Recipe: Shrimp Toast

SHRIMP TOAST
Source: Art of the Cocktail Party: The Complete Guide to Sophisticated Entertaining by Leslie Brenner
Makes 40 hors d'oeuvres

These pupu platter standards are spectacularly delicious with cocktails, and they re quick and easy as well, unless you re afraid of frying. In that case counseling may be available in your area. Shrimp toast are best served immediately, but they're still very good if you fry them ahead of rime, keep them covered in the fridge, and reheat for 5 minutes in a 300F oven. They may also be frozen, and popped right into a preheated 325F oven for 15 minutes.

1/2 pound raw shrimp, shelled and deveined
3 tablespoons chopped water chestnuts
1 teaspoon minced ginger root
1 tablespoon slightly beaten egg
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/3 cup sesame seeds
10 slices white bread
A bout 24 ounces peanut oil, or enough to fill a skillet about one inch

Cut the crusts off the slices of bread and set aside (up to a few hours) to let them dry out a little.

Finely chop shrimp, together with water chestnuts and ginger, or combine them in the bowl of the food processor and pu1se 8-10 times until finely chopped (do not over process). Stir in the soy sauce, egg, and cornstarch, and combine well.

Spread the mixture onto the pieces of bread, and cut each one into quarters (half of them in square shares. and half in triangles).

Pour the sesame seeds onto a small plate. Take one of the squares, and press it, shrimp paste side down. into the sesame seeds. Repeat for half the squares and half the triangles: leave the rest plain. (Note: May be prepared up to this point up to 2 hours before serving. Wrap in plastic and keen refrigerated.)

Heat the oil until very hot, but not smoking. To test, drop a few bread crumbs in - they should sizzle right away. Fry the squares and triangles, a few at a time by lowering them paste side down with a slotted spoon into the oil. Fry until golden brown. 1 minute or less, then flip, them over, and fry for just a few seconds on the other side. Drain on paper towels.