Chef John's Shrimp Toast

Name: Chef John's Shrimp Toast
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 24 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese, Fusion
Ingredients: 1 whole Anchovy; 1 dash Cayenne Pepper; 1 whole Egg Whites; 1 tsp Fish Sauce; 0.25 cup Fresh Cilantro; 1 tbsp Fresh Ginger; 3 whole Garlic; 0.5 cup Green Onion; 0.5 tsp Paprika; 1 dash Salt; 1 tsp Sesame Seeds; 0.5 lb Shrimp; 1 tbsp Soy Sauce; 4 whole Thick-Sliced White Bread; 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil; 1 cup Vegetable Oil; 0.25 cup Water Chestnut

Appetizer 🧄Snack 🍿 Chinese 🇨🇳Fusion High-Protein 💪Comfort-Food Pescatarian 🐟

Chef John's Shrimp Toast features crisp-fried bread topped with a plush shrimp paste blended with water chestnuts, ginger, garlic, and umami notes from anchovy, fish sauce, and soy. Each bite is crunchy on the outside, tender within, and lightly nutty from sesame seeds. Ideal for cocktail parties or a savory snack, it’s vibrant with green onion freshness.

Prep20 mins
Cook4 mins
Serves4
DifficultyEasy

1

Add the shrimp, water chestnuts, cilantro leaves, green onions, garlic, grated ginger, anchovy filet, sesame oil, fish sauce, soy sauce, egg white, sugar, paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Keep processing until the mixture is well combined and forms a paste, 1 or 2 minutes. Move the mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate to let the flavors meld, about 1 hour.
2

Very lightly toast the bread slices. Trim off the crusts. Spread the shrimp paste on the bread to a thickness equal to the bread. Cut the slices in half, then cut diagonally into diamond shapes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
3

Set a heavy skillet over medium-high heat and pour in about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the bread slices paste-side down and fry until crispy, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot or warm, garnished with additional sliced green onions.