Firecracker Shrimp Roll with Crab Aioli
Description
Chef John's explosively seasoned po' boy-style firecracker shrimp roll with crab aioli recipe pairs hot buttermilk-battered shrimp with cold, crab aioli.
Ingredients
•
1 cup mayonnaise
•
1 cup lump crabmeat
•
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
•
2 cloves garlic, finely crushed
•
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
•
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
•
1 pinch cayenne pepper
•
salt to taste
•
2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
•
1 cup buttermilk
•
2 teaspoons hot sauce
•
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
•
2 teaspoons kosher salt
•
1 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
•
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
•
1 cup all-purpose flour
•
1/3 cup cornmeal
•
2 teaspoons paprika
•
2 teaspoons kosher salt
•
6 soft sandwich rolls
•
2 cups thinly sliced romaine lettuce
•
canola oil for frying
•
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Directions
1
Combine mayonnaise, crabmeat, tarragon, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 pinch cayenne pepper in a bowl; season with salt and stir to combine. Refrigerate aioli until ready to use.
2
Remove tails from shrimp; refrigerate until ready to use.
3
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4
Whisk buttermilk, hot sauce, 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, ground chipotle, and black pepper together in a bowl; set aside. Combine flour, cornmeal, paprika, and 2 teaspoons kosher salt in a shallow dish; set aside.
5
Slice sandwich rolls partway; split open. Scoop out some bread from tops. Toast in the preheated oven until crisp, 7 to 10 minutes.
6
Soak shrimp in buttermilk mixture for about 5 minutes.
7
Meanwhile, heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Spread crab aioli generously over both sides of each roll; top with sliced lettuce. Toss shrimp in cornmeal mixture to coat; shake off excess.
8
Lower shrimp carefully into the hot oil in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate; immediately transfer shrimp to rolls. Sprinkle cayenne pepper on top. Repeat with remaining shrimp.