These savory Festive Asian Shrimp Cocktail Bites are the perfect small bites to accompany your New Year’s Eve celebration. Whether placed on an extravagantly decorated table or passed around, these juicy shrimp appetizers are perfectly suited for any festive gathering, casual or formal. With water chestnuts giving the dish crunch and garlic and mint punching up the flavor, this is one appetizer that will start 2014 off right!

Serves 12

Ingredients:

2 pounds shelled deveined shrimp, finely chopped

1/2 cup finely chopped water chestnuts

1 green onion, minced

1 Tbsp snipped mint

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp cornstarch

1 tsp finely minced ginger root

1/2 tsp lemon zest

2 Tbsp sesame oil, divided

1 cup finely chopped slivered almonds

Cocktail Sauce:

1 cup ketchup

1 Tbsp Sriracha chili sauce

1 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp lemon juice

Garnish – mint sprig

Combine the first 9 ingredients plus 1 Tbsp oil in a medium bowl; mix well. Form into balls using 1 Tbsp of the mixture; roll in the nuts to coat. Place on an oiled baking sheet. Lightly brush with the remaining oil, then bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl; place on a platter with the shrimp bites. Garnish and serve.

Happy New Year!