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Snack & Appetizers

Kataifi-Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp

Kataifi-wrapped jumbo shrimp: crispy outside, tender inside, with a sweet and tangy mango sauce. A quick appetizer that always impresses.
Recipe Kataifi-Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp
  • Difficulty Medium
  • Preparation 10 minutes
  • Cooking 10 minutes
  • Servings for 4 people

If you’re looking for a jumbo shrimp and kataifi appetizer that truly surprises, don’t miss this kataifi-wrapped jumbo shrimp recipe. Elegant and showstopping, it’s perfect when you want to wow your guests on a special evening: it’s simple and quick to make, so it’s ideal both as a jumbo shrimp dinner recipe and for a memorable aperitivo. The secret? Fresh, plump jumbo shrimp gently wrapped in very thin strands of kataifi pastry, a dough of flour and water with its typical “nest” look, which turns wonderfully crisp whether baked or fried. That’s exactly what makes these crispy jumbo shrimp so hard to resist, whether you cook them in a pan or go for the baked kataifi shrimp version.

Ready to find out how to make crispy jumbo shrimp at their most tempting and refined? Their delicate flavor pairs perfectly with a slightly sweet and tangy sauce: we suggest trying them with a fresh mango sauce, but an herb mayonnaise or a citrus vinaigrette work well too. They’re also perfect if you’re looking for an alternative to the usual finger food: the result is jumbo shrimp wrapped in kataifi pastry, golden and light and crisp, that melts at the first bite.

If you love shellfish dishes, we also recommend trying the Air Fryer Jumbo Shrimp for a lighter option, or the Shrimp Tempura and the Crispy Fried Shrimp for a burst of flavor. If you prefer a more delicate taste, the Steamed Jumbo Shrimp are perfect too. And if you want a whole pasta course inspired by shrimp, try the Casarecce with Artichokes and Shrimp.

Let yourself be tempted by this easy kataifi jumbo shrimp recipe and bring to the table an elegant dish of crispy jumbo shrimp that will win everyone over at the first taste. They’re also perfect as jumbo shrimp for a tasty aperitivo: will you be able to resist?

Ingredients for 4 people

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Method

  1. To make the Kataifi-Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp, start by cleaning the shellfish: gently remove the shell and the black vein along the back, leaving the head and tail intact, then sprinkle the shrimp with salt and pepper to taste.
    Kataifi-Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp, step 1: shelled shrimp with head and tail, seasoned with salt and pepper
  2. Now make the mango sauce: peel the fruit, dice it and put the flesh in a bowl. Add the mustard, honey, lime juice, extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt, and blend everything with an immersion blender. Finally, transfer the sauce to a small bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge.
    Kataifi-Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp, step 2: mango sauce blended in a bowl
  3. Now wrap the jumbo shrimp in the kataifi pastry: divide it into small bundles of about 10 grams each and wrap each shrimp, taking care to leave the head and tail uncovered.
    Kataifi-Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp, step 3: shrimp wrapped in kataifi pastry
  4. In a high-sided skillet, heat the frying oil to 175 °C (350 °F): lower no more than a couple of shrimp at a time, so the temperature doesn’t drop and they cook perfectly.
    Kataifi-Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp, step 4: shrimp frying in hot oil
  5. Once golden, drain them and let the excess oil soak into paper towels on a tray: plate your Kataifi-Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp with the mango sauce and serve them piping hot. Finally, remember to download our App with exclusive content and fewer ads!

Variations and Alternatives

Alternatively, you can bake the jumbo shrimp in the oven at 180 °C (350 °F) until the kataifi is golden. You can also serve your shrimp with Tzatziki Sauce.

Tips

To make sure the oil is at the right temperature, I recommend using a food thermometer.

Storage

Our advice is to eat the Kataifi-Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp right away. To get ahead, though, you can make the mango sauce a few hours earlier and keep it in the fridge.

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