Best Entertaining Shrimp Cocktail Platter Recipes

CLASSIC SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Shrimp: Cover a rimmed baking sheet with ice (to later cool down shrimp). In a large stockpot combine 12 cups water, carrot, celery, thyme, 1 tablespoon salt, and peppercorns. Cut one lemon in half; squeeze half the juice into the water and add the rind. Cut remaining 1 1/2 lemons into small wedges for serving; set aside.
• Bring water to a boil. Add shrimp, cover; remove from heat. Let stand until shrimp are bright pink and curled; 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to prepared tray of ice to cool completely. Once cool, shrimp can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.
• Cocktail Sauce: Meanwhile, whisk together all ingredients until combined. (Cocktail sauce can be made ahead; refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week.)
• To Serve: Peel shrimp, leaving tails intact if desired. Using a paring knife, make a shallow cut along backs of shrimp to remove vein. Arrange shrimp neatly on a platter, shingling them slightly to make a pattern, and serve chilled with cocktail sauce and reserved lemon wedges on the side.

SHRIMP COCKTAIL PLATTER

Steps:

• Rinse shrimp; pat dry. Line a 4-cup bowl with enough plastic wrap so that it hangs over edge of bowl. Arrange a layer of shrimp in a spiral pattern in bottom of bowl. Add additional layers, filling all spaces and pressing down, until bowl is full.
• Fold the plastic wrap over shrimp. Place two 1-pound cans on top of shrimp and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl combine cocktail sauce, lime juice and chile powder; mix well. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
• Unwrap bowl. Pull plastic wrap away from top of bowl. To unmold, place a large platter upside down over bowl, then turn platter and bowl over; remove plastic wrap. Garnish the shrimp spiral with watercress and lemon slices. Serve with sauce.

SHRIMP AND CRUDITE PLATTER WITH TWO SAUCES

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath. Peel carrots and trim tops; slice in half lengthwise. Clean celery and slice into sticks. Trim radishes. Slice endives and Little Gems into wedges. Place crudites in ice-water bath until crisp and beginning to curl, 10 minutes. Drain well; wrap in paper towels. Refrigerate in resealable plastic bags up to 1 day.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; season generously with salt. Add cauliflower and cook until crisp-tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to ice-water bath. Return pot of water to a boil, add beets, and cook until fork-tender, about 22 minutes. Drain, let cool slightly, and cut into wedges. Store in an airtight container up to 1 day.
• Meanwhile, bring potatoes to a boil in another pot of water; season generously with salt. Cook until easily pierced with the tip of a knife, 8 to 9 minutes. Drain; let cool completely.
• Season eggs and cooked vegetables with salt and pepper; drizzle with oil. Serve with crudites, shrimp, tonnato mayonnaise, dip, and lemon wedges.