Shrimp Toast (Chinese)

1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 egg white
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 scallion, both green and white parts, finely chopped
1 narrow loaf French bread (baguette)
1 cup vegetable oil
Small bunch fresh flat leaf parsley

Pulverize the shrimp to a paste with a food processor or blender. Add the egg white, cornstarch, salt, sugar, pepper, garlic and scallions and stir well to combine. Cut the French bread into slices 1/2 inch thick. Spread the shrimp paste over one side of each slice. Decorate each slice with a whole parsley "petal," stuck to the shrimp paste.

Heat the oil in a frying pan to about 375 degrees F. Drop in the bread slices, shrimp side down. Fry until the underside is brown, then turn over and brown the other side. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess fat.

Serves 6 as a first course.