Cajun Crispy Shrimp with Zesty Cajun Sauce

Ingredients:

Crunchy Shrimp:

• 12 large raw prawns, peeled with tails intact
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun spice
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

For Cajun Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

Instructions:

Cajun Sauce:

Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, and Cajun seasoning in a bowl. Whisk together and set aside.

Cajun Crunchy Shrimp:

1. Mix flour, salt, lemon zest, and Cajun seasoning in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, beat the egg, add milk, and whisk together.
3. Place panko on a plate. Arrange stations in this order: flour, eggs, panko. Have a clean plate ready at the end.
4. With one hand, coat shrimp in flour, then transfer to the other hand to dip in eggs, and finally coat with panko. Place on a clean plate. Repeat for the remaining shrimp.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a cast-iron skillet until shimmering. Ensure there’s about an inch of oil.
6. Fry shrimp for 90 seconds per side, turning gently to avoid disrupting the crust. Adjust timing if needed.
7. Remove shrimp and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve immediately with the prepared Cajun sauce.