The Perfect Cheese For A Shrimp Salad

Shrimp salad is a versatile dish that can be served as a sophisticated appetizer or a refreshing main course. While the combination of cheese and seafood is often considered a culinary taboo, several types of cheese can complement the sweetness of shrimp in a salad. For example, the mild flavour of Monterey Jack or mild cheddar can be a good match for shrimp, while stronger options like Gruyere or mozzarella can add a more distinct taste. In a grilled shrimp salad, Cotija cheese adds a tangy flavour, while blue cheese crumbles in a shrimp Cobb salad offer a bold contrast. Feta cheese, with its salty brininess, is another option that pairs well with shrimp, as seen in a shrimp salad with a lemon-garlic dressing.

Feta cheese with shrimp salad

Feta is a Greek brined curd cheese with a salty, tangy, and creamy flavour that pairs well with shrimp. It adds a salty brininess that complements the sweetness of the shrimp.

Ingredients

• Feta cheese: Use good-quality Greek feta, which is typically made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It has a distinctive salty and tangy taste.
• Shrimp: Choose medium to large shrimp, fresh or frozen. Ensure they are peeled and deveined.
• Vegetables: Tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, romaine lettuce, cherry peppers, and cherry or grape tomatoes all go well with feta and shrimp.
• Dressing: A simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, parsley, salt, and pepper can be made, or a Greek salad dressing can be purchased.
• Other ingredients: Olives, pumpkin seeds or pepitas, and cherry peppers can add a nice touch.

Preparation and Serving

• Cook the shrimp: Grill, poach, or bake the shrimp with some olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Assemble the salad: Combine the lettuce, vegetables, and feta in a large bowl. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat. Top with the shrimp and serve immediately.
• Serving suggestions: Feta cheese and shrimp salad can be served as a light lunch or dinner entrée. It goes well with warm pita bread, hummus, tzatziki sauce, or crusty bread for dipping.

Recipe: Shrimp Salad with Lettuce, Feta, and Lemon-Garlic Dressing

Ingredients

For the shrimp:

• 1 pound of shrimp (21-30 per pound)
• 4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup parsley, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

For the salad:

• 2 heads of romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sunflower seeds
• 1 English cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
• 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

• Prepare the shrimp by removing the shells and leaving the tails on. Toss them in a bowl with kosher salt and let them stand for 10 minutes.
• In a large skillet, add the garlic and olive oil over moderate heat. Infuse the oil with the garlic flavour by cooking slowly and stirring occasionally until the garlic is fragrant.
• Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook until they turn pink. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Chop the romaine lettuce, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes.
• Make the dressing by combining 1/4 cup of the garlic olive oil with lemon juice, garlic slivers, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
• On serving plates, arrange the chopped lettuce and drizzle with the dressing. Sprinkle with feta, pumpkin seeds, and tomatoes.
• Top with the shrimp and drizzle with additional dressing. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Cotija cheese with grilled shrimp salad

Cotija cheese is a great choice for a grilled shrimp salad. It is a typical ingredient in Mexican-inspired dishes, such as elote, or grilled Mexican street corn. Cotija cheese is salty and tangy, adding a punch of flavour to the salad. It is also a good substitute for feta or queso fresco, which are also used in Mexican cuisine.

A grilled shrimp salad with Cotija cheese can be a light and healthy meal, perfect for a summer barbecue. The salad can be served as a side dish or a main course, and it can be customised with various vegetables and dressings. Here are some ideas for ingredients to include in your salad:

• Romaine lettuce
• Avocado
• Red bell pepper
• Red onion
• Cilantro
• Green onions
• Radishes
• Jalapeno
• Corn
• Scallions
• Cherry tomatoes

For the shrimp, you can use fresh or frozen shrimp. Thaw the shrimp slowly in the fridge before peeling and grilling. Peel the shrimp before grilling to get a direct heat char, but be aware that they will cook faster this way. Season the shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

To make the salad, grill the vegetables and shrimp, and then assemble all the ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle with your choice of dressing, such as a tangy cilantro vinaigrette or a creamy Mexican-style dressing. Top with crumbled Cotija cheese and serve immediately.

