For this #tbt show on a Friday, we're taking it back to 1998. Nearly 20 years ago, a Clinton was president but The Parents Television council found the show too sexual and many groups would protest it being on the air. It was this time when 2017 Oscar nominee Michelle Williams would come on the scene as the show's resident "rebellious girl" banished to Capeside all the way from the big city. Food doesn't play a huge part on the show, but since Joey's family and The Icehouse are synonymous until SPOILER it burns down at the end of season 2, it's what I went to when I thought to honor Williams's nominated performance in another role that takes place by a seaside town in Massachusetts. Especially because I recently finished the series for the first time (it's all on Hulu!).
In the restaurant's first appearance in the show, Dawson, Pacey and Joey engage in some of the show's trademark quippy and complicated dialogue, while Dawson is just there to pick up a huge to-go order for a movie crew he's a part of. Instead of fish and chips or "family fries" I decided to take on the shrimp burger he mentions. It's a light alternative to a regular burger and is a great canvas for whatever flavors you want to incorporate. It's perfect for a ~fancy~ lunch or to serve at a big dinner with choices of toppings. Plus, I felt extra New Englandy and yacht cluby while I ate it.
Shrimp Burger
inspired by Dawson's Creek season 1, episode 3
makes 6 burgers
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp chopped scallions
- 3 tbsp diced celery
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp plain greek yogurt (or mayo)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- garlic powder to taste, about 1/4-1/8 tsp
- paprika to taste, 1/4-1/8 tsp
- salt and pepper to taste
- Tobasco or other hot sauce to taste
- pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- Peanut or canola oil
- burger toppings of choice
- bun of choice
Combine scallions, celery, parsley and lemon zest in a large bowl. Stir in greek yogurt, bread crumbs and egg until evenly distributed. Add all seasonings to taste.
Form patties with your hands. They should be about 3 inches in diameter.
Heat a couple tablespoons of the oil in a pan over medium to medium-high heat and add 2-3 patties at a time until both sides are golden brown.
Drain on paper towels and assemble burgers with whatever toppings you'd like! I added spicy mayo and tomato, but tartar sauce, avocado, regular mayo etc etc would all be perfect.
recipe adapted from the New York Times.
[made while watching The West Wing (season 3) and I can't stop watching!]
Sure, Jen isn't in this scene, but I had to seize my opportunity in Dawson's to-go order in The Icehouse's first appearance in the series.