Campechana Extra (Mexican Seafood Cocktail)
A refreshing Mexican seafood cocktail featuring a combination of shrimp and crab meat with roasted chiles, fresh vegetables, and a zesty tomato-clam juice base. This traditional appetizer is served chilled with tortilla chips for a perfect starter or light meal.
Ingredients
- •2 medium New Mexico chiles
- •½ pound medium shrimp
- •1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- •1 small tomato
- •1½ whole jalapeños
- •½ cup tomato-clam cocktail
- •¼ cup ketchup
- •3 tablespoons chopped pitted green olives
- •2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- •2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion
- •1½ teaspoons finely chopped oregano
- •½ teaspoon finely chopped garlic
- •3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- •3 tablespoons olive oil
- •½ pound crabmeat
- •1 whole avocado
- •1 whole fresh bay leaf
- •1 package tortilla chips
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Prepare a grill for medium-high heat or preheat broiler. If broiling, place chiles on a rimmed baking sheet. Grill, broil, or roast chiles directly over flame on stovetop, turning occasionally, until very tender and blackened all over, 10-12 minutes. Poblanos might take a little longer, so test doneness with a paring knife.
12 min
- 2.
Transfer chiles to a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let steam 15 minutes. Peel chiles. Halve lengthwise, discard seeds, and chop into 1/4" pieces.
15 min
- 3.
Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook shrimp until just opaque and pink, 2-3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to an ice bath and let sit until cool, about 3 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
6 min
- 4.
Mix chiles, tomato, jalapeños, Clamato juice, ketchup, olives, cilantro, onion, oregano, garlic, lime juice, oil, and 1/4 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Carefully fold in shrimp, crab, and avocado.
5 min
- 5.
Transfer to a serving bowl or tall sundae glass and top with bay leaf, if using. Serve with tortilla chips alongside.
2 min
- 6.
Salsa base (without seafood and avocado) can be made 1 day ahead. Transfer to a resealable container and chill.