Succulent Shrimp Cocktail

Succulent Shrimp Cocktail

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound (8/12 count) extra colossal shell-on shrimp, deveined

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

8 cups water

2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning

4 cups ice for ice bath

watercress and lemon wedges for garnishing, optional

Cocktail Sauce:

1/2 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons prepared horseradish

1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

    1. Peel shrimp, leaving the tail on. Reserve shells.

    2. Rub baking soda and Kosher salt onto shrimp. Chill for 30-60 minutes.

    3. Make cocktail sauce: Add all ingredients in a bowl. Whisk to blend. Chill until ready to use.

    4. About 30 minutes before shrimp is ready to cook, add water to stockpot.

    5. Add reserved shrimp shells, and Old Bay Seasoning.

    6. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and boil gently for 15 minutes.

    7. Place ice in a large bowl. Add enough water to fully submerge ice. Set aside.

    8. Rinse shrimp thoroughly.

  1. Bring water back to a full boil. Add shrimp to stockpot.

    1. Turn off heat. Cook shrimp to poach until they are cooked through, about 5 minutes. Shrimp are done when they turn opaque with pinkish/reddish highlights and curl into a “C” shape. Do not overcook or shrimp will be rubbery. Start checking for doneness at the 3 minute mark.

    2. Use a slotted spoon to quickly transfer cooked shrimp and shells to the ice bath to cool completely, about 5 minutes.

    3. Transfer cooled shrimp to a paper towel lined tray. Pat completely dry. (Discard shells.)

    4. Best served chilled with cocktail sauce. Garnish with lemon wedges and watercress, optional.

Serving size about colossal 12 shrimps.


Recipe Notes:

    1. Total time given includes rest time and time it takes for a large pot of water to boil. The actual shrimp cooking time is about 5 minutes.

    2. This recipe yields more cocktail sauce then you need. Store refrigerated. Keeps well for 4-5 days.

Shrimp cooking time guideline:

    • small 51/60 count shrimp — 1 minute cook time

    • medium 41/50 count shrimp — 1 1/2 minute cook time

    • large 31/35 count shrimp — 2 minutes cook time

    • jumbo 21/25 count shrimp — 3 minutes cook time

    • extra jumbo 16/20 — 4 minutes cook time

    • extra colossal 8/12 — 5 minutes cook time

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