what is in shrimp toast

Demystifying Shrimp Toast Exploring the Popular Chinese Appetizer’s Secret Ingredients

Crispy on the outside, savory on the inside – shrimp toast is a favorite Chinese appetizer that you’ve likely tried at restaurants or takeout joints. But have you ever wondered what exactly is in those delicious triangular toasts?

Shrimp toast is a fusion of Chinese and Western flavors, taking a beloved Cantonese shrimp paste and sandwiching it between slices of bread. While simple in concept, perfecting the flavor and texture of shrimp toast requires the right combination of ingredients in the shrimp mixture.

Let’s explore the main components that give shrimp toast its signature taste and texture

Shrimp
Obviously shrimp is the star ingredient in shrimp toast! The shrimp is finely chopped or ground to create a paste-like consistency that can spread evenly on the bread. Using whole shrimp pieces would make the texture too chunky.

Smaller shrimp is ideal for shrimp toast, since the size doesn’t matter once they’re minced. Opt for a 1⁄2 pound of 51/60 count shrimp per 1 pound of shrimp paste. Remove the shells, tails, veins and any debris before chopping.

To avoid mushiness, it’s important not to overprocess the shrimp into a puree. Retain a bit of texture in the final mixture.

Pork Fat (Optional)
Some traditional shrimp toast recipes call for adding pork fat to the shrimp mixture. About 1 ounce of fat per 1⁄2 pound of shrimp is typical.

The pork fat adds rich flavor and keeps the shrimp mixture moist, while not significantly changing the texture if used sparingly. Feel free to leave it out if you’d prefer to keep it lighter.

Garlic and Ginger
Garlic and ginger add aromatic flavor to shrimp toast without overpowering the shrimp.

Minced garlic and grated fresh ginger complement the shrimp perfectly. Use about 2 cloves garlic and 1 teaspoon grated ginger per 1⁄2 pound of shrimp.

ScallionsScallions balance the warmer garlic and ginger flavors with fresh, grassy notes Chopped scallions add crunchy texture and freshness to the spread 2 to 3 chopped scallions per 1⁄2 pound of shrimp is ideal.

Cilantro
Fresh cilantro brightens up shrimp toast with herbal flavor. Chopped cilantro also lends color and texture. Use around 1⁄4 cup packed chopped cilantro per 1⁄2 pound shrimp.

Egg White
A single egg white helps bind the shrimp mixture, making it easier to spread on the bread without crumbling. The egg white also promotes browning when pan-fried.

Salt and White Pepper
Salt enhances the shrimp flavor, while white pepper provides spicy notes without visual flecks. Use a moderate 1⁄2 teaspoon salt and 1⁄4 teaspoon ground white pepper so it doesn’t overwhelm the shrimp and other ingredients.

Sugar
Just a small amount of sugar balances out any harsh flavors. 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar per 1⁄2 pound shrimp mixture is plenty.

Cornstarch
Cornstarch is key for keeping the shrimp mixture cohesive when pan-frying the toasts. It helps bind the mixture so the shrimp doesn’t fall off the bread. 2 teaspoons cornstarch per 1⁄2 pound shrimp paste gives it structure.

Bread
Traditional shrimp toast uses simple white sandwich bread. The soft, airy texture readily absorbs the shrimp mixture. Sturdy enough to handle pan-frying, yet also able to yield a crispy exterior.

Feel free to experiment with different breads! Brioche, challah, potato bread, or even baguette can work. Just adjust thickness and cook times as needed.

Sesame Oil
A touch of toasted sesame oil adds nutty aroma and defines the Asian flavor profile. Use just 1⁄4 teaspoon per 1⁄2 pound shrimp paste so it complements the other ingredients.

Sesame Seeds
Toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top add crunch and reinforce the sesame flavor. Lightly press them into the shrimp mixture so they adhere. Black or white sesame seeds can be used.

Frying Oil
Neutral vegetable, canola, peanut, or vegetable oil is best for frying shrimp toast. Add just enough oil to coat the pan bottom—around 1⁄8 inch depth. Shallow frying in a little oil makes them crispy and golden brown.

