Cocktail Sauce — The Kind of Summer That Feeds Itself

Week 429. Year 9. Tommy is 42. Deep summer. The business thriving. Luc (18) at LSU studying engineering. The heat index above 100 and the AC straining and the only relief is the cold beer and the screened porch and the sound of the fan turning and the knowledge that fall is coming and the gumbo is waiting.

Made corn and crab bisque this week — the kind of food that fills the house with the smell of Louisiana and the knowledge that whoever walks through the door is walking into a home where the stove is on and the food is ready and the welcome is unconditional. The meal was the day. The day was the meal. Both were good. Come eat, cher.

Whenever the bisque is the main event, I want something sharp and bright on the side — something that cuts through the richness and reminds you the gulf is close. This cocktail sauce has been in the rotation for years, and it’s the kind of thing that takes ten minutes but tastes like you meant it. Luc grew up dragging boiled shrimp through a bowl of this on the back porch, and some traditions you don’t retire just because the kid leaves for college.

Cocktail Sauce

Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 0 min | Total Time: 10 min | Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish (or more to taste)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Combine. In a medium bowl, stir together the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and garlic powder until fully combined.
2. Taste and adjust. Add more horseradish for heat, more lemon for brightness, or more hot sauce for bite. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
3. Chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors come together. Sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
4. Serve. Spoon into a small bowl and serve alongside boiled or chilled shrimp, crab claws, or any seafood spread.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 35 | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Carbs: 9g | Fiber: 0g | Sodium: 310mg