80--- Sassy Seafood Cocktail

This is a fantastic twist on a shrimp cocktail! The recipe is one that my friend Peggy uses often. Not only does it taste divine, but it is so PRETTY! She always serves it in this beautiful rectangular vase so that you can see all of the colorful ingredients. I have added scallops and changed up the cooking method a bit from the original. It has a Spanish flare without too much heat. Perfect for a warm summer day.

Sassy Seafood Cocktail
Serves 4

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb large shrimp, shelled and deveined
6-8 large sea scallops
2 cloves garlic, pressed and minced
1 cup lime juice
2 tsp lime zest
1 medium white onion, coarsely chopped
1 serrano chile, seeded and finely chopped
1 1/2 cups roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup pimento-stuffed green olives
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 medium avocado (not too ripe), chopped finely (optional)


Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add garlic and heat until fragrant, ~2 minutes. Place shrimp and scallops into skillet and continue to cook until centers are opaque (it is OK to slice one to check), ~5 minutes (depending on size of scallops and shrimp). Remove from skillet and cut tails off of shrimp, reserving 4 shrimp for garnish. Slice each shrimp into 2-3 pieces (~1/2" chunks). Slice scallops in half. Place shrimp and scallops into a large bowl.

Place skillet over medium heat and add lime juice and zest. Scrape brown bits from pan into juice and allow to heat for 2 minutes. Pour lime mixture over seafood, and stir in onion and serrano chile. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to marinate seafood (place the 4 reserved shrimp on top to find them with ease).

Remove large shrimp and place in a separate bowl, refrigerate until serving. Stir in chopped tomato, olives and cilantro to remaining mixture. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

To serve, stir in avocado (optional). Spoon 1 cup of mixture into each wine, martini, or margarita glass and place 1 shrimp on the side of each glass (make one small cut in each shrimp to place on rim, not all the way through). Garnish with a lime wedge.

Nutrition Info per ~1 cup: 234 calories, 7 g fat, 31 g protein, 13 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber

Adapted from Bon Appetit May 2003