When Salsa Is the Party

Sweet, tender shrimp, juicy corn and tomatoes, and a bright, citrusy dressing combine for much more than a mere dip

Bright in both color and flavor, this shrimp salsa is guaranteed to steal the show. Lynda Balslev for TasteFood

This bright and festive starter is part salsa, part ceviche. It’s not meant to be a simple dab to complete a chip, but rather a command to attention with a jumble of shrimp awarded star billing in a kaleidoscope of colorful ingredients.

In this concoction, sweet and briny shrimp are lightly poached and steeped in a bright, citrusy sauce that continues to “cook” and infuse the shrimp with flavor. A whole bunch of fresh ingredients are added to the mix, including chile peppers, tomato, and corn, which add substance and round out the flavors with juicy sweetness and heat.