Shrimp paste
Shrimp pâté – an elegant and refined appetizer, perfect for any special occasion or simply to add a touch of flavor to an ordinary meal. This quick and simple recipe will transform your meal into a culinary feast, impressing both family and guests.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooling time: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 6
Necessary ingredients:
- 300 g of shrimp (cooked and peeled)
- 150 g of cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 100 g of mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1 clove of garlic (crushed)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2-3 tablespoons of fresh dill or parsley, chopped
- Optional: a few slices of red or green bell pepper for decoration
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preparing the shrimp: If you have fresh shrimp, make sure to boil them in salted water for 3-5 minutes until they turn pink. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them and drain well. It is essential that the shrimp are well cleaned to avoid an unpleasant texture in the pâté.
2. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, add the shrimp, cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper. Use a hand mixer or blender to combine the ingredients until you get a smooth paste. If you prefer a more rustic texture, you can leave a few whole shrimp pieces for a pleasant contrast.
3. Adding the herbs: Incorporate the dill or parsley into the pâté mixture. These herbs will add a note of freshness and a vibrant taste, perfect to complement the shrimp.
4. Shaping the pâté: Transfer the pâté mixture into a loaf pan or a round dish, pressing well to avoid air bubbles. You can use a spatula to smooth the surface. This will be the base that holds all the delicious flavors.
5. Cooling the pâté: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This step is essential to allow the flavors to meld and to achieve a firm and easy-to-cut texture.
6. Serving: Once the pâté has cooled well, you can decorate it as inspired. Slices of red or green bell pepper can add a colorful contrast, and a few fresh parsley leaves can beautify the dish. Serve the pâté alongside savory crackers or toasted bread slices for a memorable culinary experience.
Variation suggestion: You can experiment by adding spices such as Worcestershire sauce or a few drops of Tabasco to give the pâté a spicy and bold flavor. You can also replace the shrimp with smoked salmon for a different yet equally delicious version.
This shrimp pâté is not only a simple and quick recipe but also a dish that can be customized according to your preferences. Regardless of the occasion, this appetizer will surely add elegance and flavor to your meals. Enjoy!
Ingredients: shrimp steamed in a pan with a lid in water or wine (I use rose water) almond, parsley, chopped ginger, garlic to taste, a pinch of curry, juice from one lemon, olive oil or melted butter (I also added one or two green olives)
