Crisp Shrimp Fritters Tortillitas De Camarones Food

SHRIMP FRITTERS WITH CORNICHON DRESSING

Steps:

• For the cornichon dressing: In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, cornichons, Dijon mustard, mustard powder, tarragon and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the shrimp fritters: Heat about 1 1/2 inches vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot until a deep-fry thermometer inserted in the oil registers 350 degrees F.
• In a small mixing bowl, whip the egg whites to medium peaks; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine the shrimp, scallions, zucchini, garlic and jalapenos and set aside.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and paprika in a medium bowl. Whisk in the egg yolks and enough of the buttermilk so the mixture is thick and not runny (adjust the amount accordingly). Season with salt and pepper. Fold the shrimp mixture into the batter, followed by the egg whites just to incorporate.
• Drop the fritters into the oil in batches using a small scoop or spoon, about 1 tablespoon each. Cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes, then drain on paper towels. Immediately season with salt. Serve with the cornichon dressing.

CRUNCHY SHRIMP FRITTERS

Steps:

• Grate 1 teaspoon zest from lemon, then cut in half. Place both halves and 4 cups water in a saucepan; bring to a boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. Add shrimp; return to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until just cooked through, about 1 minute. Drain; let cool 15 minutes. Peel and cut into a 1/4-inch dice (about 1 1/2 cups).
• Heat 1 1/2 inches oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium until a deep-fry thermometer reads 350°F. Whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and lemon zest. Whisk seltzer and egg into dry ingredients. (Batter should have the consistency of thick honey. If too thick, add more seltzer; if too thin, add 1 tablespoon rice flour.) Stir in shrimp.
• Working in batches, and using two tablespoons (one to scoop, one to scrape), drop batter in oil. Fry, turning occasionally, until cooked through and golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes, adjusting heat as needed to keep oil between 340° and 350°. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet; sprinkle with salt. Serve immediately with tartar sauce and lemon wedges and zest.

CRISP SHRIMP FRITTERS - TORTILLITAS DE CAMARONES

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the shrimp with water to cover and bring to a boil over high heat. As soon as the water starts to boil, quickly lift out the shrimp with a slotted spoon and set aside. Scoop out 1 cup of the cooking water and let cool. Discard the remaining water. When the shrimp are cool, cover and refrigerate until needed.
• To make the batter, combine the flour, parsley, scallions and pimenton in a bowl or a food processor. Add a pinch of salt and the cooled cooking water. Mix or process well until you obtain a texture slightly thicker than a pancake batter. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Remove the shrimp from the refrigerator and mince finely. The pieces should be the size of coffee grounds. Remove the batter from the refrigerator, add the shrimp, and mix well.
• Pour the oil to a depth of about 1 inch into a heavy saute pan and heat over high heat until it is almost smoking (around 365 degrees). Add 1 tablespoon of the batter to the oil for each fritter and, using the back of the spoon, immediately flatten the batter into a round 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Do not crowd the pan. Fry, turning once, for about 1 minute on each side, or until the fritters are golden and very crisp with what Spanish cooks call puntillas, or lacelike formations, on the borders.
• Using a slotted spoon, lift out the fritters, holding them briefly over the pan to allow the excess oil to drain, and transfer to an ovenproof platter lined with paper towels to drain further. Keep the fritters warm in a low oven. Fry the rest of the batter in the same way, always making sure the oil is very hot before frying more fritters. When all the fritters are fried, arrange them on a platter and serve immediately.