Nordic Shrimp Toast Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S SHRIMP TOAST

Steps:

• Place shrimp, water chestnuts, cilantro leaves, green onions, garlic, grated ginger, anchovy filet, sesame oil, fish sauce, soy sauce, egg white, sugar, paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse several times; scrape down sides of bowl. Continue to process until mixture is well blended and reaches a paste consistency, 1 or 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to blend the flavors, about 1 hour.
• 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.
• Place a heavy skillet over medium-high heat; pour in about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil. When oil is hot, place bread slices, paste side down, into the oil. Fry until crispy, 2 to 3 minute per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot or warm garnished with additional sliced green onions.

SHRIMP TOAST

Steps:

• If you're going the traditional route and using pork fat, add the pork fat to a food processor and process until smooth. Then add the shrimp, cilantro, scallions, ginger, sesame oil, sugar, salt, cornstarch and egg white. Process until smooth.
• Divide the mixture among 4 slices of sandwich bread, spreading it evenly out to the ends. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and lightly press the sesame seeds into the shrimp mixture. Cut each slice into quarters on a diagonal to create little triangles.
• In a large nonstick or cast iron skillet, heat ⅛ inch of oil until shimmering. Fry the triangles in the skillet, shrimp-side down first, until golden--about 2-3 minutes.
• Use a spatula to carefully turn them over, and fry the other side for about 1 minute. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Serve immediately!

SHRIMP TOAST

Steps:

• Put the shrimp and egg white in a food processor and pulse until pasty but still a little chunky. Add the sriracha, salt, sesame oil, black pepper, garlic, scallions and lemongrass and pulse until just combined.
• Divide the mixture among the bread slices and spread in an even layer to the edge. At this point, you can freeze the toasts while you heat the oil (although freezing is not totally necessary, it makes for cleaner cuts and easier handling).
• Bring 1 1/2 inches of oil to 350 degrees F in a heavy-bottomed pot.
• Cut each bread slice into 4 squares and sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Carefully place each piece shrimp-side down into the oil. Fry until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove onto a rack or paper towel. Serve immediately drizzled with sriracha.

SHRIMP TOAST

Steps:

• In a medium skillet, heat the 3 cups of oil to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• In a food processor, combine the shrimp, ginger, garlic and water chestnuts; grind to a paste. Add salt, pepper, sherry, egg white and baking soda. Process until smooth.
• Cut each slice of trimmed bread into quarters, forming 4 triangles each. Divide the shrimp mixture over each piece of bread; sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Deep fry shrimp toast until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

NORDIC SHRIMP TOAST

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the coriander, 2 dill sprigs, half of the lemon zest and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Let boil for 1 minute, remove the saucepan from the heat, add the shrimp and cover the pot. Let the shrimp sit, covered, until cooked through, about 2 minutes. Drain the shrimp and chill in ice water. Once chilled, remove and blot dry. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Chop 2 tablespoons dill fronds and add it to a small bowl along with the juice of half the lemon and the remaining zest. Add the cream cheese and yogurt to the bowl and stir to combine. Spread each slice of toast with the cream cheese mixture.
• Lay as many shrimp as will fit flat between 2 plastic deli container lids; the tops of the lids should be facing each other. Making a fist, press down on the top lid to keep the shrimp in place. Position a sharp knife between the narrow opening of the lids and use a sawing motion to slice the shrimp in half at one time. Repeat with the remaining shrimp. Alternatively, slice on a cutting board.
• Arrange the shrimp (cut-side down), cucumber and radish slices in overlapping decorative rows -- think fish scales -- to cover each toast. Sprinkle each with the remaining dill fronds.