Chesapeake Bay Style Shrimp Cocktail Food

SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• For the shrimp: Put about 10 cups of water, the carrots, celery, garlic, lemon, onion, parsley, thyme and bay leaves in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer, set a cover on top slightly ajar, and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Careful not to splash, drop the shrimp into the water and turn off the heat. Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until they curl and turn pink, about 2 to 3 minutes for medium shrimp, 4 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.
• For the Cocktail Sauce: Combine the ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire and lemon zest and juice in a small bowl. Add hot sauce if using. Mix well, then refrigerate until ready to serve
• 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 wedges and serve.

SPICY GINGER SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Make the cocktail sauce: Combine the chili sauce, chutney, cilantro, ginger and lime juice in a small bowl. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the shrimp: Remove the lime zest with a vegetable peeler and transfer to a pot, then squeeze the lime juice into the pot and add the squeezed limes. Add the ginger, cilantro stems, coriander, fennel, cumin, peppercorns and 2 quarts cold water. Cover and bring to a simmer; cook over low heat, 15 minutes. Add the shrimp, cover and remove from the heat. Let sit until just cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes.
• Drain the shrimp and transfer to a bowl of ice water; let sit until cold. Drain and pat dry. Serve with the cocktail sauce.

BBQ SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Prepare an outdoor grill or grill pan over high heat. Grill the tomato and onion pieces, turning to get grill marks on all sides, until the vegetables are softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Keep the grill on to cook the shrimp.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, ancho chile powder, black pepper, allspice, cinnamon, mustard, cayenne and bay leaf. Stir just until the smell of the spices hits your nose, about 30 seconds. Add the vinegar and the grilled tomatoes and onions, stirring to incorporate, and cook until the tomatoes come apart and become thick and jam-like, about 8 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf and put the contents of the sauce into a blender. Puree until smooth. Add the lemon juice, horseradish and salt to taste.
• Thread the shrimp onto the skewers. Divide the sauce, reserving about a cup for serving. Place the skewers on the grill and brush with the remaining sauce. Turn the shrimp occasionally and continue to brush with sauce until the shrimp are cooked through and the sauce is slightly charred, about 8 minutes. Serve with reserved sauce on the side.

PEEL-AND-EAT BOILED SHRIMP WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the Old Bay, butter, beer, and water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add the shrimp, turn the heat down to medium, and cover the pot with a lid. Cook, stirring once, for 3 to 6 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and just cooked through. Using a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp from the broth and transfer to a serving platter. Serve hot or cold with cocktail sauce.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
• Note: Prepared horseradish can be found in the refrigerator aisle at your supermarket.

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.

CHESAPEAKE BAY COCKTAIL SAUCE

Steps:

• In food processor, place all ingredients. Cover; process, using quick on-and-off motions, until all ingredients are evenly distributed. Store in refrigerator.

OLD BAY SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Mix vinegar, water and Old Bay Seasoning in medium saucepan. Bring to boil on medium heat. Gently stir in shrimp; cover.
• Steam 2 to 3 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink. Drain well.
• Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with cocktail sauce.