Shrimp Ball Appetizer

Shrimp is a staple of party entertaining. Usually seen in the form of shrimp cocktails, shrimp is versatile enough to be used in other ways as well. Shrimp can be sauteed, broiled, boiled or used as part of a cold composed salad or sandwich spread. Another way to use shrimp is to mix the shrimp with other savory ingredients, coat them in a crunchy breading and deep fry them to a golden brown, such as with a shrimp ball appetizer.

Things You'll Need

• 2 lbs. large or jumbo shrimp
• Food processor
• 1 cup water chestnuts
• Bowls
• 2 egg whites
• 4 tbsp. bacon grease
• 2 tbsp. rice wine
• 2 tbsp. ginger
• 2 tsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. cornstarch
• Wooden spoon
• Plastic wrap
• Deep fryer
• Vegetable or peanut oil
• Ice cream scoop
• Baking sheet
• Wax paper
• Panko crumbs
• Slotted spoon
• Paper towel
• Aluminum foil or silicone baking pad

Instructions

1. Peel, devein and remove the tails from two pounds of large or jumbo shrimp. Add the shrimp to a food processor with 1 cup of rinsed water chestnuts. Pulse the shrimp mixture--in one-second intervals--four or five times to chop the shrimp and water chestnuts. Transfer to a large bowl.

2. Add 2 egg whites, 4 tablespoons of cold bacon grease, 2 tablespoons of rice wine, 2 tablespoons of minced ginger, 2 teaspoons of salt and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch. Mix well with wooden spoon. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for one hour in the refrigerator.

3. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheat a deep fryer filled with vegetable or peanut oil to 375 degrees.

4. Use an ice cream scoop to form balls. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and place the shrimp balls on the baking sheet.

5. Fill a medium-sized bowl with panko crumbs--Japanese bread crumbs. Dredge the shrimp balls in the panko coating and return to the baking sheet. Repeat for all remaining shrimp balls.

6. Use a slotted spoon to add shrimp balls to the deep fryer. Add only a few balls at a time--don't overcrowd the fryer. Cook for about two minutes until the balls begin to brown. Remove the balls and drain them on paper towel. Repeat for all remaining shrimp balls.

7. Remove the wax paper on the baking sheet and replace with aluminum foil or a silicone baking pad. Add the shrimp balls to the baking sheet, place them in the oven on the middle rack and heat for about two or three minutes. Remove from the oven and serve warm.