Looking for an easy seafood appetizer for your next party? Shrimp and Endive Cups are just what you need. If you are a fan of shrimp salad, these are sure to please.
Super easy to make. Great for entertaining. Pair them with these cucumber boats.
Sweet and spicy shrimp nestled in crisp endive leaves. Elegant, refreshing and so delicious. Low-carb, gluten-free, and a hit at any party.
When it comes to entertaining, I like it to be as stress-free as possible. Spending time with my guests is what it is all about.
Appetizers are a must at any party. Sometimes you can even make them the main event. I am not opposed to grazing on them instead of a huge meal. Cold or hot, they are always delicious.
We happen to love using shrimp in recipes. I always have bags of frozen shrimp waiting in the freezer. Super easy to work with. Quick to cook. Perfect in so many dishes. Have you tried this quick zoodles and shrimp stir fry? Great for any busy weeknight. Better than takeout too.
Shrimp And Endive Appetizer Ingredients
There are some unique flavours to these seafood appetizers.
- shrimp
- chipotle oil
- sweet chili sauce
- fig balsamic
- endive leaves
- enoki mushrooms
- sunflower shoots
As always I have included some substitutions below, these can be made so many ways.
Preparing These Shrimp Bites
They look fancy, but the effort is minimal. It’s always great when you can impress your guests with easy-to-make appetizer recipes.
Step One: Mix the sweet chili sauce with the fig balsamic and set aside.
Step Two: Wash the Belgian endive leaves, mushrooms, and pea shoots and set aside.
Step Three: Cook the shrimp.
Step Four: Assemble the shrimp stuffed endive leaves (see directions in recipe card) and serve.
Suggestions/Recipe Tips
Shrimp and be served hot or cold. I prefer to quickly cook mine, but cold shrimp appetizers are always delicious. The choice is yours. Be sure you use ready-cooked shrimp if you are serving them cold.
Mushrooms of any kind can be used. I think Enoki mushrooms are really elegant, but feel free to use whatever kind you like.
Sunflower shoots can be replaced with sprouts or even grated carrots.
Chipotle oil is used to cook the shrimp and adds a bit of heat. Any oil will work, and if you are serving cold shrimp you can skip this step.
Topping of sweet chili sauce and fig balsamic is so good. You can just use the sweet chili sauce on its own. You can also drizzle with a balsamic reduction if you prefer.
Serve these as soon as possible so the shrimp are still warm. If you are making them with cold shrimp, they can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge until needed.
What Is Endive?
Is endive a lettuce? It is a bitter tasting salad green that happens to be part of the chicory family. Did you know there are actually 3 kinds of endive?
Belgian endive (which is used in this recipe) is a small cylindrical head of lettuce. The leaves can be easily separated, making it perefect for appetizers. It can be used in salads, braised or baked. It also comes in a red varitey known as radicchio.
Frisée is darker in colour with a curly almost lacy texture, and has a more pronouned bitter taste. Perfect for using in salads.
Escarole is broad leafed and the least bitter of all the varities. The inner leaves are good for salad. The outer leaves are best used in soups and cooked dishes.
Shrimp Boats
Ingredients
- 12 Medium shrimp (thawed if frozen)
- 2 teaspoons Chipotle flavoured olive oil (or any spicy oil you like)
For the drizzle:
- 1 tablespoon Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Fig balsamic vinegar
For the endive cups:
- 6 Belgian endive leaves
- 3-4 Enoki mushrooms (per individual endive cup)
- 3-4 Sunflower shoots (per individual endive cup)
Instructions
- Mix the chili sauce and fig balsamic and set aside.
- Prepare the endive cups. In each cup add some sunflower shoots and enoki mushrooms. Place on a serving tray and set aside.
- If you are using fresh shrimp, remove shell, clean, rinse and pat dry. If you are using frozen shrimp, rinse and pat dry.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and sauté the shrimp until cooked. About 40 seconds per side (depending if you are using raw or pre cooked shrimp)
- Place 2 shrimp on each endive cup.
