Shrimp Cocktail is the short guy hanging out with Tater Salad (aka comedian Ron White)
To make the best shrimp cocktail you ever ate, try this:
Make shrimp stock
In a big pot put just the shells from 2-3 pounds of shrimp with 2-3 quarts of water, one onion and two carrots cut into chunks. Add salt, peppercorns, 2 bay leaves, whatever other seasoning you want. Let this boil for 30-40 minutes. Then strain out the solids and keep the strained stock in the frig or freezer.
When you want a shrimp cocktail, buy 2 pounds of fresh shrimp from Goatfeathers, Shrimpers, or one of the seafood specialty shops. Put your shrimp stock in a pot and bring it to a boil. Turn off the heat and put the shrimp (with shells on) into the stock. Let the shrimp sit for 1-3 minutes (depends on size) and then pull them out, shell and serve. (keep the shells to make another batch of stock) They will be the most succulent shrimp you've ever eaten!
Cocktail sauce: Find a fresh horseradish root. It looks something like a parsnip. (Publix carries them sometimes and they last for months in the frig) Grate the horseradish very finely to taste into ketchup. Add some pepper and hot sauce. That's it.
This may seem like a lot of work, but it's really not and once your family and friends have had it, they'll help you make it again!
You can re-use the shrimp stock 2-3 times. It's also great for making gumbo or anything that needs big shrimp flavor.
