Shrimp-and-Avocado Salad with Mango Dressing

• Recipe by Bradford Thompson

In Middle Quarters, a village on the southern coast of Jamaica, roadside stands serve sweet shrimp simmered in peppery broth. Inspired by this, Bradford Thompson simmers shrimp in a fragrant broth made with lager, chile and fresh ginger, then serves them with avocado and a light mango dressing for a great salad.

Ingredients

SHRIMP

1. 1 lemon, halved
2. 6 cups water
3. 1 small onion, sliced
4. 2 tablespoons kosher salt
5. 1 Scotch bonnet or habanero chile, halved
6. 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
7. One 12-ounce bottle of lager, such as Red Stripe
8. 2 pounds large shrimp, shelled and deveined

DRESSING

1. 1 mango, peeled and finely diced (1 1/2 cups)
2. 1/4 cup rice vinegar
3. 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4. 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
5. 1/2 cup canola oil
6. 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
7. 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
8. 1/4 teaspoon minced Scotch bonnet or habanero chile
9. 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
10. Salt and freshly ground black pepper
11. 2 Hass avocados, sliced
12. Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

1. Prepare the shrimp: Squeeze the lemon halves into a large saucepan then add them to the pan. Add the water, onion, salt, Scotch bonnet, ginger and beer and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook for 3 minutes, just until pink. Drain the shrimp and spread on a platter. Refrigerate until chilled. Halve the shrimp horizontally.
2. Meanwhile, make the dressing: In a blender, combine 1/3 cup of the diced mango with the vinegar, lime juice and mustard and puree until smooth. With the machine on, add the oil in a thin stream and blend until very smooth. Add the cilantro, lime zest and minced Scotch bonnet and pulse just to combine.
3. Transfer the dressing to a large bowl. Add the shrimp, red onion and the remaining mango and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Arrange the avocado slices around a large platter. Mound the shrimp salad in the center and garnish with lime wedges. Serve right away.

Make Ahead

The cooked shrimp and mango dressing can be refrigerated separately overnight. Toss the shrimp with the mango dressing before serving.