Old Bay Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
Old Bay seasoned and white wine poached jumbo shrimp, bloody Mary cocktail sauce, salted crackers, lemon wedge
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Ingredients
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Poached Shrimp
Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce
To Serve
Method
Poached Shrimp
- 1
Prepare Shrimp
Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. If shells are still on, leave them on for poaching (this adds flavor); ensure they are deveined.
- 2
Make Poaching Liquid
In a wide, shallow saucepan or skillet with a lid, combine the white wine, water, Old Bay seasoning, kosher salt, bay leaf, and the halved lemon (squeeze one half into the liquid, then add both halves). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat; do not boil vigorously or the shrimp will become tough.
- 3
Poach Shrimp
Add the shrimp in a single layer so they cook quickly and evenly. Reduce heat so the liquid is at a bare simmer. Poach the shrimp until they turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose 'C' — about 2 to 3 minutes for jumbo shrimp. Timing will vary slightly by size; avoid overcooking.
- 4
Finish and Chill
Using a slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking immediately and cool quickly (about 5 minutes). Add the tablespoon of butter to the hot poaching liquid and swirl to melt; this makes a light flavored jus you can discard or strain and reserve for another use. Drain shrimp well and pat dry; refrigerate shrimp until cold, at least 15 minutes.
Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce
- 5
In a small bowl combine the ketchup, prepared horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, fresh lemon juice, vodka (if using), Old Bay, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir until smooth and taste; adjust heat with more hot sauce or horseradish and acidity with additional lemon juice as desired. Chill at least 10 minutes to let flavors meld. If you prefer a thinner sauce for dipping, whisk in 1 to 2 teaspoons of the reserved poaching liquid or cold water.
To Serve
- 6
Arrange chilled shrimp on a platter or individual cocktail glasses with a small bowl of Bloody Mary cocktail sauce in the center or inside each glass. Garnish with lemon wedges and sprinkle chopped parsley over the shrimp if using. Serve with salted crackers on the side.
- 7
If desired, rim the serving glasses or small dipping bowls with a light brush of lemon juice and a sprinkle of Old Bay for an attractive presentation.