Firecracker Shrimp with Blue Cheese Dressing: Recipe #10

I’m a huge football fan.

I love any excuse I can find to veg out on the couch with family and indulge in my favorite finger foods and one-pot meals. And even if your hometown team didn’t make it to the Super Bowl, I’ll bet you still need some snack time inspiration for Sunday’s big game.

Firecracker shrimp would kick Buffalo wings’ @$$ at the Super Bowl. Just sayin.

I’m sharing my favorite chicken wing alternative today (these firecracker shrimp are better than any Buffalo wings— trust me).

For a comprehensive list of my favorite Super Bowl recipes, go here.

There is no better couch chow than these firecracker shrimp for the Super Bowl. Be sure to use Crystal brand hot sauce. It’s the best supermarket bottled brand around; perfectly balanced between heat, vinegary tartness and peppery flavor. Plus, it’s available everywhere. The above video shows how I like to transfer the hot shrimp from oil to a tray, toss in the sauce and plate.

Firecracker Shrimp with Blue Cheese Dressing

Almost too pretty to eat.

Servings: 6

Total: 1 hour 30 minutes

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Ingredients

Dressing

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise

• 1/3 cup sour cream

• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1/4 pound Maytag blue cheese

• Salt

• Pepper

Shrimp

• 1 large egg

• 1/4 cup buttermilk

• 1  3/4 pounds shelled and deveined large shrimp, tails intact

• Vegetable oil, for frying

• 1 cup cornstarch

• Salt

• 1/4 cup Crystal hot sauce

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• Celery sticks, for serving

Instructions

Make the Blue Cheese Dressing

In a food processor, combine everything except the salt and pepper and puree until nearly smooth. Scrape into a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper.

For the Shrimp

In a large bowl, beat the egg with the buttermilk. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

In a large saucepan, heat 1  1/2 inches of vegetable oil to 375°. Line a large baking sheet with paper towels. Spread the cornstarch in a shallow bowl. In three batches, remove the shrimp from the buttermilk mixture, allowing the excess to drip off, and dredge in the cornstarch. Add the shrimp to the hot oil and fry over high heat, turning occasionally, until golden and just cooked through, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to the baking sheet and season with salt.

In a large bowl, whisk the hot sauce with the melted butter. Add the fried shrimp and toss well. Transfer to a serving platter and serve right away with the blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

What’s your go-to Super Bowl recipe? Share in the comments! — AZ

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