Shrimp And Oyster Po Boys Recipes

OYSTER OR SHRIMP PO' BOYS AKA POOR BOYS (COOK'S ILLUSTRATED)

Steps:

• Prep the oysters: Mix the cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper and cayenne together in shallow container. Scoop up about 8 of the oysters using a slotted spoon. Allow the excess fluid to derain off briefly. Scatter the drained oysters across the cornmeal mixture. Shake the container to coat evenly. Transfer them to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the oysters.
• Heat oil in a large Dutch oven, with a candy thermometer attached to the side over high heat until it reaches 375 degrees. Slip half of the oysters carefully into the oil. Cook, stirring and prodding them to keep them from sticking together, until they are golden. It's about 2 minutes. Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels.
• Return the oil to 375 degrees and repeat with remaining oysters.
• To make the sandwich: Hollow out the middle of the bagette pieces. Spread mayo liberally inside each hollow. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Salt and pepper it if desired. Spread the pickles and fried oysters into the bottom crusts. Top each sanddwich with some tomato slices and lettuce leaves, ending with the top bread half (-ves).
• If you want to make shrimp sandwiches, substitute 3/4 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined. Toss them with 1 large egg (slightly beaten). Use that instead of the oysters in their liquor.

SHRIMP AND OYSTER PO'BOY

Steps:

• Cut the French bread in half, crosswise. then cut both of the pieces horizontally in half. Spread the mayo on the bread. Arrange the tomatoes and lettuce on the bottom halves of the bread.
• Put enough oil into a large and heavy-bottomed pot (or electric deep-fryer) to come up halfway on the sides and then heat the oil over high heat until it reaches 360 degrees F. (Be careful!).
• Mix the cornmeal with the Creole seasoning and then add the oysters and shrimp, toss to coat. Shake off any excess breading.
• In batches (no crowding), carefully deep-fry the seafood, turning frequently, until they get a nice golden brown, about 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the seafood to paper towels to drain. Repeat until you've cooked all the seafood.
• Put the warm oysters and shrimp on top of the lettuce and tomatoes, season to taste with the hot sauce and top with the bread tops. Enjoy!

FRIED OYSTER AND SHRIMP PO' BOYS

Steps:

• 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.

SHRIMP AND OYSTER PO'BOYS

Steps:

• Combine the buttermilk and 2 tablespoons hot sauce in a medium bowl. Add the shrimp and oysters and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Meanwhile, make the rémoulade: Combine the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, lemon juice, remaining 2 teaspoons hot sauce, the paprika and garlic powder in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Fill a heavy-bottomed pot with 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350˚ F. Combine the flour, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a shallow baking dish. Remove the shrimp and oysters from the buttermilk one at a time and add to the flour mixture, rolling to fully coat; remove to a plate. Working in 3 batches, add the shrimp and oysters to the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes; return the oil to 350˚ F between batches. Remove to a rack set on a baking sheet. Season lightly with salt.
• Assemble the sandwiches: Spread about 2 tablespoons rémoulade inside the rolls, then add some tomato slices and a handful of shredded lettuce to each. Add the fried shrimp and oysters, then drizzle with more rémoulade. Serve with the lemon wedges.