Ingredients: shrimp, cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, parsley.
Steaming is gentler on seafood, but boiling allows you to season the water, locking in more flavor.
A shrimp cocktail is a classic appetizer consisting of cooked, chilled shrimp served with a cocktail sauce. Here’s a basic recipe for making shrimp cocktail:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lemon, halved
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 bay leaf
- Cocktail sauce (store-bought or homemade)
For the Cocktail Sauce:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
Instructions:
Cooking the Shrimp:
- Prepare the Water: Fill a large pot with water, squeeze in the juice of the lemon halves, and then add the squeezed lemon halves to the water. Add the garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaf.
- Boil the Water: Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the boiling water and cook until they are pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes.
- Ice Bath: Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
- Drain and Chill: Once the shrimp are completely cool, drain them and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Making the Cocktail Sauce:
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce (if using).
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Serving:
- Arrange the Shrimp: Arrange the chilled shrimp around the edge of a serving platter or individual cocktail glasses.
- Add the Sauce: Place a small bowl of cocktail sauce in the center of the platter or a dollop in each glass.
- Garnish: Optionally, garnish with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.
Enjoy your shrimp cocktail!
