Chilled Shrimp with Zesty Sauce (Print Version)

Tender chilled shrimp paired with zesty homemade sauce. An elegant appetizer ready in 20 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
02 - 1 lemon, sliced
03 - 1 tsp salt
04 - 1 tsp black peppercorns

→ Cocktail Sauce

05 - ½ cup ketchup
06 - 2 tbsp prepared horseradish
07 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - ½ tsp hot sauce
10 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnish

11 - Lemon wedges
12 - Fresh parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - Fill a large pot with water and add lemon slices, salt, and peppercorns. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat.
02 - Add the shrimp to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and are just cooked through. Do not overcook.
03 - Immediately transfer the cooked shrimp to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let chill for at least 10 minutes to ensure they are thoroughly cooled.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a pinch of salt. Stir until well blended and adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Drain the chilled shrimp and pat dry with paper towels. Arrange on a serving platter over a bed of crushed ice or fresh lettuce leaves.
06 - Serve the shrimp alongside the cocktail sauce. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and parsley sprigs for presentation.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • You get restaurant-quality results with barely any effort, making you look like a culinary genius
  • The homemade cocktail sauce puts bottled versions to shame and takes literally two minutes
02 -
  • The ice bath is non-negotiable, it's what prevents rubbery shrimp and keeps that succulent texture
  • You can cook the shrimp up to a day ahead and keep them refrigerated, making this perfect for party prep
03 -
  • Add a bay leaf to the poaching water for an extra layer of aromatic flavor
  • Grate a little fresh horseradish if you can find it, the prepared stuff is convenient but fresh is unbeatable
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