Whole Foods has some pretty frikkin’ fantastic frozen (and gluten free) shrimp options; coconut crusted and these, Boom Boom shrimp. Do not get me started on the Nashville Hot version, which seems to be all breading and next to no shrimp.
It happens, though, that the Boom Boom Shrimp, air fried and then tossed in my own version of Indo-Chinese Sweet and Sour Sauce makes for a pretty tasty, and easy to toss together salad, with the aid of whichever chopped salad kit you like.
INGREDIENTS
Sweet and Sour Sauce:
•1 tbsp cornstarch
•2 tbsp water
•1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
•1 cup sugar
•1 cup white vinegar
•1 cup water
•Salt to taste
•1 tsp Cajun Power Spicy Garlic Pepper Sauce – or your fave hot sauce, to taste
•White pepper to taste
•2 tbsp ketchup
Shrimp:
•Frozen Boom Boom Shrimp
•1 tbsp garlic infused olive oil
•3 to 4 tbsp Sweet and Sour Sauce
First, make the sauce…
Dissolve the cornstarch in the two tablespoons of water in a small bowl and set aside.
Stir sugar together with the vinegar, water, salt, pepper and hot sauce over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the cornstarch mixture and continue cooking until bubbly and thick. I let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in the two tablespoons of ketchup.
Transfer the sauce to a jar, allow to cool, then cover tightly and stash in the fridge until needed.
Note: you will be needing this a lot.
When ready to make the shrimp, heat your air fryer to 400º and line a pan with parchment paper.
Note: every air fryer is different. I am currently on my third, and this particular model seems to work best at 400º, so take my temperature and times as a guide and trust in how your own air fryer works.
Toss the frozen shrimp with one tablespoon of garlic-infused olive oil and arrange in a single layer on your parchment lined pan.
Air fry for six minutes, remove and turn the shrimp over, then air fry for another four minutes.
Remove from the air fryer and toss the shrimp with the Sweet and Sour Sauce.
Return to the air fryer and cook until the shrimp is nicely browned and just a bit crispity in places, about four minutes more.
Note: remember, every air fryer is different, use the above temp and times as a guideline and go by what works best with your own machine.
Remove from the air fryer and arrange on top of your fave salad, topping with sliced scallions and, believe it or not, a dash of ranch dressing.