Shrimp cocktail: All the flavor of the sea!

Hello dear and dear followers of Paulina Cocina! I hope you are very well and looking forward to something delicious, as always! Today we want to bring you a recipe that comes directly from Mexico, to make us travel for a while to its beautiful beaches and feel a little of its flavors: Shrimp cocktail. A delicious snack that is associated with outdoor events, beach bars or packaged restaurants. But today we want to invite you to enjoy this delicacy at home, at any time, and to enjoy it with whoever you want.

In this note we are going to tell you everything about this delicious shrimp, sauce and vegetables. Some tips to prepare it, and of course, an easy recipe to make at home and surprise everyone.

About the shrimp cocktail

He shrimp cocktail or shrimp cocktailis a delicious and refreshing culinary preparation that combines the flavors of the sea with an explosion of fresh and vibrant ingredients. This dish, popular in various parts of the world, stands out for its exquisite flavor and its colorful presentation.

It is a mix of seafood and vegetables, accompanied with a delicious sauce that enhances the flavors and provides a touch of freshness. The shrimp cocktail is usually enjoyed very well as a starter, as part of a fresh snack or simply with a delicious beer by the sea or a pool. In addition, being accompanied by vegetables results in a dish light and balancedwhich goes very well as a refreshing meal for the hottest days, without leaving us heavy.

What kind of shrimp is used in the Mexican shrimp cocktail

The shrimp that is used to prepare this dish is usually called “cocktail shrimp” which is characterized by its size, generally small, and its sweet and mild flavor. It is ideal to be used in this type of preparation, as it provides a juicy texture and a delicious marine flavor.

Does the shrimp cocktail have alcohol?

Surely the name of this dish is misleading. Thinking of a cocktail leads us to think of an alcoholic drink, but actually shrimp cocktail is a mealan appetizer that is enjoyed as a starter, which is often served accompanied by an alcoholic beverage.

What ingredients does the shrimp cocktail recipe have to have?

The Mexican shrimp cocktail is a popular version full of intense flavors, like almost all the delights of that beautiful country. The ingredients that it usually has are: fresh shrimp, lemon juice, tomato sauce, onion, serrano pepper, coriander, palta (avocado) and salt. These elements are harmoniously combined to create an explosion of flavors characteristic of this Mexican recipe.

How to prepare the shrimp for the cocktail

Preparing a delicious shrimp cocktail requires attention to detail and a careful process in cleaning and preparing the shrimp. You can also choose to use shrimp already cleaned and cookedbut that is at the discretion of the person who makes the dish.

• Clean and peel the shrimp: Begin by removing the shells and veins from the shrimp. Then, they are washed with cold water to remove any residue.
• cook the shrimp: In a large pot, boil salted water with an onion and a few cloves of garlic. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until they turn pink and are tender. Do not overcook them as they could become tough.
• Reserve a cup of broth what was left of cooking It is used for the sauce.
• Cool the shrimp: Once the shrimp are cooked, strain them and place the strainer in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. This will also help the shrimp keep their juicy texture. Then leave it draining to remove excess liquid.

How is the sauce for the shrimp cocktail

The shrimp cocktail sauce It is intended to enhance and complement the flavor of the shrimp. Although the characteristics of the sauce can vary depending on the specific recipe and personal preferences, in general it meets certain qualities, to a greater or lesser extent.

• Spicy: Mexican shrimp cocktail sauce usually has a spicy touch to bring out the flavors of the seafood. Hot sauce is used, such as Tabasco sauce, chili peppers, or chili sauce.
• Acidic: Acid is a key element in this sauce. Lemon juice is used to give it a citrusy and refreshing touch. The acid brings out the flavor of the shrimp and balances the intensity of the other ingredients.
• Intense flavors: Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Sauce combines different bold flavors like ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato sauce to add richness and depth to the flavor.

How the shrimp cocktail is served

The shrimp cocktail is a dish that, in addition to being tasty, is visually attractive. That is why it is customary to eat it at events or parties. It is usually served in tall glasses or glasses, placing the shrimp and sauce in the bottom and then adding additional ingredients.

The glass can be decorated with avocado slices, lemon or lime wedges, coriander leaves, or even a bit of hot sauce For lovers of the most intense flavors.

If you like this preparation, I invite you to discover all my recipes with fish and shellfish!

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe

• Yield: 2 large or 4 small portions
• Preparation time: 45 minutes (taking into account the rest of the mixture)

Ingredients

• 500 g of fresh shrimp or 400 g of cooked shrimp
• 1 cup of the shrimp cooking broth (in case of using cooked shrimp, replace it with clamato juice or clam broth)
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup of tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 red onion finely chopped
• Chopped serrano chile (to taste)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• Salt to taste
• Avocado slices, cilantro, lemon (to decorate)

How to make shrimp cocktail step by step

1. Clean, peel and cook the shrimp as explained above (How to prepare the shrimp for the cocktail)
2. In a bowl, mix the tomato sauce, the Worcestershire sauce, the ketchup, the lemon juice, the shrimp broth or clamato, the chopped onion, the chopped serrano pepper, the chopped cilantro and salt to taste. This is going to be the cocktail sauce.
3. Add the cooked shrimp to the prepared sauce (some can be reserved to put on top when serving). Mix gently so that the shrimp are impregnated.
4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
5. When serving, place the shrimp mixture in tall glasses or glasses. Garnish with avocado slices, coriander leaves and lemon wedges. Serve cold accompanied by crackers.