Cheesy Popcorn Shrimp Potato Nests Recipes

PASTRY PHYLLO NESTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Lay a sheet of phyllo dough out flat. Pick it up from the center as if it were a handkerchief. Continue with remaining 3 sheets. Set it down on a baking pan and twist and flatten the center down to create a free form "nest" of phyllo. Brush with butter and bake for 20 minutes or until crackling crisp and golden. Serve one per person and top with fruit, whipped cream or ice cream or drizzle with honey and scatter with chopped pistachios, almonds or walnuts.

BUTTERSCOTCH BIRD NESTS

Steps:

• Heat a large, dry saute pan over medium heat. Add the almond slivers and toast, shaking the pan every minute, until they are fragrant and begin to darken in areas, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Melt the almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl according to package instructions. Stir in the butterscotch chips. Microwave another 30 seconds, and then stir until smooth.
• Stir in the almonds, pretzels and coconut, coating evenly. Drop the mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, onto the prepared baking sheets. Nestle in 1 or 2 of the mini eggs. If the mixture starts to cool and become too firm to work with, microwave for 30 seconds and stir gently. Let the nests cool at room temperature until solid.

POTATO NESTS

Steps:

• Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot with about 4 inches of oil. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F over medium heat.
• Peel the potato and grate it with a mandoline, making strings about 2 millimeters thick. Rinse the potato strings in a strainer under cold running water. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and spread the potato strings on the towels. Top with more paper towels to dry.
• Place the potato strings in a spider strainer, filling the bottom and going up the sides creating a "nest." Place a slotted spoon on top of the strainer to keep the potato strings in place and carefully lower the strainer and spoon together into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a baking sheet lined with a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt. Continue with the remaining potato strings.

MERINGUE NESTS

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 250 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in a large clean dry bowl with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until thick and opaque, about 1 more minute. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, and beat until stiff shiny peaks form, about 5 more minutes.
• Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe eight 3-inch disks on the baking sheets, then pipe around the edge of the disks to create 2-inch-high sides. Bake at 250 degrees F until dry and crisp, about 3 hours. Let cool completely on the baking sheets. Store in an airtight container in a dry place for up to 1 week.
• For the filling, whisk the mascarpone with the confectioners' sugar, then whisk in the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Spoon into the meringue nests; top with sugar pearls.

CRISPY POTATO NESTS WITH CHERRY KETCHUP

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the ketchup and cherry preserves. Puree until smooth. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
• Heat the oil in a medium Dutch oven or deep saucepan over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. In a small bowl, mix together the salt and cinnamon. Using the medium-thick blade on a spiralizer, cut the potatoes into spirals.
• In small batches (about 3/4 cup each), fry the potatoes, turning them as needed with a spider so they brown evenly, until they are lightly golden and crispy, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the potato nests to a paper towel-lined tray and sprinkle with some of the salt mixture. Serve the cherry ketchup alongside the potato nests for dipping.

SHRIMP POTATO NESTS #RSC

Steps:

• In a large pan bring unpeeled potatoes to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook 20 minutes. Drain, let cool and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, pulse shrimp and lemon zest in a processor. Add yogurt and Hidden Valley packet, process til combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Grease mini muffin pan. In a medium bowl coarsely peel potatoes and grate. Gently toss in salt and pepper. Place a heaping tablespoon of potato in muffin pan, press against sides to form and allow som to extend over rims. Do not spread to thin. Bake about 25 mintues. Cool in pan about 10 mintues. Carefully remove and place on a baking sheet lined with paper towels. (This process can be made up to 4 hours ahead and left at room tempature.).
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Bake nests for 6-8 mintues. Transfer to a serving platter. Spoon a dollop of the shrimp mix into each nest and top with a tiny piece of shrimp. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.