SHRIMP TOASTS WITH SESAME SEEDS AND SCALLIONS

Shrimp Toasts With Sesame Seeds and Scallions image

Provided by Andy Baraghani

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

10 ounces shrimp, peeled, deveined
2 tablespoons hot chile paste (such as sambal oelek)
2 teaspoons finely grated lemongrass
2 teaspoons fish sauce (such as nam pla or nuoc nam)
1 teaspoon finely grated peeled ginger
Kosher salt
2 scallions, green and white parts separated, thinly sliced crosswise
1/4 cup white sesame seeds
4 slices white bread, 1/4 inch thick, crusts removed
Vegetable oil (for frying; about 1 cup)

Steps:

Pulse shrimp, chili paste, lemongrass, fish sauce, and ginger in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pulse again to combine. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl; stir in scallion whites.
Place sesame seeds on a plate. Spread shrimp mixture over bread slices, extending all the way to edges. Press bread, shrimp side down, into sesame seeds to coat evenly.
Pour oil into a large skillet to come 1/4" up sides and heat over medium-high until a small pinch of shrimp mixture sizzles when added to oil. Working in 2 batches, fry toasts, shrimp side down, until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes; turn and cook until other sides are golden and crisp, about 1 minute. Transfer to a paper towel-lined wire rack to drain.
Cut each toast diagonally into quarters and top with scallion greens.