Succulent juicy shrimp, steamed to perfection and then dipped into a rich and flavoured packed cocktail sauce. This dish is the thing of dreams.
Imagine you're sat eating shrimp, licking your fingers after every delicious mouthful, sipping on a cold glass of wine and smiling at the appreciative Mmmmms that are going around the table. See....the thing of dreams (Tell me I am not the only one who dreams about shrimp and wine!!!!)
Did you read yesterdays post? If so then you know I have been dreaming about these shrimps for a few weeks! (If not then you can check out my disaster filled post here.) BUT!!!!!!! After my weeks of waiting I finally tucked into this plate of food yesterday. And, Oh My Goodness! Let me tell you it was worth the wait. I only have one regret...... I wish I had made more shrimp!
The shrimp are sprinkled with Old Bay Seasoning and then steamed over lemon water, before being served with a rich spiced cocktail sauce. Don't worry if you haven't got any Old Bay Seasoning. I know it isn't available in Australia. Yesterday's post tells you how I climbed mountains, battled the elements, swam oceans and outran grizzly bears, to make my own Old Bay Style Seasoning. Well almost, perhaps there were no bears! But it was a mission to get a recipe for Old Bay Seasoning up on the blog. A mission to get the post done, not a mission to make. Making it was the easy bit 😉
So click through and get the recipe. (There is also a link for where to buy an Australia equivalent for those of you afraid of bears!)
This recipe uses a kilo of shrimp. That amount of shellfish only just fit into my steamer, there was no real room to toss or stir the shrimp so I came up with a new plan. I have a colander with short legs and a lip on it. It fits inside my large stock pot, so I steamed the shrimp in that. Problem solved. Just be careful if your colander is metal. It will be very hot!!! If you have a large steamer or one of those pasta inserts then they would work as well. What you are looking for is a way of suspending the shrimp over the lemon water, so that they steam rather than poach. Being submerged in water would cause them to lose all that beautiful flavour.
You'll probably need some finger bowls on the table and a stack of napkins. Or just use a tea towel! I was so eager to dig in I just threw that down as I grabbed my camera. Can you see the steam coming off my shrimp in the photo above? They were fresh from the pan and straight into the shortest food modelling session ever! Even my pancake bites took longer to shoot and I had children snapping at my heels for breakfast then! Nothing was slowing me down last night! I even peeled a few mid shoot....for pure photography reasons....honest ;-).
Other than the finger bowls what else you put on the table is up to you. I would suggest a side salad, crunchy bread, some salted butter and plenty of white wine.
One last note. Place a large bowl in the centre of the table for the shells and then save them. Stick them in a zip lock bag in the freezer (along with any heads) I promise next week that I will blow you away with the most simple and amazing dish using those shells!!! UPDATE Roasted Shrimp Stock is on the blog now.
If you adore shrimp then you should check out my Hot Louisiana Shrimp dip. It is one of the most popular recipes on my blog and it is oh sooooo good!
But for now I will leave you with my steamed shrimp which are beyond good and perfect with drinks in the garden!!!
Enjoy x
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Steamed Spiced Shrimp with Old Bay Cocktail Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 kg raw unpeeled prawns - Try get head on ones as I have a great way to use them up coming next week!
- 1 lemon
- 1 ½ tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning (get my homemade recipe)
For the cocktail sauce.
- 8 tablespoon tomato ketchup (get my homemade recipe)
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning (get my homemade recipe)
- 4 tablespoon mayonnaise (get my homemade recipe)
Instructions
For the Shrimp
- If your prawns have heads on remove them. (Store them in a zip lock bag in the freezer. You'll thank me next week!)
- Place a large pan on the hob and add about 700ml of water and the juice from the lemon. (see notes)
- Bring the water to the boil and then place a steamer or colander over the water.
- Add the shrimp and sprinkle them with 1 tablespoon of the old bay seasoning.
- Add a lid and steam the shrimp for 3 minutes.
- Remove the lid and give the shrimps a stir. Place the lid back on and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until the shrimp are a beautiful orange colour. (The exact time will depend on the size of your shrimp)
- Remove the steamer/colander from the pan and sprinkle over the remaining seasoning.
- Toss the shrimp so they are all well covered.
- Enjoy the shrimp hot or cold.
