RestaurantsFoxcroft Food & Wine - RaleighShrimp Cocktail Recipe

Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

Time35m
Serves4

old bay poached shrimp, smoked cocktail sauce, lemon

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Ingredients

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Poached Shrimp

Garnish & Serving

Method

Poached Shrimp

1

Make the poaching liquid

In a large saucepan or deep skillet, combine 8 cups water, 1/2 cup white wine, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning, 1 bay leaf, 8 peppercorns, and the halved lemon (squeeze one half into the pot and drop both halves in). Bring mixture to a gentle boil over high heat.

2

Poach shrimp

Once the liquid reaches a rolling boil, reduce heat so the liquid is at a steady simmer. Add the butter. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook just until the shrimp turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose C — about 2 to 3 minutes depending on size. Do not overcook.

3

Shock shrimp

Immediately prepare an ice bath (a large bowl with 4 cups of ice and cold water). Using a slotted spoon, transfer shrimp from the poaching liquid to the ice bath to stop cooking. Let chill for 2–3 minutes until completely cooled, then drain and pat dry with paper towels. Reserve a bit of poaching liquid if you want to thin the sauce later.

Smoked Cocktail Sauce

4

In a medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup ketchup, 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish (add more or less to taste), 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon smoked sea salt (or kosher salt), and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Whisk until smooth and taste; adjust horseradish, lemon, or hot sauce to preference. If sauce is too thick, whisk in 1–2 tablespoons of reserved poaching liquid (or water) to reach desired consistency.

Plate & Garnish

5

Arrange chilled shrimp on a serving platter or individual small plates around a small bowl of the smoked cocktail sauce. Add lemon wedges and sprinkle chopped parsley over the shrimp. Offer extra Old Bay at the table if desired.

6

Serve immediately chilled. Each guest should dip shrimp into smoked cocktail sauce and squeeze fresh lemon over shrimp before eating.

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