- Drizzle with the chili/fig sauce. Serve with and assortment of fresh veggies and dip.
Tamara Andersen
I love eating healthy, and rarely succumb to temptation! Once it becomes a habit, it’s pretty easy to stay on track… Your Spicy Sweet Shrimp in Endive Cups looks like a great way to do just that! Great recipe!
Homemade & Yummy
They are easy, delicious…and yes, they help you stay on track.
Kaitie
Gloria, These look amazing! They would be perfect for a lunch, or as part of a table full of appetizers! I like that it’s spicy too with the oil!
Homemade & Yummy
I agree…you can use them many ways. Thanks for stopping by.
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
I am all about balance. Every time I say something is off limits, I want it even more. These endive cups would be great for my ladies wine night. They love healthy options!
Homemade & Yummy
They would be perfect with wine!! Enjoy!!
Lisa @ garlicandzest.com
We get a lot of beautiful shrimp this time of year (they’re running) so this is perfectly seasonal for me in Florida! Endive is also one of my favorite lettuces — I love the bitter bite. Definitely want to try this!
Homemade & Yummy
I wish we had access to fresh seafood. Not living by the ocean, we have to rely on grocery store/frozen options. Sometimes I get the the fish market, but they still are not as fresh as I like.
Willow } Will Cook For Friends
I also fall into the “balance” category, and I also have a goal to do more yoga this year!! These sweet and spicy little endive cups are right up my alley. I’m a big fan of light meals with lots of protein, and this sounds perfect!
Homemade & Yummy
We try to stay in the balance category too….except during the holidays LOL!!
Melissa @ My Wife Can Cook
Looks delicious! I think you are correct, the key is planning and prepping when the fruits and vegetables come in the door! Trying to get back on track. It’s surprising how quickly bad habits can form.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes…planning is key. I know it is a bit of work at the beginning…but saves so much time later in the week.
Kirsten @ Treat Yourself Sweeter
I lean more towards healthy eating… but I can’t say no to cheesecake! it’s all about balance… a piece in each hand 😉 I love food in lettuce cups- but can’t eat shrimp but thinking I could swap this up with some roasted chicken
Homemade & Yummy
Yes…balance is key. So easy to sway towards one side of the teeter totter. Chicken would work great too.
Carol Bryant
In answer to your questions, I try to balance the good with the bad. My wife would love the shrimp meal you have here. I like that it is healthy and looks like it would be high in calories but it is not. I am going to show her this.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes we do eat with out eyes, and knowing this is low in calories is so great!!
Nicole
Wow. this looks tasty and I love your presentation!
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. Hope you give it a try.
Rebecca Bryant
I am not a fan of shrimp but my son would love this. I will have to make it for him this weekend. He is s shrimp man for sure.
Homemade & Yummy
Feel free to swap out the shrimp for a protein of you choice.
Milena
Oh, I want to try this! We eat a lot of shrimp and this seems like a tasty healthy alternative!
Homemade & Yummy
Easy and delicious.
Bianca
These look so good! I’m always looking for ways to present shrimp to my guests. Cannot wait to try this recipe.
Homemade & Yummy
These would be party perfect.
carissa garabedian
These look so good! I love the combo of flavors and the ease of the recipe! I have been saving recipes and creating shopping lists for new ideas this year! My family is asking for healthy, light and yummy new dinners! This shrimp dish fits it all! Thanks
Homemade & Yummy
Easy, healthy and delicious.
Scott
Definitely a unique way of serving them! I”m not a fan of mushrooms, so I think I’d swap them for some more sprouts!
Homemade & Yummy
Perfect to customize any way you wish.
Shirley Wood
It’s a pretty plated dish of yummy goodness. Bubba Gump and I have something in common, we both love shrimp no matter how it is prepared. Your recipe sounds scrumptious.
Homemade & Yummy
It is so easy, healthy and very delicious.