These elegant, rich little shellfish pots are easy to make ahead – serve with a glass of festive fizz

I adore potted shrimp. Not only do these little ramekins, with their jolly red sprinkle of cayenne pepper atop a golden cap of clarified butter, feel like fishy emissaries from a more elegant age, but they can also be prepared days in advance, which frees me up to drink fizz with friends instead of faffing around in the kitchen. A Christmas gift indeed.

Prep 5 min
Cook 15 min
Serves 4