classic shrimp cocktail

Name: Classic Shrimp Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pound(s) wild shrimp gulf of mexico, 16-20 ct, or shrimp to you desire; 2 stalk(s) celery including leaves, cut into thirds; 1 1/2 ounce(s) mccormick® mixed pickling spice (i use 3/4 of container, no... shrimp won't taste 'pickley', i promise you!); 2 large bay leaves; 2 teaspoon(s) salt

27 Pinches 8 Photos

C P

Anywhere, AL

Updated on Aug 1, 2015

Growing up, my mother never taught me how to cook. Because of a big family (7 children), we seemed to more dry peanut butter sandwiches then anything. In 1980, after graduating high school, I met and fell deeply in love with a wonderful older man. He not only taught me patients, love, positive thinking thru actions, he taught me how to cook! The first time he cooked shrimp, I thought it was disgusting; I had never had seafood before hand. Once the shrimp was cooled and sauce was prepared, Ted gave me a shrimp to try; I was reluctant to say the least, after 1 bite, I was hooked!

Rate

prep time 5 Min

cook time 15 Min

method Stove Top

yield 6 serving(s)

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds wild shrimp gulf of mexico, 16-20 ct, or shrimp to you desire
2 stalks celery including leaves, cut into thirds
1 1/2 ounces mccormick® mixed pickling spice (i use 3/4 of container, no... shrimp won't taste 'pickley', i promise you!)
2 large bay leaves
2 teaspoons salt

How To Make classic shrimp cocktail

Step 1

* Fill a large pot with 4 quarts water; celery, pickling spice bay leaf, and salt. Cover; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes.

Step 2

* Return to a boil and add shrimp. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bright pink and opaque, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes for medium shrimp, 3 minutes for large ones. When cooking shrimp, remember the letters "C"; stands for "Cooked" and "O"; stands for "Overcooked". When boiled or steamed, shrimp are cooked when they curl to form the letter C. Shrimp will be firm, turn pink, and slightly opaque when cooked properly. Shrimp are overcooked when they curl to form the letter O. Don't overcook shrimp. Shrimp will be rubbery, chewy, and eraser-like, they are overcooked.
Step 3

* Drain shrimp in a colander, discarding the celery and spices.
Step 4

Place ice over shrimp to quickly shock and stop cooking.
Step 5

Shrimp Cocktail SuceIn a small bowl, combine all ingredients, mixing well. Chill until ready to serve. Ingredients: 12 oz. Heinz Chili sauce Prepared Horseradish, as desired, I add 7 heaping teaspoons Tabasco Sauce, as desired, I add 3 dashes 1 lemon, cut in half, using juice
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