...Dinner is served...

1. In a sauté pan bring about 2 cups of water to the boil and add the peppercorns, bay leaf and 1 section of the lemon to the water boil for a few minutes and turn down the heat, to a bare simmer. Add the shrimp to the poaching liquid and cook until the flesh has just begun to be opaque, not yet pink, aprox 1 min.
Set the shrimp aside and discard the water. Return pan to the stove, over medium-high heat. Add the butter, and allow it to melt. When the butter foams, add the celery, onions and garlic, and saute, stirring often, until the vegetables soften and the onions turn translucent, then transfer it to a large bowl to cool.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, eggs, salt, pepper and seasoning salt and parsley. Add this mixture to the vegetable bowl, pour the bread crumbs over and stir to combine. Add the poached reserved shrimp and combine all.

3. Gather into 4 to 6 balls, and form into large thick patties on a sheet pan, cover loosely with plastic wrap and transfer them to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set, or the freezer for 15 minutes.

4. Set a griddle or large skillet over high heat, and add 1/2" of the neutral oil. When the oil is shimmering, remove the shrimp cakes from the refrigerator, and carefully saute the patties over med. heat until they are golden brown, approximately 4 to 5 min per side.

5. Serve with remaining lemon wedges. They would be extra elegant with a Hollandaise sauce, but it’s certainly not necessary.

Enjoy!