Coconut Rum-Battered Shrimp

Ingredients

  • 24 large (15/20) shrimp, peeled, deveined, and butterflied
  • 1 cup dark rum
  • 1 ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 Tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp freshly-ground black pepper
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • Sweetened shredded coconut, or shredded fresh coconut
  • Oil for deep-frying
Coconut Rum-Battered Shrimp

Photo: Wikidemon at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain

Procedure

  1. Combine rum and seasonings. Pour over shrimp and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, 8 hours for most (the alcohol will cook it after that).
  2. Dredge shrimp in coconut. Let rest at room temperature 2–3 minutes.
  3. Heat oil to 350°F. Fry shrimp 6 at a time 3 minutes.
  4. Drain on a cooling rack above a sheet pan.
  5. Squeeze some lemon juice over and serve warm.