Here’s a delicious recipe for Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Cóctel de Camarones). It’s a refreshing and flavorful dish, perfect as an appetizer or a light meal:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb cooked shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 cup tomato juice (or Clamato juice for extra flavor)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (like Valentina or Cholula, adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup finely diced white onion
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, finely chopped (optional for extra heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnishes:
- Lime wedges
- Tortilla chips or saltine crackers
Instructions:
- Prepare the shrimp: If using raw shrimp, cook them in boiling water for about 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Drain and cool by rinsing under cold water. If using pre-cooked shrimp, ensure they’re thawed and ready.
- Make the cocktail base: In a large bowl, mix the tomato juice (or Clamato), ketchup, lime juice, hot sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more hot sauce or lime juice if needed.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked shrimp, diced onion, cucumber, tomato, cilantro, and jalapeño (if using) to the cocktail base. Stir to combine.
- Chill: Refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Add avocado: Just before serving, gently fold in the diced avocado.
- Serve: Ladle the Mexican shrimp cocktail into individual cups or bowls. Garnish with lime wedges and serve with tortilla chips or saltine crackers on the side.
Enjoy your refreshing and flavorful Mexican shrimp cocktail!
