Marinated Cocktail Shrimp

Julesong's Note:

I keep a couple of bags of pre-cooked cocktail shrimp in the freezer for impromptu gatherings, and here's the method I've come up with to make them into a quick, more flavorful appetizer. Great year round, but I often end up taking it to summer potlucks and picnics. Since folks have asked me for the recipe, I figured I should probably write it up and finally share it here, too. :)

• Total Time: 16 mins
• Prep Time: 16 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 1 lb frozen tail-on cooked shrimp (about 30-38 or 41-50 count, not the tiny kind)
• 3 tablespoons dry sherry
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt, to taste (such as Johnny's or Lawry's)
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon dried ancho chile powder or 1/4 teaspoon other chili powder, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon seafood cocktail sauce
• seafood cocktail sauce, your favorite kind, for dipping

Directions:

1. Place the frozen shrimp in a colander in the sink, and run hot water over them while stirring occasionally until they separate and begin to thaw, about 1 minute.
2. Set aside to drain for another 5 minutes or so until they're thawed yet still chilled in the middles, then place them in a large bowl.
3. To the bowl add the sherry, lime juice, seasoning salt, black pepper, ancho powder, and 1/2 teaspoon cocktail sauce, and stir well to coat; set aside for another 10 minutes or so, stirring occasionally.
4. (You can put them in a container in the fridge for later, if need be, or into a container for taking to a picnic or potluck.).
5. Serve with your favorite cocktail sauce for dipping.
6. Note: you can, of course, use the marinade on thawed cooked shrimp - just toss them well in the marinade and let sit for at least 10 minutes.

Reviews

[Katanashrp]

I had raw shrimp so I combined everything with some water and boiled the shrimp in the mixture. It took the shrimp cocktail to the next level. Thank you.

[Chef GreanEyes]

Yummy yummy yummy!!! took this to the boyfriends parents house tonite and the 6 year old nephew said it was his favorite part of supper. doubled the whole thing except the salt and waited to see if it needed a little more. used season all for salt and half bottled lime juice and half squeezed lime juice. will add a little more chile powder next time, maybe some anchos instead of anaheims!!! thanks julesong!! PS run the shrimp under cool water and not hot! the hot will cook them.

[iris5555]

I happened to have some thawed shrimp that needed to be used and saw Gayla's photo and knew I had to try it. Just excellent! The marinade adds just the right amount of extra flavor.