Makes 8 to 10 servings
2.5lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tsp salt
1 tsp crushed black pepper
A pinch of cayenne pepper
Louisiana hot sauce to taste
4 medium red potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
1 green bell pepper, roughly chopped
4 celery stalks, roughly chopped
1 onion, roughly chopped
A sprig of parsley, roughly chopped
Vegetable oil
Drain any liquid from the shrimp, place them in a bowl and season with the salt, pepper, cayenne and Louisiana hot sauce.
In a food processor, pulse the shrimp into a paste. Add the celery, green pepper, onion and parsley and pulse again. Then add the potatoes and pulse until everything is well combined.
In a large frying pan heat 2 inches of oil to 350F/180C. Ball the shrimp mix using your hands or a small ice-cream scoop and fry them in batches till golden-brown. Drain and serve. (Melissa recommends serving them with hot pepper vinegar and remoulade.)
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Melissa Martin