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.