Florida Shrimp Pie (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the crust

01 - 1 pre-made pie crust (or homemade)
02 - 1 large egg plus 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

→ For the shrimp filling

03 - 1 pound large Florida shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
04 - 2 tablespoons butter
05 - ½ cup onion, finely chopped
06 - ½ cup celery, finely chopped
07 - ½ cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
10 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
15 - ½ cup heavy cream
16 - ½ cup whole milk
17 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
18 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
19 - ½ cup shredded white cheddar cheese
20 - ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

→ For the topping

21 - ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
22 - 1 tablespoon butter, melted
23 - ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
24 - 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan and crimp edges. Prick bottom with a fork, brush with egg wash, and pre-bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden.
02 - In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and red bell pepper, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and all seasonings, cooking 1 minute more.
03 - Add chopped shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink but not overcooked. Remove shrimp mixture from skillet and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, sprinkle flour and whisk well. Slowly add heavy cream and milk, whisking constantly until thickened. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and both cheeses until smooth.
05 - Return the shrimp mixture to the skillet with the cream sauce and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
06 - Pour shrimp filling into the pre-baked pie crust and spread evenly. Mix panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, Parmesan, and parsley in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the top.
07 - Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until the pie is golden brown and bubbling. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
08 - Serve warm with a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or coleslaw. Drizzle with extra lemon juice or hot sauce if desired.

# Notes:

01 - Use fresh Gulf shrimp for the best flavor, or thaw frozen shrimp completely and pat dry before cooking.
02 - The Old Bay seasoning and lemon zest give this pie its signature Floridian coastal flavor.
03 - Don't overcook the shrimp - they'll continue cooking in the oven and can become rubbery if overdone.
04 - For a richer crust, try using buttery biscuit dough or puff pastry instead of traditional pie crust.
05 - This pie can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs and substituting cornstarch for flour.