We are in the middle of a heat wave. We are getting a little respite yesterday and this morning as thunder storms move through the area. They have put on quite the show with massive thunder and lightening and a couple of downpours, but they are on their way out and temperatures will be back in the high 90’s by this afternoon. This is the Pacific Northwest, for heaven’s sake. We don’t appreciate this crazy weather. I was invited to my friend, Sandie’s, birthday party last Saturday night and I wanted to take something that would hold up well and would be a festive addition to the buffet table. I chose a special version of the classic SHRIMP LOUIE that everybody seemed to like because there wasn’t one single noodle left in the dish by the end of dinner.
If you aren’t familiar with a Louie Salad, it a very popular West Coast dish composed of crab or shrimp, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, sometimes cucumber and avocado, black olives and (usually) ice berg lettuce. The classic shrimp louie is made with cocktail shrimp, but they can sometimes be a little too “fishy” for me so I use a larger shrimp (50-70 count) and cut them in half lengthwise. James Beard used to insist that Shrimp Louie originated in his hometown (and mine) of Portland but everything I have read about it suggests that it and a Crab Louis were first made in San Francisco.
I wanted to make a salad with some substance for my friend’s birthday dinner so I added very small macaroni pasta to the classic Louie ingredients, and I thought it turned out great. I will be making this version often this summer I’m sure, and I can’t wait to try it with crab instead of shrimp. This is hearty enough to be an entree along with some crusty bread and a nice Oregon white wine.
West Coasters can get passionate about what makes a proper Louie dressing and you can find my favorite version HERE. All versions have a mayonnaise base with the addition of tomato sauce…my favorite is a spicy chili sauce. I wanted to appeal to everybody’s taste for the birthday buffet so made a light mayo dressing with lemon juice and a little dill…it was delicious. If you love a good macaroni salad I hope you will try this version. Shrimp is available at Costco at a reasonable price and a couple of pounds go a long way. This would be a treat at any summertime gathering.
- 1 pound cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 8 ounces macaroni pasta, cooked according to directions on box
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 2 tablespoons red onion, minced
- 5 hard boiled eggs, 3 diced to add to salad, 2 sliced for garnish
- 2 tablespooons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Slice cooked shrimp in half lengthwise. Add to pasta in a large bowl along with celery, relish, tomatoes, red onion, 3 diced hard boiled eggs, parsley and dill.
- Combine mayonnaise and lemon juice. Combine with pasta mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
- Make several hours up to a day ahead so flavors have the chance to blend.
Beautiful salad Cathy and everyone loves shrimp. There’s wouldn’t have been a noodle left on my plate either.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Peachy Blueberry Salsa with Grilled Pork Chops – to celebrate fresh peach season
I could eat a lot of that. I love macaroni salad. Adding shrimp makes anything better.
I have everything!! This will be tonight’s dinner! Thank you, Cathy.
Kate recently posted..Baked Cod with Lemon Garlic Parsley Sauce – “A Trip to Greece” with Debbie Matenopoulos
I hope you enjoy it, Kathy. Pasta salads are always a hit at my house. It’s fun to try something new.
Cathy recently posted..Shrimp Louie Macaroni Salad
Looks great Cathy!
Monique recently posted..~ Mish Mash..
This is my kind of salad! Saving this recipe to try for sure! xo
Yum, bet I could make this with lobster, too, since it is so available to me now.
Linda recently posted..Time for a Change
You made me laugh with your comments about our recent (and unfortunately current) weather! I feel badly wilted already knowing the worst is yet to come…
Love this idea! I adore Shrimp Louie salads and this sounds great as a summer meal! Thanks for sharing and — stay cool!
Blessings,
Aimee
PS: Perhaps it was someone from Portland visiting San Francisco who made the first Louie salad:):)
I like your thinking, Aimee. I’m sure James Beard was right. I’m getting so sick of this hot weather. I just want it to cool off for awhile. One thing that can be counted on from those of us in the Northwest. We whine about the weather…LOL.
Cathy recently posted..Shrimp Louie Macaroni Salad
This is perfect for our current humid days with thunderstorms. Pasta salads are always enjoyed here, Cathy!
