Description
This takeout favorite gets revamped with crunchy walnuts candied in sweet honey. Crisp on the outside and tender inside, the fried shrimp are tossed in a creamy, sweet, and savory sauce. Candied walnuts offer a crunchy element and lend a caramelized honey flavor to the dish.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups walnuts
- 1/2 cup honey, divided
- 1/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons cold water, divided
- canola oil, for frying
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (about 1 1/2 ounces)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 pounds large (21- to 30-count) peeled and deveined raw shrimp
- sliced scallions and sesame seeds, for garnish
Directions
- Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high. Add walnuts, 1/4 cup honey, and 3 tablespoons cold water. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high; reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring often, until glaze thickens to coat walnuts, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; pour candied walnuts onto baking sheet, and use a spatula to quickly separate nuts. Let walnuts cool completely, about 15 minutes. Wash and dry saucepan.
- Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches into clean saucepan; heat over medium-high to 350°F. Stir together mayonnaise, condensed milk, lemon juice, soy sauce, and remaining 1/4 cup honey in a large bowl; stir until well incorporated. Set aside.
- Place a wire rack inside a large rimmed baking sheet. Stir together flour, baking powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt in a separate large bowl; add remaining 1/3 cup cold water. Toss shrimp in batter until fully coated. Remove shrimp from batter, shaking off any excess. Working in batches, add shrimp to oil in saucepan, and fry until golden brown, about 4 minutes per batch. Drain shrimp on a wire rack.
- Transfer shrimp and candied walnuts to honey mixture in a large bowl; fold mixture using a rubber spatula until shrimp are evenly coated. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.