Dive into a refreshing and vibrant dining experience with this Shrimp Cobb Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing recipe. This is a perfect amalgamation of juicy shrimp, crisp bacon, and a medley of fresh fruits and vegetables, all topped with a tangy, homemade basil dressing. Not only is this salad bursting with flavors, it's also a great source of proteins and healthy fats, making it a smart choice for health-conscious gourmands.
This recipe calls for a couple of ingredients that may not be part of your regular pantry stash. Persian cucumbers and Cotija cheese might need a trip to a specialty or international supermarket. Persian cucumbers are smaller and crispier than regular ones, providing a unique texture to the salad. Cotija is a Mexican cheese, known for its strong, salty flavor and firm, crumbly texture. If you can't find it, feta makes a reasonable substitute.
Ingredients for Shrimp Cobb Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing
Mayonnaise: A base for the creamy basil dressing, providing a smooth and rich texture.
Greek yogurt: Adds creaminess and a bit of tanginess to the dressing.
Basil leaves: Brings a bright, herbal flavor to the dressing.
Shrimp: The star of the salad, providing a great source of lean protein.
Bacon: Adds a smoky, savory flavor and crispy texture to the salad.
Romaine lettuce: Acts as the salad bed, offering a crunchy texture and refreshing taste.
Cherry tomatoes: Add a pop of sweetness and juiciness to the salad.
Avocados: Provide creaminess and a dose of healthy fats.
Mangoes: Offer a hint of tropical sweetness.
Persian cucumbers: Smaller and crunchier than regular cucumbers, they give the salad a unique texture.
Cotija cheese: A Mexican cheese that adds a salty, crumbly texture to the salad.
One reader, Genia Leblanc says:
This shrimp cobb salad with creamy basil dressing recipe is a game-changer! The creamy basil dressing adds a refreshing twist to the classic cobb salad. The combination of shrimp, bacon, and fresh veggies creates a burst of flavors in every bite. It's a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Techniques Required for Making Shrimp Cobb Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing
How to prepare creamy basil dressing: Blend mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper, and basil leaves until smooth, then slowly stream in the olive oil until well blended.
How to cook shrimp: Simmer shrimp in a pot with onion, bay leaves, salt, peppercorns, and parsley until opaque in the center, then shock in ice water to stop the cooking process.
How to assemble shrimp cobb salad: Arrange lettuce, shrimp, bacon, tomatoes, avocados, mangoes, cucumbers, and cheese on a platter or individual plates, and serve with creamy basil dressing.
How To Make Shrimp Cobb Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing
This shrimp cobb salad comes with the refreshing flavors of mangoes and cucumbers, complemented with the saltiness from bacon and Cotija cheese.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Creamy Basil Dressing:
- ⅓cupmayonnaise
- ⅓cupplain Greek yogurt
- 1tbsplemon juice
- ½tsphoney
- ⅛tspsalt
- ⅛tsppepper
- ½cuppacked basil leaves
- ⅓cupolive oil
For Salad:
- 1lbshell on shrimp,(16-20 per lb), large, thawed
- ½yellow onion,sliced
- 2bay leaves
- 1tspsalt
- ½tsppeppercorns
- 2sprigsparsley
- 4slicesbacon,cut crosswise into
- 2smallheads baby romaine lettuce,or other crisp lettuce, torn into pieces
- 1pintcherry tomatoes,halved
- 2smallavocados,sliced
- 2smallyellow mangoes,peeled and diced
- 2Persian cucumbers,sliced
- 8ozCotija cheese,crumbled
Instructions
Dressing:
-
In a food processor or blender, process the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper, and basil leaves until smooth.
-
With the motor running, slowly stream in the oil through the feed tube until blended. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice, if desired.
Shrimp:
-
Prepare a large bowl of ice water and set it aside. This will stop the shrimp from cooking later.
-
In a wide saucepan set over medium heat, bring 4 cups of water to a simmer. Add the onion, bay leaves, salt, peppercorns, and parsley.
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Turn the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the shrimp to the pot, and stir.
-
Bring the water back to a simmer and remove the pan from the heat. Cover with a lid and leave for 3 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque in the center.
-
With a slotted spoon, quickly scoop the shrimp into the bowl of ice water. Swish them around for one minute. Drain and pat dry.
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Refrigerate for up to 24 hours or until ready to use.
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Starting underneath where the legs are attached, pull off the legs and shell. Leave the tail segment on (for appearance.)
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Make a shallow slit down the middle of the back of the shrimp to reveal the black thread (intestine). Use the tip of a paring knife to lift out the black vein. Rinse the shrimp under cold running water.
