Pickled Shrimp

• MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

1. 1 small onion, thickly sliced
2. 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
3. 1 small red bell pepper, cut into thick strips
4. 1 to 2 small dried red chiles, crushed
5. 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
6. 2 teaspoons sugar
7. 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, crushed
8. 1/2 teaspoon allspice berries, crushed
9. 2 pounds large shrimp, shelled and deveined
10. Salt
11. 1 small lemon, thickly sliced
12. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
13. 2 tablespoons parsley leaves

1. In a nonreactive saucepan, combine 2 cups of water with the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, chiles, vinegar, sugar, peppercorns and allspice. Boil over high heat for 2 minutes, then stir in the shrimp and cook just until pink and loosely curled. Stir in 2 teaspoons salt and the lemon slices, squeezing them a bit. Transfer the shrimp and marinade to a large bowl or wide 2-quart jar and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate overnight, stirring a few times.
2. Transfer the shrimp to a clean bowl. Strain 3/4 cup of the marinade into a small bowl. Cut 4 of the red pepper strips into small dice. Stir 3/4 teaspoon salt into the strained marinade and whisk in the oil. (Discard the remaining marinade.)
3. Pour the dressing over the shrimp and toss well. Spoon the chilled shrimp onto plates and garnish with the red pepper dice and parsley leaves.