Dishing up a classic that never fails to impress, the fried prawn recipe Chinese is a staple in the menus of countless Chinese eateries. This culinary delight strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and scrumptiousness, making it an ideal choice for gatherings of all kinds, whether among loved ones or with a group of friends. Crafted using fresh prawns that are fried to a crispy perfection, then delicately coated in a delectable sweet and savoury sauce, this dish is a true taste sensation that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
When it comes to selecting ingredients for your fried prawn recipe Chinese, it is important to choose fresh and high-quality prawns. You can use either fresh or frozen prawns, but fresh prawns are always the best choice. You can also add other seafood, such as squid or scallops, to the dish to make it even more flavourful.
Preparation techniques for fried prawn recipe Chinese are fairly simple. You need to clean and devein the prawns, and then marinate them in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar. The prawns are then coated in cornflour and deep-fried until crispy. Finally, they are tossed in a sauce made with tomato ketchup, soy sauce, and sugar.
Key Takeaways
- Fresh and high-quality prawns are essential for making a delicious fried prawn recipe Chinese
- Adding other seafood, such as squid or scallops, can enhance the flavour of the dish
- The dish is prepared by marinating the prawns, coating them in cornflour, and deep-frying them until crispy before tossing in a sweet and savoury sauce.
Selecting Ingredients
When it comes to making a delicious Chinese fried prawn dish, selecting the right ingredients is crucial. Here are some tips to help you choose the best ingredients for your recipe.
Choosing the Best Prawns
First and foremost, you want to select the freshest prawns possible. Fresh prawns will have a firm texture and a sweet, briny flavour. You can use either tiger prawns or any other type of fresh prawns for this dish.
If you're using frozen prawns, make sure they're completely thawed before cooking. You can thaw them by placing them in the fridge overnight or by running them under cold water for a few minutes.
Essential Chinese Pantry Items
In addition to fresh prawns, you'll need a few essential Chinese pantry items to make this dish. These include garlic, ginger, and spring onion, which add flavour and depth to the dish.
You'll also need soy sauce, which is a staple in Chinese cooking. Oyster sauce and sesame oil are also commonly used in Chinese cuisine and can add a rich umami flavour to the dish.
For frying, you'll need vegetable oil, which has a high smoke point and won't impart any unwanted flavours to the dish. Rice wine or shaoxing wine can also be used to deglaze the pan and add a subtle sweetness to the dish.
Finally, cornflour can be used to thicken the sauce and give it a glossy finish.
Seafood can also be used in this recipe as a suggestion. You can use a variety of seafood such as squid, scallops, or even crab meat to add more flavour and texture to the dish.
Preparation Techniques
Cleaning and Deveining Prawns
Before cooking, it's essential to clean and devein your prawns properly. Start by removing the head and shell of the prawn. You can leave the tail on for appearance if you wish. Next, use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to make a shallow cut along the back of the prawn. Remove the black vein and rinse the prawn under cold running water.
If you're using fresh prawns, it's best to clean them just before cooking. However, if you're using frozen prawns, you should defrost them in the fridge overnight before cleaning. Never defrost prawns at room temperature as this can cause bacteria to grow.
Marinating for Flavour
Marinating your prawns is a great way to add extra flavour to your dish. You can use a variety of ingredients to create a savoury and fragrant marinade. For a simple marinade, mix together soy sauce, rice wine, garlic, ginger and a pinch of sugar.
Leave the prawns to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the fridge. This will allow the flavours to infuse into the prawns, making them succulent and delicious.
If you're looking to add more seafood to your dish, you can also try using other types of seafood such as scallops or squid. These can be cleaned and prepared in the same way as prawns, and will add extra texture and flavour to your dish.
Overall, cleaning and deveining your prawns and marinating them for flavour are essential preparation techniques for creating a delicious Chinese-style fried prawn dish.
Mastering the Wok
Wok Heating and Oil Choices
When it comes to cooking Chinese cuisine, the wok is an essential tool. The wok's unique shape and material make it perfect for stir-frying, which is a cooking technique that involves cooking food over high heat in a small amount of oil. To get the best results, it's important to heat your wok properly and choose the right oil.
Firstly, you need to heat your wok until it's smoking hot. This will ensure that your food cooks quickly and evenly, and that it develops the desired texture and flavour. To test if your wok is hot enough, you can sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface. If the water evaporates immediately, your wok is ready.
Secondly, it's important to choose the right oil. Vegetable oil, peanut oil, and cooking oil are all good choices for stir-frying. They have a high smoke point, which means they can withstand the high heat needed for stir-frying without burning. Peanut oil is a popular choice for Chinese cuisine because it adds a nutty flavour to the dish.
Stir-Frying Basics
Once your wok is hot and your oil is ready, you're ready to start stir-frying. The key to stir-frying is to keep the food moving constantly. This ensures that it cooks evenly and doesn't burn. You can use a spatula or a pair of tongs to move the food around.
