Chinese garlic prawns recipe is a quick and easy dish that you can make in no time. This recipe is perfect for seafood lovers who enjoy a bit of spice and garlic in their food. The dish is a popular Asian-style stir-fried recipe that uses fresh garlic, salt, and fried garlic to create a delicious and flavourful meal.
To make this recipe, you will need to prepare the chopped garlic, remove the outer layer, smash it, and then chop it finely. You can also make fried garlic by cutting it into fine pieces of roughly equal size. Heat some oil in a pan, add the garlic, and fry over low heat until golden brown. Next, add prawns to the pan and cook until they turn pink and are cooked through. Finally, add the sauce and cook until it becomes syrupy. Serve the dish with lemon wedges and Jasmine rice.
Key Takeaways:
- Chinese garlic prawns recipe is a quick and easy dish that is perfect for seafood lovers who enjoy a bit of spice and garlic in their food.
- The dish is a popular Asian-style stir-fried recipe that uses fresh garlic, salt, and fried garlic to create a delicious and flavourful meal.
- To make this recipe, you will need to prepare the chopped garlic, fry it until golden brown, add prawns, cook them until they turn pink, and add the sauce until it becomes syrupy.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Choosing the Right Prawns
When it comes to making Chinese garlic prawns, choosing the right prawns is crucial. Fresh prawns are always the best option, but if you can't get them, frozen prawns are a good alternative. You can use either large or medium-sized prawns, depending on your preference. If you want a sweeter taste, you can use tiger prawns, while king prawns are ideal if you prefer a meatier texture.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try using other seafood, such as scallops or mussels, in this recipe. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Garlic Varieties and Preparation
Garlic is a key ingredient in Chinese garlic prawns, and there are many different varieties to choose from. For this recipe, we recommend using fresh garlic, which has a more pungent flavour than dried garlic. To prepare the garlic, remove the outer layer, smash it, and then chop it finely. You can also use fried garlic to add an extra layer of flavour to the dish. To make fried garlic, cut it into fine pieces of roughly equal size. Heat some oil in a pan, add the garlic, and fry over low heat until golden brown.
Sauce Components
The sauce is what brings all the flavours together in this dish. The main components of the sauce are soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper. You can adjust the amount of sugar and salt to your liking, depending on how sweet or salty you prefer your food. To add an extra layer of flavour, you can also add some chopped spring onions, ginger, and sesame oil to the sauce.
If you're vegetarian, you can substitute the prawns with tofu or mushrooms, and use vegetarian oyster sauce instead of regular oyster sauce.
Preparation Techniques
Deveining and Cleaning Prawns
Before you start cooking, it is important to prepare the prawns properly. Begin by deveining and cleaning the prawns. To devein the prawns, use a sharp knife to make a shallow incision along the back of the prawn, and then use the tip of the knife to remove the black vein. Once the prawns are deveined, rinse them under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Mixing the Sauce
The sauce is the heart of any good Chinese garlic prawns recipe. To make the sauce, mix together garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and cornstarch. The cornstarch helps to thicken the sauce and give it a glossy finish. Mix the ingredients together until they are well combined and set aside.
Marinating Seafood
Marinating the seafood is an optional step, but it can help to infuse the prawns with extra flavour. To marinate the prawns, place them in a bowl and add a splash of soy sauce and a pinch of salt. Mix well and let the prawns marinate for at least 15 minutes. If you are using other seafood, such as scallops or squid, be sure to adjust the marinating time accordingly.
When it comes to seafood, you can use a variety of different types in your Chinese garlic prawns recipe. Prawns are the most popular choice, but you can also use other seafood such as scallops or squid. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly and use the appropriate cleaning and preparation techniques.
Cooking Method
Stir-Frying Prawns
Stir-frying is a popular cooking method for Chinese garlic prawns. To start, heat a large skillet over low to medium heat. Add some oil and let it heat up before adding the prawns. Stir-fry the prawns for a few minutes until they turn pink. Be careful not to overcook the prawns as they can become rubbery and tough.
Achieving the Perfect Aroma
The aroma of garlic is key to this dish. To achieve the perfect aroma, use fresh garlic and chop it finely. Add the garlic to the skillet and stir-fry until it becomes fragrant. This should take about a minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic as this can ruin the dish.
