We’re of the belief that tostadas make anything better– the salty, crunchy goodness means you can raise your favorite foods up high on a sort-of flavor pedestal.
And in the realm of untraditional tostada hierarchy, this Thai shrimp tostada is major. And I should know because I pretty much never met a tostada I didn’t like.
Huevos Rancheros are my brunch dish of choice almost every time because of that tostada. This recipe is one of those situations where the parts themselves are in fact as awesome as the whole, because it’s basically avocado toast (tostada-ified) with a super funky, spicy Thai dressing and a sweet-spicy charred grilled shrimp.
I imagine that any leftover dressing or shrimp would be equally fabulous on a salad but I can’t speak to it firsthand because I have yet to have any leftovers.
Go stock up on all your cooking essentials, then head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!
Thai Shrimp Tostadas Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For The Tostadas:
- 8 (5-inch) corn tortillas
- 1 tablespoon canola, grapeseed, or coconut oil
For The Seared Shrimp:
- 1 tablespoon canola, grapeseed, or coconut oil
- 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp about 30
- 3 teaspoons packed light brown sugar divided
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- kosher salt
For The Cilantro Dressing:
- 1/4 cup canola, grapeseed, or coconut oil
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 medium shallot trimmed and peeled (can substitute red onion)
- 1/2 medium serrano or Thai chile
- 2 medium garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 medium firm-ripe avocado mashed
- 2 medium Persian cucumbers thinly sliced into half moon shapes
- 1 pint sweet 100 tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup roasted salted almonds or cashews roughly chopped
Instructions
- For The Tostadas: Heat oven to 450°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Brush both sides of tortillas with 1 tablespoon of the oil and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden and crisp, about 5 to 8 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.
- For The Seared Shrimp: Toss shrimp with 1 tablespoon of the oil, 1 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, 3/4 teaspoon cayenne, and a pinch of salt and toss to coat. Heat a large cast iron or heavy-bottomed over medium high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer (you may need to do this in batches) and cook until pink about 2 minutes per side. Flip and cook. Repeat with remaining shrimp.
- For The Cilantro Dressing: Combine 1/2 cup of the cilantro, the remaining 1/4 cup of the oil, 1/2 of the chile (remove seeds if you don't like spicy), lime juice, shallot or red onion, garlic, fish sauce, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar in a blender and process until smooth, at least 30 seconds. Taste and, if you like it spicier, add remaining chile and blend.
- For The Assembly: Mash up avocados, divide, and spread among tostadas. Toss cucumber and tomatoes with 1/2 cup of the dressing then divide among tostadas. Top with shrimp, nuts, and additional herbs and serve drizzled with additional dressing, as desired.
