Firecracker Shrimp

Contributors

Cookbook

Everyday Chinese Cooking

Published by Clarkson Potter

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This image courtesy of Bruce Nimmer

This festive appetizer, which is great for a Fourth of July gathering or Chinese New Year celebration, looks just like a firecracker. In China, firecrackers light up the sky on New Year’s Day. Prepare it a day ahead and save the frying step for just after your guests arrive.

Makes12 pieces

Cooking Methodfrying

CostModerate

Total Timeunder 1 hour

Make Ahead RecipeYes

Kid FriendlyYes

OccasionBuffet, Casual Dinner Party, Family Get-together

Recipe Courseappetizer, hors d'oeuvre

Dietary Considerationgluten-free, lactose-free, peanut free, soy free, tree nut free

Equipmentwok

Mealdinner

Moodfestive

Taste and Texturecrisp, hot & spicy, salty, savory

Ingredients

12 large shrimp, in the shell
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic salt, divided
4 sheets spring roll wrappers
24 carrot strips (3 × ¼ inch)
1 egg, beaten
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
3 cups vegetable oil for deep-frying

Instructions

Removing the shells and leaving the tail intact, make a deep cut lengthwise down the back of each shrimp; wash out the sand vein. Place warm water in a bowl and add the salt; stir to dissolve. Place the shrimp in the salt water and swirl. Leave the shrimp in the salt water for 5 minutes, then rinse with cold water, drain, and pat dry on paper towels. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon garlic salt.
Cut each spring roll wrapper into thirds, making 3 long narrow strips.
Place the carrot strips in a small bowl, sprinkle with the remaining ¼ teaspoon garlic salt, and set aside.
Brush the egg at the top of the shrimp. Place 2 carrot strips in the slit of each shrimp. Brush each spring roll strip with egg and roll each shrimp up tightly in the spring roll strip, with the egg holding it together. The tail of the shrimp should be protruding from one end and the carrots from the other-to resemble a firecracker! Continue the process until all the wrappers are rolled with the shrimp and carrots.
To make a dipping sauce, in a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and hot pepper sauce. Set aside.
In a wok, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F. Fry the shrimp rolls until golden brown, about 2 minutes, turning 2 to 3 times. Drain on paper towels. Serve with the dipping sauce.