Best 6 Cooking Shrimp For Shrimp Cocktail Recipes

SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Put the water, carrot, celery, onion, garlic, lemon, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer, set a cover on top slightly ajar, and cook for 10 to 30 minutes.
• Drop the shrimp into the liquid and turn off the heat. Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until they curl and turn pink, about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes for medium shrimp, 3 minutes for large ones. Drain and cool to room temperature. Peel the shrimp and remove the vein along the curve of the shrimp, if desired. Refrigerate if not serving right away. If refrigerated, bring the shrimp to room temperature 20 minutes before serving.
• To serve put the cocktail sauce in a medium bowl and surround with the shrimp, or loop the shrimp over the edge of an individual cocktail glass and top with the sauce. Garnish with the lemon and serve.
• Optional Tip: To de-vein the shrimp before cooking, hold a shrimp between the thumb and forefinger with the rounded side of the shrimp upward. Place the pointed end of a wooden skewer at the junction of the second and third segments of the shrimp shell, about 1/8-inch down from the top. Gently push the skewer through the shell and then lift up to remove the vein.
• Combine the ketchup, lemon zest and juice, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Add hot sauce, if desired. Mix well, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Yield: 1 1/2 cups

CLASSIC SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Shrimp: Cover a rimmed baking sheet with ice (to later cool down shrimp). In a large stockpot combine 12 cups water, carrot, celery, thyme, 1 tablespoon salt, and peppercorns. Cut one lemon in half; squeeze half the juice into the water and add the rind. Cut remaining 1 1/2 lemons into small wedges for serving; set aside.
• Bring water to a boil. Add shrimp, cover; remove from heat. Let stand until shrimp are bright pink and curled; 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to prepared tray of ice to cool completely. Once cool, shrimp can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.
• Cocktail Sauce: Meanwhile, whisk together all ingredients until combined. (Cocktail sauce can be made ahead; refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week.)
• To Serve: Peel shrimp, leaving tails intact if desired. Using a paring knife, make a shallow cut along backs of shrimp to remove vein. Arrange shrimp neatly on a platter, shingling them slightly to make a pattern, and serve chilled with cocktail sauce and reserved lemon wedges on the side.

SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine the first 8 ingredients; bring to a boil. Add shrimp. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until shrimp turn pink, 4-5 minutes. , Drain shrimp and immediately rinse in cold water. Refrigerate until cold, 2-3 hours. In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients. Refrigerate until serving. , Arrange shrimp on a serving platter; serve with sauce. If desired, serve with lemon wedges.

HOW TO MAKE A PERFECT SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Fill a large saucepan 3/4 full of water.
• Add salt.
• If using lemon, squeeze the juice of the lemon into the pot and add the peel and flesh once squeezed. Add the peppercorns and parsley if using.
• Bring the pot to a rapid boil over high heat.
• Remove from the heat and let it stop boiling.
• Add the shrimp. Stir. Put the lid on the saucepan.Cover the pot. Let sit for 4-5 minutes, until shrimp are opaque and pink.
• Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath: In a large bowl put two cups of ice cubes and fill halfway with cold water.
• When shrimp are cooked, drain off the hot liquid and transfer shrimp (but not the aromatics) to the ice bath. Let them sit in there for a few minutes to fully cool off before draining.
• Peel shrimp but leave the tails on.
• In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, horseradish, pinch of salt, and the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce, if using.
• Taste, add more horseradish if desired.
• Divide sauce among 4 small bowls or wine glasses or martini glasses.
• Hang shrimp from the rims. Serve immediately. (See above in blog post for alternate serving suggestions.)

SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Make the shrimp: In a large bowl, toss together the shrimp and 2 teaspoons salt, and set aside. Keep the 8 cups ice nearby, either in another large bowl or directly in the icemaker tray of your refrigerator.
• Meanwhile, fill a large pot with 8 cups water, 1/2 cup salt, the chile powder and celery seeds, and bring to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat and add the shrimp to the hot liquid, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through and no longer translucent on the inside, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Immediately dump the ice into the pot to stop the cooking, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is cool to warm or room temperature, about 1 minute. Pour the contents of the pot into a colander in the sink, then transfer the drained, celery seed-dotted shrimp to a large platter and refrigerate until ready to eat. Cut the lemons into quarters lengthwise, then cut each piece in half crosswise.
• Make the cocktail sauce: In a small bowl, stir the ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish and garlic to combine, and season to taste with salt, pepper and Tabasco sauce.
• Make the garlicky dill butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave. Add the garlic, dill, lemon juice and sugar to a small bowl and stir in the hot melted butter. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Make the curried honey mustard: In a small bowl, stir the mayonnaise, mustard, honey, lemon juice, curry powder and cayenne to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. All three sauces can be stored in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. (The dill butter will need to be reheated in the microwave or on the stove over medium-low heat until liquid again.)
• To serve, cover a large platter with cubed or crushed ice, top with the poached and cooled shrimp and scatter the lemon pieces all over. Serve with one or more of the dipping sauces on the side.

SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• In a large pot, combine shrimp shells, 2 quarts water and 3 tablespoons salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low and simmer 20 minutes. Remove pot from heat, and steep until cool.
• Strain shrimp broth into another large pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add wine, peppercorns, coriander seeds, bay leaves, parsley, tarragon and lemons. Boil 2 minutes. Add shrimp, and remove pot from heat. Steep shrimp until they are white, about 3 minutes. Fill a large bowl with water, ice and the 2 remaining tablespoons salt. Transfer shrimp to bowl. Let shrimp cool 3 minutes, then drain well. Refrigerate with a bag of ice on top, until ready to serve.
• To serve, divide shrimp among four plates. Place sauces in individual ramekins on each plate, or in three small bowls to pass at the table.