SHRIMP WITH AVOCADOS

Shrimp with Avocados image

Yield Makes 8 first-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

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2 pounds medium shrimp (about 76), peeled and deveined
3/4 cup white-wine vinegar
1 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup capers, not drained
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon celery seeds
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco
1 cup thinly sliced onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
7 bay leaves (not California)
2 firm-ripe California avocados
Accompaniment: soft green-leaf lettuce such as Boston

Steps:

Cook shrimp in a 5-quart pot of boiling salted water* until just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes, then drain in a colander.
Whisk together vinegar, oil, capers, salt, pepper, celery seeds, and Tabasco in a large bowl, then add warm shrimp, onion, celery, and bay leaves and toss to combine. Marinate, covered and chilled, 24 hours to 2 days.
Just before serving, discard bay leaves. Quarter, pit, and peel avocados and cut into 3/4-inch cubes. Gently stir into shrimp salad, then spoon over lettuce.
When salting water for cooking, use 1 tablespoon salt for every 4 quarts water.