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In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp and golden. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
To Assemble:
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Serve on one large platter or on individual plates. Spread the lettuce on the bottom and top with separate mounds of shrimp, bacon, tomatoes, avocados, mangoes, cucumbers, and cheese.
-
Serve with basil dressing.
Nutrition
- Calories: 966.89kcal
- Fat: 75.84g
- Saturated Fat: 21.38g
- Trans Fat: 0.06g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 34.45g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 15.36g
- Carbohydrates: 40.44g
- Fiber: 10.52g
- Sugar: 24.27g
- Protein: 37.12g
- Cholesterol: 229.42mg
- Sodium: 1769.56mg
- Calcium: 611.52mg
- Potassium: 1347.09mg
- Iron: 2.53mg
- Vitamin A: 658.83µg
- Vitamin C: 73.76mg
Expert Technique Tip for Perfecting Your Shrimp Cobb Salad
When preparing the shrimp, it's crucial to not overcook them as they can quickly become rubbery. The key is to remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink and opaque. Plunging them immediately into ice water will halt the cooking process, ensuring perfectly cooked, succulent shrimp every time. Additionally, when making the creamy basil dressing, remember to add the olive oil slowly while the food processor is running. This helps to emulsify the dressing, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Shrimp Cobb Salad Recipe
Prepare the ingredients: Gather and prepare all the ingredients and tools needed for the recipe before starting. This will help streamline the cooking process and prevent any last-minute scrambling.
Multi-task: Look for opportunities to multi-task, such as preparing the dressing while the shrimp are boiling, to make the most of your time in the kitchen.
Prep in advance: Consider prepping some ingredients, such as chopping vegetables or cooking the bacon, ahead of time to save time on the day of making the salad.
Organize your workspace: Keep your kitchen organized and clean as you work through the recipe to avoid unnecessary clutter and confusion.
Use kitchen tools: Utilize kitchen tools like food processors or blenders to quickly and efficiently prepare the dressing and other components of the salad.
Substitute Ingredients For Shrimp Cobb Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing Recipe
mayonnaise - Substitute with plain yogurt: Plain yogurt can provide a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor to the dressing.
plain greek yogurt - Substitute with sour cream: Sour cream can add a rich and tangy flavor similar to Greek yogurt.
lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar can provide the acidity and tanginess that lemon juice offers.
honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can offer a similar sweetness and depth of flavor to the dressing.
basil leaves - Substitute with parsley: Parsley can provide a fresh and herbaceous flavor similar to basil.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil can offer a mild, fruity flavor similar to olive oil.
shell on shrimp - Substitute with cubed chicken breast: Cubed chicken breast can provide a similar protein element to the salad.
yellow onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can offer a milder and sweeter flavor compared to yellow onions.
bay leaves - Substitute with thyme: Thyme can provide a similar earthy and aromatic flavor to the dish.
peppercorns - Substitute with black pepper: Ground black pepper can offer the same peppery flavor as peppercorns.
baby romaine lettuce - Substitute with butter lettuce: Butter lettuce can provide a similar crisp and tender texture to the salad.
cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes can offer a similar sweet and juicy flavor to cherry tomatoes.
avocados - Substitute with mangoes: Mangoes can provide a sweet and creamy texture similar to avocados.
cotija cheese - Substitute with feta cheese: Feta cheese can offer a similar salty and tangy flavor to cotija cheese.
Presenting Your Shrimp Cobb Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing
Elevate the shrimp: Arrange the cooked shrimp in a circular pattern on the plate, slightly overlapping each other to create a visually appealing presentation.
Create a vibrant salad bed: Arrange the baby romaine lettuce leaves in a crisscross pattern on the plate to create a visually appealing base for the salad.
Artfully arrange the bacon: Crumble the crisp bacon and scatter it over the shrimp, adding a touch of smoky flavor and visual interest to the dish.
Incorporate colorful elements: Arrange the cherry tomatoes, avocados, mangoes, and cucumbers in a visually appealing manner around the shrimp, creating a colorful and vibrant presentation.
Add a touch of elegance with cotija cheese: Crumble the cotija cheese over the salad, adding a savory and creamy element to the dish while enhancing its visual appeal.
Drizzle with creamy basil dressing: Using a spoon or a squeeze bottle, drizzle the creamy basil dressing over the salad in an artistic manner, adding a final touch of flavor and elegance to the dish.
Essential Tools for Making a Delicious Shrimp Cobb Salad
- Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen tool that can be used to blend, puree, chop, and mix ingredients. It's perfect for making the creamy basil dressing for this recipe.
- Blender: A blender is useful for emulsifying the creamy basil dressing, ensuring a smooth and well-combined texture.
