Chinese golden fried prawns is staple in many Chinese restaurants and is loved for its crispy exterior and succulent interior. The recipe is simple and can be made with just a few ingredients, making it a great option for a quick and satisfying meal.
To make Chinese golden fried prawns, you'll need fresh and large prawns with their shells intact, flour, corn starch, salt, sugar, baking powder, an egg, ground black pepper, and water. You'll also need peanut oil for frying. If you'd like to add a little kick to your prawns, you can include some chili sauce or chili powder in the batter.
To prepare the prawns, you'll need to clean them thoroughly and remove the feelers and legs. You'll also need to make a batter by mixing the flour, corn starch, salt, sugar, baking powder, egg, and water. Once the batter is mixed, you can dip the prawns in it and fry them until they are golden brown. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy the laughter and happiness that comes with sharing a delicious meal with loved ones.
Key Takeaways
- Chinese golden fried prawns are a delicious and easy-to-make seafood dish that can be made with just a few ingredients.
- To prepare the prawns, you'll need to clean them thoroughly and make a batter with flour, corn starch, salt, sugar, baking powder, egg, and water.
- Serve the prawns with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy the laughter and happiness that comes with sharing a delicious meal with loved ones.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Selecting the Best Prawns
When it comes to selecting prawns for your golden fried prawns recipe, you want to choose the freshest and highest quality prawns possible. Jumbo prawns are an excellent choice as they are meaty and have a sweet flavour. If fresh prawns are not available, you can use frozen prawns, but make sure to thaw them properly before using them in the recipe.
Alternative Ingredients
If you cannot find some of the ingredients for the recipe, there are some alternatives you can use. For the batter, you can use a combination of all-purpose flour and cornflour or corn starch. Garlic powder can be substituted for fresh garlic cloves. Baking powder can be omitted if not available, but it helps the batter to rise and become crispy. If you prefer spicier prawns, you can add more chili powder.
Seafood lovers may want to experiment with adding other types of seafood to the recipe. Shrimp is a great alternative to prawns, and you can also use other types of shellfish such as scallops or crab. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
When it comes to seasoning, salt and pepper are essential ingredients in the recipe. You can adjust the amount of salt and pepper to suit your taste. If you prefer a sweeter batter, you can add a pinch of sugar.
The key ingredients for the Chinese golden fried prawns recipe are prawns, flour, egg, cornflour, corn starch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, baking powder, and chili powder. However, you can make substitutions and adjustments to the recipe to suit your preferences and what is available to you.
Preparing the Prawns
Cleaning and De-veining
Before you start preparing your Chinese golden fried prawns, you need to clean and de-vein them. This is an essential step to ensure that your prawns are fresh and free from any dirt or debris. To clean and de-vein your prawns, follow these steps:
- Hold the prawn by its body and remove the head by twisting it gently.
- Peel off the shell from the body of the prawn.
- Using a sharp knife, make a shallow cut along the back of the prawn and remove the black vein.
- Rinse the prawns under cold running water to remove any remaining debris.
Marinating for Flavour
To add flavour to your Chinese golden fried prawns, you need to marinate them. Marinating the prawns helps to infuse them with the flavours of the marinade and makes them more tender. To marinate your prawns, follow these steps:
- In a bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic, ginger, and lemon juice.
- Add the prawns to the bowl and mix well to coat them with the marinade.
- Cover the bowl with cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
If you want to add more variety to your Chinese golden fried prawns, you can also use other types of seafood such as squid, scallops or mussels. Just make sure to clean and prepare them properly before marinating.
Mixing the Perfect Batter
When it comes to making golden fried prawns, the batter is the most important aspect of the recipe. A good batter should be crispy, light and flavourful. In this section, we will discuss how to mix the perfect batter for golden fried prawns.
Consistency and Texture
The consistency and texture of the batter are crucial to achieving the perfect golden fried prawns. The batter should be thick enough to coat the prawns evenly, but not too thick that it becomes clumpy. A good batter should have a smooth texture, without any lumps.
To achieve the perfect consistency, you will need to use a combination of flour, cornflour, egg, and water. The flour provides structure to the batter, while the cornflour adds crispiness. The egg helps to bind the ingredients together, and the water helps to create a smooth texture.
Secrets to a Crispy Coating
The secret to a crispy coating is to use the right combination of ingredients and techniques. To achieve a crispy coating, you will need to use a combination of flour, cornflour, baking powder, and salt. The baking powder helps to create air pockets in the batter, which makes it light and crispy. The salt enhances the flavour of the batter.
Another important factor in achieving a crispy coating is to ensure that the oil is hot enough. The oil should be heated to a temperature of around 180°C before adding the prawns. This will ensure that the prawns cook evenly and that the batter becomes crispy.
