The Po Boy sandwich is a classic favorite in the South and is a staple dish of New Orleans cuisine. The dish was invented in 1929 by the Martin brothers, Bennie and Clovis, who opened a restaurant in New Orleans called Martin Brothers Coffee Stand and Restaurant. The brothers wanted to provide an inexpensive meal for the working class, so they created the Po Boy sandwich, which consisted of a long French loaf filled with fried oysters, shrimp, or roast beef.
The name “Po Boy” is thought to have come from the “poor boys” or streetcar drivers who frequented the restaurant. The drivers would often bring their own bread, and the brothers would offer to make them sandwiches for free. The drivers soon became known as “poor boys”, and the name stuck.
The Po Boy sandwich has since become a popular staple of New Orleans culture. It is served in restaurants across the city, as well as in many places around the world. The sandwich can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including fried seafood, roast beef, ham, and cheese. It is usually served with a side of French fries and a variety of condiments, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, and hot sauce.
Shrimp Po Boy Recipe Ingredients:
-1 lb. of peeled and deveined shrimp
-2 cups of all-purpose flour
-1 teaspoon of garlic powder
-1 teaspoon of paprika
-1 teaspoon of salt
-1 teaspoon of black pepper
-1 cup of buttermilk
-1 cup of vegetable oil
-4 French rolls
-1 cup of shredded lettuce
-1 cup of tomato slices
-Pickles (optional)
Kitchen Equipment Needed:
-Deep fryer
-Mixing bowl
-Whisk
-Paper towels
-Baking sheet
-Baking tray
Po Boy Cooking Instructions:
- Fill the deep fryer with the vegetable oil and set it to 375 degrees.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the buttermilk and 1 cup of the flour mixture.
- Dip each shrimp into the buttermilk mixture, then coat it in the flour mixture.
- Place the shrimp into the hot oil and deep fry for 2-3 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Place the cooked shrimp on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to absorb any excess oil.
- Split the French rolls and spread mayonnaise on each side.
- Place the cooked shrimp on the bottom half of each roll.
- Top with shredded lettuce, tomato slices, and pickles (optional).
- Place the top half of the roll on top and serve.
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Garnishes: Mayonnaise, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, pickles (optional)
Making it Spicy: To make the Shrimp Po Boy quite spicy, you can add some hot sauce to the mayonnaise before spreading it on the rolls. You can also add some chopped jalapenos or hot peppers to the shrimp mixture before frying them.
How about a great cocktail to go with that po boy? We bet this Black Eyed Susan drink recipe will go great.