Bang Bang Shrimp

If you are familiar with Bonefish then you know their most popular appetizer is this crispy and spicy Bang, Bang shrimp. I found a copycat recipe online and decided to give it a try at home.  It was a success and it was very very close to Bonefish!  We love Bonefish and get this appetizer each time we go.  We could make a meal out of it. 

It starts off with shrimp that are coated with a seasoned flour-Panko breading, then fried till golden brown.

They are then tossed with the special sauce, a combo of mayo, chili garlic sauce and rice vinegar, that makes this appetizer delicious and addictive!!!

16 to 18 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined ( I actually used the small shrimp because we were making a meal out of this and it worked perfect!)

SPICY SAUCE:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
4 tsp chili garlic sauce
1 tsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp rice vinegar

FOR THE EGG MIXTURE:
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk

FOR THE BREADING MIXTURE:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp rubbed (ground) sage
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dried basil

FOR FRYING:
8 to 12 cups vegetable shortening or oil

GARNISH:
1 handful of mixed greens
1 green onion, chopped (green part only)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients for the spicy sauce in a small bowl; cover and set aside.

Combine beaten egg with milk in shallow bowl; set aside.

Combine flour, panko, salt, black pepper, sage, onion powder, garlic powder, and basil in another shallow bowl; set aside.

Bread the shrimp by first coating each with the breading mixture. Dip breaded shrimp into the egg and milk mixture, and then back into the breading. Arrange the coated shrimp on a plate and pop them into the fridge for at least 20 minutes. This step will help the breading to stick on the shrimp when they are frying.

Heat shortening or oil in deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Use amount of oil required by your fryer.

When oil is hot, fry shrimp 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on rack or paper towels.

When all shrimp has been fried, drop the shrimp into a large bowl. Spoon about 1/4 cup of sauce over shrimp and stir gently to coat.

TO SERVE:
Stack shrimp on bed of mixed greens, sprinkle the stack with chopped green onion.

ENJOY!!