Coconut shrimp is a delightful dish with a crispy, coconut-flavored coating that pairs wonderfully with a sweet and tangy dipping sauce. Here’s a simple recipe for coconut shrimp:Ingredients:
For the shrimp:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off, as preferred)
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Oil for frying (vegetable oil or coconut oil)
For the dipping sauce:
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
Instructions:
- Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
- Set Up Breading Station: In three separate bowls, place the flour in one, beat the eggs in another, and mix the shredded coconut with the Panko breadcrumbs in the third bowl.
- Coat the Shrimp: Dredge each shrimp in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip it into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off. Then coat the shrimp generously with the coconut-panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep skillet or frying pan, heat enough oil for shallow frying to around 350°F (175°C). The oil should be hot enough to fry the shrimp but not too hot that it burns the coating.
- Fry the Shrimp: Carefully place the coated shrimp in the hot oil, cooking in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until the shrimp turns golden brown and is cooked through.
- Make the Dipping Sauce: While the shrimp are frying, mix the sweet chili sauce, mayonnaise, lime juice, and soy sauce in a small bowl. Adjust the ingredients to taste.
- Drain and Serve: Once the shrimp are golden and crispy, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve the coconut shrimp hot with the sweet chili dipping sauce on the side.
This dish makes a fantastic appetizer or main course, and the sweet, crunchy coating of the coconut pairs wonderfully with the juicy shrimp. Enjoy!
