Sunday, February 14, 2010

SHRIMP PO'BOY SANDWICH ala Da Cajn Critter

It's been less than 10 days since my first post about this classic New Orleans/Cajun classic. You can take a look at my first post, Shrimp PO'BOYS more New Orleans Cajun Superbowl Recipe Ideas. But, same sandwich, two completely different looks and tastes. So, it is probably better to have the posts close together so you can see the possibilities.

My review of the cookbook, Da Cajn Critter - The Lifestyles, the Rules and Makin Groceries continues. Take a look at my last 6 posts to see an incredible cake, a Crab Salad, Fried Catfish, a couple of side dishes and TWO very different, but very tasty Pork Tenderloin recipes. I really do have enough recipes to give a review, so, today will be my last recipe from the book for awhile. I am going to miss cookin with the Critter, but, as they say in Star Trek the next Generation, "all good things"! And like Star Trek, it has indeed been a good thing to cook from the book.

And here's one of the reasons...


SHRIMP PO'BOYS

Mise en Place (Assemble the ingredients)

3 eggs
2 TBS prepared Mustard
Seasoned fish fry
1 loaf French Bread
2 pounds 36-40 count fresh Shrimp; peeled and deveined
Vegetable oil for frying
Mayonnaise
Cajn Critter Seafood Cocktail Sauce (I substituted Cajun power garlic Sauce. Or your favorite BBQ sauce will also work well)
Hot Red Pepper Sauce (optional)
lettuce
tomatoes
Dill pickles

Beat the eggs with the mustard in a bowl. Pour the fish fry into another bowl. Cut the bread into halves lengthwise and cut into sandwich size portions.
(Note: I make my own french bread, individually sized. Also, I take a spoon and cut some of the bread out of the center so I can get more of the good stuff inside)
Coat the shrimp with the egg mixture and then coat with the fish fry. Fry in 350 degree oil for 3-5 minutes or until the shrimp rises to the surface. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Spread the mayo/sauce mixture on one side of the bread. Layer lettuce, tomato and pickle. Layer some of the cooked breaded shrimp and top with the remaining bread

Makes 4 servings

And if you double click on the collage photo above, by the magic of the internet, the collage will get much larger so you can see the details of what I did to make this sandwich...

And the verdict. A big thumbs up... Except...

I did like the recipe that I was inspired by Arnaud's cookbook better. But I have a theory about why...

Da Cajn Critter's Po'boy is a classic recipe. that is, theirs is breaded shrimp. the breading not only adds a flavor and texture, but it also adds volume. I could make twice the number of sandwiches with a bit to spare of the breaded shrimp than from the original post. In that post (which you can reach by clicking HERE), the Arnaud's Restaurant inspired sandwich was all shrimp and spicy mayo, while today's is shrimp, breading and spicy mayo. If you prefer the taste and texture of the flavored corn meal breading, you will like Da Cajn Critter's better. If you like the taste of shrimp to really shine, you will like Arnaud's.

BUT... If you are budget conscious, if you have to feed a family, this classic Po'Boy is the one for you. It tastes great. It has lots of flavor, and it stretches a pound of shrimp to make 5-6 sandwiches, vs. the Arnaud's poorly named Po'Boy sandwich which can only make 2-3 sandwiches (using the same volume in each).

I am glad I made both sandwiches, I liked both sandwiches, but each sandwich will shine in it's own way!

Come back tomorrow, I am going to do a wrap up of the book, and I have a surprise announcement for you all!

...

20 comments:

  1. Great post. I'm going to have to get that cookbook. How did you create that collage? It's very cool.

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  2. You really like these cliffhangers don't you? I will be on the edge of my seat until tomorrow. Your announcements are always awesome.

    I am a cornmeal addict so to be fair I would probably adore these. the only sure way to know - taste test comparison. I'm on it.

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  3. Happy Valentines Day Dave! I hope you two have a great night!
    ~ Rainey~

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  4. You are becoming a teacher. This looks wonderful and I'm leaving knowing things that weren't in the cortex before I came. I hope all is going well with the move. Still can't use the hand and shoulder a lot, so I'll continue to be a poor correspondent for a while longer. Blessings...Mary

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  5. Love po'boy wiches. I'll will have to try po'boy with shrimp!

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  6. Happy Valentine's Day Dave! Hope you have a good one - I actually think I am going to put that on my menu this week - thanks for the recipe! :D

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  7. Bravo! This sandwich looks super good. A po-boy would feel like a rich man after having one of these.

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  8. Happy Valentines Day! What surprise announcement!!!

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  9. I have died and gone to Foodie Heaven! So glad I found your blog, so many great recipes and just up our alley. Love, love cajun food and grilling. I think we still have a grill somewhere under the snow...

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  10. Bonjour Dave, Votre sandwich paraît stupéfiant. Mais la version française aurait été beaucoup meilleure.

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  11. Awesome as always Dave!
    Happy Valentine's Day :-)

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  12. Shrimp Poboys are one of my top five things to eat! Good job, cher! Now that I have an envie for one, I know what I'm having for lunch tomorrow! Hope that you and your sweetheart had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

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  13. Again, David, another Po' Boy that has me salivating! Those Cajun's know their way around a kitchen, don't they?!? ;)

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  14. Keep these cajun posts coming, this one is great. Love me some po boys.

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  15. I've been wanting a crab cake po'boy since going to bed last night. I have 4 leftover cakes from last night and they are going to disappear at noon :)

    Basically same thing as your shrimp po-boys. I can't wait.

    Great sandwich!

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  16. I've really enjoyed all of the recipes you've posted from this book. I may be a bit biased since I haven't met a cajun or creole dish I haven't liked, but I think that there is something for everyone, from what I have seen.

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  17. What is seasoned fish fry?

    I don't like shrimp, but I've been anxious to try a knock-off of a po-boy using some sort of popcorn chicken-type filling. (I fully expect to be ridiculed and/or stoned if I call it a po-boy.) But do you think something like that would actually work?

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  18. I really love a Po Boy. We have a restaurant named Po Boys in Tallahassee – they make wonderful sandwiches. The shrimp is my favorite.

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  19. My hubby would love one of these! I've really enjoyed all the Cajun recipes!

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