Shrimp Cocktail, Oh How Lovely Art Thou!

Category: Seafood | Difficulty: Easy

I love a pretty presentation. I use my plate as my blank canvas and I feel like after I've cooked the meal that it matters how the food is arranged on the plate or glass as in this case. Rachael Ray says we eat first with our eyes. She's right. If the food don't look pleasing to me, chances are I won't eat it!



Even if the dish is simple, I think we should take the time to make it look desirable, don't you? And I do this when I'm cooking for 1 as well as 2 or more. In this case, I was cooking for just me, because hubby isn't into seafood. Still, I want the creation to grab my attention and force me to do a double take. I want to drool for a minute or two contemplating whether or not I want to dig in and eat the whole thing or just stare at it for a minute. Well...as an artist, I appreciate beautiful things to my eyes so for a minute I stare at the glass. I love the colors from the shrimp, the lemon on the side and the lettuce below. They meld so nicely, but the minute quickly went away and my appetite got the best of me so my fingers went to town and before I knew it, the glass was empty! Not half empty either, even the lemon was gone! Oh my...! I find myself making a 2nd helping and you will too! The recipe is easy and this is a great appetizer idea or for a romantic dinner that is...if your spouse likes seafood! LOL! I'll have to try something else next time for my hubby...

Ingredients:
3/4 lb. cooked shrimp, deveined and peeled (you can cook it or buy it already cooked whichever is the time saver for you)
6 lettuce leaves
2 c. shredded lettuce
Shrimp cocktail sauce, your favorite brand - I like Heinz
Lemon wedges

To cook the shrimp:
Clean shrimp by deveining and discarding heads and shell if present. Leave shrimp tails intact. Boil shrimp for about 3-4 minutes. Do not over cook as shrimp will become tough. Shrimp are done as soon as they become opaque.

For presentation:
Place a lettuce leaf in each cocktail glass; top with 1/2 cup shredded lettuce. Place shrimp around edge of glass. Pour cocktail sauce in center. Garnish with lemon wedges over the side of the glass.

This is a finger food dish and I do love to eat with my hands once in awhile! Enjoy!

Oh and guess what ya'll?

Shrimp Cocktail is a beautiful illustration!

Lisa, from the Lunchbox Project asked us bloggers about illustrating some of our foodie photos and I jumped at her offer! I knew exactly what food photos to submit to her and I hoped she'd pick me! Her artwork is so wonderful! I love how makes them into playing cards. To my delight, she chose my shrimp dish! Thank you so much Lisa! You need to check out her art illustrations! Visit Lunchbox Project!