Shrimp cocktail just may be the ultimate New Year’s Eve party pleaser. It’s perfect as a light first course for a more formal meal, or you can set out a platter of perfectly cooked shrimp alongside a zesty homemade cocktail sauce.
Your guests will feel well treated.
When shrimp goes on sale, purchase several sizes. The larger shrimp prove perfect for eating out of hand with a dipping sauce. Smaller shrimp takes well to a saucy-style cocktail meant to be eaten with a spoon and crackers or tortilla chips.
Look for responsibly farmed shrimp sold at reputable markets. I prefer to buy frozen shrimp so I can thaw them at my convenience. Always thaw frozen shrimp slowly, set in a bowl to catch drips, in the refrigerator, overnight, or for up to two days.
Cooking shrimp in the shell yields more flavor in the cooked product. However, peeled, deveined shrimp proves more convenient for the cook. You decide.
Shrimp cooks quickly—one of its many virtues but also a trait that makes them tricky to cook; overcooked shrimp tastes bland and rubbery. A quick immersion in boiling water followed by off-the-heat steaming works every time no matter the size. Flavor the water to flavor the shrimp. I’m partial to fresh lemon juice and salt, but a seasoning such as Old Bay, crushed red pepper flakes, or curry powder works well, too.
Creating a delicious cocktail sauce takes just a few minutes. Start with your favorite brand of ketchup and add refrigerated, grated horseradish and lemon to offset the sweetness. Add an interesting red chile twist. A Thai-style red chile paste lends intrigue and a modest amount of heat. Or, try the ever-popular chile crisp and skip the added oil in the recipe. Pureed chipotles in adobo add smoke and lots of heat; use in moderation. Korean red chile paste adds a unique sweet heat.
Pile cooked shrimp over crushed ice over a drip pan if putting them out on a buffet. Alternatively, for a first course, arrange the shrimp around the rim of a glass filled with a few spoonfuls of the cocktail sauce. The tropical shrimp cocktail can be served with chips or crackers or over a bed of Bibb lettuce.
Perfectly Cooked Shrimp
Makes about 4 servings- 1 to 1 1/4 pounds raw jumbo-size shrimp in the shell, 16 to 20 per pound
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Homemade Red Chile Cocktail Sauce
Makes about 3/4 cup- 1/2 cup organic tomato ketchup
- 1 tablespoon refrigerated horseradish
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 to 3 teaspoons red chile paste, such as Thai-style red curry paste, Korean gochujang, or Asian chile crisp
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
- Salt to taste
Shrimp Cocktail With Red Chile Cocktail Sauce
Makes 3 appetizer servings- 1 pound cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined with tail left intact, chilled
- 3/4 cup homemade red chile cocktail sauce (see recipe)
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Parsley for garnish
Tropical Shrimp Cocktail With Avocado
Note: This is a fine place to use small shrimp. Be sure to cook them with the shells on, then peel completely and devein them.- 1 small poblano chile pepper
- 3/4 cup homemade red chile cocktail sauce (see recipe)
- 1 tablespoon red pepper hot sauce
- About 3/4 pound cooked, peeled, and deveined shrimp (see recipe)
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, well rinsed
- Salt to taste
- 1 small avocado, halved, pitted, diced
- 2 or 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, parsley, or chives, or a combination
- Corn tortilla chips or crackers for serving
When the pepper is cool enough to handle, peel off the charred skin, and remove the stem and seeds. Rinse. Dice flesh finely.
Mix homemade cocktail sauce and hot sauce in a medium-sized bowl. Cut shrimp in half (or, if large, cut into bite-sized pieces). Add to bowl. Stir in poblano, cucumber, rinsed onion, and salt. (Refrigerate covered up to 1 hour if desired.)
Just before serving, stir in avocado and cilantro. Serve in small bowls accompanied by chips or crackers.