~Judy
JG recently posted..Grilled Haddock Dinner
This would definitely be a meal for me Cathy, perfect for sitting on the deck on a summer evening. Not a 90 degree day though. I can see why there was nothing left in the bowl!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine recently posted..Lemon Cheesecake with Glazed Berries and Shortbread Crust
I live in Vancouver Washington it was so dadblasted hot on sat. I nearly passed out in the supermarket..We have fans running and running, I don’t open my doors to do much..Our kitteh cats laze around..I only make salads, must get to the market to get some shrimp and I can make the salad you posted, we love salads and shrimp is not that big of an expense..Love your blog and all the great recipes..have a wonderful summer I pray for a decrease in the heat and humidity! ciao!
Hi Mary. Thank you for your comment. It may actually start to cool down today. This heat wave has been too much for most of us. My perfect day is around 70 degrees. Hope you enjoy the rest of the summer too. I hope you stop by again soon.
Cathy recently posted..Shrimp Louie Macaroni Salad
I love macaroni salads and this one sounds delicious Cathy – that last shot had me reaching for a fork.
Larry recently posted..A Gourmet Southern Meal Ala Beverly
Cathy, you have a real winner here. I can tell by the ingredients and it looks great! I too, can’t wait to try.
Susan recently posted..Montana, We Have Arrived
HI Cathy, what a lovely salad you put together, we will be here in Yachats Oregon till the end of September and as you know there is always some where to go where everyone brings a dish, pinned!
cheri recently posted..My Writing Process Blog Tour
I know you are enjoying your summer at the beach, Cheri. I try to get down there every chance I get. Thank you for your comment.
Cathy recently posted..Shrimp Louie Macaroni Salad
I definitely plan on making this soon. Thank you for the treat.
Marilyn recently posted..Monday’s Quotes
I do know what you mean by a heat wave! Our climates are similar, and air conditioning. What? I haven’t had a crab or shrimp Louie in ages! This looks so good! Here’s hoping for cooler weather.
Foodiewife recently posted..Homemade Banana Pudding– In A Jar
This is a stunning idea for a summer salad Cathy. Bring onto heat!!
I’ll bet this was a big hit at the party Cathy! Very pretty too:@)
I can see why there wasnt a single noodle left. I’d be licking the bowl clean too.
Ciao Chow Linda recently posted..Jersey Shore Clambake
I’m sure I would have come back for a second helping 🙂 This looks delightful, Cathy! 64 and raining here as I type. We could use some of your warmth!
Susan recently posted..Chocolate Chip-Pudding Cookies – Moist and Delicious!
thanks for the great recipe, i can never go past a good pasta salad. definitely one i will be recreating in my kitchen!
Thalia @ butter and brioche recently posted..Smoked Peanut and Pretzel Nutella Cookies
Oh yes, please, I’d love a helping of this salad for my lunch right now! I’m out of shrimp right now, but will get more next time I’m at Costco. I think I’d like your spicy version, Cathy.
Kitty recently posted..Strawberry Brownie Shortcake
I’m stashing this one away for future reference, Cathy! It looks & sounds divine…nothing like a cold, colorful salad to hit the spot in the summer time. YUMMMMMM!
Thanks for sharing this & the GORGEOUS photos you took, too.
Oh, nothing like a regional cuisine post. Now when I speak with my friends in Portland I can sound like I know what I’m talking about. Thanks!
Devon recently posted..My Dairy Queen is Better than Yours
I was lucky enough to try this salad at the birthday party… it was absolutely delicious & disappeared so quickly. Bookmarked.
Pam recently posted..Chicken Chopped Salad with Avocado, Grilled Corn, and Extra Sharp Cheddar
I made this for dinner tonight, Cathy, and it was delicious!
Kitty recently posted..Artichoke Frittata
I made this over the weekend and it was DELISH! I didn’t add the egg, but I did add half a can of sweet peas, 1 shredded carrot and 1 Lb imitation crab and only 1/2 lb shrimp. I also added a dash of Paprika to the dressing and used short salad macaroni instead of elbow. ??? Sooo yum!!