Shrimp Fritto Misto 

Shrimp Fritto Misto is a delightful Italian-inspired appetizer featuring crispy, golden-brown shrimp and bell peppers, lightly battered and fried to perfection. This dish is reminiscent of the popular Olive Garden appetizer, offering a satisfying crunch and savory flavor in every bite. Paired with a homemade spicy ranch or marinara sauce, it's an ideal choice for parties, gatherings, or a special treat at home. 

🧄 Ingredients

For the Shrimp Fritto Misto:

• 16 oz raw medium shrimp (peeled and thawed)

• ½ red bell pepper, cut into strips

For the Spicy Ranch Sauce:

• ¼ cup creamy ranch dressing

• 1 tbsp cherry pepper hoagie spread

• 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

• 3 tbsp Olive Garden salad dressing

For the Breading:

• 2 tbsp cornstarch

• 2 tbsp ground cornmeal

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ tbsp seasoned salt

• ½ tbsp garlic salt

• 1 tsp lemon pepper

• 2 tsp paprika

• 1 tbsp dried parsley

For the Wet Batter:

• ½ cup reserved breading mixture

• ½ cup cold water

🔪 Directions

1. Prepare the Spicy Ranch Sauce: In a bowl, combine ranch dressing, cherry pepper hoagie spread, grated Parmesan cheese, and Olive Garden salad dressing. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.

2. Prepare the Breading: In a medium bowl, whisk together cornstarch, ground cornmeal, all-purpose flour, seasoned salt, garlic salt, lemon pepper, paprika, and dried parsley. Reserve ½ cup of this mixture for the wet batter.

3. Make the Wet Batter: In a small bowl, combine the reserved ½ cup of breading mixture with ½ cup of cold water. Stir until smooth.

4. Prepare the Shrimp and Bell Peppers: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Cut the red bell pepper into strips.

5. Bread the Shrimp and Vegetables: Dip the shrimp and bell pepper strips into the wet batter, then coat them evenly with the dry breading mixture.

6. Fry the Shrimp and Vegetables: Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the breaded shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden brown. Fry the bell pepper strips for about 1 minute. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and drain on paper towels.

7. Serve: Arrange the fried shrimp and bell peppers on a serving platter. Serve with the prepared spicy ranch sauce or marinara sauce for dipping.

📊 Nutritional Estimate (per serving)

• Calories: Approximately 158 kcal

• Total Fat: 6 g

• Saturated Fat: 1 g

• Cholesterol: 75 mg

• Sodium: 1368 mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 15 g

• Dietary Fiber: 1 g

• Sugars: 1 g

• Protein: 10 g