- Wide saucepan: A wide saucepan is essential for poaching the shrimp, allowing them to cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the aromatics.
- Slotted spoon: A slotted spoon is necessary for removing the poached shrimp from the water without transferring excess liquid, ensuring they remain tender and flavorful.
- Skillet: A skillet is used for cooking the bacon until it's crisp and golden, adding a savory element to the shrimp cobb salad.
- Paring knife: A paring knife is handy for deveining the shrimp, ensuring they are clean and ready to be used in the salad.
How To Reheat Leftover Shrimp Cobb Salad
- Reheat the shrimp separately in a skillet over medium heat with a little bit of olive oil or butter until warmed through, about 2-3 minutes. This will help prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery and overcooked.
- For the bacon, you can either reheat it in a skillet over medium heat until crispy or in the microwave on a paper towel-lined plate for about 30 seconds.
- The creamy basil dressing can be reheated in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds, stirring halfway through. If the dressing seems too thick after reheating, you can thin it out with a little bit of water or lemon juice.
- To reheat the salad components, such as the lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, mangoes, and cucumbers, it's best to keep them cold and crisp. You can either remove them from the refrigerator just before serving or place them in a bowl of ice water for a few minutes to refresh them.
- If the cotija cheese has become dry or crumbly after being stored in the refrigerator, you can crumble it over the top of the salad just before serving to restore its texture.
- To assemble the reheated salad, place the chilled salad components on a plate or in a bowl, top with the warm shrimp and bacon, and drizzle with the reheated creamy basil dressing. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Interesting Trivia About Shrimp Cobb Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing
Shrimp cobb salad is a popular dish that originated in the United States. It is named after the restaurant owner who first created it, Robert Cobb.
Is Making Shrimp Cobb Salad at Home Cost-Effective?
This shrimp cobb salad with creamy basil dressing recipe offers a high degree of cost-effectiveness for a household. The use of seasonal vegetables and fruits ensures affordability, while the versatility of the ingredients allows for easy substitution based on availability and budget. The inclusion of shrimp and bacon may slightly increase the cost, but the overall balance of the dish makes it a reasonable choice. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $25-$30, making it an economical and nutritious option. Verdict: 9/10.
Is This Shrimp Cobb Salad Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
The shrimp cobb salad with creamy basil dressing is a relatively healthy recipe, offering a balance of protein, healthy fats, and vegetables. The salad includes nutrient-dense ingredients such as shrimp, avocado, tomatoes, and lettuce, providing essential vitamins and minerals. The use of Greek yogurt in the dressing adds a boost of protein and reduces the overall fat content compared to using only mayonnaise.
However, there are a few areas where the recipe could be improved to make it even healthier:
- Reduce the amount of bacon or replace it with a leaner protein source like grilled chicken or turkey bacon to lower the saturated fat content
- Use a lighter cheese like feta or goat cheese instead of cotija to reduce the overall calorie and fat content
- Incorporate more nutrient-dense vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or carrots to increase the fiber and vitamin content of the salad
- Opt for a whole-grain bread or crackers as a side to add more complex carbohydrates and fiber to the meal
To further enhance the nutritional value of this salad, consider the following suggestions:
- Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts or seeds, such as almonds or pumpkin seeds, for an extra crunch and a dose of healthy fats and protein
- Incorporate a variety of colorful vegetables to ensure a wide range of vitamins and antioxidants
- Use a light drizzle of the creamy basil dressing, as the salad already contains healthy fats from the avocado and shrimp
- Serve the salad with a side of quinoa or brown rice to add more fiber and complex carbohydrates, making it a well-rounded meal
Editor's Opinion on This Delightful Shrimp Cobb Salad Creation
The shrimp cobb salad with creamy basil dressing recipe is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The creamy basil dressing adds a refreshing and herby note to the dish, complementing the succulent shrimp and crisp vegetables. The method for cooking the shrimp ensures a tender and flavorful result, while the addition of bacon and cotija cheese provides a satisfying savory element. Overall, this recipe offers a well-balanced and visually appealing dish that is perfect for a light and satisfying meal.
Enhance Your Shrimp Cobb Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Shrimp Cobb Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures, making it a perfect choice for a refreshing and satisfying meal. The shrimp is cooked to perfection, ensuring a tender and succulent taste. The creamy basil dressing, made with fresh basil leaves and olive oil, adds a burst of herbaceous goodness. The use of Greek yogurt instead of traditional mayonnaise provides a healthier twist. With the addition of crispy bacon, ripe avocados, and sweet mangoes, this salad promises a harmonious blend of savory and sweet elements. Trust in this recipe for a delightful dining experience.
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