If you are looking to add more variety to your recipe, you can also use other types of seafood such as squid or fish. Squid is a great option as it has a similar texture to prawns and can be cooked in the same way. You can also use different types of fish such as cod or haddock, which have a mild flavour that pairs well with the crispy batter.
Mixing the perfect batter is key to achieving the perfect golden fried prawns. By following the tips outlined in this section, you can create a batter that is crispy, light and full of flavour.
Frying Techniques
Deep Fry vs Stir Fry
When it comes to cooking Chinese golden fried prawns, there are two main techniques to choose from: deep frying and stir frying. Deep frying involves completely submerging the prawns in hot oil, while stir frying involves cooking the prawns quickly in a wok or frying pan with a small amount of oil.
Deep frying is the traditional method for cooking golden fried prawns, as it creates a crispy and golden exterior. However, it requires a large amount of oil and can be quite messy. Stir frying, on the other hand, is a healthier option that uses less oil but may not create the same level of crispiness.
Achieving the Golden Colour
No matter which frying technique you choose, achieving the perfect golden colour is key to making delicious golden fried prawns. To achieve this, it is important to use a high-quality oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or canola oil. These oils can be heated to high temperatures without burning, which is essential for creating a crispy exterior.
Another important factor in achieving the perfect golden colour is the temperature of the oil. The oil should be heated to around 180°C (350°F) for deep frying or 200°C (400°F) for stir frying. This will ensure that the prawns cook evenly and develop a golden colour without burning.
If you want to add some variety to your golden fried prawns recipe, you can also experiment with using different types of seafood. Shrimp and prawns are the most common types of seafood used in this dish, but you could also try using scallops, squid, or even lobster. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly to ensure that your seafood is cooked through and has a crispy exterior.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Choosing the Right Sauce
When it comes to serving golden fried prawns, the right sauce can make all the difference. If you prefer a mild flavour, you can opt for tartar sauce or cocktail sauce. However, if you want a more intense flavour, you can try dipping your prawns in soy sauce or ketchup.
For those who enjoy a bit of spice, you can add some chilli sauce or chilli powder to your dipping sauce. This will give your prawns a bit of a kick.
Presentation Tips
When serving golden fried prawns, presentation is key. You can choose to serve them as a main course or as an appetiser. If serving as a main course, you can pair your prawns with rice or noodles and some stir-fried vegetables.
If serving as an appetiser, you can arrange your prawns on a platter with some dipping sauce on the side. You can also add some garnish such as chopped spring onions or coriander to give your dish a pop of colour.
To make your dish even more special, you can add some other seafood to your recipe. For example, you can add some squid or scallops to your batter mix. This will give your dish a variety of textures and flavours.
When it comes to serving golden fried prawns, the possibilities are endless. With the right sauce and presentation, you can turn this dish into a crowd-pleaser.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the secret to super crispy batter for fried prawns?
The secret to super crispy batter for fried prawns is to use a combination of cornstarch and flour in the batter. The cornstarch gives the batter a light and crispy texture, while the flour helps the batter adhere to the prawns. Another tip is to make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the prawns, as this will help the batter to crisp up quickly.
Can you suggest some dips that pair well with golden fried prawns?
Yes, some dips that pair well with golden fried prawns include sweet and sour sauce, spicy chili sauce, and garlic aioli. You can also try serving the prawns with a side of soy sauce or hoisin sauce for an extra burst of flavour.
How do you ensure prawns stay juicy when frying?
To ensure prawns stay juicy when frying, it's important not to overcook them. Prawns cook very quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on them while frying. Another tip is to marinate the prawns in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger before frying, as this will help to keep them moist and flavourful.
What are the best sides to serve with Chinese-style golden fried prawns?
Some of the best sides to serve with Chinese-style golden fried prawns include steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, and crispy seaweed. You can also try serving the prawns with a side of hot and sour soup or egg drop soup for a complete Chinese meal.
Are there any tricks to deveining prawns quickly for frying?
Yes, one trick to deveining prawns quickly for frying is to use a pair of kitchen shears to cut along the back of the prawn and remove the vein. Another tip is to use a toothpick to gently remove the vein, being careful not to damage the prawn.
How can you tell when fried prawns are cooked to perfection?
You can tell when fried prawns are cooked to perfection by their colour and texture. The prawns should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender and juicy on the inside. To be sure, you can test one prawn by cutting it open and checking that it is cooked through and not translucent.
If you want to add some variety to your golden fried prawns recipe, you can try using other types of seafood such as squid or scallops. Squid can be sliced into rings and coated in the same batter as the prawns, while scallops can be wrapped in bacon before frying for an extra flavour boost.