A CRISPY SHRIMP IN ORANGE CREAM SAUCE STORY
This recipe was inspired from an entrée I got at a Chinese restaurant off Times Square, many years ago, whose name I so unfortunately forget; despite this memorable dish. A Crispy Shrimp in Orange Cream Sauce Story, as its name infers, is self-explanatory; pork jowls simmered in bitter ale with onions and served over roasted potato wedges. Kidding. Truthfully, it wasn’t rife with Asian flavor—a hint of garlic and sesame oil, some crushed peanuts and scallions for garnish; that was it. It was the sauce, however. This simple, rich, but delicate, nay FRA-GEE-LAY, orange infused sauce that gleamed about crisp, tender shrimp is what dreams are made on. My recipe comes together exclusively via sensory recall, and, yes, was a part of my ‘A Christmas Story’ dinner from holiday meals past.
PREP/COOK TIME: 30 Minutes
Makes 4 Servings
INGREDIENTS
1 Lb – U15 Shrimp, Peeled and Deveined
1 Tbs – Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce
3 Tsp – Sesame Oil
½ Tsp – Coarse Black Pepper
2 Cups – Buttermilk
1 Cup – All Purpose Flour
1 Cup – Panko Bread Crumbs
1 ½ Cups – Vegetable Oil
2 Cups – Heavy Cream
2 or 3 – Mandarin Oranges
1 Tsp – Garlic, Peeled, Finely Grated
Pinch of Salt
½ Lb – Broccoli Crowns, Cleaned, Cut Into Florets and Steamed
1 Stalk – Scallions, Stems and Leaves, Chopped For Garnish
1 Tbs – Dry Roasted Peanuts, Crushed, For Garnish
THE NITTY GRITTY
Preheat oven at 250 degrees. In a large bowl, combine shrimp, soy sauce, 1 tsp of sesame oil and pepper; marinate for 10 minutes before adding buttermilk. In another bowl, combine flour and panko. Dredge shrimp from buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; alternating twice. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, or non-stick pan, heat oil at high. Fry shrimp in batches; about 2 – 3 minutes each side, or till golden. Transfer shrimp to paper towels to drain oily excess before placing them on a baking sheet with a wired rack; keeping them warm in the oven to prepare sauce. In another pan, heat cream with 4 – 5 strips of orange zest and 3 tbs of juice at high. Add garlic and cook till fragrant. Let sauce simmer, whisking occasionally, till lightly thickened, about 3 – 4 minutes. Remove zest; add pinch of salt and remaining teaspoons of sesame oil. Serve shrimp over steamed broccoli; blanket lovingly with sauce. Garnish with scallions and peanuts and enjoy!
DECEMBER 9, 2018
