If you’ve never had Shrimp Cocktail, you have no idea what you’re missing. But it’s so expensive to order in a restaurant and so easy to make at home. And trust me, once you’ve made your own Shrimp Cocktail, you won’t ever order it again. Oh, you say…I can get some at the grocery store. Don’t even. No comparison. Let’s just say, I always have to buy an extra pound of shrimp when I make it for friends and family because I can eat a pound all by myself! This is the best Shrimp Cocktail you will ever eat.
Shrimp
Cocktail
2 pounds de-veined,
shell-on extra-large or jumbo shrimp
2 1/2 tablespoons
salt
10 sprigs fresh thyme
2 teaspoons
peppercorns
3 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon celery
seed
8 (2-inch) strips
lemon peel plus 1/4 cup juice, from 2 lemons (reserve the lemon halves that
have been juiced)
8 cups ice
Combine the shrimp, 4
cups cold water, salt, thyme, peppercorns, bay leaves and celery seeds in a
large pot. Cook the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring every so often,
until the shrimp are just beginning to turn pink, 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and add the lemon peels, lemon halves of the lemons that were already juiced. Cover the pot and let the mixture sit until the shrimp are completely pink and firm, 5 to 7 minutes.
Stir the ice into the
pot and let the shrimp cool completely, about 5 minutes. The ice stops the
cooking of the shrimp so they don’t get rubbery and tough.
Drain the water and peel the shrimp, leaving the tails intact. Refrigerate the shrimp up to 24 hours until ready to serve. If you can’t wait, keep them in the fridge until completely chilled.
Cocktail Sauce
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup prepared
horseradish
1 teaspoon
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon lemon
juice
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay
seasoning
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
pepper
Whisk all the
ingredients together until combined. Store in the refrigerator until ready to
serve with the shrimp. Lay out shrimp on
platter and serve sauce on the side. Or
you can hang the shrimp over a glass or parfait dish of cocktail sauce for a prettier
presentation. Enjoy!
NOTE: If using frozen shrimp, be sure and thaw them completely before using.
NOTE: If you can’t find Old
Bay Seasoning, you can make your own:
Homemade Old Bay Seasoning
1 tablespoon ground
dried bay leaves
2 teaspoons celery
salt
1-1/2 teaspoons dry
mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons
ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sweet or
smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground
celery seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground
white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground
nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground
ginger
1/4 teaspoon crushed
red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon ground
cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground
mace
1/8 teaspoon ground
cardamom
1/8
teaspoon ground allspice
Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Store in an airtight container and store in a cool place. Use with seafood or chicken.
Photography is the property of and copyrighted to Welcome Home.