Shrimp Cocktail

This is Alton Brown's recipe for shrimp cocktail...it tastes better than in a restaurant. It's a snap to make, and I get raves every time! Brining them and then broiling them with the shell on makes them flavorful, tender, and avoids burning.

I use IQF (individually quick-frozen) shrimp in a bag rather than the "fresh" stuff from the seafood counter. Plus, it's already been de-veined (step 1). That is a task I gladly leave to someone else, although I've kept AB's directions for it here.

Time

• 1 hour to overnight to thaw
• 25 minutes to brine
• 3 minutes to broil
  

Ingredients

• 32 shell-on (21 to 25 count) tiger shrimp

For the brine:

• 1/4 cup kosher salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups ice

For the cocktail sauce:

• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1/2 cup prepared chili sauce
• 4 tablespoons prepared horseradish
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Few grinds fresh black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning

Directions

1. Using a pair of scissors or a serrated knife, make an incision down the backside of the shrimp, following the intestinal track. Eviscerate shrimp and rinse under cool water leaving shells intact.
   
2. Place cleaned shrimp into a bowl with brine and refrigerate mixture for 20 to 25 minutes.
   
3. While shrimp are brining, place tomatoes, chili sauce, horseradish, sugar, pepper, and salt in food processor and blend until smooth. Refrigerate cocktail sauce until ready to serve.
4. Place a baking sheet or broiler pan under oven broiler and preheat for 5 minutes. Remove shrimp from brine and drain thoroughly. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and dry on paper towels. In a large bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil and sprinkle with Old Bay seasoning, if desired.
5. Place shrimp onto a sizzling sheet pan and return to broiler immediately. After 2 minutes, turn the shrimp with a pair of tongs. Return the shrimp to broiler for 1 minute. Transfer to a cold cookie sheet. Refrigerate immediately.
6. Once shrimp have chilled, arrange with cocktail sauce in a martini glass or as desired.