Three Simple Shrimp Appetizers To Add To Your Restaurant Menu

Shrimp make the perfect appetizer. They're bite size, easy to eat with your hands, and can be flavored in any number of ways. If your appetizer menu is looking a bit stale and needs a makeover, adding one or more of these simple shrimp appetizers is sure to please your customers.

Spicy Shrimp With Garlic Dipping Sauce

Ingredients (makes enough for about 6 orders):

• 6 pounds of medium-sized shrimp, peeled and de-veined
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Toss the shrimp in the olive oil, and sprinkle them with the cayenne pepper, salt, and onion powder. Place on a large sheet pan, and roast in a 400 degree F oven for 6 - 8 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through.

While the shrimp are baking, prepare the garlic sauce by combining the sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, and lemon juice. Plate the shrimp according to order with a little ramekin of the sauce for dipping.

Housemade Shrimp Cocktail With Horseradish

Shrimp cocktail is so much better when the sauce is made in-house. With horseradish, diced tomatoes, and real chili peppers, this shrimp cocktail will fly out of the kitchen.

Ingredients (for about 15 orders):

• 7 pounds large cocktail-quality Tiger shrimp, peeled and de-veined
• 1 cup prepared horseradish sauce
• 4 cups tomatoes, diced
• 1 medium onion
• 1 chili pepper, stem and seeds removed
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili powder

Combine all of the ingredients except for the shrimp in a food processor. Process until smooth. Let the sauce refrigerate for at least an hour for the flavors to develop. Divide the sauce into about 15 martini glasses. Place the shrimp over the rims of the glasses, and serve.

Butter Herb Shrimp

Sitting in a delicious butter sauce with fresh basil and thyme, these shrimp will be popular among customers who prefer non-spicy foods.

Ingredients (makes enough for about 6 orders):

• 6 pounds medium-sized shrimp, peeled and de-veined
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups butter
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh thyme, minced

Prepare the butter sauce by combining the butter, basil, and thyme in a saucepan. Heat on low until the butter is melted and the herbs have begun to leech their color into the butter. Set aside.

Place the shrimp on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with the canola oil, and sprinkle with the salt. Bake at 400 degrees F for 6 - 8 minutes, or until cooked through. Plate the shrimp as desired, and top with a generous portion of the butter sauce before serving.

For more information or ideas, contact other seafood restaurants in your area, such as Milano House of Pizza.