TONIGHT'S SOLUTION: Tequila Shrimp
TO MAKE THE MEAL: Black beans and rice

Chris Hunt/Staff (ENLARGE)

Tequila Shrimp.

5:30 CHALLENGE Buy the 5:30 Challenge Cookbook! Find more fast and delicious recipes in our new cookbook inspired by the 5:30 Challenge column. Order your copy today from ajcstore and get our handy pack of five recipe cards free! Related: • More on food and drink • Restaurant reviews and search Recent 5:30 Challenges Huevos Rancheros Quesadillas  Grapefruit-Mint Shrimp  Thai Chicken Curry  Easy Pasta e Fagioli  Tequila Shrimp  Huevos Rancheros Quesadillas  Grapefruit-Mint Shrimp  Thai Chicken Curry  Easy Pasta e Fagioli  Tequila Shrimp

Teresa Lucas of Suwanee came up with this festive recipe based on one of her favorite restaurant meals. Lucas writes: "One of my favorite combos when dining out is margaritas and shrimp. After a recent night out, I remembered a recipe I had read a while back that combined shrimp and tequila and decided to experiment with it the next evening. It was so quick to make and had only five ingredients, so I decided to submit it for the '5:30 Challenge.'"

If you're not a garlic fan, sprinkle the finished dish with chopped fresh cilantro instead.

Tequila Shrimp
6 servings

Because the shrimp are the star of this dish, make sure to use high quality, fresh ones. To save time Teresa Lucas buys chopped onions.

4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chopped red onions
1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup tequila
1 lime halved, or to taste

In a lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat, saute the garlic and onions for 2 minutes. Add shrimp and saute for another 3 minutes or just done. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Add the tequila and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Return the shrimp and any accumulated juices and stir to combine and coat with sauce. Squeeze with fresh lime juice.

Per serving: 174 calories (percent of calories from fat, 14), 23 grams protein, 4 grams carbohydrates, trace fiber, 2 grams fat (trace saturated), 173 milligrams cholesterol, 169 milligrams sodium.

Take the 5:30 Challenge. If you have a great-tasting main-dish recipe that uses no more than five ingredients and can be made in 30 minutes or less, tell us. (Salt, pepper, water and oil for greasing a pan don't need to be included in the ingredient list.) You can also suggest a simple side dish if it can be made within the same time. If we publish your recipe, we'll send you an apron with the 5:30 Challenge logo. Send recipes to 5:30 Challenge, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sixth Floor, 72 Marietta St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303. Or by e-mail to fivethirty@ajc.com.