Chef John’s Shrimp Toast

Description

While virtually unknown compared to most other popular fried party snacks, these shrimp toasts are easy to make and every bit as delicious, and addictive, as those Buffalo wings or jalapeño poppers.

Ingredients

  • ½ pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ¼ cup diced water chestnuts
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves
  • ½ cup finely sliced green onions, plus more for garnish if desired
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated ginger root
  • 1 anchovy filet
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon Asian fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or more to taste
  • 1 egg white
  • ½ teaspoon white sugar
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 4 thick slices white bread
  • 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds
  • 1 cup vegetable oil for frying, or as needed

Instructions

  1. Place shrimp
  2. water chestnuts
  3. cilantro leaves
  4. green onions
  5. garlic
  6. grated ginger
  7. anchovy filet
  8. sesame oil
  9. fish sauce
  10. soy sauce
  11. egg white
  12. sugar
  13. paprika
  14. cayenne pepper
  15. and salt into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse several times; scrape down the sides of the bowl. Continue to process until mixture is well blended and reaches a paste consistency
  16. 1 or 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to blend the flavors
  17. about 1 hour.
  18. Very lightly toast bread slices. Trim crusts from bread. Spread shrimp paste onto bread in an equal thickness as the bread. Cut slices in half and then diagonally into diamond shapes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
  19. Place a heavy skillet over medium-high heat; pour in about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil. When oil is hot
  20. add bread slices
  21. paste-side down
  22. and fry until crispy
  23. 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot or warm garnished with additional sliced green onions.

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 4 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 24 mins

Servings: 4

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