Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Toast

Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Toast

Think of this as a cross between garlic bread, shrimp scampi, and a cheesy melt. The topping is a rich mixture of chopped shrimp, garlic, cream cheese, and two kinds of cheese, piled onto thick slices of bread and broiled until the surface is blistered and molten. Every bite is crunchy, creamy, and packed with savory shrimp flavor.

Ingredients (Makes 8 Toasts)

For the Shrimp Topping:

• 1 lb (450g) raw large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and roughly chopped into small chunks

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 5 garlic cloves, finely minced

• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a gentle kick)

• 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature

• ¼ cup mayonnaise (preferably Japanese Kewpie, or regular)

• 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese

• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 green onions, finely sliced (white and green parts separated)

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• Pinch of sea salt and black pepper

For the Bread Base:

• 8 thick slices of crusty bread (sourdough, ciabatta, French bread, or Texas toast)

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 1 garlic clove, halved

For Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped

• Extra lemon wedges for squeezing

Instructions

1. Preheat the Broiler: Position an oven rack in the top third of the oven and preheat the broiler to high. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

2. Sauté the Shrimp: Pat the chopped shrimp dry with paper towels. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chopped shrimp and sauté for 1-2 minutes just until they turn pink and opaque. Do not overcook; they will cook again under the broiler. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

3. Make the Cheesy Shrimp Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, half of the mozzarella, the Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and the white parts of the green onions. Stir until smooth and creamy. Fold in the cooled shrimp and garlic butter mixture. Taste and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

4. Prep the Bread: Arrange the bread slices on the prepared baking sheet. Mix the melted butter with any remaining garlic from chopping. Brush the tops of the bread lightly with the garlic butter. For extra garlic punch, rub each slice with the cut side of a halved garlic clove.

5. Assemble the Toasts: Divide the cheesy shrimp mixture generously and evenly among the bread slices, spreading it all the way to the edges so every bite is covered. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of each toast.

6. Broil to Golden Perfection: Place the baking sheet under the broiler. Broil for 3-5 minutes, watching intently the entire time, until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and developing beautiful golden-brown spots. The edges of the bread should be deeply toasted and crisp.

7. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven. Immediately sprinkle with the reserved green onion tops and fresh parsley. Serve the toasts hot, with lemon wedges on the side for a bright squeeze of juice over the top.

Make It Your Own:

• Extra Crunch: Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs mixed with a drizzle of olive oil on top before broiling.

• Spicy Version: Add a finely minced jalapeño or serrano pepper to the shrimp mixture, or drizzle with sriracha before serving.

• Crab Addition: Fold in ¼ cup of lump crab meat with the shrimp for a luxurious twist.