Tropical Papaya Bang Bang Shrimp

Tropical Papaya Bang Bang Shrimp is an extraordinary culinary creation that tantalizes the palate with its mesmerizing fusion of tropical flavors and textures. This dish showcases plump shrimp, delicately coated in a crispy breadcrumb exterior, generously drenched in a delectable Papaya Bang Bang Sauce, and combined with fried red and green bell peppers. It’s a delightful union of crispy, tender, sweet, and spicy elements that harmonize beautifully on your plate.

The Shrimp: At the core of this dish lies succulent shrimp, meticulously peeled and deveined to ensure a pristine eating experience. To achieve the desired crispy texture, each shrimp is lovingly bathed in a sequence of flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs. This careful layering contributes to the perfect crunch that envelops the shrimp, creating a delightful contrast to the wonders concealed beneath.

The Breadcrumb Coating: The breadcrumb coating, preferably Panko breadcrumbs, is masterfully seasoned with a hint of paprika, garlic, salt, and ground black pepper. It lovingly envelops the shrimp, forming a crisp, golden shield that promises a satisfying crunch with every mouthwatering bite. This coating not only adds texture but also serves as the canvas for the vibrant flavors of the Papaya Bang Bang Sauce.

Papaya Bang Bang Sauce: The Papaya Bang Bang Sauce steals the spotlight, delivering an alluring symphony of tropical flavors. It showcases the natural sweetness of ripe papaya, the creamy richness of mayonnaise, and the tantalizing zing of sweet chili sauce. Honey contributes a subtle sweetness, while a dash of lime juice imparts a refreshing citrusy brightness. The sauce ascends to new heights with the introduction of minced garlic and a touch of sriracha sauce, offering a subtle, invigorating kick. Salt and ground black pepper gracefully balance the ensemble, creating a tasteful medley that dances gracefully on the taste buds.

Fried Bell Peppers: Complementing the shrimp’s crispy embrace, vibrant red and green bell peppers are thinly sliced and fried to tender perfection. These peppers infuse the dish with a burst of color and a natural sweetness that elevates both its visual appeal and flavor complexity. They act as the ideal companions to the shrimp, adding a layer of balance and wholesomeness to the culinary composition.

A Fusion of Flavors: Papaya Bang Bang Shrimp represents the pinnacle of culinary fusion, where the crispy shrimp, reminiscent of classic seafood excellence, meets the tropical allure of papaya and the zesty intrigue of Bang Bang Sauce. This synthesis of elements gives rise to a dish that masterfully harmonizes sweet, savory, and spicy notes into a seamless blend of culinary brilliance.

Serving and Enjoyment: This dish can grace your table as a captivating appetizer, serving as the star attraction at gatherings, or take center stage as a delectable main course. Its versatility shines as it pairs with various accompaniments, such as fragrant jasmine rice or a crisp garden salad, promising a dining experience that knows no bounds.

Tropical Papaya Bang Bang Shrimp is a wonderfully indulgent dish that exults in the fusion of diverse flavors and textures. With its crispy shrimp, tropical papaya sauce, and bell peppers fried to perfection, it encapsulates the essence of an unforgettable dining adventure—one that is not only visually striking but also irresistibly delicious. Whether savored as an appetizer for sharing or relished as a hearty main course, this dish delivers a symphony of flavors that will leave your taste buds craving an encore.

Beverage Pairing Suggestions

Here are three delicious beverage pairing suggestions for Tropical Papaya Bang Bang Shrimp:

• Persimmon Mezcal Fizz: The complex flavors of mezcal, enhanced by the sweet and slightly spicy notes of persimmon, create a delightful contrast to the crispy shrimp and vibrant bell peppers, making this a sophisticated and harmonious pairing.
• Papaya Tequila Punch: Papaya Tequila Punch, with its tropical papaya sweetness and the kick of tequila, perfectly complements the fruity and spicy elements in the dish, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Sauvignon Blanc: A citrusy and crisp Sauvignon Blanc pairs wonderfully with Tropical Papaya Bang Bang Shrimp, offering a refreshing contrast to the dish’s flavors and enhancing your dining experience.

Tropical Papaya Bang Bang Shrimp

5 from 1 vote

Recipe by Kyle Taylor Course: MainsCuisine: New American, FusionDifficulty: Medium

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

25

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Total time

45

minutes

Tropical Papaya Bang Bang Shrimp is a delectable fusion of crispy, succulent shrimp paired with vibrant bell peppers, all bathed in a harmonious Papaya Bang Bang Sauce.

Ingredients

• For the Shrimp

• 1 pound 1 large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1 cup 1 all-purpose flour

• 2 large 2 eggs, beaten

• 1 cup 1 breadcrumbs

• 1 teaspoon 1 paprika

• 1 teaspoon 1 garlic powder

• 1 large 1 red or green bell pepper, thinly sliced

• to taste, salt and ground black pepper

• for frying, vegetable oil

• For the Papaya Bang Bang Sauce

• 1/2 cup 1/2 mayonnaise

• 1/2 cup 1/2 ripe papaya, diced

• 1 clove of 1 garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons 2 sweet chili sauce

• 1 tablespoon 1 honey

• 1 tablespoon 1 lime juice

• 1 teaspoon 1 sriracha sauce

• to taste, salt and ground black pepper

Directions

• Prepare the Papaya Bang Bang Sauce:
  In a blender or food processor, combine the diced papaya, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, lime juice, minced garlic, sriracha sauce, salt, and ground black pepper. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Transfer the sauce to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate while you prepare the shrimp.
• Bread and Fry the Shrimp:
  Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. Season the flour with paprika, garlic powder, and salt and ground black pepper.
  
  Dip each shrimp into the flour, coating it lightly and shaking off any excess. Next, dip the shrimp into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the shrimp in the breadcrumbs, pressing the breadcrumbs onto each shrimp to adhere. Place the breaded shrimp on a baking sheet.
• Heat and Fry:
  Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan to 350°F. Fry the breaded shrimp in batches for about 2-3 minutes per side or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried shrimp and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried shrimp and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
  
  In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and fry them until they are tender and slightly caramelized, about 3-4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• Toss with Papaya Bang Bang Sauce:
  In a large bowl, add the fried shrimp and the fried bell peppers. Drizzle the chilled Papaya Bang Bang Sauce over the shrimp and peppers. Gently toss everything in the sauce until its evenly coated.
• Serve:
  Transfer the Papaya Bang Bang Shrimp and Bell Peppers to a serving platter. Garnish with extra diced papaya or fresh cilantro, if desired.
  
  Serve immediately as an appetizer or main dish.