Shrimp Cocktail and Martinis
One of my favorite things about dinner parties, whether I’m going to one or hosting one myself, is the cocktail hour which precedes it. Maybe I just like drinking too much (probably true) but there is something about it that does, as they say, “open up the pallet." Even if we’re going to a restaurant, sometimes Joel and I like to sneak in a little early before our reservation and have a drink to ourselves before dinner begins. My go-to aperitif, or drink taken before a meal, is a classic Dry Gin Martini, with an olive or occasionally a lemon twist. Sometimes if I’m not feeling particularly boozy I’ll opt for a Negroni, Aperol Spritz, or maybe a glass of white wine, but I’m fairly committed to my martini most outings; a rinse of dry white vermouth, a hefty pour of Bombay Sapphire, a solid stir - as to not “beat” the liquor - a garnish, et voilà! The perfect martini (for me).
Aside from the cocktail which makes the cocktail hour, there is the cocktail food. It’s usually always something light such as deviled eggs, meatballs, oysters, perhaps some cheese and an assortment of nuts. However, in my opinion, there is one king that stands out amongst all other cocktail treats and that is Shrimp Cocktail - it even has cocktail in its name! Shrimp cocktail is truly an easy dish to make and it’s very forgiving. It’s also a classic so I will argue in favor of the classic shrimp cocktail sauce, but even then the sauce is also forgiving. Serve it over ice as a chilled hors devours or let it cool to room temperature and serve it that way, it’s up to you and your preference. You could also boil the shrimp or, as you will see when you read the following recipe, you can roast the shrimp, too. Finally, when you serve your dish dress it up a little with some fresh herbs as a garnish, throw on gherkins (cute little pickles), olives, and lemon slices and you’ve elevated your shrimp cocktail to a cocktail hour work of food art.
Shrimp Cocktail (serves 6 - 8)
Ingredients:
For the shrimp
2 pounds extra large shrimp
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 lemon, sliced whole
1/2 yellow onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, sliced
Several sprigs of fresh herbs such as parsley, tarragon, dill, thyme, and fennel leaves
For the cocktail sauce
1/2 cup chili sauce (such as Heinz)
1/2 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
2 teaspoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (or other hot sauce you like)
1 anchovy + 1/4 teaspoon ketchup + 1/4 teaspoon water
Instructions for the shrimp
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Peel and de-vain the shrimp, but leave the tails on to make dipping the shrimp easier. In a bowl, add the shrimp, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix until all the shrimp are coated, set aside. Meanwhile, on a sheet pan scatter around the lemon slices, onion, garlic and sprigs of herbs. Place a wire rack that fits snug and just above the herbs inside the sheet pan. Spread the shrimp in one layer over the wire rack.
3. Roast in the oven for 10 - 15 minutes, just until shrimp are pink, firm to the touch, and cooked through. Set aside to cool.
Make the sauce
1. Combine the chili sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco (adding more for desired spice), and stir.
2. In a small saucepan set over medium heat, add the anchovy and additional ketchup and water. Heat up and stir until the anchovy breaks apart and dissolves into the ketchup. Spoon into the cocktail sauce and stir. (Optional: for even more flavor, after the shrimp have finished, spoon a 1/2 teaspoon of the cooking juices from the sheet pan into the cocktail sauce and stir.)
To serve
Place the cocktail sauce in a serving bowl set atop and in the middle of a serving platter. Arrange some of the shrimp around the the edge of the sauce bowl. Then, arrange the shrimp around the platter how you see fit. If you want your shrimp served cold, add some crushed ice to the platter and serve the shrimp on top of that. Decorate with parsley or another herb(s) of your liking, and scatter with green olives, gherkins, and lemon wedges.
The Dry Gin Martini (serves 1)
Ingredients:
1/2 shot dry white vermouth
3 shots dry Gin, such as Bombay Sapphire
Green Olives (such as queen olives or cocktail olives)
A lemon Twist
Chilled martini glass
Cocktail shaker
Ice
Instructions:
1. Pour 1/2 shot of dry white vermouth into the chilled martini glass and swirl around, then dump out (this is called a rinse). Set Aside. Add the gin to the cocktail shaker and stir vigorously for 20 seconds. Pour into the martini glass and garnish with an olive or a lemon twist, or both. Enjoy responsibly, because seriously this is a strong drink!
