Fresh Coconut Shrimp

Does anyone else find pleasure out of fresh coconuts sitting on their counter?

Well, apparently they were on sale the other day, because mom came home with FIVE coconuts. What do you do with FIVE coconuts? I know what to do with one, but five?!  Can't just let them rot! Then shrimp was spotted in the freezer, and sudden inspiration hit. Why not try to make fresh and CLEAN coconut shrimp. 

Couldn't have been happier with the results, yet it was missing something. That addicting sweet sauce restaurants always serve with coconut shrimp. My perfectly clean shrimp wouldn't stay clean for long. Resolutions slipped as my hand reached for a jar of apricot jam. How bad can something be that says apricot right on it anyway? Plopping a big spoonful into a sauce pan, I let my creative juices flow. I added a little rice vinegar to thin it out and make it tangy, then some red pepper for kicks, and finally some dried lavender to blend everything up in a perfect mix of beach and floral. My clean shrimp got just a little dirty when they rolled in that sauce, yet I was more then happy to push them in. haha

I bring to you (drum roll please) Clean and Fresh Coconut Shrimp with a Not So Clean Apricot Lavender Dipping Sauce...or... maybe I'll just call it... Fresh Coconut Shrimp. 

Recipe: Fresh Coconut Shrimp

Serves: 5

Ingredients:

1 c. whole wheat pastry flour

2 eggs

2 c. grated fresh coconut

1 1/2 lb. jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined

salt and pepper

1 c. coconut oil 

Dipping Sauce:

1/2 c. apricot jam

2 tbs. rice vinegar

1 tsp. red pepper 

2 tsp. dried lavender 

Directions:

Keep flour, slightly beaten eggs, and coconut separate in three shallow bowls Season shrimp with salt and pepper to taste. Place coconut oil in a shallow pan on the stove and heat on medium high. Dip each shrimp first in flour, then in egg, then in coconut. Fry shrimp until firm and golden brown about 1 minute per side. Drain on paper towels. 

To make dipping sauce: heat all ingredients in a sauce pan over low heat. Stir frequently.