When stir-frying prawns or other seafood, it's important to cook them quickly to avoid overcooking and drying them out. You can add the prawns to the wok once the oil is hot and cook them for just a few minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcrowd the wok, as this can cause the temperature to drop and make the food steam instead of fry.
Seafood such as prawns, scallops, and squid are great options for stir-frying. They cook quickly and absorb the flavours of the other ingredients in the dish. When using seafood in your stir-fry, be sure to choose fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best results.
Cooking the Dish
Combining Ingredients
To cook the perfect Chinese fried prawn recipe, you will need fresh and large prawns with shells. You can also use other seafood such as squid or scallops as a suggestion. However, for this recipe, we will focus on prawns.
Start by cleaning the prawns and snipping off the whiskers and legs with a food scissor. Pat the prawns dry with paper towels and place them into a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and mix well. Let it stand for about 20 minutes.
In a separate bowl, combine the sauce ingredients, including tomato ketchup, light soy sauce, rice wine or dry sherry, sugar, and cornflour. Mix well and set aside.
Next, chop the garlic, young ginger, and spring onions. You can also use scallions or onions if you prefer. Heat up a wok or a frying pan over high heat and add oil. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for a few seconds until fragrant.
Achieving the Perfect Texture
Add the prawns to the wok or frying pan and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until they turn pink. Be careful not to overcook the prawns as they will become tough and chewy. Once the prawns are cooked, remove them from the pan and set them aside.
Add the sauce mixture to the same wok or frying pan and stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until it thickens. Return the prawns to the pan and stir-fry for another minute until the prawns are coated with the sauce.
Garnish with chopped spring onions and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Overall, this Chinese fried prawn recipe is easy to make and can be a perfect dish for any seafood lover. The combination of garlic, ginger, and spring onions with the sauce gives it an authentic Chinese flavour.
Serving and Presentation
Once you have prepared your delicious Chinese fried prawns, it's time to think about how to serve and present them. Here are some tips to make your dish look as good as it tastes.
Accompaniments and Side Dishes
Chinese fried prawns are best served with a side dish or two to balance out the flavours. Vegetables such as carrots, green beans or bok choy work well, as do noodles or fried rice. If you choose to serve fried rice, you can use white rice or Chinese fried rice. You can also add eggs to your fried rice for extra flavour and texture.
If you want to add some seafood to your meal, you can serve your Chinese fried prawns with a seafood soup or a seafood salad. For the soup, you can use prawn or fish stock and add other seafood such as crab or mussels. For the salad, you can use prawns, squid or scallops.
Garnishing for Visual Appeal
To make your dish look more visually appealing, you can garnish your Chinese fried prawns with scallions or spring onions. You can also add some crispy fried garlic or ginger for extra flavour and texture. Another way to add some beauty to your dish is to serve it in a Chinese-style bowl or plate.
Overall, serving and presenting your Chinese fried prawns is just as important as cooking them. By following these tips, you can create a dish that not only tastes great but looks great too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the simplest way to make Chinese-style fried prawns?
The easiest way to make Chinese-style fried prawns is by using a simple batter made with flour, cornstarch, and water. Dip the prawns in the batter and deep fry them until they turn golden brown. You can also add some Chinese five-spice powder or ginger powder to the batter for an extra flavour boost.
Can you recommend a top-notch Chinese prawn dish?
Kung Po King Prawn is a delicious Chinese prawn dish that you can try at home. It's a spicy and flavourful stir-fry dish made with prawns, peanuts, vegetables, and a spicy sauce. Another great option is Dry Fried Prawns, also known as Har Lok, which is a Cantonese dish made with fresh prawns, garlic, ginger, and a sweet and savoury sauce.
How do you properly stir-fry prawns with a Chinese twist?
To stir-fry prawns with a Chinese twist, start by heating up a wok or a frying pan with some oil. Add garlic, ginger, and some sliced vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and carrots. Once the vegetables are cooked, add the prawns and stir-fry for a few minutes until they turn pink and are cooked through. Add some soy sauce, oyster sauce, or hoisin sauce for extra flavour.
Is it necessary to boil prawns before frying them?
It's not necessary to boil prawns before frying them. You can deep fry the prawns directly as long as they are fresh and cleaned properly. However, if you prefer a healthier option, you can also grill or bake the prawns instead of deep-frying them.
What's the secret to a perfect deep-fried prawn at home?
The secret to a perfect deep-fried prawn at home is to make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the prawns. The oil should be heated to 180°C/350°F, and the prawns should be deep-fried until they turn golden brown and crispy. You can also add some cornstarch to the batter to make the prawns extra crispy.
How can I fry prawns without their shells?
To fry prawns without their shells, start by cleaning and deveining the prawns. Then, dip them in a batter made with flour, cornstarch, and water, and deep fry them until they turn golden brown. You can also use peeled prawns to make stir-fry dishes or grilled prawns for a healthier option.
Proposed suggestion: For a seafood twist, you can also use other types of seafood like squid, scallops, or mussels to make Chinese-style fried seafood. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as different types of seafood require different cooking times.