Avoiding Overcooking
Overcooking the prawns can result in a rubbery texture. To avoid this, keep an eye on the prawns while stir-frying and remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink. Seafood such as shrimps can also be used in this recipe for a delicious variation.
The cook time for this dish should be around 10-15 minutes. By following these simple steps, you can create a delicious and aromatic Chinese garlic prawns dish that will impress your family and friends.
Serving Suggestions
Accompaniments
Chinese garlic prawns can be served with a variety of accompaniments. If you're looking for a hearty meal, you can serve it with fried rice or noodles. The prawns will add a delicious seafood flavor to the dish. If you prefer a low-carb option, you can serve it with cauliflower rice. This will give you a healthy and tasty meal.
If you want to keep it simple, you can serve the prawns with jasmine rice. The fragrant rice will complement the garlic flavor of the prawns. You can also serve the prawns with bread if you're in the mood for something light. A garlic bread would be a great option.
Garnishing Tips
Garnishing your garlic prawns can add a touch of elegance to your dish. You can use fresh herbs like coriander or parsley to add color and flavor. You can also sprinkle some sesame seeds on top to add a nutty flavor to the dish.
If you want to add some crunch to your dish, you can garnish it with some chopped peanuts or cashews. This will give you a nice contrast of textures. You can also add some sliced chillies if you like your food spicy.
Seafood lovers can add some other seafood to the dish to make it even more delicious. You can add some scallops or squid rings to the garlic prawns. This will give you a seafood medley that will be sure to impress your guests.
Nutritional Information
If you're looking for a tasty and nutritious meal, Chinese garlic prawns are a great option. Prawns are a good source of protein, and they contain important vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, phosphorus, and selenium. Garlic is also a great addition to any meal, as it provides numerous health benefits, such as boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation.
One serving of Chinese garlic prawns contains approximately 200 calories, making it a relatively low-calorie meal option. In addition, prawns are low in fat and carbohydrates, which can be beneficial if you're watching your weight or trying to maintain a healthy diet.
If you're looking to add even more nutrition to your meal, consider using other types of seafood in your recipe. For example, you could use scallops, mussels, or squid instead of prawns. These seafood options are also low in fat and high in protein, making them a healthy addition to any meal.
Chinese garlic prawns are a tasty and nutritious meal option that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy dinner or a healthy meal option, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings while providing important nutrients for your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are needed for a classic Chinese garlic prawns dish?
To make a classic Chinese garlic prawns dish, you will need prawns, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. You can also include vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, and onions to add more flavour and nutrition to the dish.
What's the secret to making prawns tender in Chinese cooking?
The secret to making prawns tender in Chinese cooking is to not overcook them. Prawns cook very quickly, so it's important to keep an eye on them. Cook them until they turn pink and just start to curl, then immediately remove them from the heat. Overcooking prawns can make them tough and rubbery.
How can I whip up a simple Chinese garlic prawns meal at home?
To whip up a simple Chinese garlic prawns meal at home, start by marinating the prawns in a mixture of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sugar for at least 30 minutes. Then, stir-fry the prawns and vegetables in a hot wok until they are cooked through. Serve with steamed rice for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Could you suggest a Chinese prawn recipe that includes a rich gravy?
Yes, a great Chinese prawn recipe that includes a rich gravy is prawn in black bean sauce. This dish features prawns cooked in a savoury black bean sauce that is made with fermented black beans, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sugar. It's a flavourful and satisfying dish that is perfect for any occasion.
What's the best way to cook prawns so they remain succulent and juicy?
The best way to cook prawns so they remain succulent and juicy is to cook them quickly over high heat. This helps to seal in the moisture and prevent them from becoming dry and tough. You can also marinate the prawns beforehand to add more flavour and help keep them moist during cooking.
Can you recommend a Chinese prawn dish that features a variety of vegetables?
Yes, a great Chinese prawn dish that features a variety of vegetables is stir-fried prawns with mixed vegetables. This dish includes prawns, carrots, bell peppers, onions, and any other vegetables you like. The prawns and vegetables are stir-fried together in a hot wok with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and oyster sauce for a delicious and healthy meal. You can also add seafood such as squid or scallops to the dish for more variety.