Simplicity.

Freshness.

Taste.

Key words when you’re hosting a holiday party if you ask me. I am seriously obsessed with low key, casual, high quality recipe parties.

I am also very much into originality and in the moment recipe design if you know what I mean.

I’ll explain. When it comes to decorating, flowers, cooking and mixing drinks, I do everything BASICALLY on the fly and in the moment. Somehow my creativity peaks when I work like this.

Heck, even my workout classes work like this. Sshhh… just don’t let my clients know LOL!)

Scary isn’t it?

Luckily somehow, some way, things always seem to work out amazingly well in the gym and at home. Let’s take this week’s casual Christmas party at my place. I thought of a new drink 24 hours prior to the party. The day of the party, I go shopping for EVERYTHING and test out my drink two hours before guests arrive.  And as I’m placing finishing touches on my food displays just minutes before the arrival of our guests, I decide to plate the shrimp which look christmas red with some christmas green limes instead of lemons. Of course all the plates have to be white. I need that super clean look. Another color would never do.

Am I crazy or what?

Btw if you’ve never had shrimp cocktail with lime instead of lemon, YOU NEED TO.

And DON’T FORGET THE ICE!

So I’m pretty much loving this simple, easy, delish dish. I know it looks soooo simple and healthy but that’s the point. Who doesn’t love some fresh, jumbo prawns and cocktail sauce?

Did I mention they were devoured in about 20 minutes time?

Come on MEN you can totally do this one. Impress your lady friend, wife, familiy and friends. There’s like ZERO PERCENT chance of a mess up.

And just incase, here’s the recipe for you!

+ 1-2 pounds of fresh, jumbo, cooked and peeled shrimp

+ 1-2 limes cut in large chunks

+ 1 container cocktail sauce

++ optional 1 container tartar sauce, 1 garlic aioli or 1 sauce of your choice

***ALWAYS ADD ICE TO YOUR PLATE. This is my secret for keeping the shrimp chilled at all times for guests. There’s nothing I hate more at a party than WARM SHRIMP. Yuck, I’d rather not eat any. And of course people plate it WAY TOO EARLY. Take your shrimp out of the fridge and plate it about 5-10 minutes before you’ll be offering it up to guests.

Serve and enjoy your holiday shrimp with lots of salads and maybe a cheese plate or two. Everything in moderation, remember? Balance is key!

xx Shanna

 

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