhubarb (fresh or frozen)
- 1 TBS fresh ginger, minced
- 3 TBS water
- 1 TBS honey
- ⅛ tsp red pepper flake
- pinch of sea salt
- 18 medium shrimp (about ⅔ lb)
- 1 tsp salt
- water, to cover
- ½ tsp Chinese 5 spice powder
- splash olive oil
- 6 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (green, red, or both)
- 2-3 oz crumbled queso fresco
- Cilantro leaves, for garnish (optional)
- Combine all ingredients for the rhubarb ginger sauce in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Use the back of a spoon to break up the rhubarb as it cooks. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the rhubarb is broken down and the sauce is thick.
- Peel and devine all the shrimp. Toss shrimp with salt in a large bowl and add enough water to cover. Stir gently to dissolve some of the salt. Let the shrimp brine in the salt water for 15-20 minutes.
- Drain off salt water and pat shrimp dry with a paper towel. Toss with the 5 spice powder.
- Heat oil in a large heavy bottomed skillet until water sizzles on contact. Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes, covered. Flip shrimp and cook until they are completely opaque, about 1 more minute.
- Heat corn tortillas according to package directions. (I like to char mine over an open flame.)
- Place ⅓ cup cabbage on top of each tortilla. Spoon rhubarb sauce over the cabbage (1-2 TBS each). Top with 3 shrimp, queso fresco, and cilantro leaves, if using. Serve immediately.
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I’m a taco loving girl! This recipes sounds so good. So good, you’re my feature this week at Welcome Home Wednesdays! Congrats! See you there!
Thank you Erin! I love tacos too, and this recipe is a new household favorite!!
Love this!
Thank you!
Love the idea of using five spice on these, delicious!
It is very good! I hope you try it!
That sounds like a delicious combination of flavors, I love it! So far, I’ve used Chinese 5-spice powder only in desserts, have to give it a try in something savory. Thanks for sharing, Alison! 🙂
5-spice in desserts sounds delicious! You’ll love it in a savory dish, too. Thanks Nicole!
Can I get the five spice at the international market in Murdale?
Yes, I think they’ll have it! Five spice has become pretty popular, you can probably also get it at any well stocked grocery store.