Crispy Coconut Shrimp with Marmalade-Mustard Dipping Sauce

When it's rainy and chilly sometimes I crave something sort of tropical tasting ~ good old Coconut Shrimp fits the craving and this is my very favorite way of making them. Deliciously crispy and crunchy, they are almost addictive.

Superior to the restaurant version, best of all you can make (eat!) as many as you want at a fraction of the cost.

They make spectacular party appetizers with a tropical drink.

Serve them with any dipping sauce you prefer, but I hope you'll try this one. It's my all time favorite for Coconut Shrimp. You don't have to add the mustard seeds to the dipping sauce, but I never make this without them, they add a spicy little pop of flavor and textural interest.

If you've had problems in the past with the coconut not adhering to the shrimp, try chilling before frying as described below. I think you'll be surprised at how well this works. Added bonus: By chilling first, you can assemble ahead and just fry them before serving making these managable for entertaining (but make sure to make plenty!)

Crispy Coconut Shrimp * with Marmalade -Mustard Dipping Sauce

6 Servings (More like 3 servings at my house)

1 egg

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2/3 cup beer

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

additional 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (you may need more)

2 cups flaked coconut (Sometimes you need more than this, so have extra on hand)

About 20 to 26 or so shrimp (depending upon size), raw, peeled, with tail left on

3 cups oil for deep frying (I use a small electric fryer, but you can fry these stove top, too.)

Method:

Preparation-

• Line a shallow rimmed baking pan with a piece of waxed paper, set aside. (Or use 2 smaller trays, you will need to fit these inside your refrigerator for chilling)
• Paper towels for draining any excess oil from cooked shrimp.
• Make the dipping sauce & refrigerate

To prepare the shrimp for frying:

In medium bowl, combine egg, 1/2 cup flour, beer and baking powder.

Place 1/2 cup flour in a shallow container

Place the coconut in a separate shallow container

Holding shrimp by tail, dredge in flour, shaking off excess flour. Dip in egg/beer batter; allow excess to drip off. Roll & press the shrimp in the coconut, then place in a single layer, not touching each other, on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours. Chilling is crucial to assure the coconut stays on the shrimp during frying.

Secrets for the best results:

You will get the very best results if you allow the shrimp to chill for about 15 to 20 minutes after coating them in the batter & coconut, then remove shrimp from fridge and press the batter/coconut to the shrimp with your fingers to encourage it to stick to the shrimp, then put the tray(s) back into the refrigerator and continue chilling for at least an additional 20 minutes until you are ready to fry them.

When ready to fry:

Heat oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in a deep-fryer, or in a deep pot on the stove top using a deep fat thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil.

Fry shrimp in SMALL batches (coconut burns easily), by cooking in small batches you can monitor more closely.

Fry them, turning once, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown.

Using tongs or wire strainer, remove shrimp to paper towels to drain. Serve warm with dipping sauce.

* Just a note:

If you omit the coconut this recipe makes a top notch version of Chinese-Style Fried Prawns as served in Chinese-American restaurants.

To make: Simply dip the raw shrimp in flour, shake off excess, dip in the batter allowing excess to drip off, then fry in the hot oil. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Yum, yum!

Orange Marmalade-Mustard Dipping Sauce

Makes about 1/2 cup

1/2 cup orange marmalade

2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon good-quality prepared horseradish

1 teaspoon whole mustard seeds (In the Herb/Spice aisle)

Mix all in a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until serving time. Can be made well ahead of time.