If you’ve ever spent time in New Orleans, you know that Remoulade is less a condiment and more a cultural touchstone. It’s a signature, zesty, and highly complex sauce that elevates any chilled protein it touches. This particular rendition of Shrimp Remoulade offers a delightful balance of creamy richness, bright acidity, and an unforgettable cayenne kick, making it one of the most celebrated appetizers in Southern US cuisine.
One cup high-quality mayonnaise
One-third cup creole mustard or coarse-grain Dijon mustard
One-quarter cup ketchup or chili sauce
Two tablespoons prepared horseradish, drained
One tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Two teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
One teaspoon smoked paprika
Half teaspoon cayenne pepper
Two cloves garlic, finely minced
One stalk celery, finely minced
Two green onions (scallions), thinly sliced
One-quarter cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Two pounds large (21/25 count) shrimp, raw, peeled, and deveined
Four cups water
One lemon, halved
One bay leaf
One tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1. Prepare the Shrimp Poaching Liquid: In a large pot, combine the four cups of water, the halved lemon, bay leaf, and Old Bay seasoning. Bring this liquid to a rolling boil over high heat.
2. Poach the Shrimp: Once the water is boiling rapidly, add the raw shrimp. Cook for two to four minutes until they are opaque and pink. Immediately remove them from the heat and drain them thoroughly.
3. Chill the Shrimp: Transfer the cooked shrimp to an ice bath to stop the cooking process instantly. Once fully chilled, drain them and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Refrigerate until ready to dress.
4. Assemble the Base: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, prepared horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice until the mixture is completely uniform and smooth.
5. Fold in Aromatics and Spices: Gently incorporate the smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, minced garlic, finely minced celery, sliced green onions, and chopped parsley. Stir only until just combined.
6. Season and Rest the Sauce: Season the remoulade generously with salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the remoulade for a minimum of four hours.
7. The Final Dress: Just before serving, gently toss the chilled, dried shrimp with the prepared remoulade sauce until every piece of seafood is thoroughly coated.
8. Present the Dish: Arrange the dressed shrimp on a chilled platter or individual serving plates, often garnished with fresh lemon wedges and extra parsley.
Use Creole mustard for the most authentic flavor, or use a coarse-grain Dijon with extra horseradish.
Do not skip the ice bath; it is crucial for tender shrimp texture.
The remoulade sauce must be chilled for at least four hours for the flavors to fully develop and mellow.
Find it online: https://www.flavourrecipe.com/shrimp-remoulade/