This classic west coast shrimp salad is easily assembled for a terrific lunch, brunch or picnic. Gather your ingredients the day before. Hard boil some eggs, wash the lettuce, and make your dressing. A crusty roll or garlic toast make a nice accompaniment. The dressing makes a great dip for raw veggies too. For a smooth, creamy dressing, skip the celery and sprinkle the chives over the salad.
1-2teaspoonshot sauce, Sriracha or Tabascohorseradish works too
½teaspoonsea salt
¼teaspoonground black pepper
2tablespoonsmilk of choice to thin the dressing if desired
Salad
3hearts of romaine lettuce
1 poundcooked small shrimp
4hard boiled eggs
16 sweet grape tomatoesor 4 Roma tomatoes quartered
1largeavocadoquartered and sliced
3-4Persian cucumbers or 1 English cucumbersliced thin
12spears of asparagusoptional, but nice
1lemoncut into wedges
1tablespoonfinely chopped chives
Instructions
Make the dressing a day ahead, cover and refrigerate. Hard boil eggs, cool, peel and refrigerate.
Wash romaine leaves and wrap loosely in paper towels placed in a zip bag to remain crisp. For asparagus spears, snap off the ends. Drop into boiling salted water and cook for 2 minutes depending on their thickness, or until crisp but tender when pierced with a sharp paring knife. Chill in a bowl of ice water immediately to stop the cooking process. Drain and refrigerate.
The day of serving, chop romaine leaves across for the salad base. Save a few leaf tops for a nice presentation if desired. Place romaine on a plate or in a shallow bowl. Top the greens with sliced avocado, tomatoes, egg quarters, and asparagus spears. Toss the shrimp with a little dressing. Place on top of the salad. Serve extra dressing on the side. If you want to thin the dressing for pouring, use a little milk.
Notes
This is perfect for busy days or special occasions, because you can make everything ahead and simply assemble to eat.