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Panko-Crusted Vegan Shrimp Scampi with Tarragon and Shallot Browned "Butter"

Hoorah! My favorite day of the year is when the clocks jump forward one hour, giving me more time in the California sunshine. I am in the slap-happiest mood today, and per the usual, the sun is shining in SoCal. You'd think that living in California vs growing up in Overcast Ohio would eschew conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder. After 6 years here, I've turned into true West Coast brat. There are winter-ish months here, and June Gloom is a season of its own. 

There's something about the extended darkness that evokes a brooding, moody angst. Maybe I gave myself PTSD during my angsty teenage years, and I'm just realizing the trigger. I'm sure I was no joy to live with. I should make my parents custom trophies for dealing with the emotional turmoil I unleashed on our household. I blame it on hormones, but probably combined with the piles of weed I smoked.

Young Me wouldn't recognize Adult Me. I love the spring time, especially because it means Heirloom Tomatoes are almost back in season. I love life itself, cooking, cleaning. Young Me would have thrown that Crystal Ball in the trash.  

Moving onward. How was Vegas, you ask? Well, I didn't win a ton money, but I didn't lose any. I made the terrible mistake of consuming one too many libations one of the evenings. I "accidentally" withdrew more money from my bank account than initially intended. With my last twenty in hand, I said, "Fuck it..." and threw it into a $1 slot machine. I hit the "Bet Max" button and...JACKPOT! I won my money back. I learned quickly when to step away at the casino. 

Thank goodness. I also need money to support my other extreme addiction: grocery shopping. Enough about life. Let's talk about food. 

I am one of the biggest pasta whores on the planet. Few things satisfy my soul like a gigantic bowl of noodles. When I was a little Shag-let, my mom used to make this amazing shrimp and chicken scampi. I had a wicked craving for it one day. As much as I hate to kick my mom's ass remaking her recipes, I had to do something to cure the craving. 

I got my mom to send email her original recipe, and I set to work making it vegan. If I had the creative know-how and equipment to make my own vegan shrimp, I would. I used the frozen packaged variety,  making the recipe much simpler + craving faster satisfied. 

This is a great recipe for a dinner party, and appeals to nearly everyone's tastebuds. Substituting vegan chicken for the protein will yield incredible results, too. 

Bon Apetit!

Panko Crusted "Shrimp" Scampi with Tarragon and Shallot Browned "Butter"
  • 10 TBSP of Vegan Margarine
  • The leaves from 1 sprig of Fresh Tarragon, minced
  • 2 sprigs of fresh Tarragon, whole
  • 1/8 cup Shallot, minced
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 TBSP Lemon Juice
  • 2 10oz packages of Vegetarian Plus Frozen Vegan Shrimp, thawed
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 1 batch Vegan "Egg Yolk" Mix
  • 2 cups Panko Bread Crumbs mixed with 1 1/2 tsp Salt
  • Olive Oil, enough for frying
  • 1 lb of Linguine, cooked al Dente, drained and tossed with a touch of Olive Oil
  • Fresh Parsley, for garnish
  • Dr. Cow's Tree Nut Cheese, grated for garnish (or other Vegan Parmesan)
In a small saucepan, melt the vegan margarine over medium low heat, then add the garlic, tarragon sprigs and shallots. Allow the margarine to simmer until it browns a bit and reduces by about 1/6th, then add in the lemon juice. Remove the 2 whole tarragon sprigs and set aside. Re-melt before tossing with pasta if necessary. Get your oil heating to about 365 degrees F. Season the "Shrimp" well with salt and pepper. Prepare two bowls: One of the "Egg Yolk" Mix and one with the bread crumbs. Individually dip the shrimp first in the "Egg Yolk" Mix, then in the bread crumbs. Fry the "Shrimp" in the hot oil until golden brown. Toss the linguine and parsley with the browned butter sauce, serve "Shrimp" and vegan Parmesan atop the pasta.

Comments

Anonymous said…
i made mom's chicken scampi for jess about a month ago. one bite and her mouth was open in shock, and she called me a goddess. also, no apology to me? geez. love you.
Jes said…
Yay! So glad you won your money back! It's always good to at least break even. :) And the scampi looks delish--although I was hoping you'd have your own "shrimp" recipe. Any in the works?
Woobie is Vegan said…
this is very cool...I don't think I've seen any vegan shrimp on the blogs I follow! I've had what I assume is the same brand at the Vegetarian House in Portland and it was pretty good!
Anonymous said…
also, where do you buy this vegan shrimp and would i like it? jess is allergic to the real thing and there's tons of recipes i'd make for monday night dinners if i could...
I LOVE pasta and have been on a major pasta kick for the past month. I've been eating it several times a week, at least! This looks like an amazing recipe that I'm going to have to try. Thanks!
Me want! Me want! Yummay! I have to find some vegan shrimp asap, this looks divine!
Cortney said…
I have to admit, the fake shrimp kind of creep me out, but mostly just because real shrimp creep me out :)

Anything covered in panko has to be good though!
Mike K said…
I'm loving the extra hour of daylight too - good for your mind, especially after winter up here. Glad to hear you made your money back in Vegas too! These vegan shrimp are kind of mystifying, but I'd love to try them - the recipe looks absolutely delicious, and the panko coating looks great.
Anonymous said…
congrats on ....er breaking even... in vegas?! i can't wait to see you and hear about all your adventures.

this food looks awesome, and i am so stoked that you are posting full recipes on your site again!

VIVA LA SPRING!
Skyler Man said…
holy crap that looks a lot like shrimp, would make some delicious tempura sushi rolls too.

this looks so yummy, I will def. make it. : )
chow vegan said…
Wow, that looks incredible! I always see the veggie shrimp at the store but I didn't know what to do with it. Now I'll have to get some and make your recipe. Thanks! :-)
AHHHHHHH!! amazing as usual. I want to roll around in your recxipes like a rap video with cash. I dont have vege shrimp in the states or many veggie "products" but I will try this out when I come to California(so much vegan food, yo!!) Westside, bitches!
ha ha your other addiction: grocery shopping. I have that one too.
oh my goodness, how did I almost miss this post?! Very cool dish- wish we could get some faux shrimps 'round these parts. I had veg shrimp in LA once, but it didn't blow my mind. Bet your scampi would kick that other shrimp's ass!
Lauren said…
Haven't made this yet, but planning to this week. I'll be back to comment with my results ;) I'm commenting now though, because I wanted to share some info on the Vegetarian Plus brand vegan shrimp. A while back, one of your recipes got me hooked on these guys. Now, I replace real shrimp in recipes I'm veganizing with these ones.

Anyhow, I went to pick up a box at Whole Foods and they were out. Then I tried another WF and they were out too. I waited a few weeks and they never returned. I checked back and finally was told that WF will no longer carry them. They have other faux meats by Vegetarian Plus, but the shrimp are out. I contacted the company and was told that Mother's Market in OC carries them and some other natural food stores not in LA...I was about to be super bummed and then the chick on the phone told me that they have a little store there at company headquarters in Monrovia and that if I was willing to buy them in bulk, I can get them there. So, 20 miles and $17 later, I have 3 lbs of Vegetarian Plus vegan shrimp. I'm actually really happy and love that I have a crazy ass giant bag of these in my freezer now. Freezer space well occupied if you ask me! Anyhow, just thought I'd share the story in case you were looking for them at WF. :)
Lauren said…
Just made this. Crazy delicious as always. :)