1. Shell and devein shrimp; then mince with water chestnuts and ginger root. Beat egg lightly. Mix minced ingredients and egg with cornstarch, sherry, salt and pepper; blend well.
2. Trim off bread crusts. Spread shrimp mixture evenly over bread, then cut each slice in 4 squares or triangles. (To prevent shrimp mixture from sticking to knife during spreading, dip blade first in cold water.)
3. Heat oil to smoking. Place bread, shrimp side down, on a slotted spoon; then gently lower into oil. Reduce heat slightly and deep-fry a few pieces at a time, until bread is golden (about 1-1/2 minutes). Turn each piece over and deep-fry a few seconds more. Drain on paper toweling. Serve hot.
NOTE: This dish, served originally at Chinese banquets, is excellent as an hors d'oeuvre or cocktail-party snack. (For best results, use bread that's at least 2 days old: it will absorb less oil.) Shrimp toast may be prepared in advance and kept warm by being placed, uncovered, on a cookie sheet in a slow (275 degree) oven. It may also be frozen, then reheated without thawing in a moderate (350 degree) oven. Leftover shrimp toast may be frozen and reheated in the same manner.
VARIATIONS: For the shrimp, substitute minced crab or lobster.
For the water chestnuts, substitute 1/4 cup celery, minced.
In step 1, mince the shrimp with 1 slice ginger root and half an onion.
Omit water chestnuts. Season as above, but omit cornstarch. Then fold into mixture 2 egg whites, beaten until fluffy but not stiff.
In step 1, add to shrimp mixture 1 bacon strip, minced; or 1/2 scallion stalk, minced.
In step 2, cut bread in 1- by 4- inch strips (these are called Shrimp Straws).
After step 2, glaze the shrimp mixture by brushing it with more beaten egg.
After step 2, press into shrimp mixture a bit of minced ham or parsley. |
