Equipment
Ingredients
Roasted Shrimp
- 500 g large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail-on
- 15 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 2 g smoked paprika
- 3 g kosher salt
Warm Cocktail Sauce
- 300 g cherry tomatoes, whole, washed
- 15 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic, peeled, whole
- 30 g prepared horseradish, drained slightly
- 15 ml lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 10 ml worcestershire sauce
- 5 ml hot sauce
- 2 g kosher salt
- 2 g black pepper, freshly ground
Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition is estimated per serving. Nutrients without complete source data are omitted.
Full nutrition
- Calories
- 199 kcal
- Protein
- 26 g
- Carbohydrates
- 6 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Sodium
- 736 mg
- Saturated Fat
- 1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat
- 6 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat
- 1 g
- Cholesterol
- 201 mg
- Potassium
- 580 mg
- Calcium
- 103 mg
- Iron
- 1.3 mg
- Magnesium
- 57 mg
- Phosphorus
- 296 mg
- Zinc
- 1.9 mg
- Vitamin A
- 13 mcg
- Vitamin C
- 16 mg
- Vitamin E
- 1.2 mg
- Vitamin K
- 6 mcg
- Vitamin B6
- 0.1 mg
- Thiamin
- 0.01 mg
- Riboflavin
- 0.01 mg
- Niacin
- 0.1 mg
- Folate
- 6 mcg
- Water
- 113 g
Sources: Aggregated Public Data, USDA FoodData Central
Method
Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
Place the cherry tomatoes and whole garlic cloves on one half of the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with the 15ml of olive oil designated for the sauce, and season with 2g of kosher salt and the black pepper. Toss to coat evenly, then roast in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
While the tomatoes are roasting, place the prepared shrimp in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with the remaining 15ml of olive oil, the smoked paprika if using, and the remaining 3g of kosher salt. Toss well until the shrimp are thoroughly coated.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven carefully. Arrange the seasoned shrimp in a single, even layer on the empty half of the baking sheet. Return the pan to the oven and roast for an additional 6 to 8 minutes, or until the shrimp reach an internal temperature of 63°C/145°F and the tomatoes have heavily blistered.
Carefully transfer the hot roasted tomatoes, softened garlic cloves, and all the savory pan juices surrounding them into a blender. Add the prepared horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Blend on medium-high speed until the sauce is smooth but retains a rich, slightly rustic body.
Pour the warm cherry tomato cocktail sauce into a central dipping bowl. Arrange the hot, roasted shrimp around the edge of the bowl or on a surrounding platter. Serve immediately while warm.
Chef's Notes
- Leaving the tails on the shrimp is crucial for this presentation, as it provides a convenient built-in handle for dipping without needing forks.
- Adjust the prepared horseradish to your personal heat preference. Start with 15g if you are sensitive to spice, or increase to 45g for an assertive kick.
- For easier coordination when hosting, you can blend the tomato sauce up to two days in advance. Gently reheat it on the stovetop right before you put the shrimp in the oven to roast.
- Using a dark metal baking pan will encourage better caramelization on the shrimp and tomatoes compared to a light aluminum pan.
Storage
Refrigerator: 3 days — Store shrimp and sauce in separate airtight containers.
Reheating: Gently warm the cocktail sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. The shrimp are best eaten cold if stored, but can be gently flashed in a warm oven for 2 minutes if desired.
Troubleshooting
Cocktail sauce is too thin and watery
Cause: The cherry tomatoes were particularly juicy and did not evaporate enough moisture during roasting
Fix: Transfer the blended sauce to a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes until reduced and thickened to your liking
Prevention: Ensure the tomatoes are deeply roasted and blistered before removing them from the oven
Shrimp are rubbery and tough
Cause: The shrimp were left in the oven too long past the point of becoming opaque
Fix: Cannot be fixed
Prevention: Check the shrimp right at the 6-minute mark, as they cook very rapidly once the pan is already hot
Cultural Context
The classic shrimp cocktail gained immense popularity in the mid-twentieth century, becoming an iconic symbol of upscale dining and celebration in the United States. This warm iteration strips away the chilled, boiled formality of the original, opting instead for roasting to aggressively concentrate the natural sweetness of both the seafood and the tomatoes, creating a profoundly comforting and savory appetizer.
