TFF: Why I like Tyler

Do I really need to say more than that?

Look at that plate, the golden, crispy shrimp. With more crunch added from pieces of scallion and ginger and garlic. Isn't it beautiful to look at? Doesn't it make your mouth water?

And it should, it tasted FABULOUS!!!

I admit, I had to fight off my six year old on this - he loves shrimp and would happily have eaten twice as much of it that he did. I had to limit him, though, as his father and I still had to eat.


I paired the shrimp, Tyler's Salt and Pepper Shrimp, with a cold noodle salad that I'd thrown together: soba noodles, seasame oil, green onions, a touch of chili sauce, lime juice and toasted seasame seeds on top. A great accompaniment, the cold of the noodles, with the slight crunch of the seeds, with the crunch and warmth of the salt and pepper shrimp. Wonderful.

It was so good, I'm sharing it this week with all the lovely contributors of Tyler Florence Fridays. Go check it out, and don't forget to offer congrats to Natashya, who's post about Cuban Mojitos, won her a spotlight on Tyler's own blog. I don't drink much in alcohol and I admit, those Mojitos looked very good.

Salt and Pepper Shrimp
by Tyler Florence, as found on Food Network

2 quarts peanut oil (I used vegetable)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus 2 cups for dredging
2 pounds large prawns, shelled and deveined, with tail attached
4 egg yolks
4 cups chilled soda water
2 tablespoons shaved garlic
2 tablespoons shredded ginger
1 bunch green onions, sliced on a bias angle
1 jalepeno pepper, sliced into rounds (skipped this, wanted the kids to eat it)
Serving suggestion: fresh lemon wedges (also skipped this, didn't need it)

In a large wok, heat the oil over medium-high to 370 degrees F.

Meanwhile, season 2 cups of the flour with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Dredge the shrimp in the seasoned flour.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the remaining 4 cups of flour with the egg yolks and soda water. Hold the shrimp by their tails dip them into the batter.

Working in batches, fry the shrimp in the hot oil, turning them once, until they are golden brown, about 3 minutes per batch (I found it took closer to 6 minutes per batch). Remove the shrimp from the oil and drain them on paper towels. While they are still hot, sprinkle the shrimp generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Transfer the shrimp to a serving tray.

When the shrimp are cooked, carefully pour off all but 1/2 cup of the oil. Add the garlic, ginger, green onions and jalapeno and fry until crispy. Spoon the seasoning over the shrimp and serve immediately accompanied by lemon wedges.