Masala Shrimp Toast with Sweet Chili-Tamarind Sauce
A dim sum favorite meets South Asian flavors.
Happy almost new year, food lovers! For my final newsletter of 2023, I’m sharing a pitch-and-release recipe that’s been simmering in the back of my brain for a while. This recipe was picked by a major publication (that shall remain unnamed) last year—I even started testing it!—however, when my editor left, the new guard nixed the three recipes I was working on, including this one for Masala Shrimp Toast. But, damn it’s good. Truly, this dim sum-South Asian mashup is just too delicious not to share!
Inspired by the iconic Cantonese dish—which originated in China’s Guangdong Province and now has become a beloved bite on dim sum carts and Chinese takeout menus across the world—these toasts start with the usual Hong Kong-style shrimp toast suspects: Shrimp, egg white, cilantro, garlic, and ginger. Then, some South Asian flavor joins the party with cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds, plus turmeric, Kashmiri chilies, and fresh serrano pepper for subtle, verdant heat.
The paste is spread on white bread, dipped in a mixture of sesame and nigella seeds (hello, textural fun!), and shallow fried until deeply golden and oh-so-crisp. Savory, spicy, plush, and crunchy all at the same time, the toasts are served with a homemade sweet chili sauce that gets layered tang from both rice wine vinegar and tamarind concentrate. They’re perfect for any New Year’s Eve festivities and love a glass of bubbly. And, bonus, if you’re looking for more fantastic fête-worthy bites, I’ve included four of my favorite 4-ingredient-or-less appetizers + sparkling wine pairings at the end of this newsletter!
This recipe is for paid subscribers. As a special gift for you—annual paid subscriptions are 20% off through December 31st, 2023! Just follow this special link. You’ll get exclusive access to recipes like this shrimp toast, plus all the archives, which includes delectable delights like Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi, Sticky Rice Cabbage Rolls, and Southwest Cobb Salad. Plus, I’ve got plenty of tasty recipes planned for 2024!
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