New Orleans is the ultimate destination for a Super Bowl watch party, offering a unique backdrop and inspiration for delicious dishes like the classic shrimp po’boy sandwich. According to food writer Ian McNulty, the key to making an authentic po’boy lies in using the right bread – New Orleans-style French bread with its distinctive crisp crust and airy interior.
“When you use the right bread, it’s the foundation of a great po’boy,” says McNulty. “It has to be thin, crispy, and puffy at the same time.”
To make an ideal po’boy, look for bread that matches the characteristics of Leidenheimer Baking Co.’s or John Gendusa Bakery’s offerings. Alternatively, you can use a baguette or Italian loaf, but McNulty advises against it.
For the filling, choose fresh and plump shrimp with a golden crust. The key is to avoid overcooking them, as this will result in a delicious “pop” of flavor. McNulty recommends frying the shrimp until they’re crispy on both sides, then serving them in the po’boy with remoulade sauce or mayonnaise.
To dress your po’boy, add shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, pickles, and a dollop of mayo. The options are endless, making it easy to customize your sandwich to suit your taste.
If you’re new to making po’boys, try Parkway Bakery & Tavern or Domilise’s for inspiration. Katie Workman has shared her recipe below, which yields 4 servings:
Ingredients:
– 1 loaf New Orleans French bread
– 1 pound medium shrimp (31/40 per pound)
– ¼ cup all-purpose flour
– ¼ cup cornmeal
– 2 teaspoons kosher salt
– 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
– ½ teaspoon paprika
– ½ teaspoon garlic powder
– ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
– 1 large egg
– 1 cup milk
– Remoulade sauce or mayonnaise
Instructions:
1. Scoop out some of the fluffy bread from the middle if desired.
2. Combine flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a shallow bowl.
3. Mix egg with milk in another bowl.
4. Dip shrimp in milk mixture, then coat in flour mixture.
5. Chill coated shrimp for 15 minutes.
6. Fry shrimp in hot oil until crispy on both sides.
7. Assemble po’boy by spreading remoulade sauce or mayo on toasted bread, adding shredded lettuce, warm shrimp, tomatoes, and pickles, and serving immediately.
Katie Workman’s recipe is a great starting point for your Super Bowl party. Enjoy!
Source: https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-food-shrimp-poboy-2c27eff1b471e1690ac2b77ca9eb68d2