Shrimp Toasts

 

This weekend's appetizer experiment was made from things I happened to have already in my fridge. I wanted to make something with the shrimp I had but something more creative than a shrimp cocktail.  I thought of a dish I used to make in which you wrap shrimp in bacon and Monterey Jack Cheese and bake it, but since I didn't have any bacon I decided to go with the cheese idea and came up with a healthy appetizer dish that was delicious; Saz's Shrimp Toast!

Saz's Shrimp Toast

1/2 lb. cooked shrimp

1 celery stalk

1 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp Hot Sauce (Cholula)

1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning

1 garlic clove

Baguette slices 

3 oz 75% Reduced Fat Cabot Cheddar Cheese

 >If you haven't gotten pre-cooked shrimp (like me) cook your shrimp on a baking sheet at 350 degrees until pink (about 10 minutes).  I usually buy the uncooked shrimp because they're cheaper and I am a sucker for a good deal, but if you don't want to do the extra work, you can buy pre-cooked de-shelled shrimp.

 

>Remove the shells from your shrimp.

 >Chop up your shrimp into super small pieces (almost to the consistency of when you make tuna fish).

> Dice up your garlic clove and celery stalk.

 > In a bowl, combine the shrimp, celery, garlic, lemon juice, Old Bay, and hot sauce -- mix very well.

>Slice up your baguette (I used one of the Pilsbury French Loafs which Justin turned me onto -- they make your house smell wonderful while they cook, they're delicious, and they were on sale!) I sliced mine in about 3/4 inch slices (you don't want them too thick so that they overpower the taste of the shrimp).

 > Lay out your sliced baguette on a baking sheet and preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

 > Top each baguette with your shrimp mixture.

 > Slice up or shred your cheddar cheese, and generously top each baguette slice with cheese.

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until the cheese is completely melted.  As an extra - I put the oven on HI Broil for a few minutes just to crisp up the cheese a little bit!  This recipe will make 9 shrimp toasts (so if you're making this for a party plan ahead your portions!) These are addictive, you can't just eat one....and for those of you who aren't huge shrimp fans, this is the dish for you because the taste of the shrimp is not powerful whatsoever! ENJOY!