How to Fry Avocados Stuffed With Shrimp in a Tempura Batter

Experiment with tempura fried avocados stuffed with shrimp as an appetizer for your next party or gathering.

Tempura batter is a light, crunchy coating that can be added to softer foods to provide a bit of textural contrast. Avocados can benefit from this treatment and can be used to create side dishes or appetizers that are unexpected and unique. You can find a variety of tempura recipes on most fusion style menus. Experiment with this versatile batter on the dishes you create for your next party or family get together.

Things You'll Need

• 1 lb. shrimp
• Small red onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 small red bell pepper
• 1 jalapeno
• 1/2 cup cilantro
• 1 lime
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• Frying pan
• Wooden spoon
• Medium mixing bowl
• 4 avocados
• Spoon
• Tempura mix
• Club soda
• 2 eggs
• Measuring cups
• Large mixing bowl
• Wire whisk
• Deep fryer
• 4 cups vegetable oil
• Slotted spoon or fry basket
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Preheat a deep fryer to 350 F.

2. Peel and devein 1 lb. of shrimp.

3. Rinse the shrimp in cold water and chop into small pieces. Add the chopped shrimp to a medium sized mixing bowl.

4. Heat three tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium heat.

5. Peel and dice one small red onion and four garlic cloves. Fry the chopped aromatics in the hot oil until fragrant and translucent. Seed and dice one small bell pepper and one jalapeno.

6. Add the diced bell pepper and jalapeno to the frying onions and garlic. Sautee for two minutes. Add the diced shrimp to the pan and cook until the shrimp are done through and pink.

7. Pour the sauteed vegetables and shrimp into a medium sized mixing bowl and allow them to cool.

8. Juice one lime and finely chop 1/2 cup of cilantro. Mix this in with the shrimp mixture and season with one teaspoon sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper. Set the stuffing mixture aside.

9. Peel and seed 4 avocados. Hollow out the center of the avocado by removing approximately two tablespoons of avocado meat. Mash the removed avocado and add it to the shrimp stuffing.

10. Fill each avocado half with 1/8th of the mixture and press the stuffing firmly into the avocado to ensure that it sticks.

11. Whisk two eggs with two cups of tempura flour and two cups of ice-cold club soda.

12. Dip the stuffed avocados, carefully, in the tempura batter and then drop into the hot oil. Deep fry the avocados until the batter is golden brown (approximately three minutes) and remove using a slotted spoon or fry basket.

13. Drain the avocados of paper towels and serve hot.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose firm, but ripe avocados for this recipe. Mushy avocados will fall apart and unripe avocados will prove impossible to peel.

• When testing an avocado for ripeness, barely squeeze the avocado with your fingertips. An avocado that is just ripe will slightly give under the pressure. Anything with too much give or no give at all should not be used.

• Experiment with the filling contents. An Asian flavor can be achieved using traditional Asian ingredients like ginger, mirin, kaffir lime, lemongrass, soy sauce and sweet chili sauce.

References

• Food: Fried Stuffed Avocado; 2006
• Food Network: Tempura Avocado with Shrimp; Fieri; 2007
• World's Healthiest Foods: Avocados

Resources

• Lisa Hemenway: Tempura Avocado with Watermelon Radish and Wasabi Mayonnaise
• Allrecipes: Fried Avocados Recipe