Shrimp Cocktail Platter Food

ENTERTAINING SHRIMP COCKTAIL PLATTER

Steps:

• Mix first 5 ingredients.
• Serve with shrimp.

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 PLATTER

Steps:

• Rinse shrimp; pat dry. Line a 4-cup bowl with enough plastic wrap so that it hangs over edge of bowl. Arrange a layer of shrimp in a spiral pattern in bottom of bowl. Add additional layers, filling all spaces and pressing down, until bowl is full.
• Fold the plastic wrap over shrimp. Place two 1-pound cans on top of shrimp and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl combine cocktail sauce, lime juice and chile powder; mix well. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
• Unwrap bowl. Pull plastic wrap away from top of bowl. To unmold, place a large platter upside down over bowl, then turn platter and bowl over; remove plastic wrap. Garnish the shrimp spiral with watercress and lemon slices. Serve with sauce.

SHRIMP COCKTAIL BAR: CLASSIC COCKTAIL SAUCE, AVOCADO CREMA, REMOULADE

Steps:

• For the remoulade: Stir together the mayonnaise, hot sauce, parsley, capers, chile powder, garlic, lemon juice and green onions in a bowl (or for a smoother remoulade, whizz in a food processor). Chill thoroughly before serving.
• For the classic cocktail sauce: Stir the ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire and some salt and pepper together in a bowl. Chill before serving.
• For the avocado crema: Put the yogurt, cilantro, avocados, lime juice and some salt in a food processor and mix until completely smooth. Gradually add the milk and keep blending until the desired consistency is reached. (You can add more or less milk as desired.)
• Arrange the shrimp on a large platter over ice, and serve with separate ramekins of the avocado crema, remoulade and classic cocktail sauce and lemon wedges to garnish.