The Proportions Matter!
Achieving the perfect texture and flavor requires the right proportions of each ingredient. Follow a tested recipe, rather than throwing in random amounts.

Every component serves a purpose. The shrimp provides the main flavor, pork fat lends richness, aromatics add complexity, and binders allow it to come together. A balanced shrimp toast filling spreads smoothly and fries up crispy.

Tips for Making Shrimp Toast:

• Chop the shrimp into a paste, being careful not to over-process into mush.

• Mix all ingredients except bread thoroughly before spreading.

• Spread filling evenly on bread, all the way to the edges to prevent burning.

• Pan-fry gently in small batches, flipping once, until crisp and golden brown.

• Work in small batches to maintain oil temperature, around 350°F.

• Drain on paper towels and serve shrimp toast immediately while hot and crispy.

• For larger batches, keep warm in oven at 200°F on a wire rack lined sheet.

Now that you know what exactly is in shrimp toast and how to balance the ingredients, you can master this crowd-pleasing appetizer at home. Impress guests with your own homemade version that’s fresher and cheaper than takeout!

Once you have the basic shrimp paste recipe down, get creative with additions like water chestnuts, mushrooms, or other vegetables. Spice it up with sriracha or other hot sauces in the mixture.

The possibilities are endless for customizing shrimp toast by playing with proportions, additions, and substitutions while keeping the essential ingredients as the base.

With the right shrimp paste as the foundation, shrimp toast is sure to be a hit however you prepare it!

Classic Shrimp Toast Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1⁄2 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed
• 1 ounce pork fat, optional
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 scallions, finely chopped
• 1⁄4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 egg white
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 4 slices white sandwich bread
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, pulse together the shrimp, pork fat, garlic, ginger, scallions, cilantro, egg white, salt, pepper, sugar and cornstarch until a paste forms. Be careful not to overprocess into a puree.

2. Spread the shrimp mixture evenly over the slices of bread. Sprinkle the top with sesame seeds and lightly press them in.

3. Cut each bread slice into 4 triangles.

4. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the shrimp toasts in batches until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.

5. Drain on paper towels and serve warm. Enjoy!

The Perfect Shrimp Toast Ratio

When making shrimp toast, the ideal ratio combines equal parts shrimp and bread by weight.

Follow this simple formula:

• 1⁄2 pound shrimp
• 1⁄2 pound bread

This basic 1:1 shrimp to bread ratio ensures you have enough of both main components to make around 16 appetizer-sized toasts:

• 1⁄2 pound shrimp to provide ample flavor
• 4 slices bread to hold the shrimp mixture

Adjust the recipe up or down using a 1:1 ratio. Use this handy cheat sheet:

• 1⁄4 pound shrimp, 1⁄4 pound bread = 8 toasts
• 1⁄2 pound shrimp, 1⁄2 pound bread = 16 toasts
• 3⁄4 pound shrimp, 3⁄4 pound bread = 24 toasts
• 1 pound shrimp, 1 pound bread = 32 toasts

When preparing shrimp toast for a party, double, triple or quadruple the basic recipe as needed while maintaining the ideal 1:1 shrimp-to-bread ratio. This prevents you from having too much or too little of either key ingredient.

Follow this simple math, and you’ll have the perfect amount of shrimp mixture to spread onto the bread and fry up delicious shrimp toast every time!

Shrimp Toast Cooking Tips

Master these essential tips for crisp, flavorful shrimp toast straight from the wok:

• Pat shrimp dry before processing to prevent a mushy paste.

• Lightly coat both sides of the shrimp toast in oil before frying.

• Use a thin spatula to gently press and flatten the toasts as they fry.

• Fry in batches to maintain oil temperature around 350°F.

• Fry seam-side down first, then flip to brown the second side.

• Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.

• Enjoy shrimp toast immediately while hot and crispy!

• Keep warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack if not serving all at once.