Shrimp Cocktail

For an appetizer that should be so simple, there are some really, really bad shrimp cocktails out there. The prepared frozen ones you find in the grocery store may look pretty with the shrimp neatly arranged in a ring, but they are tasteless, rubbery and overcooked, and the sauce is bland. Making them at home using bags of cooked frozen shrimp is just as bad. The number one rule is to start with fresh, uncooked shrimp, or if you are forced to use frozen crustaceans, at least buy the ones that are uncooked. As for the sauce, you can buy bottles of cocktail sauce at the grocery, but these are relatively bland and don’t allow for your personal preferences. You can make your own, starting with a ketchup base. (semi-humorous aside: where I come from it’s “ketchup”, not “catsup”. If you call it “catsup” then you’re a pretentious girly-man).

About the Shrimps I prefer medium or large Gulf shrimps; the jumbos and Tiger prawns don’t seem to have as much flavor. Peel and de-vein shrimps, setting aside the shells to use in the boil. If you can leave the tail on, they’re easier to handle when dipping in sauce. Rinse thoroughly. Allow 6-12 shrimps per person if you’re using this as an appetizer.

For the Shrimp Boil

• If desired, start with a shrimp/crab boil (such as Old Bay or Zattarains)
  
• Two or three cloves of garlic, peeled & quartered
  
• One whole lemon or lime, quartered
  
• A few whole cloves
  
• Salt
  
• The reserved shrimp shells
  
• Cayenne pepper (optional)

Use a pot large enough so the shrimps aren’t crowded. To the water, add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a full boil, reduce heat and simmer at least 15-20 minutes. Remove shrimp shells with a slotted spoon;discard
Add the raw shrimp, return to a boil
Cooking time isn’t usually more than 2-3 minutes
If you overcook, the shrimp will be tough and rubbery. Do Not Overcook

Drain and pick out the cloves & other chunks, and immediately place shrimp on ice. Allow to chill slightly before eating. Did I mention not to overcook the shrimps?

For the Cocktail Sauce

• Ketchup (likely a ½ cup to a cup)
  
• Juice of half a lemon or lime
  
• A dash or two of Worcestershire sauce
  
• A dash of prepared mustard (the yellow kind in a jar is fine)
  
• Course ground black pepper to taste
  
• Horseradish to taste

All ingredients are approximate. Adjust to your taste and quantity required. Add all ingredients in a bowl and stir with a fork until mixed.

Note about Horseradish Use a good quality product that is pure grated horseradish. The “creamy” prepared kind won’t do. My favorite brand is Schnitzius, available in the refrigerated section of the grocery. If it’s in a bottle, at room temp, on a shelf with other condiments, avoid it. If you don’t like horseradish in your “catsup”, then you’re a double girly-man. If you really want to put hair on your chest, add wasabi.

Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges. Enjoy the shrimps. That’s right—shrimps, with an “s” on the end! Now, when you pick up one of the shrimps and see a black speck on it, you have to wonder, is that pepper, or a piece of the shrimp vein that didn't get removed?