Romantic Shrimp Cocktail (Print Version)
Succulent shrimp paired with a zesty homemade sauce, ideal for elegant dining occasions.
# What You'll Need:
→ Shrimp
01 - 12 large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails on
02 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
03 - 1 lemon, sliced
→ Cocktail Sauce
04 - 1/3 cup ketchup
05 - 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
06 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
07 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
08 - 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
09 - Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish
10 - Lemon wedges
11 - Fresh parsley or dill sprigs
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Fill a medium saucepan with water and add sea salt and lemon slices. Bring to a boil over high heat.
02 - Add shrimp to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and are just cooked through. Do not overcook.
03 - Immediately transfer shrimp to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking process. Let chill for at least 5 minutes, then drain well.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Arrange chilled shrimp on a serving platter or in cocktail glasses. Serve with cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, and garnish with fresh parsley or dill sprigs.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It comes together in under twenty minutes but tastes like something from a fancy restaurant
- The homemade cocktail sauce is infinitely better than anything from a jar
- Perfectly poached shrimp feel luxurious without requiring any special technique
02 -
- Overcooked shrimp are rubbery and sad, pull them the moment they turn pink
- The ice bath step is not optional, it keeps the shrimp from continuing to cook
- Cocktail sauce tastes better after it sits for 10 minutes, make it first
03 -
- Buy the best shrimp you can find, fresh not frozen if possible
- Keep the tails on, they become handles for dipping and look beautiful