Robin Laub, a Life Stylist

Bastille Day

I have a great new recipe for the French National Day, Bastille Day. Attendez…it’s French fried shrimp with a champagne vinaigrette. Yum! Okay, it’s not truly a French recipe, but it sure is delicious for any celebration! Ha! If you’d like some more traditional French recipes that are easy to prepare, Just Ask! 

 

 

Ingredients

1 pound shrimp (peeled, deveined, with tails on)

1 1/2 cups French-style bread crumbs  

2 eggs  

1/2 tsp salt 

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

1 cup flour 

2 inches deep of vegetable or canola oil

 

Directions

1.    Beat the eggs in a bowl. 

2.    In a second bowl, mix the salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, and flour.

3.    Put the bread crumbs on a plate.

4.    Dredge a couple of shrimp in flour mixture and shake them to get rid of any excess flour.

5.    Place the shrimp in the egg.

6.    Place the egg-covered shrimp into the breadcrumbs until well-coated.

7.    Pour about 2 inches of oil into a heavy pan or pot.

8.    Heat the oil to 350°F. Place a couple of shrimp into the oil and cook for 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp.

9.    Carefully remove the shrimp with a pair of tongs from the hot oil to a paper towel.

10.    Serve with a champagne vinaigrette (see the recipe below).

 

 

For an easy champagne vinaigrette: 

1.    Mix 1/2 to 2 Tbsp of a good champagne vinegar, a squeeze of 1/2 lemon, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp of dry or Dijon mustard, and 6 Tbsp of olive oil. (I also like adding some dried herbs and a big pinch of pepper.) 

2.    Add all of this in a jar with a screw top and shake it to blend it all together. 

 

Place your French fried shrimp on a platter with a clear glass bowl of champagne vinaigrette. Tuck in some fresh herbs around the shrimp and you’ll have a tasty and beautiful treat! 

 

This is a great appetizer served with Duvel Ale.

 

Bon appétit!