Ernest's Orleans Fried Shrimp and Sauce
Jumbo shrimp, butterflied (instructions follow)
1 egg, lightly beaten
Yellow corn flour
Salt and pepper
Vegetable oil
Sauce
Hellmann's or homemade mayonnaise
Louisiana mustard (such as Zatarain's)
Freshly prepared horseradish
Fresh celery with leaves, finely chopped
Fresh parsley, finely chopped
Fresh garlic, finely chopped
To butterfly shrimp: Peel off shell, leaving tail on. With a small
sharp knife, make a shallow cut down the center of the back, devein
and wash. Place shrimp, cut-side up on a chopping block and deepen
cut to split shrimp but not cutting completely through, leaving the
tail intact. Shrimp should now open almost flat. Dry between paper
towels.
To fry shrimp: Heat a good grade of oil (Kraft's, etc.) to 350
degrees F, using a deep fat fryer or heavy bottomed, fairly deep
saut� pan with a frying thermometer. Dip shrimp in beaten egg, then
in corn flour. (Corn flour may be purchased at our local fish
markets.) Shake off excess flour. Shrimp may be prepared for frying
earlier in the day and refrigerated if desired.
When the oil has reached 350 degrees F, drop in the shrimp, a few at
a time. As soon as the shrimp come to the top of the oil, remove
immediately from pan. "Do not let them dance on the top," is
Ernest's prime admonition. "The secret of good seafood is not to
overcook." Place on paper toweling and sprinkle with salt and
pepper. Serve immediately with Ernest's famous sauce.
To make sauce: Mix equal amounts of Hellmann's mayonnaise or
homemade mayonnaise, Louisiana mustard and freshly prepared
horseradish. With a French chef's knife, chop the celery, parsley
and garlic. Add to mayonnaise mixture, stir well and refrigerate.
Source: Ernest's Orleans, Shreveport, Louisiana |