These Nashville Hot Shrimp BLT Sandwiches feature crispy fried shrimp patties coated in a fiery Nashville hot paste, then stacked on toasted brioche buns with smoky bacon, lettuce, tomato, and creamy homemade guacamole.
Homemade guacamole2 avocados, 1 lime juiced, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Lettuceromaine
Tomatoes
Brioche buns
Bacon
Breading:
1cupall-purpose flour
1/4cupcornstarch
2teaspoonskosher salt
2teaspoonsblack pepper
2teaspoonsgarlic powder
2teaspoonsonion powder
1tablespooncayenne pepper
Nashville Hot Paste:
2tbspBrown sugar
1 ½tbspCayenne
2tspMexican chili powder
1tspSmoked paprika
1tspGarlic powder
1tspOnion powder
1cupHot cooking lard
Instructions
Chop the shrimp into a fine paste and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Hand mix the ingredients until they are well combined. Form the mixture into the shape of shrimp burgers and place them on a sheet of parchment paper. Transfer the shrimp patties to the freezer and let them chill for 45-60 minutes.
While the shrimp patties are in the freezer, prepare the homemade guacamole by mashing the avocados and mixing them with lime juice and kosher salt. Place the guacamole in the refrigerator to chill.
In a medium-high skillet, fry the bacon until it reaches your desired crispiness. Once cooked, wrap the bacon in foil to keep it warm.
Prepare the breading for the shrimp patties by combining all-purpose flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish. Mix well.
Beat the eggs in a separate bowl to create an egg wash.
Remove the shrimp patties from the freezer and coat them first in the flour mixture, then in the egg wash, and finally back in the flour mixture. Ensure that the patties are evenly coated.
Heat cooking oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry the shrimp patties in batches of 1-2 to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook them for approximately 4-6 minutes until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Once cooked, place the patties on a wire rack to drain excess oil.
In a separate bowl, combine the Nashville Hot Paste with a cup or two of the cooking oil used for frying. Whisk the mixture together until well blended. Coat each fried shrimp patty generously with the Nashville Hot Paste.
Toast the brioche buns to your desired level of crispness.
Assemble the sandwiches by spreading a layer of homemade guacamole on the bottom half of each bun. Place a Nashville hot shrimp patty on top of the guacamole, followed by strips of bacon, fresh lettuce, and sliced tomatoes. Finish by topping the sandwich with the other half of the toasted bun.
Serve the Nashville Hot Shrimp BLT Sandwiches immediately and enjoy the explosive flavors.