Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Ingredients:
- MAKES 8 individual cucumber boats filled with shrimp cocktail (boats are optional)
- 1 can shrimp cocktail, drained
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped if leaves are large
- 1/4 cup fresh coriander, lightly chopped
- 1 small can pineapple tidbits, drained, OR about 1 cup fresh pineapple tidbits
- 1/2 cup dry roasted cashews (preferably unsalted)
- DRESSING:
- juice of 1/2 lime
- 1 Tbsp. fish sauce (available at Asian/Chinese food stores), or substitute 1 +1/2 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp. brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (add more or less to taste)
- OPTIONAL: 2 medium-size cucumbers (for the cucumber boats)
Preparation:
- To make the cucumber boats (optional): Slice each cucumber in half lengthwise, cutting down the middle. Using a tablespoon, scoop out the seeds and some of the flesh to create a cavity. Now cut each piece in half again, or in thirds if your cucumbers are long. (If you prefer, you can leave your boats whole - see serving options below).
- To make the shrimp cocktail, place the shrimp, green onion, basil, coriander, pineapple, and cashews in a mixing bowl.
- To make the dressing, simply place all the dressing ingredients together in a cup, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Taste-test the dressing, looking for a balance of sweet and sour, spicy and salty. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more sugar. If you prefer it saltier, add more fish sauce (or soy sauce).
- Pour the dressing over your bowl of ingredients and toss well.
- Serve the shrimp cocktail as is, or scoop it into the carved-out cucumber. ENJOY!
Serving Suggestions:
- If you have cut your cucumber into smaller pieces (boats), fill each one with the shrimp cocktail and serve as individual portions. Guests can eat the shrimp cocktail right out of the cucumber.
- If you prefer your cucumber boats left whole: Fill each long boat and place in the middle of a platter. You will have 4 boats, so this method is great for a party or finger food where you want more than 1 platter (you can also have 2 boats in the middle of a platter instead of just one). Place a spoon in each boat, then arrange some rice crackers (or your favorite type of cracker) around the boats. Guests can spoon out the shrimp cocktail and eat it on the crackers. ENJOY!
