Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Ingredients:
- A couple pounds of 8-12 shrimp (You can get smaller sizes, but I've found bigger shrimp to work best. I also like to get the unpeeled shrimp from the seafood department and skin them all myself. Just a matter of preference, really.)
- A package of good quality bacon (I love to use Boar's Head bacon, which is smoked and thick, giving a great flavor to the shrimp. It's also organic. Huzzah! You'll want a 2:1 shrimp-to-bacon ratio - that is, two shrimp per strip of bacon. For smaller shrimp, I use a 3:1 ration.)
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
Preparation:
- Peel and devein your shrimp, leaving the tail (for handling purposes).
- Season your shrimp with salt and pepper (usually just on one side works for me).
- Count out the amount of bacon you need based on number of shrimp. (Remember the 2:1 ratio. For one and a half pounds of 8-12 shrimp, I used nine pieces of bacon.)
- Cut the bacon in half (or, if you're using smaller shrimp, in thirds).
- Wrap the bacon strips around the seasoned shrimp, securing them with a toothpick.
- Place the wrapped shrimp on a cookie sheet and under the broiler at about 350 degrees. Cook for about five minutes on each side (though larger shrimp may need to cook longer).
- Serve on a platter with homemade cocktail sauce (recipe below).
Homemade Cocktail Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 c. ketchup
- 1/2 c. prepared horseradish (You can add more or less depending on how spicy you like it. I end up adding almost as much horseradish as I do ketchup!)
- 1 1/2 tsp. worchestershire sauce (I like Lea & Perrins.)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2-3 drops of hot sauce (I like to use Frank's Red Hot, but Tabasco, Louisiana, or Cholula would work just as well.)
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
Preparation:
- Combine all ingredients and stir together. Let sit in your refrigerator for an hour or two before serving to allow the flavors to come together.
Note: Make sure you taste your cocktail sauce for desired spice before serving. If you think a half-cup of horseradish is too much, start with a quarter cup and add more as needed. Tailor it to your tastes rather than mine. Me? I like it spicy... but not everyone else will necessarily.
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