Kayla Greer, former personal chef to stars like Drake, Migos, and Nipsey Hussle, joined us in Los Angeles to share her beloved recipe for “Best You Ever Had” Shrimp Tacos. The name, inspired by the iconic 2009 Drake hit, was one of the rapper’s favorite dishes.
Greer was first introduced to Drake after he hired her to cater a 100-person Super Bowl party. The final guest list ballooned to nearly 300 people, and they were all so impressed by her game-day spread that she was hired to cook for the rapper full time.
These tacos first came to Greer in a dream and became a popular dish among her family. Throughout her three-year stint as Drake’s personal chef, she adapted the recipe to suit the rapper’s diet. She would occasionally swap the tortillas for rice or salad greens, but there was one adjustment that Greer had to make every time—no cilantro.
That’s right, Drake hates cilantro. According to Greer, the Toronto native, like many people, thinks the herb tastes like soap. Any iteration of this recipe eaten in Drake’s Calabasas, California, home omits the herb but still tastes just as delicious.
The star of these tacos is the shrimp. Each bite-sized piece of shrimp is seasoned with a punchy blend of spices, including onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and paprika. If you want to add even more depth, use Chef Greer’s proprietary all-purpose seasoning.
The shrimp is cooked in butter alongside a medley of vegetables before the pan is deglazed with a splash of Modelo Especial. The spices and juices stuck to the pan blend with the beer to form a savory sauce.
To accompany the shrimp, Greer makes a bright and herbaceous cabbage slaw. Her secret for the tangy dressing? The brine from pickled jalapeños. The spicy, acidic liquid adds an extra boost of umami to the fresh citrus juice in the slaw.
Lastly, to round out the dish, Greer makes a creamy sauce to drizzle on top. She combines sour cream, tomatillo salsa, lime juice, and chipotle powder for a citrusy, smokey condiment.
It’s safe to say we’re “Certified Lover Boys” of these shrimp tacos. Check out the recipe and see why it deserves the hype.
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