Cajun Panko Crusted Shrimp Po Boys….. Wait… Let me explain….
Shrimp Po Boys are a big thing to do in the south, particularly in Louisiana. If you order this sandwich, you get a crusty french roll topped with lettuce, tomato, and a spicy Remoulade sauce. And of course some Cajun seasoned shrimp. The Remoulade sauce is a spicy, and tangy aioli (fancy flavored mayonnaise spread) slathered on the sandwich.
Once I got a hold to one of these sandwiches I couldn’t let go. It was one of new found guilty pleasures on splurge days. I have a local spot I go to when I need my quick fix.
And sometimes when I make these po boys, I change it up just a bit…. I decided to divert from the usual delicious cornmeal/flour batter for the shrimp. I wanted to add a layer of crunch with the crunchy panko texture. Before I coat the shrimp with panko crumbs, I marinate and dredge the shrimp in a cajun seasoned beer batter. I try to use a tempura style batter for this beer batter mixture, to come as close as I can to a tempura style shrimp for this recipe. After marinating and dredging the shrimp in this beer batter, you get a nice light beer tasting shrimp. (Reminds you of a big low country seafood boil for a millisecond.) Don’t worry if you don’t like beer, you can substitute club soda for the beer.
Then, there’s the sauce with it’s fresh garlic, hot sauce, lemon juice, and creole season. The sauce is husband approved – he loves it. And he loves the shrimp too.. I make at least 2 pounds of these shrimp every time because he loves them so much.
But this time, I’m making them for our virtual potluck party!
28 of the best black food bloggers from around the globe have come together to share some of their favorite recipes for what we like to call a Virtual Potluck. From African to Creole, Caribbean to Southern there is something for everybody; with each blogger contributing their very own recipes in a number of categories (Meat Entree, Seafood Entree, Vegetarian Entree, Beverage and Dessert) to share with you each day of Black History Month. Check out and try some of the other amazing recipes from our participating bloggers down below.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH VIRTUAL POTLUCK
Meiko and the Dish | Crispy Fried Chicken with Pepper Jelly Molasses
Whisk It Real Gud | Trinidad Oxtail Pelau
Raised on Ramen | Caramelized Plantain Tacos with Pecan-Honey Butter
Dash of Jazz | Aunt Georgia’s Peach Cobbler
Foodie In New York | Twice Baked Yams
The Seasoning Bottle | Jamaican Sorrel/Senegalese Bissap
Chef Kenneth | Smothered Okra with Shrimp
Savory Spicerack | Po’ Boys with Cajun Tempura Shrimp
Chocolate For Basil | Groundnut Stew (Peanut Stew)
BLACK HISTORY MONTH VIRTUAL POTLUCK (CONT.)
Simply LaKita | Banana Pudding
My Forking Life | Callaloo and Saltfish
Kaluhi’s Kitchen | Ukwaju (Tamarind) Marinated Spicy Chicken Thighs
Sweet Savant | Coffee-Rubbed Lamb Ribs
Salty Sweet Life | Southern Greens Shakshuka
Eat.Drink.Frolic. | Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
I Heart Recipes | Southern Fried Cabbage
Jehan Can Cook | Mango Turmeric Smoothie
BLACK HISTORY MONTH VIRTUAL POTLUCK (CONT.)
Margarita’s On The Rocks | Lemon Pepper Fish Tacos with Collard Green Slaw
A Soulful Twist | Slow-Cooker Gumbo (Gluten Free)
The Kitchenista Diaries | Coconut Milk Braised Collard Greens
My Life Runs On Food | Orange Chocolate Smoothie
Butter Be Ready | Skillet Cornbread
D.M.R. Fine Foods | Curry Chicken Pot Pie
The Inner Gourmet | Lamb Fried Rice
Marisa Moore Nutrition | Hoppin’ John Patties with Warm Tomato Salsa
The Hungry Hutch | Blood Orange Cornmeal Cake
Ingredients
- Shrimp:
- 2 pounds large shrimp (cleaned, peeled, Deveined)
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons creole seasoning
- Shrimp Breading:
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoon creole seasoning
- 1 and 1/2 cup club soda or beer
- 3 cups panko crumbs
- Remoulade Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 minced (finely chopped) garlic
- 3 teaspoons prepared horseradish (not the creamy one)
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoons whole grain mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon creole season
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt to taste
- Toppings:
- 8 French Rolls
- 2 thinly slice tomatoes
- Shredded Iceberg Lettuce
- Pickles
Instructions
- Add the 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of creole seasoning to the shrimp, mix well. Set aside to marinate a bit while you make the shrimp batter and sauce.
- Mix all of the ingredients well for the remoulade sauce in a small bowl, cover, place in refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the sandwiches.
- Next make the batter for the shrimp. Mix together all of the batter's dry ingredients (excluding the panko crumbs) in a large bowl. Then, mix in the beer or club soda.
- Add your seasoned shrimp to the batter, coat the shrimp well. Let the shrimp sit in the batter for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
- While the shrimp are marinating, place vegetable oil into a deep fryer per your deep fryer's instructions. Allow the grease to heat to 350 degrees.
- After the shrimp have marinated, take each shrimp and dredge it into the panko crumbs. Then place them on a lined cooling rack. Let the shrimp sit for about 5 minutes, this allows for the coating to adhere to the shrimp.
- Place the shrimp (small batches at a time). Cook each batch for about 3 to 4 minutes until they are golden brown.
- Place the cooked shrimp on a lined cooling rack to drain the grease while you finish cooking the entire batch of shrimp.
- Assemble the sandwiches with sauce, shrimp, pickles, tomatoes, and shrimp.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
You can do a lot of your prep for this recipe the day before.
The day before you can season the shrimp, make the sauce, and the dry batter. Just add your beer or club soda to the batter mixture when you are ready to cook the shrimp.
When dredging your shrimp in the panko crumbs, only add a cup of panko crumbs to a bowl at a time. This prevents your panko crumbs from clumping up while you dredge all of the shrimp.
Alternative Prep and Cooking Style for Shrimp:
If you want a lighter batter, less batter ingredients, or don't want to use beer, try this batter prep/method:
Season shrimp (I used 1 pound of large shrimp) with 1/2 teaspoon of creole seasoning. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes, preferably a little longer if you have time.
When ready to fry shrimp, pour 1 and 1/4 cups of buttermilk over the shrimp.
Mix 2 teaspoons of creole seasoning in 1 and 1/2 cups of all purpose flour.
Dredge the shrimp in the flour, then dip the shrimp back into the buttermilk.
Now dip the shrimp into the panko crumbs. Then, proceed with the rest of the recipe.
Thanks for stopping by! Welcome to the Savory Spicerack! The place where I share recipes that fulfill my never ending cravings, and inspirations. If you want to get into more of the details of how this all started and who I am, just click the link for all the gossip!