Buffalo Shrimp: spicy, crunchy and good for snacking or salad!

Buffalo Shrimp

Got a big pigskin party coming up?  Would you like something other than traditional wings?  How about crunchy, spicy buffalo shrimp?  These are so quick and easy that you can make enough to feed a crowd!  A delicate tempura-type coating encases the tender, spicy shrimp.  Try them piled on a plate to pass, or serve them on a bed of crunchy salad greens with celery and homemade blue cheese dressing.  

Ingredients for two servings (1/4 pound each)

• 1/2 pound of medium or larger shrimp, peeled and cleaned
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 tablespoons of tabasco or your favorite vinegar-based hot sauce
• [really, really optional:  1 teaspoon honey for the wimps out there who can't take the heat!]
• 1/2 cup of corn starch
• oil for frying
• optional:  salt for sprinkling

Peel and clean the shrimp.  I like to cut along the back of the shrimp from head end first with kitchen scissors and then slide off the peel and remove the “vein” all at once.  Pile the shrimp in a glass bowl and add everything except the corn starch and oil.  Marinate the shrimp for at least an hour.

Drain the shrimp,  not bothering to make them really dry.  We want some of that spicy goodness to cling to them!  Dredge the shrimp in the corn starch, taking care to keep the corn starch as dry as possible.

Buffalo Shrimp

Set the shrimp aside for a few minutes and then heat your oil to about 350-375 degrees F.  I actually use a wok for small batches of this recipe, but a deep Dutch oven would work well if you’re feeding a crowd.  Fry the shrimp, a few at a time, for a couple of minutes until both sides are golden.  Be careful; shrimp always cook quickly!  Drain carefully as you remove the shrimp and sprinkle lightly with salt if you want.

Serve with blue cheese dressing, made simply of buttermilk, mayonnaise,  and about crumbled blue cheese.  Use about 1/3 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, and 2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese for about 2/3 cup dressing.  If you want to herb it up, try adding snipped chives or even a good quality ranch dressing mix like Simply Organic if you want.  (No, they’re not paying me.  I just like the product.)

Ingredients per pound of shrimp

• 1 pound of medium or larger shrimp, peeled and cleaned
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 4 tablespoons of tabasco or your favorite vinegar-based hot sauce
• [really, really optional:  2 teaspoons honey for the wimps out there who can't take the heat!]
• 2/3 cup corn starch
• oil for frying
• optional:  salt for sprinkling

Ingredients per four pounds of shrimp

• 4 pounds of medium or larger shrimp, peeled and cleaned
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1 cup of tabasco or your favorite vinegar-based hot sauce
• [really, really optional:  1-2 tablespoons honey for the wimps out there who can't take the heat!]
• 3 cups corn starch
• oil for frying
• optional:  salt for sprinkling

buffalo shrimp salad, awaiting blue cheese dressing

Copyright 2011 Ozarkhomesteader, including photographs.

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