Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

Ingredients

• 0.3 cup kosher salt (Diamond Crystal) (if using Morton's kosher salt, use only 3 tablespoons)
• 0.3 cup sugar 
• 4 cups water 
• 1 cup ice cubes 
• 1 pound shrimp raw deveined peeled (12 to 20 count) (tail on)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin 
• 1  lime zest 
• 2 tablespoons juice of lime 
• 0.5 teaspoon chili powder to taste (less )
• 6 strips bacon cut in half (half as many pieces of bacon as there are shrimp) thin

Equipment

• bowl
• paper towels
• oven
• whisk
• baking pan
• toothpicks
• grill
• aluminum foil
• microwave
• skewers
• wooden skewers

Directions

1. Whisk the salt, sugar, and water until the salt and sugar dissolve.
2. Add the ice and the shrimp, and let sit for 30 minutes (no longer).
3. Remove the shrimp from the brine.
4. Prepare grill or preheat oven: Prepare grill on high, direct heat (if grilling) or preheat the oven to 400°F. If grilling and using thin bamboo or wood skewers, soak them in water first for 30 minutes.
5. Mix together in a small bowl the lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, and chipotle powder. Stir the shrimp into the lime chipotle mixture; make sure each piece is well coated.
6. Spread the bacon pieces out over several layers of paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with another layer of paper towel. Microwave on high until the bacon fat begins to melt but the bacon is still somewhat pliable, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
7. Wrap the shrimp with bacon: Working one at a time, wrap a half piece of partially cooked bacon around each piece of shrimp.
8. Prep the shrimp for cooking: If you are grilling, thread the shrimp onto skewers.
9. If you are using the oven, secure each the bacon onto the shrimp with toothpicks.
10. Place the bacon-wrapped shrimp on a foil-lined baking pan.
11. Brush remaining lime chipotle mixture on the outside of the bacon-wrapped shrimp.
12. Grill or bake the shrimp: Grill uncovered for 3 minutes on each side (less or more time depending on the heat of your grill), or bake in the 400°F oven for 8 to 11 minutes, or until the bacon is lightly browned and the shrimp is cooked through.