Rissóis de Camaro | Portuguese Shrimp Turnovers

Rissóis de Camaro, Portuguese Shrimp Turnovers, are a staple Portuguese dish during the holidays. Change up the recipe by filling them with chicken, beef or vegetables if desired.

rissois shrimp 7237

Rissóis de Camaro | Portuguese Shrimp Turnovers

Rissóis de Camaro, Portuguese Shrimp Turnovers, are a staple Portuguese dish during the holidays. Change up the recipe by filling them with chicken, beef or vegetables if desired. These half-moon shaped croquettes are usually filled with shrimp  in this recipe, but can be filled bacalhau or sometimes minced meat (rissóis de carne), before being breaded then deep-fried.
The term “rissol” comes from the Latin russeolus which means “reddish”.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Portuguese
Servings 24

Ingredients
  

Pastry Dough

  • 2 cups milk
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cups all purpose flour

Filling

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 lb shrimp peeled, deveined, well drained and coarsely chopped (about 1½ cups)
  • 1 tsp piri piri hot sauce substitute with hot sauce of your choice
  • ¼ tsp ground thyme
  • ½ tbsp parsley finely chopped
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Roux for thickening filling

  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 tbsp butter

Breading

  • 3 eggs beaten with ¼ cup water for egg wash
  • cups breadcrumbs
  • 32 oz vegetable oil for frying

Instructions
 

Filling

  • Make a roux by combining equal parts butter and flour in a frying pan over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing it to start to turn golden brown. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
  • Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
    shrimp 1
  • In a frying pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add in onions and saute until softened and starting to turn golden, about 10 minutes. At this point add in the shrimp, piri piri sauce to taste, ground thyme, parsley, nutmeg. Stir to coat the shrimp in spices. Next, add in about ¾ of the milk. Let the mixture come to a simmer. Once it reaches a simmer, add in ¾ of the roux. Cook for 3 minutes. The mixture should be thick and not runny. If it needs to be thickened further add the remaining roux. If it is too thick, add the remaining milk. Cook for another 3 minutes. Set aside and let cool.
    butter 4885

Pastry dough

  • In a large sauce pan or small stock pot, add in the milk, butter and salt. Once the mixture reaches a simmer, add in the flour stirring vigorously with a rubber spatula until the mixture begins to come away from the sides and form a ball. Remove from the pot and place on a cutting board.
  • While the dough is still warm, divide it in half. Work each half into a sphere. Roll each sphere into a log. With a rolling pin flatten one in of the log in about a 4" square at ⅛" thick. Place about ¾ of a tablespoon of the filling in the center of the square. Fold half the dough over the filling. Then using the blunt side of at 2½" cookie cutter, or the rim of a highball glass, cut out the rissois. See video for detailed example. Continue this process until all your dough and filling are used up.
    Pasted Graphic 55
  • In a bowl beat eggs with a ¼ cup of water. In a separate bowl place the breadcrumbs. Dip the rissois into the egg mixture then transfer to the breadcrumbs and ensure that they are evenly coated. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
  • Heat oil on stove between 350°F-375°F. If you do not have a thermometer, dip a corner of a rissois into the oil, it should immediately begin sizzling if the oil is hot enough. Cook the rissois in batches, ensure the temperature of the oil does not drop to low. Cook the rissois for 3-5 minutes or until the external color is golden. Remove them from the oil and set on a paper towel lined plate to soak up excess oil.
    tn carne 5419

Video

Notes

To freeze the rissois:
  • After breading them lay them out on a baking sheet. Ensure that they are not touching one another. Allow them to freeze on baking sheet until frozen through. 
  • After they have completely frozen you can place them into a large ziplock bag or tupperware.
  • To cook, allow to defrost for 2 hours on a baking sheet then fry. 
Pasted Graphic 55
Link to cookie cutter set
https://amzn.to/3CPZhrG
https://amzn.to/31aPrDH
 
macbook pro

Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1

Keyword Portuguese, portuguese appetizer, Portuguese holiday food, rissois de camaro, shrimp empenadas, shrimp turnovers
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Recipes

Portuguese / Keto / Seafood / Vegetarian / Breakfast / Dinner

Michael holding plate of pesto crab cakes

Hello, I'm Michael!

I aspire to share recipes that you and your family can enjoy while also learning about cooking fundamentals along the way. I attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, CA and now enjoy cooking as a hobby.

Link to shop Michael's Kitchen Essentials