Smoked Shrimp Cocktail Recipe 45

BOWL SMOKED SHRIMP

Steps:

• Place the wood chips into a bowl and cover with cool water. Set aside and allow to soak for 1 hour.
• In the meantime, place the salt, sugar, water and red pepper flakes into an electric kettle and heat just until the salt and sugar have dissolved. Turn the kettle off and add the ice. Stir until the brine has cooled. Place the shrimp into a 1-gallon ziptop bag and pour over the brine. Place in a container and set in the refrigerator until the wood chips are done soaking, approximately 45 more minutes.
• While the shrimp are brining, heat about 2 quarts of charcoal in a chimney starter until the coals are covered with a white ash.
• After the chips are done soaking, drain them and set aside. Drain the shrimp in a colander and thread on 4 to 6 rounded skewers.
• Carefully transfer the charcoal to a large, 18-inch round, stainless steel bowl. Cover the charcoal with the wood chips. Lay the skewered shrimp directly atop the chips making sure that the shrimp do not come in direct contact with the charcoal and that the shrimp are in 1 layer. Turn another, smaller (13 to 14-inch) metal bowl upside down on top of the shrimp. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked through. Serve warm or chilled.
• In a small bowl whisk together the mustard seed, dry mustard and water.
• Place the mustard and water mixture into a small saucepan and add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Do not allow to boil. Remove from the heat and puree with a handheld blender for 5 to 10 seconds while drizzling with oil, leaving some of the seeds intact if desired. Pour into a glass jar or container, allow to cool, cover and allow to sit in refrigerator overnight before using. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
• Yield: approximately 1 cup

GARLIC BUTTER SMOKED SHRIMP

Steps:

• Place shrimp in a resealable plastic bag. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and drizzle with olive oil. Toss shrimp around in the bag to evenly distribute seasoning. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat a smoker to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Add wood chips according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Place butter in a microwave-safe dish and cook on high until completely melted, 20 to 30 seconds. Stir in lemon peel, garlic, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
• Arrange shrimp in even rows in a 8x10-inch aluminum pan. Place thyme sprigs between each row. Drizzle butter mixture over shrimp.
• Place in the preheated smoker and cook shrimp until firm and orange-pink in color, about 30 minutes. The internal temperature should be 120 degrees F (49 degrees C), about 30 minutes. Do not overcook as the shrimp will become rubbery. Serve immediately.

CHEF JOHN'S SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Stir water, onion, lemon, garlic, tarragon, seafood seasoning, peppercorns, and bay leaf together in a large pot; bring to a simmer and cook until flavors blend, about 15 minutes.
• Whisk ketchup, chili sauce, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt together in a bowl; refrigerate until chilled, at least 15 minutes.
• Bring poaching liquid to a rapid boil. Cook the shrimp in the boiling liquid until they are bright pink on the outside and the meat is no longer transparent in the center, about 5 minutes. Transfer shrimp to a bowl of ice water and immerse in ice water until cold; drain. Arrange cold shrimp on a platter and serve with chilled sauce.

SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Make the shrimp: In a large bowl, toss together the shrimp and 2 teaspoons salt, and set aside. Keep the 8 cups ice nearby, either in another large bowl or directly in the icemaker tray of your refrigerator.
• Meanwhile, fill a large pot with 8 cups water, 1/2 cup salt, the chile powder and celery seeds, and bring to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat and add the shrimp to the hot liquid, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through and no longer translucent on the inside, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Immediately dump the ice into the pot to stop the cooking, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is cool to warm or room temperature, about 1 minute. Pour the contents of the pot into a colander in the sink, then transfer the drained, celery seed-dotted shrimp to a large platter and refrigerate until ready to eat. Cut the lemons into quarters lengthwise, then cut each piece in half crosswise.
• Make the cocktail sauce: In a small bowl, stir the ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish and garlic to combine, and season to taste with salt, pepper and Tabasco sauce.
• Make the garlicky dill butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave. Add the garlic, dill, lemon juice and sugar to a small bowl and stir in the hot melted butter. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Make the curried honey mustard: In a small bowl, stir the mayonnaise, mustard, honey, lemon juice, curry powder and cayenne to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. All three sauces can be stored in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. (The dill butter will need to be reheated in the microwave or on the stove over medium-low heat until liquid again.)
• To serve, cover a large platter with cubed or crushed ice, top with the poached and cooled shrimp and scatter the lemon pieces all over. Serve with one or more of the dipping sauces on the side.