If you want to make the salad in advance, chop and prepare the vegetables and make the dressing beforehand. However, it is best to grill the shrimp and vegetables just before serving as they are best served fresh off the grill.

Blue cheese with grilled shrimp Cobb salad

Ingredients

For the salad:

• Lettuce of your choice (e.g. butter lettuce, romaine lettuce)
• Grilled shrimp
• Blue cheese crumbles
• Cooked bacon
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Avocado
• Cherry tomatoes

For the blue cheese dressing:

• Blue cheese crumbles
• Sour cream
• Buttermilk
• Mayonnaise
• White wine vinegar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Black pepper

Optional:

• Jalapeno
• Shallots
• Salt

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the shrimp

Peel and devein your shrimp. Place the shrimp in a bowl and add olive oil, salt, pepper, and lime or lemon zest. Mix well. Thread the shrimp onto skewers and grill for 5 minutes, or until slightly charred. Turn and cook for a couple of minutes more. Remove from the grill and let cool before removing from the skewers.

Step 2: Make the blue cheese dressing

Add the blue cheese crumbles, sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and (optional) jalapeno and shallots to a mixing bowl. Whisk well to combine. For a spicier dressing, add more jalapeno.

Step 3: Assemble the salad

Arrange the lettuce on a large serving platter. Top with the rest of the ingredients. Drizzle with the blue cheese dressing and serve.

Tips

• If you're short on time, use frozen, cooked, peeled, and deveined shrimp.
• For a lighter dressing, substitute some of the blue cheese with feta.
• If you don't like blue cheese, you can replace it with feta.

Chihuahua and Cotija cheese with creamy shrimp salad

Chihuahua cheese, also known as Queso Blanco, is a Mexican cheese that pairs perfectly with shrimp. It has a creamy, rich flavour and melts beautifully, making it an excellent choice for a shrimp salad. Cotija cheese, on the other hand, is a sharp, salty, and crumbly Mexican cheese that adds a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the shrimp.

To prepare the creamy shrimp salad, start by marinating the shrimp in a mixture of lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes to allow the flavours to meld. In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, celery, scallions, dill, and a dash of hot sauce. Drain the shrimp and add it to the bowl, along with shredded Chihuahua cheese and grated Cotija cheese. Mix well and adjust seasoning to taste.

For an extra indulgent touch, serve the salad with crushed potato chips, fresh lemon wedges, and a drizzle of Louisiana-style hot sauce. The combination of creamy shrimp, tangy cheese, and crunchy chips is sure to impress.

Additionally, this salad can be transformed into a delicious sandwich. Simply grill a potato roll with Cotija cheese until golden and melted, then fill it with the creamy shrimp salad. This sandwich is a hearty and satisfying option for those who want a more substantial meal.

Whether served as a salad or a sandwich, the combination of Chihuahua and Cotija cheese with creamy shrimp is a delightful fusion of flavours that is sure to tantalise your taste buds.

Cream cheese with creamy shrimp salad

Cream cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. When it comes to shrimp salad, cream cheese can add a rich and creamy dimension to the dish. Here is a recipe for a creamy shrimp salad with cream cheese that serves as a delicious appetizer, sandwich filling, or dip.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup Italian salad dressing
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 6 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions, including green stems
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Combine the shrimp, Italian dressing, and 1 tbsp of Cajun seasoning in a medium bowl. Marinate for 10-15 minutes.
• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and place the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet. Broil for 20 minutes, turning halfway through. Set aside and let cool.
• In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth and creamy.
• Stir in the remaining ingredients, except for the cilantro, and mix well.
• If desired, chop the shrimp into smaller pieces for a dip.
• Gently fold in the shrimp until they are coated with the cream cheese mixture.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature with crackers, vegetables, or bread.

Feel free to adjust the ingredient quantities to suit your taste preferences and serving size. This creamy shrimp salad with cream cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a refreshing appetizer, a hearty sandwich filling, or a tasty dip for crackers or vegetables.

Frequently asked questions