In honor of National Shrimp Day on May 10, chef and restauranteur Lucy Buffett shares this fabulous Spicy Shrimp Ceviche recipe from her new cookbook, Gumbo Love. You’re going to love this one!

Spicy Shrimp Ceviche   Print This Post

Serves 8

Photo credit Angie Mosier Download ▾

Ingredients

2 pounds poached wild-caught Gulf shrimp (recipe follows)

1/3 cup finely chopped red onion

½ cup finely chopped celery

1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes

¾ cup peeled, seeded, and chopped cucumber

1 teaspoon finely chopped seeded jalapeño

2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger

1/3 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus ¼ cup for serving, if desired

Juice of 5 limes (about 1 cup)

Juice of 2 lemons (about ½ cup)

Juice of 1 orange (about ½ cup)

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

½ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon white pepper

½ teaspoon sugar

1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and sliced (optional)

2 limes, quartered (optional)

Method

1. Chop the shrimp into thirds or bite-size pieces, or leave them whole if you prefer, and place in a large bowl.

2. Add the red onion, celery, tomatoes, cucumber, jalapeño, garlic, ginger, cilantro, lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, olive oil, salt, white pepper, and sugar and stir well.

3. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate overnight. While the mixture marinates, occasionally turn the container to evenly coat the shrimp in the liquid.

4. Transfer the shrimp and liquid to a glass bowl to serve or divide among eight martini glasses. If desired, garnish with avocado, cilantro, and lime.  

 Poached Shrimp   Print This Post

Makes 2 Pounds Shrimp

 I USE THIS method to cook shrimp that have been peeled. It takes only a few minutes, so be careful not to overcook the shrimp. Poaching lets them absorb the flavors from the poaching liquid, which is called court bouillon in fancy French cooking and typically uses wine. Staying in step with my beloved Gulf Coastal Caribbean and Mexican influences, I use tequila or rum!

 Ingredients

2¼ pounds large wild-caught headless Gulf shrimp in the shell

8 cups water

½ cup tequila or rum

1 lemon, sliced into rounds

½ white onion, coarsely chopped

6 garlic cloves

2 tablespoons sea salt

1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns

4 fresh cilantro sprigs

Method

1. Peel and devein the shrimp. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

2. Place the water in a large heavy skillet or saucepan. Add the tequila, lemon, onion, garlic, salt, peppercorns, and cilantro. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes.

3. Reduce the heat until the liquid is simmering. Add the shrimp, cover, and cook for 3 minutes only! Pour the shrimp into a strainer and immediately cover with ice. When the shrimp are cool, remove and discard the lemon rounds, garlic, and cilantro. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.

Excerpted from the book Gumbo Love by Lucy Buffett. Copyright©2017 by Lucy Buffett. Reprinted with permission of Grand Central Life & Style. All rights reserved.