Crab-Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp Delights
Indulge in these exquisite Crab-Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp Delights, perfect for elevating any gathering or intimate dinner. These plump shrimp are butterflied and generously filled with a luscious blend of crab meat, cream cheese, herbs, and nuts to create a rich, flavorful stuffing. Whether you choose to batter-dip and fry them for a crispy finish, bake them with a golden breadcrumb crust, or serve them simply baked without any coating, these shrimp offer room for creativity and variation. Accompanied by zesty lemon and your favorite dipping sauces, this dish promises to be a crowd-pleaser that can seamlessly adjust to your taste preferences. Serve these impressive stuffed shrimp as an appetizer for 8, or as a delightful main course for 4.
N/A
Servings
600
Calories
30
Ingredients
Ingredients
jumbo shrimp
1 1/2 lbs (peeled, with tail and last shell segment left on (16 shrimp U10/lb))
English muffin
1 (finely minced to crumbs)
pine nuts
1/4 cup (lightly toasted in extra virgin olive oil)
slivered almonds
1/4 cup (lightly toasted in extra virgin olive oil)
crabmeat
1/4 lb (drained and picked over)
garlic
4 cloves (finely minced)
scallions
4 (finely chopped (green onions))
extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon
fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup (chopped)
jalapeno peppers
2-4 (seeded and chopped, to taste)
capers
1 tablespoon (drained and chopped)
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon
cream cheese
8 ounces (room temperature)
crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup (room temperature (4 oz))
fresh lemon juice
1-2 tablespoons (to taste)
salt
to taste
freshly ground black pepper
to taste
paprika
1 dash ((optional, for baking naked))
lemon wedges
as accompaniment
egg
1 (lightly beaten (optional))
wine or water
1 cup ((optional))
flour
1 cup ((optional))
baking powder
1 teaspoon ((optional))
salt
1 teaspoon ((optional))
canola or corn oil
for frying ((optional))
eggs
2 (beaten with 1 teaspoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons water)
flour
1 cup
seasoned dry bread crumb
1 cup
sweet paprika
1 teaspoon
melted butter
1/2 cup
Instructions
1
Begin by butterflying each jumbo shrimp: cut down the back of each shrimp, not slicing all the way through, and devein if necessary. Press the shrimp flat with the cut side up on a cookie sheet or large shallow baking pan.
2
Use paper towels to blot away any excess moisture from the shrimp.
3
In a medium bowl, combine the finely minced English muffin crumbs, toasted pine nuts, slivered almonds, and crabmeat. Mix well and set aside.
4
In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the minced garlic and chopped scallions in a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil until they soften and become fragrant.
5
Add the chopped parsley, diced jalapeño peppers, capers, and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet. Stir to combine.
6
Lower the heat and mix in the lemon juice, cream cheese, and feta cheese. Stir until the cheeses are melted and fully integrated with the vegetable mixture.
7
Remove the skillet from heat and add the creamy mixture to the bowl with the breadcrumbs. Gently fold together until evenly combined. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
8
Take 2-3 tablespoons of the stuffing and place it on top of each butterflied shrimp. Mold and smooth the mixture to fully cover the shrimp. Transfer the stuffed shrimp to the freezer for approximately 30 minutes to set.
9
For frying, preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) to keep cooked shrimp warm. Prepare the batter by whisking together the egg and your choice of beer, wine, or water. Mix in the remaining dry ingredients until just combined, allowing the batter to rest for 5-10 minutes.
10
Heat about 2 inches of oil in a large saucepan or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). Dip each shrimp in the batter one at a time, holding by the tail to allow excess batter to drip off before placing them in the hot oil. Fry in batches of 4-6, cooking until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
11
Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate lined with paper towels and keep warm in the preheated oven. Repeat until all shrimp are cooked, allowing the oil to return to temperature between batches.
12
For baking, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly oil a baking sheet and coat it with breadcrumbs. Brush the tops of the stuffed shrimp with egg wash, press breadcrumbs on top, and drizzle with melted butter before baking for about 25 minutes or until lightly golden.
13
If serving naked, simply sprinkle with paprika and bake as instructed until heated through and slightly bubbly. Alternatively, grill the naked shrimp over medium-low heat, cheese side up, for about 10 minutes.
14
Serve immediately with lemon wedges and your choice of dipping sauces like tartar or cocktail sauce.
Nutrition Information
37.5
Fat
22.5
Carbs
37.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Crab-Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp Delights.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
It serves 8 people as an appetizer or 4 people as a main course.
What size of shrimp should be used?
You should use jumbo shrimp, specifically around 1.5 lbs or 16 shrimp (U10/lb).
How do I prepare the shrimp for stuffing?
Butterfly each shrimp by cutting down the back without slicing all the way through, devein if needed, and press them flat.
What kind of crabmeat is required?
The recipe calls for 1/4 lb of crabmeat that has been drained and picked over.
What types of cheese are used in the stuffing?
The stuffing uses 8 ounces of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese.
Are there any nuts in the stuffing?
Yes, the stuffing includes 1/4 cup of toasted pine nuts and 1/4 cup of toasted slivered almonds.
How is the English muffin used?
One English muffin is finely minced into crumbs to provide texture and structure to the stuffing.
What aromatics are sautéed for the filling?
The recipe uses 4 cloves of minced garlic and 4 finely chopped scallions.
How can I adjust the heat level of this dish?
You can adjust the spiciness by using between 2 to 4 seeded and chopped jalapeno peppers according to your taste.
Why do I need to put the stuffed shrimp in the freezer?
Placing them in the freezer for 30 minutes helps the stuffing set so it stays in place during cooking.
What are the nutritional facts for calories, fat, and protein?
Each serving contains approximately 600 calories, 37.5 grams of fat, and 37.5 grams of protein.
What is the temperature for frying the shrimp?
The oil should be heated to 375°F (190°C) for deep frying.
How long does it take to fry the shrimp?
The shrimp should be fried in batches for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
What temperature should the oven be for baking?
For the baked version, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
How long do the shrimp need to bake?
The shrimp bake for approximately 25 minutes or until they are lightly golden.
Can these shrimp be grilled?
Yes, the 'naked' version can be grilled over medium-low heat, cheese side up, for about 10 minutes.
What are the three ways to serve these shrimp?
They can be batter-dipped and fried, baked with a breadcrumb crust, or served 'naked' (simply baked without coating).
What ingredients are used for the frying batter?
The batter consists of an egg, one cup of beer, wine or water, flour, baking powder, and salt.
What liquid is used to sauté the garlic and scallions?
One teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil is used for sautéing.
Are the shrimp peeled?
Yes, they should be peeled, but the tail and the last shell segment should be left on.
What sauces go well with this dish?
The recipe suggests serving them with tartar sauce or cocktail sauce.
What should be used as a garnish or accompaniment?
Fresh lemon wedges and a dash of paprika are recommended.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 22.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What prevents the shrimp from becoming soggy before stuffing?
Blotting the butterflied shrimp with paper towels to remove excess moisture ensures they stay firm.
What herbs and seasonings are in the stuffing?
The stuffing includes fresh parsley, capers, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
How much stuffing goes on each shrimp?
Use approximately 2-3 tablespoons of stuffing for each butterflied jumbo shrimp.
What is 'naked' style?
It refers to baking the stuffed shrimp with just a sprinkle of paprika instead of a batter or breadcrumb coating.
How many ingredients are listed in this recipe?
There are a total of 30 items listed including optional ingredients and garnishes.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to butterfly each jumbo shrimp and press them flat on a baking sheet.