ROASTED ROSEMARY SHRIMP with CREAMY GARLIC DIPPING SAUCE
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Having a not-too-heavy (and make ahead) hors d'oeuvre for guests to enjoy before the feast is key. These herby shrimp pair well with a welcoming glass of Champagne, Chenin Blanc, or Chardonnay. A gin martini—with gin’s herbal citrus and spice flavor profile—is another excellent drink pairing.
ROASTED ROSEMARY SHRIMP with CREAMY GARLIC DIPPING SAUCE
The shrimp in this dish are equally delicious served hot, room temperature or cold. Bamboo skewers are available at most markets, and if your rosemary stems are long enough, you can cut the ends into points and use a few as skewers after stripping all but the top leaves (see image below).
serves four as an appetizer
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds 17-20 count raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, finely minced, plus extra sprigs for garnish and threading
zest of one lemon
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 lemons, cut into wedges for serving
Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce (recipe below)
INSTRUCTIONS
Place oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat to 400 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk together oil, rosemary, zest, and garlic in a large bowl. Add shrimp and toss, coating thoroughly. Leave shrimp to marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, or refrigerate up to overnight.
Season shrimp with salt and pepper, stirring to coat. Thread onto bamboo skewers and/or rosemary stems, or skip threading step entirely. Place skewers or loose shrimp on baking sheets in a single layer and cook for approximately 6-8 minutes, rotating pans from top to bottom racks half way through baking time. Shrimp should be opaque, firm but tender, and pink.
Serving suggestions: Place skewers on a platter garnished with lemon wedges and rosemary sprigs. If you skipped the skewer step, serve shrimp in a bowl with lemon wedges surrounding it. Serve alongside the bowl of Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce.
CREAMY GARLIC DIPPING SAUCE
INGREDIENTS
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup light sour cream
zest and juice of 1 lemon
dash of Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Whisk all ingredients together. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Place sauce in a small serving bowl and skewers on a platter garnished with lemon wedges and rosemary sprigs. If you skipped the skewer step, serve shrimp in a bowl with lemon wedges surrounding it.
