Flawlessly delicious Coconut Shrimp! It's crisp and coconut-y deep fried shrimp that's perfect for entertaining or an island style dinner. Pair it with the suggested mango sauce for the best finish.
For the mango sauce: Add the mango, lime juice, honey, sriracha, coconut extract and garlic to a food processor.
Season with a pinch or two of salt and process until blended into a puree. Cover sauce and set aside.
Peel and devein shrimp before beginning. Leave tails on. Note that shrimp should be lightly damp before beginning, if it is dry spritz with a little water from a spray bottle (this ensures that the flour will stick later on).
Pour vegetable oil into a 12-inch (and deep) saute pan or a pot and heat to 350 degrees over medium heat. While oil is coming up to heat prepare the shrimp (monitor temperature of oil while doing so).
Pour flour into one shallow dish. Season with salt and pepper (I use 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper), whisk.
In a second shallow dish, whisk eggs until yolk and white are well blended.
In a third dish, toss together coconut and panko.
Working with one shrimp at a time and holding it by the tail end, dredge shrimp in flour coating on all sides but the tail. Tap or gently shake excess flour off.
Then transfer to egg and coat on all sides but the tail, lift and let excess egg run off.
Transfer shrimp to shredded coconut mixture, scoop some of the mixture over the shrimp then press to get the mixture to stick well on both sides.
Align prepared shrimp on an 18 by 13-inch baking sheet, repeating process until all of the shrimp are coated.
Fry 9 to 10 shrimp at a time in 350 degree oil about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until cooked through and golden brown.
Use a spider or tongs to remove shrimp and transfer cooked shrimp to paper towel lined baking sheet to drain. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Repeat process with remaining shrimp. Note that shrimp can be kept warm in oven on (unlined) baking sheet at 200 degrees for up to 10 minutes.
Serve warm with mango sauce (I serve mango sauce in small individual dipping bowls).
Notes
Nutrition estimate based on 1/3 cup oil being absorbed, 2 oz flour remaining, 2 Tbsp egg remaining and 1/4 cup coconut mixture remaining (these are the amounts I had left upon finishing).