Shrimp Toast

Shrimp toast, sometimes called prawn toast, is a common Chinese dim sum dish; although I went to dim sum yesterday and they didn’t have any.  Boo.

This version has a sprinkling of sesame seeds on top, which is a variation used frequently here in the US, in the UK and Australia.  You can bake instead of deep frying, but deep frying tastes better... always.

Ingredients for 16 pieces

8 slices of sandwich bread

shrimp mixture

1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/2 cup water chestnuts

2 T cornstarch

2 t rice wine

2 stalks green onion, finely sliced

1 t salt

1 T sesame seeds

1 tsp paprika

green onion, for garnish

hot oil, for deep frying

Method

1. 1.Trim crust off each piece of bread and slice diagonally into two triangles.  You should have 16 pieces.  Duh.
2. 2.In a food processor combine all ingredients for shrimp mixture and pulse into a paste.  You should chop the green onion (scallion) ahead of time because it doesn’t always process well and you want small pieces.  Just do it.
3. 3.Make sure you have some 325-350 degree oil ready to fry.
4. 4.Spread the shrimp mixture evenly among the 16 pieces of bread, making sure it covers the whole surface and is slightly mounded up in the middle.  Be generous. 
5. 5.Sprinkle paprika and sesame seeds on the shrimp mixture and push in gently (otherwise the seeds will just float off in the oil)
6. 6.Drop the bread pieces, shrimp side down into the oil and fry for 25-30 seconds.
7. 7.Turn over and fry on the other side for 25-30 seconds, until light golden brown.
8. 8.Turn one more time and cook the shrimp for a few more seconds if its not golden brown in color.
9. 9.Remove from oil onto paper towels to drain.  Serve hot with sweet chili sauce and garnish with green onion slices.