Every month, the “Club of 27” is a special occasion for me and many friends, an opportunity to cook together and discover new recipes from foreign books. This time, during the Christmas season, we have chosen to focus on appetizers, and I decided to bring Shrimp Beignets to the table, a preparation that combines the delicacy of the sea with the crispness of frying. Taken from the volume “The Bible of Festive Recipes”, this recipe is perfect for starting a holiday menu with elegance and taste, transforming a simple bite into a moment of conviviality.
The charm of beignets lies in their simplicity: few ingredients, a light batter enriched with milk and beer, and the magic of frying that gives a golden and fragrant result. The shrimp, dipped in this batter, become little golden jewels, ideal to be served hot and accompanied by a fresh cheese and herb sauce. They are perfect for a festive aperitif, for an elegant buffet, or to surprise guests with an appetizer that tells of tradition and celebration.
“The Club of 27” is not just about cooking, but also sharing: each recipe becomes a bridge between cultures, a way to bring flavors from afar into our homes, intertwining with our traditions. In this case, Shrimp Beignets remind us of how French cuisine can be both refined and accessible, capable of transforming a simple ingredient into a memorable dish.
Making this recipe during the holiday season means celebrating the light, joy, and conviviality that characterize the festivities. It is an invitation to sit together, toast, and be captivated by an appetizer that brings with it the scent of the sea and the crispness of the celebration.
I also leave you some ideas for festive appetizers to enjoy with a good glass of bubbly.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 servings
- Cooking methods: Frying
- Cuisine: French
- Seasonality: All Seasons, Christmas
- Energy 287.03 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 5.43 (g) of which sugars 0.30 (g)
- Proteins 6.58 (g)
- Fat 26.88 (g) of which saturated 3.06 (g)of which unsaturated 21.78 (g)
- Fibers 0.82 (g)
- Sodium 250.00 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 60 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for Shrimp Beignets
- 1 cup flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup beer
- 25 prawns
- to taste salt
- as needed sunflower oil (for frying)
Tools
- Greaseproof Paper
- Tongs
Preparation of Shrimp Beignets
Place the flour in a large bowl and add the egg, a pinch of salt, and the oil. Mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and beer, and using a whisk, mix vigorously to prevent lumps.
Pour the sunflower oil into a deep saucepan and turn on the heat. Once the oil is hot, dip the well-cleaned shrimp tails into the batter and fry until completely golden.
As they are ready, place them on a tray lined with absorbent paper, keeping them warm.
Serve the shrimp beignets hot, accompanied by a light sauce made from fresh cheese and herbs.