- Just make sure you keep all the shells. (Just stick them in the zip bag with the heads. All will become clear I promise x)
For the cocktail sauce.
- Mix together the ketchup, mayonnaise and the old bay seasoning. (Yup that's it 😉 )
Notes
Andrea says
Let me tell you- my Italian family is damn picky.... I was sick and tired of the same old shrimp cocktail and decided to venture off and try this recipe because I love old bay and it’s so easy to come by here in the northeast. Oh my Lord they tore this plate of shrimp up! It was gone before making its way to the buffet table. Total winner, thank you a million times over. This will be a staple!
Claire McEwen says
Of this has made me grin from ear to ear. SO happy that your family loved these steamed shrimp!!!
I love that feeling when everyone just loves a dish and you know you have found a new staple recipe.
Thank you for making my recipe part of your family's staples 😀 😀
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Claire! I'm making a shrimp and corn boil tonight and I made your Old Bay cocktail sauce...Gary allowed it is damn good! 🙂 PS Me too!
Claire McEwen says
Oooooh I want to come to your house for tea!!!!!!
Tell Gary I am honoured by such praise 😀 x
JIm says
I'm a big fan of Old Bay. I use it all the time and get it from USA foods here in Australia. http://www.usafoods.com.au/product/9477
Jane says
Hi Claire! So wonderful to see your Old Bay recipe with these delectable shrimps! I'm drooling now...
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Jane, I am loving Old Bay, I can't believe I didn't know about it before now 🙂
Chris @ SimpleFood365 says
I do love shrimp and these look gorgeous! Having spent 20 years in the northeast, Old Bay is a familiar and welcome flavor! Gonna have to give these a try!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Chris. Old Bay is a new thing for me, but I am now a little obsessed 😉
Hope you enjoy them 😀
Louise says
mmmmm love the look of these!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Louise. Steamed shrimp...perfect for this time of year 🙂
Jess @ What Jessica Baked Next says
These shrimp sound and look delicious! Old Bay is one of my favourite seasonings. Excited to try your recipe soon! 😀
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Jess. It is so simple, it lets the shrimp be the hero. We were a bit disappointed I hadn't made more 😉
Paige says
Goodness, these shrimp look so delicious. I adore steamed shrimp - growing up on the Gulf Coast. shrimp prepared this way are regularly on our menu 🙂 So tasty, and so easy to make! Makes me want some now :):)
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Paige. You were so lucky to grow up on the Gulf coast and eat shrimp all the time. Yum!!!!
Ludmilla says
This recipe is super easy! The prawns looks delicious and is something which most people can make and really enjoy.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you. Simple delicious food is the best kind of food 🙂
Callie | Flour and Fancy says
These shrimp look delectable, and that cocktail sauce recipe reminds me a great deal of what my husband makes to eat with shrimp and crawfish. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Claire McEwen says
It is an old bay take on a cocktail sauce my dad used to make when we were kids. My sister and I would have 'prawn cocktail' in a glass bowl with shredded lettuce and think we were so posh. Ha!!
I hope you enjoy the recipe
Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish says
What a perfect way to prepare shrimp! Love it.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Suzy. We all need plenty of ways to enjoy shrimp 🙂
Bridget - The Recipe Wench says
I love those nights when we have simple dinners (like shrimp or crab). This recipe is giving me ideas! We're due for another simple dinner. Thank you so much for the post and the recipe for the dip -- that looks pretty interesting!
Claire McEwen says
So do I. Bit of bread and some salad and everyone was a happy eater. There was some disappointment that I hadn't cooked more!!!!
Sarah says
Wow this shrimp looks incredible! Now you've got me craving shrimp as well - how could anyone not with those colors and that sauce? LOVE!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Sarah. Craving shrimp is never a bad thing 🙂 x
[email protected] says
These look amazing and your photos are beautiful!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Johlene, I wish computers had taste capsules. I would send one your way 🙂
Emma says
Yum!!! I love old bay seasoning (had never had it before a few months ago and now everyone I know is addicted to it). Delicious looking prawns too with the best dip. Pinned 😀
Claire McEwen says
I have never had the real thing, but I just kept seeing it everywhere.
Thank you. The weather at the moment is perfect for steamed prawns isn't it. Beautiful spring days 🙂 x