Fried Oyster and Shrimp Po' Boys
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 4 po' boys
- Total: 1 hr 5 min
- Prep: 30 min
- Inactive: 15 min
- Cook: 20 min
Ingredients
Donkey Sauce:
1 cup mayonnaise, such as Hellmann's
1/4 cup minced roasted garlic
1 teaspoon regular hot dog mustard
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
4 pinches ground black pepper
Squeeze of lemon juice
Wet Soak:
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons hot sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 egg, beaten
24 medium-size oysters, shucked, liquid reserved (for the shrimp version, substitute 24 medium peeled raw shrimp)
Breading and Frying:
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons granulated garlic
2 to 3 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon hot paprika
1 1/2 cups canola oil
Sandwiches:
4 soft 8-inch French or hoagie rolls, split
3 tablespoons garlic butter, softened (minced roasted garlic mixed with butter)
1 1/2 cups loosely packed shredded green cabbage
1/2 cup thin sliced deli-style dill pickles
2 to 3 red heirloom tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
Directions
- For the donkey sauce: Mix together the mayonnaise, roasted garlic, mustard, salt, Worcestershire, black pepper and lemon juice in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- For the wet soak: In a nonreactive bowl or gallon resealable bag, combine the buttermilk, hot sauce, basil, granulated garlic, white pepper and beaten egg and mix well. Add the oysters (or shrimp) and any liquid from shucking. Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes.
- For the breading and frying: In a shallow bowl, combine the panko, cornmeal, flour, dried basil, granulated garlic, 1 teaspoon of the sea salt, the black pepper, cayenne and paprika and mix well.
- Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil registers 350 degrees F.
- Drain the oysters (or shrimp) from the wet soak and dredge through the breading mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Carefully add to the hot oil in batches (do not crowd) and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove to a paper-towel-lined plate and season with the remaining 1 to 2 teaspoons sea salt while hot.
- For the sandwiches: Preheat the oven to a low broil. Butter the rolls with the garlic butter and place on a baking sheet. Broil until golden, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Spread Donkey Sauce on both halves of each roll. Layer on the oysters, cabbage, pickles and tomatoes and top with the other half of each roll. Serve immediately.