Golden Crispy Shanghai Shrimp Balls

Crispy Shrimp Croquettes, Shanghai Style

Description: These crispy shrimp croquettes are perfect for snacking or serving as an appetizer! They can even be prepared ahead of time, frozen, and reheated in a 350°F oven for a quick and convenient treat.

Recipe Category: Lunch/Snacks

Keywords: Chinese, Asian, Kid Friendly, < 30 Mins, < 15 Mins, Beginner Cook, Deep Fried, Easy 🍤🥓🍚

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 53.7
• Fat: 0.8g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1g
• Cholesterol: 69.1mg
• Sodium: 310.8mg
• Carbohydrates: 0.6g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 0.1g
• Protein: 10g

Time Table:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shrimp, finely chopped or processed
• 2 slices fatty bacon
• 3 tablespoons tapioca starch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/8 cup rice wine
• 1 tablespoon Szechuan peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• Ginger juice (squeeze ginger in garlic press)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Shrimp Mixture:

   • Begin by chopping the shrimp into a fine paste, or use a food processor for quicker preparation.

2. Prepare Bacon Mixture:

   • In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy.
   • Add the bacon to the egg whites and continue beating for an additional 2 minutes until well combined.

3. Combine Ingredients:

   • To the bacon and egg mixture, add the prepared shrimp paste, tapioca starch, 1 teaspoon of salt, white pepper, and rice wine.
   • Squeeze ginger in a garlic press, collecting the juice, and add it to the mixture.
   • Thoroughly mix all ingredients until well combined.

4. Heat Oil:

   • Heat a wok until very hot, then add 2 cups of peanut oil and reduce the heat to medium.

5. Form Croquettes:

   • Dip a measuring tablespoon into cold water to prevent sticking, then use it to spoon out portions of the mixture, forming them into balls.

6. Fry Croquettes:

   • Carefully drop each ball into the hot oil.
   • Fry the croquettes for about 2 minutes or until they float and become fluffy, ensuring to turn them to cook evenly. Be cautious not to overcook.

7. Drain and Serve:

   • Once cooked, remove the croquettes from the oil and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

8. Prepare Dip:

   • Serve the crispy shrimp croquettes with a delicious peppercorn-salt dip.
   • Simply mix 1/4 cup of coarse salt with 2 tablespoons of Szechuan peppercorns to create the dip.

Enjoy these delightful Shanghai-style crispy shrimp croquettes as a delightful snack or appetizer, perfect for any occasion! 🍤✨