Ingredients:
- 2 quarts Cold Water
- 1 tbsp Kosher Salt (for poaching)
- 1 Lemon, halved (for poaching)
- 1 lb Large Shrimp (Prawns), raw, peeled, and deveined
- ½ cup Full-Fat Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Plain Greek Yogurt
- 2 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Lemon Zest (finely grated)
- ½ cup Celery, finely diced
- ¼ cup Red Onion, very finely minced
- ¼ cup Fresh Dill, finely chopped (packed)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Chives, finely snipped
- ½ tsp Kosher Salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Pinch of Smoked Paprika (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Poaching Liquid: Fill a saucepan with 2 quarts of cold water, 1 tbsp of salt, and the two lemon halves. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Poach: Once boiling, reduce the heat immediately to medium-low until the water is barely simmering. Add the raw shrimp. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring gently, until the shrimp are opaque pink and curled into a 'C' shape.
- Chill Immediately: Drain the shrimp into a sieve and transfer them directly into an ice bath for 3–5 minutes to halt the cooking process. Drain thoroughly and pat the shrimp dry with kitchen paper.
- Chop the Shrimp: Coarsely chop the cooked shrimp into 3–4 pieces each (they should be chunky). Place the chopped shrimp into a large mixing bowl.
- Dice and Prep: Finely dice the celery and mince the red onion. Chop the dill and chives, ensuring they are finely prepared.
- Assemble the Dressing: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning or tanginess.
- Combine: Add the diced celery, minced red onion, fresh dill, and chives to the bowl with the chopped shrimp. Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture.
- Dress and Chill: Gently fold the mixture until everything is just coated (do not over-mix). Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes. This chilling time is essential for the flavors to marry.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Before serving, give the salad a quick stir and taste again. Adjust with a touch more salt or pepper if the flavor has dulled while chilling. Serve as desired (e.g., on sourdough or in lettuce cups).