Classic New Orleans Po' Boy Sandwich

🧂 Ingredients

• 450 g Large shrimp(Peeled and deveined, tails removed)
• 4 rolls New Orleans style French bread(About 6-8 inches each, split lengthwise)
• 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Yellow cornmeal
• 2 tbsp Cajun or Creole seasoning blend(Adjust to your spice preference)
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 3-4 cups Vegetable oil or peanut oil(For frying)
• 2 cups Shredded lettuce(Iceberg or romaine)
• 2 medium Ripe tomatoes(Thinly sliced)
• for serving Dill pickle slices
• for serving Remoulade sauce(Store-bought or homemade)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the dredging station: In a shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper until well combined. This mixture will coat the shrimp, creating a crispy crust.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes
2. 2

   Coat the shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the dredging mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure each shrimp is evenly coated. Shake off any excess coating. Set aside on a plate or wire rack.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes
3. 3

   Heat the oil: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 175°C (350°F). Use a thermometer to ensure the oil is at the correct temperature for optimal frying. If you don't have a thermometer, a small piece of bread dropped in should sizzle immediately and turn golden brown in about 30 seconds.

   ⏱️ 10 minutes
4. 4

   Fry the shrimp: Carefully add the coated shrimp to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the shrimp are golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. The shrimp should float to the surface when done.

   ⏱️ 4-6 minutes per batch
5. 5

   Drain the shrimp: Using a slotted spoon or spider strainer, remove the fried shrimp from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease. This helps maintain their crispiness.

   ⏱️ 1 minute
6. 6

   Prepare the bread: While the shrimp are draining, lightly toast the split French bread rolls. You can do this under a broiler for a minute or two, or in a toaster oven, until they are slightly warm and firm. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy.

   ⏱️ 2 minutes
7. 7

   Assemble the Po' Boys: Spread a generous layer of remoulade sauce on the inside of each toasted bread roll. Pile the crispy fried shrimp onto the bottom half of the rolls. Top with shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and dill pickle slices. Close the sandwiches with the top half of the rolls.

   ⏱️ 3 minutes
8. 8

   Serve immediately: Po' Boys are best enjoyed fresh while the shrimp are still hot and crispy.

   ⏱️ N/A

💡 Pro Tips

• ✓For authentic New Orleans flavor, seek out French bread with a thin, crisp crust and a soft, airy interior.
• ✓The term 'dressed' in New Orleans typically means the sandwich includes lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayonnaise. For this recipe, we're using remoulade sauce, lettuce, tomato, and pickles.
• ✓Ensure your oil is at the correct temperature before frying. Too low, and the shrimp will be greasy; too high, and they'll burn before cooking through.
• ✓Don't overcrowd the pot when frying; this lowers the oil temperature and results in less crispy shrimp.

🔄 Variations

• Oyster Po' Boy: Substitute 450g of shucked oysters, dredged and fried the same way as the shrimp.
• Catfish Po' Boy: Use 450g of catfish fillets, cut into strips, dredged, and fried.
• Add a drizzle of hot sauce to the remoulade for extra kick.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving