Easy Shrimp Toast Recipe

Fry thick slices of toast coated with a shrimp and scallion mixture until crunchy and golden, then serve topped with a vibrant cucumber salad and two sweet and spicy condiments in this Thai-inspired ode to the dim sum favorite.
shrimp-toast-nick-recipe (1)
Photo by Farideh Sadeghin

Makes: 4 toasts
Prep time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes 

INGREDIENTS

for the shrimp toast:
1 (1 ¼-ounce|35-gram) pack bean thread noodles
1 pound|450 grams peeled and deveined shrimp
3 scallions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
fish sauce, to taste
4 (½-inch) thick slices white pullman loaf
vegetable oil, for frying

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for the mango sweet chili sauce:
¾ cup|200 grams sambal olek
6 tablespoons|75 grams granulated sugar
1 mango, peeled, seeded, and roughly chopped

for the piperade:
¼ cup|50 grams palm sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small orange bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely diced
1 small red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
kosher salt, to taste

for the cucumber salad:
½ English cucumber
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
kosher salt, to taste

to garnish: 
¼ cup|2 grams mint, leaves picked and roughly chopped
¼ cup|2 grams cilantro, leaves picked and roughly chopped    
¼ cup|3 grams Thai basil, leaves picked and roughly chopped

DIRECTIONS

  1. Prepare the filling: Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the noodles and blanch until tender, 1 to 2 minutes, then strain and run under cold water. Roughly chop into small pieces and transfer to a large bowl.
  2. Place the shrimp, scallions, and garlic into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until ground; it should be smooth enough to spread. Transfer to the bowl with the noodles along with the sugar, fish sauce, salt, and black pepper and mix to combine. Season to taste with the fish sauce. Spread the shrimp filling evenly over the slices of bread, then refrigerate at least 1 hour, or until ready to fry. 
  3. Make the mango sweet chili sauce: Combine the chili sauce and sugar in a blender and purée until smooth, then add the mango and continue to purée until completely smooth. Set aside until ready to use.
  4. Make the piperade: In a small saucepan, combine the palm sugar and ¼ cup|60 ml water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until reduced and sticky, about 5 minutes.
  5. In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over high. Add the bell peppers and garlic and cook until just soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt, then add the palm sugar-water mixture. Stir to combine and set aside until ready to use.
  6. Make the cucumber salad: Slice the cucumbers into 3-inch ribbons on a mandolin, then toss in a large bowl with the red onion and olive oil and season to taste with salt. Set aside until ready to use.
  7. Meanwhile, heat 3-inches of oil in a large Dutch oven until a deep-fry thermometer reads 350°F. Working in batches, fry the toasts, flipping once, until golden and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Use a spider to submerge the toast completely in the oil during frying. When finished, drain well over a rack or pat down with a paper towel.
  8. To serve, cut the toasts into 4 to 6 pieces and place on a serving platter. Drizzle mango sauce over slices and garnish with the cucumber salad, piperade, and herbs.

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