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Everything good comes in small packages, right??
Diamonds.
Puppies.
Babies.
All good things.
But why does food seem to taste infinitely better when it’s presented in a tiny little package? Maybe it’s because we first eat with our eyes then our mouths. Or perhaps it’s because in just one all-encompassing bite you get to taste all the flavors, instead of taking multiple bites before getting a feel of what the entire dish tastes like. (Although I pride myself on getting the perfect bite every time, no matter the size of the dish.) Or maybe it’s just all in my head.
Either way, in my opinion, these shrimp rolls are no exception. There’s something innately adorable about these guys that will leave you ooing an ahhing before you even take a bite. But in that initial bite, you can close your eyes and taste every single component of the roll – the shrimp, the buttered bread, the fresh herbs – all singing harmoniously together.
I came up with these for a baby shower I helped throw for my best friend Angie this past weekend. I wanted to do cutesy, but not kitschy; upscale, but please the masses, and I think I hit the nail right on the head with these cuties. While they may appear to be quite a bit of work, they’re actually ridiculously easy to put together.
Frozen shrimp are thawed, and slowly poached in a bath of white wine and lemon juice until they’re cooked through and opaque. I ran them under cold water to stop the cooking process and to expedite the cooling process, and then chopped them up into tiny bite-sized pieces.
I wanted to mimic the flavors of a lobster roll, where less is more, and to let the shrimp itself shine through instead of drowning it in copious amounts of mayo that would ultimately hide the shrimp-y flavor. I did that by adding juuust a touch of mayo – basically only enough to very lightly coat the shrimp – a splash of white vinegar, lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper. I also threw in a handful of chopped celery for texture and crunch.
The filling is nestled into adorable buttered and toasted mini challah rolls I found at whole foods; brioche would also work nicely, but if you can’t find either, a mini egg roll will work as well.
While I’m partial to the bite-sized version here, if you’re not feeding a crowd, these would taste just as lovely full-sized – just make sure you get the perfect bite every time.
- 1½ pounds shrimp, defrosted, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup white wine
- 2 lemons
- ¼ cup light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon chopped dill
- ¼ cup finely diced celery
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoon butter, melted
- 12 mini challah or brioche rolls
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut a V shape on each of the challah rolls big enough to fit in the shrimp filling. Brush the inside with butter and transfer to a baking sheet. Bake until just slightly golden brown and toasted. Let cool.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the white wine, juice of 1½ lemons and salt to a simmer. Add shrimp, and cook until bright pink and opaque. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Chop into small bite-sized pieces.
- In a medium bowl, combine remaining juice of lemon, mayo, dill, celery, white vinegar and salt. Gently toss with shrimp. Season with salt and pepper.
- Nestle into challah crevices.
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
These are TOO CUTE! I LOVE mini foods…it just tastes better. And, I can never get enough shrimp so these are right up my ally! Pinned 🙂
Nicole says
Thanks Taylor!!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
Seriously, LOVE these! Why is mini food always so much tastier? And I always eat more of it (which in this case is a very, very good thing :)).
Nicole says
Hahaha I always eat more too. I was just telling Kevin that I think that’s my problem sometimes!! I think I’m doing myself a favor by eating something small, then I eat like five of them!! Thanks girl!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says
I love mini foods too. These are perfect for bridal or baby showers…or anytime for that matter.
Nicole says
They really are!! Thanks Norma!!
Nicole says
Definitely good for anytime!! 🙂
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
Mini food is the best! It not only looks cute, but like you said you get all that flavor in one bite. Love these little shrimp rolls, nice twist on the lobster roll!
Nicole says
Isn’t it???!! Thanks Danae!!
ashley - baker by nature says
These are just so darling!!! <3<3<3
Nicole says
Thank you my dear!!!
cheri says
These are adorable, I love food this size no matter what the occasion. Great pictures!
Nicole says
Thanks Cheri!! Me too!!
Tina | Mademoiselle Gourmande says
They are so cute! If she’s expecting a baby girl they are even more suitable, but anyway adorable. Love the pictures as well! 🙂
Nicole says
Thanks so much Tina!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
These mini shrimp rolls are too adorable! Pinning!
Nicole says
Thanks Christin!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
What a great idea for a shower…I sure everyone loved them. I’m going to be on the lookout for little rolls like what you used.
Nicole says
They did Karen!! Whole Foods is a great place to find them!
Ashley says
I love cute bite-sized food! There is just something about it! One of the reasons I like having parties every once in awhile : ) haha