Smoked Shrimp – Stuffed/Bacon Wrapped

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I've written about smoked shrimp and it was really good but it has so much more potential as I have shown in this newsletter. I have taken extra large shrimp and butterflied them, stuffed them with a cream cheese mixture, wrapped them in a half-slice of bacon and  then smoked them to perfection. These babies surpassed my every expectation and were everything I thought they could be and more! I know that you are going to want to try these very soon and maybe even this weekend. They are quick and easy and I would have no problem serving them on paper plates at a backyard barbecue or on my best china at a fancy dinner. It's that kind of dish! These smoked shrimp make a great appetizer or even a main entree depending on your setting. Enjoy!

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Marinate Time: 3 hours
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Smoker Temp: 225 F
• Meat Finish Temp: N/A
• Recommended Wood: Apple

• 2 lbs extra large shrimp (22-26 count)
• Jeff's original rub
• Jeff's barbecue sauce
• Large zip top bag
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 2 lb bacon
• Toothpicks

I like to buy the easy-peel shrimp but obviously, if you have access to fresh local shrimp then that is better and they may not be easy-peel. I am big on food safety so I like to fill a metal mixing bowl about half full with ice. I then set a slightly smaller metal mixing bowl onto the top of the ice. The shrimp goes into the slightly smaller bowl to keep them cold while I'm peeling. The metal does a better job than plastic to transfer the cold from the ice to the shrimp. Also go ahead and remove the tail as well while you're at it. Using a sharp knife, make a cut along the outside edge of the shrimp without cutting all the way through. Once all of the shrimp are peeled with tails removed, and butterflied, place them into a large zip top bag. Pour about 1/2 cup of my original rub into the bag right on top of the shrimp. Seal the bag and roll it around to thoroughly coat the shrimp with the rub. Once the shrimp are coated well, place the bag of shrimp in the fridge for 3 hours. The delicious rub will mix with the delectable juices in the shrimp and create a marinade that will amaze your tastebuds! Mix a single 8 oz. package of softened cream cheese with the shredded mozzarella, cheddar and Monterey jack cheese and combine well. I highly recommend pre-cooking the bacon. The shrimp cook so quickly that the bacon doesn't even have time to start getting done in the smoker. To pre-cook the bacon:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F
2. Place strips of bacon on a baking sheet
3. Cook bacon for about 6 minutes then remove (no flipping or turning required)*

*I used thin cut bacon. If the bacon is thicker, it will probably require more time to pre-cook. After 3 hours the shrimp are done marinating and can be removed from the fridge. Do NOT rinse. Place about 1/2 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the butterflied part of each shrimp then wrap a half-slice of pre-cooked bacon around it's midriff. Secure with a toothpick and that's all there is to it. If you have some racks or Weber Grill pans, the stuffed, bacon wrapped shrimp can be transported to and from the smoker without being disturbed. Set your smoker up for cooking at about 225°F with apple wood or another favorite wood. I prefer a milder tasting wood on these but any smoking wood will technically work just fine. Once the smoker is maintaining a steady temperature, it is ready for the shrimp. If your smoker has a water pan, use it. Place the stuffed, wrapped shrimp on a rack or on a baking sheet if you do not have anything better. Something mesh-like which will allow the smoke to come up through the bottom is your best option. Most shrimp will turn pinkish when they are done and this is a good indicator but you do not want to overcook shrimp or they will get rubbery. The meat will turn from translucent to somewhat opaque when they are near perfect. They will also feel firm and plump. Shrimp will also curl into a distinct “C” shape when they are finished but this is somewhat subjective. I recommend making sure that your smoker is absolutely maintaining 225°F at grate level using a very reliable thermometer then let them cook for 20-25 minutes. Check them again in 5 minute intervals if they are not quite done yet. I have done multiple batches of these and they consistently come out perfect in 35 minutes at 225°F at grate level. I love serving these smoked shrimp as appetizers especially when something else I am cooking is going to take a while. Alternatively, these smoked shrimp would work well on skewers. Place 4-6 on a long, wooden skewer and serve them with grilled asparagus or another favorite side as an entree that will delight your family and friends. Here's my barbecue cocktail sauce that I came up with the last time I wrote about smoked shrimp: