Cheese And Seafood: Perfect Pairing For Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp cocktail is a luxurious appetizer that can be served with a variety of side dishes and dips. While cheese is not typically served directly with shrimp cocktail due to its strong flavour, there are some cheeses that can complement the dish indirectly. For example, mild and creamy cheeses like goat cheese or feta can be added sparingly to a salad or salsa that accompanies the shrimp cocktail, providing a subtle tanginess that enhances the overall flavour without overwhelming it. Alternatively, a mild, soft cheese like mozzarella can also work well in small amounts, adding a creamy texture.

Goat's cheese or feta

Goat's cheese and feta are both delicious options to pair with shrimp. They can be used in warm or cold dishes and are versatile enough to be included in a variety of recipes.

Goat's Cheese

Goat's cheese has a tangy, sharp, and fresh flavour that can be used to complement the sweetness of shrimp. It is a soft cheese with a creamy texture and is often used in salads or crumbled over dishes as a topping.

A simple way to incorporate goat's cheese into a shrimp dish is to serve it as a topping on bruschetta or crostini. For a more creative take on this idea, you can use grilled potato slices as the base instead of bread. Simply coat potato slices with oil and paprika, grill them, and top with a dollop of goat's cheese, herbs, almonds, and a grilled shrimp.

If you're looking for a heartier meal, goat's cheese can be used in a fettuccine dish with shrimp and vegetables. The cheese is mixed with ripe tomatoes, basil, and spices, and tossed with cooked pasta and gently poached shrimp.

Feta

Feta is a salty and tangy cheese that can add a flavourful kick to shrimp dishes. It is often crumbled over dishes and has a slightly grainy texture.

Baked shrimp with tomatoes and feta is a warm and comforting dish that combines the flavours of shrimp and feta. The shrimp are baked with a tomato-based sauce and topped with feta, which melts slightly in the oven.

For a dish that showcases feta as a star ingredient, try roasted shrimp with feta. This recipe includes a layer of feta over a tomato-based mixture, topped with breadcrumbs and baked until golden.

Whether you choose goat's cheese or feta, both cheeses will elevate your shrimp dishes and provide a unique twist on traditional shrimp cocktail.

Mozzarella

For a heartier option, you can create a delicious and creamy mozzarella shrimp pasta dish. This recipe includes cooking the shrimp in olive oil with garlic, then making a cream sauce by sautéing sun-dried tomatoes and garlic and adding cream, basil, red pepper flakes, paprika, and of course, shredded mozzarella cheese. The shrimp, pasta, and cream sauce are then combined to create a tasty and easy weeknight dinner.

Shrimp Dip

If you're looking for a more interactive and social dish, you can create a hot shrimp dip with mozzarella. This recipe includes blending cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and mozzarella, then adding cocktail sauce, green onions, and cooked shrimp. It's a perfect party appetizer, combining the classic flavours of shrimp cocktail with the creaminess of mozzarella.

Charcuterie Board

Cream Cheese Shrimp Cocktail on a Plate

For a simple yet elegant presentation, you can serve a cream cheese shrimp cocktail on a plate. This recipe includes spreading cream cheese on a rimmed plate and topping it with a mixture of shrimp, chili sauce, celery, green onions, and spices. The mozzarella cream cheese base adds a creamy texture and mild flavour that pairs well with the shrimp cocktail.

White cheese

Charcuterie Board Inclusion

Cream Cheese as a Base

Cream cheese, a versatile white cheese, can be used as a base for your shrimp cocktail. Start with a layer of softened cream cheese spread on a plate or shallow bowl. Then, toss cooked and chopped shrimp with cocktail sauce and spoon it over the cream cheese. You can also add other ingredients like shredded Parmesan cheese and sliced green onions for some sharpness and freshness. This creates a delicious and creamy dip that your guests can enjoy with crackers.

If you're looking for a more indirect way to incorporate white cheese, consider serving your shrimp cocktail with crackers that have white cheese as an ingredient. For example, Ritz crackers are a popular choice that pairs well with the sweetness of shrimp and the tanginess of cocktail sauce. The creaminess of the cheese in the crackers can enhance the overall flavour profile of your shrimp cocktail.

Salad Topping

While cheese is not typically served directly with shrimp cocktail due to its strong flavour, you can use it sparingly in a salad or salsa that accompanies the dish. Consider a mild and creamy white cheese like mozzarella, crumbled over a bed of greens or added to a salsa. This will add a creamy texture without overwhelming the delicate taste of the shrimp.

Cream cheese

For the cream cheese, grab your favourite brand, which usually comes in a rectangular block. Place it on a serving plate and smooth it out using a knife for a neater look and to make it easier to dip crackers into. You can also use an electric mixer to fluff and whip up the cream cheese before adding it to the plate.

For the cocktail sauce, you can either make your own or purchase a store-bought one. If making your own, a simple combination of horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, lemon juice, and apple sauce works well.

Finally, for the shrimp, you can use canned, fresh, or frozen shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, allow it to thaw before using. Chop the shrimp into smaller pieces if they are too large. You can also squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the shrimp or add a sprinkle of lemon zest for extra flavour.

To assemble the dish, spread the cream cheese on a serving platter, layer with cocktail sauce, and top with shrimp. You can also mix the shrimp with the cocktail sauce before spooning it over the cream cheese. This dish can be served immediately or chilled in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Some optional ingredients you can add to elevate the dish include green onions, black olives, parsley, garlic powder, and celery. You can also get creative with spices and mix in chilli sauce or Tabasco sauce to add some heat.

As for what to serve with the cream cheese shrimp dip, a heavier-duty, high-quality cracker is recommended to avoid breaking. Ritz Crackers, Triscuits, Wheat Thins, and Club Crackers all work great. You can also use chips, baguette slices, or vegetables like celery and carrot sticks.

Parmesan

One option is to coat the shrimp in a mixture of grated Parmesan and spices. This can be done by dipping the shrimp in melted butter and then dredging them in a mixture of Parmesan, black pepper, and garlic powder. The shrimp are then baked in the oven until golden and cooked through. This method results in succulent and flavorful shrimp with a crispy Parmesan coating. It is important to use jumbo or large shrimp for this recipe to avoid overcooking.

Another way to incorporate Parmesan into a shrimp cocktail is by creating a shrimp Parmesan dish. This involves pan-frying shrimp coated in a flour and breadcrumb mixture, and then layering them with pasta, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan. The dish is then baked in the oven until the cheese is melted. The shrimp can also be served as sandwiches or on top of zucchini noodles, sauteed spinach, or kale.

Additionally, Parmesan can be used as a topping or garnish for shrimp cocktails. For example, a cream cheese shrimp cocktail dip can be made by spreading cream cheese on a plate and topping it with a mixture of shrimp, cocktail sauce, and green onions. The dish is then sprinkled with shredded Parmesan cheese before serving.

When grilling shrimp, Parmesan can be added to a sauce made of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, and red pepper flakes. The grilled shrimp are then tossed in this sauce and served immediately. This method creates juicy and charred shrimp with a generous coating of Parmesan.

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