How to Make Pickled Shrimp

This is a great summertime (or anytime) appetizer that is pretty simple to make. My mom taught me this one, and we loved to use it for outdoor grilling and tailgates. Just keep in mind you do need 24 hours or so to refrigerate after preparing to actually allow the shrimp to "pickle." The following steps will take you through that process, and show you an easy way to turn this recipe into a nice gift for family and friends.

Things You'll Need

• 2 pounds uncooked shrimp
• Couple stalks of celery
• Box of pickling spices (sold in most supermarkets)
• 6 small white onions
• 4 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. tarragon vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
• 1/2 tsp. powdered sugar
• Bay leaves
• Cayenne pepper
• Lemons
• Larger plastic storage container or several mason jars

Instructions

1. Know that you can find "easy peel" shrimp at most grocery stores. If not, of course, you can use any fresh shrimp in the shell. The easy peel just makes it quicker. Boil the shrimp (in the shells) in a big pot of water with celery stalks and about a handful of the pickling spices. Only boil until the shrimp starts to turn pink, about 3 to 5 minutes. Usually at this point they will float to the top. Do not overcook as it will make your shrimp rubbery. Drain well and rinse in cold water to prevent further cooking.

2. Peel your shrimp after it has cooled. Then, in a large plastic container, put a layer of shrimp, a layer of bay leaves (about 5) and a layer of thinly sliced white onion rings. Keep doing this until all the shrimp are used.

3. Make a dressing of the other ingredients: olive oil, tarragon vinegar, salt, dry mustard, powdered sugar, lemon juice (to taste) and cayenne pepper. Mix well and adjust to your own personal taste. Pour over the shrimp mixture. If the shrimp are larger than usual, and you need more dressing then just make more. Again, always adjust to your own taste and make sure the shrimp are well coated with the dressing when you seal the plastic storage container.

4. Seal the plastic container tightly, give it a good shake (turn it upside down and back) and put in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Be sure to turn upside down and shake that container several times during the refrigeration process to blend all of the flavors. You may want to taste after a few hours, to see if you want to add more lemon juice or salt. It's okay to keep tasting along the way, just to get your flavors right.

5. Serve it chilled with toothpicks in a bowl. Some people enjoy it with crackers as well. And by all means eat the onions too.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to give this as a gift, use the same process, but layer and coat the shrimp in the dressing in a tightly sealed mason jar.