Prep Time: 1 Hour
Yields: 4–5 Servings

Comment:
This delicious cheese mixture delivers a delightful appetizer when baked inside a loaf of French bread. We have added excitement to the dish by crowning the filling with French-fried shrimp.

Ingredients:
2 cups (70–90 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 loaf French bread
1½ quarts vegetable oil or as needed for deep-frying
½ stick butter
½ cup diced onions
½ cup diced celery
¼ cup diced red bell pepper
2 tbsps minced jalapeños
1 tbsp minced garlic
½ tsp dry mustard
½ cup mayonnaise
⅓ cup mozzarella cheese
⅓ cup Cheddar cheese
¼ cup chopped parsley
¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
1 cup milk
3 cups seasoned fish fry

Method:
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a Dutch oven, heat 1½ quarts oil to 350°F. NOTE: If using a home-style deep-fryer, preheat appropriate amount of oil to 350°F according to manufacturer’s instructions. Slice French bread in half lengthwise and scoop out the inside of the loaf. Set aside. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Sauté onions, celery, bell pepper, jalapeños and minced garlic 3–5 minutes or until vegetables are wilted, stirring often. Blend in dry mustard and mayonnaise. Add cheeses, parsley and green onions. Blend until all cheese is melted. Spread mixture inside the bread then put halves back together. Butter the top of the loaf, wrap it in foil and bake 20–30 minutes. While bread is baking, fry the shrimp. Dip shrimp in milk then dredge lightly in seasoned fish fry. Working in batches, gently place shrimp into Dutch oven or deep-fryer and cook 3–5 minutes or until golden brown, taking care not to crowd the pan. Using wire skimmer, remove fried shrimp and drain. Allow oil to return to correct temperature between batches. Remove bread from oven and unwrap the foil. Remove the top half of bread and layer shrimp over cheese filling. Return top half of loaf, cut into slices and serve hot.