Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Shrimp Toast with Plum Dipping Sauce

My first exposure to shrimp toast wasn’t at an Oriental restaurant, but at the first catering party I ever worked as a server/cook. The caterer asked me to prepare a shrimp-toast recipe from one of Martha Stewart’s early books, and I ate most of them before she had a chance to serve them to the guests. These take a little work, but they are well worth the effort. For an added bonus, serve both the plum dipping sauce and the pepper-jelly dipping sauce.

Ingredients

1/2 pound              medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1                               large egg white

1 /4                         cup minced green onion

1                              Tbsp chopped cilantro

1 /8                         tsp cayenne pepper

1 /2 tsp                  soy sauce

1 /4 tsp                  fresh chopped ginger

1 /8 tsp                 minced garlic

1 /4                        teaspoon creole seasoning

1 /8 tsp                 salt

1 /2 tsp                 sesame oil

2 Tbsp                  sesame oil

2                            large egg yolks

1 Tbsp                  rice vinegar

1 tsp                      soy sauce

1 Tbsp                  sherry

2 Tbsp                 water

12 slices              white bread, crusts removed

6 tsp                    vegetable oil

Parsley, for garnish

 

Instructions

Place the shrimp, egg white, onion, cilantro, cayenne, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, creole seasoning, salt and 1 /2 teaspoon of the sesame oil in a food processor and pulse 2 or 3 times to finely chop. Do not puree.

Put egg yolk, remaining 2 tablespoons sesame oil, vinegar, soy sauce, sherry and water in a shallow bowl and whisk to blend.

Spread equal amounts of the shrimp mixture.

Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Dip toasts in egg mixture, coating evenly on both sides. Place them a few at a time, shrimp side down first and fry until golden brown, about 4 minutes on each side. Remove from the skillet. Repeat the process with the remaining 3 tablespoons vegetable oil and toasts.

Serve with the shrimp side up.

Slice each sandwich into 2 triangles, place on a serving plate and garnish with parsley

Recent Recipes

Harrison’s Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes

Having a son who’s following in your footsteps is one thing. Watching him take what you’ve taught him and elevate it to something even better—that’s special. During his Christmas break from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York, a few years ago, he nudged me out of the way and made these mashed potatoes. I was skeptical, of course as I’ve been making mashed potatoes for decades. But there was no question his version was better. There’s a lot of pride in seeing him excel in the kitchen, making something as simple as mashed potatoes taste extraordinary. This recipe has become a new tradition in our family. Watching him cook now, with all that skill and precision, is a proud moment for me every time. This is his recipe, and I’ve adopted it as my own.

Read more

Macaroni and Cheese

Growing up, elaborate mac & cheese wasn’t something that made its way to our dinner table. That’s not some sort of elitist statement. We grew up in a very modest way. It’s just that macaroni and cheese was something my mom never purchased at the store and therefore never served. This recipe is rich and indulgent with a blend of cheeses that create a creamy, savory masterpiece. Adding crispy fried shallots or crumbled bacon to the breadcrumb topping gives it a savory, satisfying crunch. The blend of cheeses—Velveeta for creaminess, Gruyere for nuttiness, Cheddar for sharpness, and Colby Jack for that buttery melt—makes all the difference.

Read more

Robert’s Christmas Turkey 2025

There's nothing like a well-roasted turkey to anchor a holiday table, and no one made it quite like my grandmother. She didn't wait until Thanksgiving to serve it. She'd roast a turkey once a month throughout the year, never mind the occasion. It was a staple at her table. My mother, on the other hand, always made a formal Christmas Eve dinner, complete with turkey, dressing, and gravy. As kids, the excitement of Christmas Eve was almost too much to bear. Those big dinners felt like the beginning of Christmas itself. It’s a memory that comes to mind every time I cook a turkey or make gravy. And a good gravy can make or break the meal. Making sure the roux browns just right and finishing the gravy with a touch of lemon juice or fresh herbs are tricks worth remembering. A little extra attention to the gravy goes a long way.

Read more