How to Prepare Shrimp Cocktail with fresh vegetables
Shrimp Cocktail, also known as prawn cocktail, is a Mexican style seafood recipe made from shelled shrimps that have been tossed with mayonnaise and tomato dressing. Though this recipe is not shaken with ice cubes and liquor in a cocktail shaker, it is called a cocktail because it is served in a glass. It was one of the United Kingdom’s most popular hors d’oeuvre (appetizer) from early 1960s to late 1980s.
Shrimp cocktail is served at almost every restaurant in UK and US, but you can also prepare this appetizer at home. The sauce for shrimp cocktail is traditionally made with ketchup, but you can also combine vegetables of your choice to make a salsa like sauce.
Prep time: 10 to 15 minutes
Cook time: 5 to 7 minutes
Total time: 20 to 25 minutes
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
– Vegetarian shrimp: 2 pounds
– Finely chopped garlic: 3 cloves
– Lime: 2
– Olive oil: 3 Tbsp
– Roma tomatoes: 2 (cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
– Minced garlic: 2 cloves
– Large sized Cucumber: 1/2 (cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
– Thinly sliced green onions: 8
– Finely chopped fresh cilantro: 1 ounce
– Thinly sliced serrano pepper: 1
– Avocado diced: 1 small
– V-8 vegetable juice: 8 ounces
– White vinegar: 2 Tbsp
– Salt: 1/2 tsp
Instructions
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1
Clean and devein your vegetarian shrimps and wash them thoroughly under running water. Set the shrimps aside to dry.
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2
Take a heavy bottomed skillet and heat olive oil in it over low heat.
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3
Sauté finely chopped garlic (3 cloves) in the hot oil until fragrant and add the shrimps to the skillet.
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4
Add lemon juice of one lime to the shrimps and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, making sure the shrimps remain juicy and tender.
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5
Remove sautéed shrimps from the heat and bring them to room temperature before refrigerating for 10 to 12 hours.
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6
Combine all the remaining ingredients including Roma tomatoes, cucumber, cilantro, green onions, avocado and garlic, just before serving the shrimp cocktail.
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7
Squeeze juice of one lemon into the vegetables. Also add V-8 vegetable juice and white vinegar and toss to combine.
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8
Serve sautéed vegetarian shrimps with this veggie sauce as appetizer.