This Summer Shrimp Roll Is a Budget-Friendly Alternative to Lobster
Lobster rolls are the ambassadors of summer for sandwiches, but at over $30 per serving they are not an economically sustainable practice for me. There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself every now and then, but I’d like to suggest a switch that’s easier to make, tastes great, and keeps costs down so you can use that conditioner for another month. Instead of the lobster roll, try the summer shrimp roll.
Personally, I like shrimp rolls because they are super quick to make. I assembled two sandwiches (recipe below) in less than 10 minutes because I defrosted the shrimp overnight. Besides being easy to prepare (especially if you buy pre-cooked frozen shrimp), for about $10 you can make about a dozen sandwiches. It’s a whole plate of bougie rolls and the cheapest summer party you’ll ever throw.
How to cook shrimp roll
As with lobster rolls, the key to a good dish is keeping the dressing simple and minimalist. Lobster roll fans are divided into two camps: butter or mayonnaise parties, and if all the rules are the same, I prefer a light mayonnaise sauce for my shrimp rolls. You can always try this with ghee if that’s your preference.
As I mentioned earlier, precooked frozen shrimp is your best ally. It has already been cleaned, cooked, and the tails have been removed. If you have one, defrost some according to package directions. I bought a medium sized bag of shrimp from Trader Joe’s. I placed about a cup of shrimp in a storage container and let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, I rinsed the shrimp and dried them with paper towels. If you have raw shrimp, blanch them in boiling water until tender, or you can even pan fry them with seasonings for a new flavor boost.
Toss the shrimp in a bowl with the dry seasonings, a splash of lemon juice and a small spoonful of mayonnaise. I added some thinly sliced celery and chopped garlic to the mixture before putting it all in a couple of hot dog buns and it came out perfect. Well seasoned, not too salty, fresh and light but filling.
You can actually turn the shrimp roll in any direction you want. I used Old Bay as a dry seasoning, but use whatever works for you. Add your favorite Mrs. Dash, Lohri or garam masala. Add some hot sauce or experiment with your own spice blend. Shrimp are very responsive to a wide variety of flavors, so don’t worry. Unlike summer vacation, this dish gives you the opportunity to indulge a little without breaking the bank.
A simple recipe for shrimp rolls
Ingredients:
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1 cup medium precooked shrimp
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½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
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2 teaspoons mayonnaise
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1 slice of lemon
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Chopped celery to taste
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Chopped garlic to taste
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2 hot dog rolls with split top
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2 leaves of lettuce
1. Combine shrimp, seasonings, mayonnaise, lemon juice, celery and green onions in a small bowl.
2. Tuck the lettuce into a hot dog roll and divide the shrimp salad between two sandwich buns. Enjoy now.