In Good FlavorMolded Shrimp Salad is a retro dip. It is creamy with tender chunks of shrimp. Served with crackers, it is a fantastic appetizer that disappears quickly. You need to give this a try!
Happy New Year!! I hope you had a great start to 2018! Did you do anything fun and exciting on New Year’s Eve?
My husband and I quietly celebrated the occasion by watching a couple of movies. And since the temperature hovered around zero degrees Fahrenheit, I was all too happy to usher in the new year in the warmth of my own home.
For the first recipe in 2018, I’m bringing retro back as a savory molded salad. Also known as jellied, Jell-O, or congealed salad, this type of dish peaked in popularity in the 1950s and through the 1960s. It made regular appearances in American homes and at social gatherings and potlucks. It has tremendous versatility and is composed of a flavored gelatin base with added fruits, vegetables, or an array of other ingredients. Another part of its appeal is the ease of preparation and affordability, as canned items and leftovers were commonly used.
A coworker shared this recipe with me many, many moons ago. I loved it from the very first bite. The smoothness of cream cheese and mayonnaise, the slight tang of condensed tomato soup and cream cheese, the crunch of celery, and the zest of red onion work in conjunction with the tender shrimp to hook you right in.
Although the original recipe was delicious, I made a couple of changes to suit my taste. The recipe called for chopped green pepper (they don’t like me), which I replaced with scallions. If you prefer green peppers, by all means, add them back! It also specified two (4.5 oz) cans of shrimp, drained. Canned shrimp are not the most economical choice, costing $11.96 per pound. For a more budget-friendly option, I buy cooked frozen 71/90 count shrimp or defrosted ones from the seafood counter (you need only 8 oz. for this recipe). Ranging from $6.99 to $7.99 per pound, these options are much more economical than their canned counterparts. Of course, prices may vary by season and region, so do some comparative shopping where you are and make your own decision.
What do you say? Want to help me bring retro back? Say yes, and start with this shrimp salad! It will be a great addition to any entertaining menu.
You Might Also Like:
Shrimp Wonton Chips
Tuna Salad Dip
Layered Seafood Dip
Corn and Shrimp Salsa
Molded Shrimp Salad
Description
Molded Shrimp Salad is a retro dip. It is creamy with tender chunks of shrimp. Served with crackers, it is a fantastic appetizer that disappears quickly. You need to give this a try!
Ingredients
Suggested supplies (affiliate links):
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine gelatin and water. Let stand for 5 minutes. In a saucepan on medium heat, bring tomato soup to a boil.. Stir in the gelatin mixture to dissolve. Remove from heat.
- Beat cream cheese smooth. Gradually beat in soup mixture until smooth. Stir in mayonnaise. Chill until partially set (the consistency of unbeaten egg whites), about 40 minutes.
- Fold in shrimp, celery, red onion, scallion, and relish. Coat a 6-cup capacity bundt pan with cooking spray. Pour in the shrimp salad mixture. Chill for 6 to 8 hours.
- Place the bundt pan in warm water for 15-20 seconds to unmold. Remove from water. Place a plate over the pan. Holding the plate in place, invert the bundt pan, giving it a gentle shake to help the shrimp mold release onto the plate.
- Serve with crackers.
- Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Disclosure: This site contains paid advertising and affiliate links. In Good Flavor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I've never had one of these before! I'd love to try it, though 🙂 For New Year's Eve hubby and I stayed home too and made a nice meal and watched some movies. It was a great night and so much cozier than going out into the cold! Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year Thao 🙂
This looks so delicious….I have never tried it before, but looking forward to buying the ingredients and trying it out this weekend.
Thank you for all the great recipes and looking forward to your new ones in 2018!
This is SO unique!! I have never seen a savory jello mold. This would be so fun to bring to a potluck!! Your New Years sounds a lot like ours – mellow and peaceful, which is the perfect way to ring in another year. Cheers!
This sort of recipe reminds me of my mom! So easy to make, and such a wonderful presentation. I bet it tastes amazing!!
I'm so glad you are going to try it!! I hope you'll like it! And thank you, I can say the same about you!
I like to bring something unique to the table every now and then. To think this type of dish used to be popular…
I agree. I enjoy a mellow New Year's Eve at home. Take care!
It certainly is a blast to the past. I think we need to bring it back. Not all jellied salads were great but some, like this one is delicious!!
Happy New Year to you, Dawn! It's basically an awesome shrimp dip. I hope you give it a try! I'm glad you had a nice cozy night. I think a quiet night with the hubs/family or entertaining an intimate group of friends at your own home is the best way to spend New Year's Eve.
For New Year's Eve, my husband and I went to a hockey game (we won! Yay!) and then got take-out pizza 🙂 Anyway, this is a retro recipe that sounds perfect for a potluck! Love the savoury flavours in this and the texture sounds fabulous.
That's a great way to start off your year!! I hope the wins continue! This dish is ideal for potlucks!
I'll totally help you bring this back! I love reading old cookbooks and finding recipes that have gone out of style for no good reason :). This sounds delicious!
Woo hoo!! We need to bring this type of mold into the 21st century! I can see why you love old cookbooks. I think it brings such a sense of nostalgia…even if some of it is before your time. Do you know what I mean?
i've never had a molded salad before, but i do love shrimp and cream cheese and appetizers (: and i love that you subbed in frozen shrimp for canned! i think they taste better anyways, and cheaper is always a nice quality (;
I think you're going to like this, Heather! I love serving things that people are not familiar with and watch their reaction as they discover they like it. And I totally agree with you on the shrimp 🙂
It looks really good! I have several old cookbooks from the 70's and they are indeed full of this kind of recipes. 🙂 I have never made such a molded salad but seeing yours I could imagine making one.
Those cookbooks are fun to look through. I hope you'll give molded salads a try someday, Adina!
Wow! This molded shrimp salad seems so palatable, Thao!I love how it looks and I am sure I will love it how it taste when I make it. 😉
I hope you give it a try, Agnes! It is a fantastic dip with a with an unexpected presentation. And it's really yummy!!
I love the idea, it looks so 60'ish ^^ I bet it's delicious 🙂
Yes, very 60'ish along with a few great things: The Beatles, go-go boots, and lava lamps! ????
How many days in advance can I make this?
You can make it 1 to 2 days in advance.
Have been making this stuff since the 1990s, however, I use Campbell’s cream of shrimp soup instead of the tomato. Also, you can omit the gelatin and serve it in a bowl as a dip. My friends and I usually serve it that way – we call it “Shrimp Mousse” when it’s in the looser form. 😂
Also leave out the water if you don’t use the gelatin. A squeeze of lemon is nice too.
Leaving out the water would be fine, since it’s used for blooming the gelatin. I bet the lemon juice ads a touch of brightness!!
The cream of shrimp soup sounds like a great substitution! Your shrimp mousse must be delicious!!