Basic Cocktail Shrimp

This one of the better shrimp recipes I've run across.


32 shell-on (21 to 25 count) tiger shrimp
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 cups ice

Devein shrimp, but leave the shells on.

Place cleaned shrimp into a bowl with brine and refrigerate mixture for 20 to 25 minutes.

Place a baking sheet or broiler pan under oven broiler and preheat for 5 minutes. Remove shrimp from brine and drain thoroughly. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and dry on paper towels. In a large bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil and sprinkle with Old Bay seasoning, if desired.

Place shrimp onto a sizzling sheet pan and return to broiler immediately. After 2 minutes, turn the shrimp with a pair of tongs. Return the shrimp to broiler for 1 minute. Transfer to a cold cookie sheet. Refrigerate immediately.



--Adapted from Alton Brown