Potted Shrimp

Potted shrimp is a classic British dish consisting of small, sweet shrimp cooked in a spiced and seasoned butter, then served in small pots or ramekins. It’s a delightful appetizer or snack that’s rich in flavor. Here’s a potted shrimp recipe with a description of the process:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450 grams) small brown shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mace
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
• Toasted bread or crackers, for serving

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
2. Add the finely chopped shallot and minced garlic to the melted butter. Cook gently for about 2-3 minutes, or until the shallot becomes soft and translucent.
3. Stir in the ground mace, ground nutmeg, and cayenne pepper. Continue to cook for another minute or so, allowing the spices to infuse into the butter.
4. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the spiced butter mixture. Cook the shrimp gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough.
5. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
6. Carefully divide the potted shrimp mixture into small ramekins or pots. You can use one large dish or several small ones, depending on your preference.
7. Allow the potted shrimp to cool to room temperature.
8. Once cooled, cover the ramekins with plastic wrap and refrigerate them for at least a few hours or until the butter sets and becomes firm.
9. Before serving, let the potted shrimp come to a slightly softened state at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a garnish.
10. Serve the potted shrimp with toasted bread or crackers. The shrimp can be spread on the bread or used as a dip, and the flavorful butter is perfect for dipping.

Potted shrimp is a delicious and indulgent appetizer or snack that’s sure to please your taste buds. Enjoy its rich, spiced, and buttery goodness with some crispy toast or crackers.