Fans of Chinese food will instantly recognize the tantalizing taste of salted egg prawns. This traditional seafood dish features succulent prawns enveloped in a luscious sauce crafted from salted egg yolks, butter, and a medley of spices.
The salted egg prawn recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves seafood and bold flavours. It's a simple dish that's easy to make at home, and it's perfect for family dinners or special occasions. The ingredients are readily available in most Asian grocery stores, and you can easily substitute the prawns with other seafood like squid or crab if you prefer.
Cooking salted egg prawns is all about getting the right balance of flavours and textures. You want the prawns to be juicy and tender, and the sauce to be rich and creamy. It's important to use fresh, high-quality ingredients and follow the recipe carefully to achieve the perfect dish. With a little practice, you'll be able to make this delicious Chinese seafood recipe like a pro.
Key Takeaways
- Salted egg prawns are a popular Chinese seafood recipe that combines succulent prawns with a rich, salty-sweet sauce made from salted egg yolks, butter, and spices.
- This dish is easy to make at home and can be customized with other seafood like squid or crab.
- To achieve the perfect balance of flavours and textures, use fresh, high-quality ingredients and follow the recipe carefully.
What Is Salted Egg Prawn?
If you are a seafood lover, you might have heard of salted egg prawns. This dish is a popular Chinese cuisine that has also gained popularity in Singapore and Malaysia. The dish is made by coating prawns with a mixture of salted egg yolk and other ingredients before frying them to perfection.
Salted egg prawns are a perfect combination of savoury and sweet flavours. The salted egg yolk adds a unique taste and texture to the dish, making it a favourite among many seafood lovers. The dish is also easy to prepare, and you can make it at home with just a few ingredients.
To make salted egg prawns, you need to first prepare the salted egg yolk. This can be done by steaming salted eggs and then mashing the yolks until they are fine. You can also use a food processor to make the salted egg yolk even finer.
Once the salted egg yolk is ready, you can coat the prawns with it and other ingredients such as tapioca flour, salt, and pepper. You can also add garlic, chillies, and spring onions to enhance the flavour of the dish. If you like, you can also use other types of seafood such as squid or fish to make the dish.
In conclusion, salted egg prawns are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that you can enjoy at home. With just a few ingredients, you can prepare a savoury and sweet seafood dish that is sure to impress your family and friends.
Key Ingredients and Substitutes
When it comes to making Salted Egg Prawns, there are a few key ingredients that you need to have in your pantry. Here are some of the main ingredients and substitutes that you can use:
Prawns and Their Preparation
The star of this dish is undoubtedly the prawns. You can use any type of prawns that you like, but it's best to use fresh prawns for the best flavour. If you can't find fresh prawns, you can use frozen prawns instead.
To prepare the prawns, you need to peel and devein them. You can leave the tail on or remove it, depending on your preference. If you're using frozen prawns, make sure to thaw them completely before cooking.
If you're not a fan of prawns, you can substitute them with other types of seafood such as squid or scallops. However, keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of seafood you use.
Salted Egg Essentials
The other key ingredient in this dish is salted egg. You can use salted duck egg or chicken egg, depending on your preference. To prepare the salted egg, you need to steam it for about 15 minutes until it's fully cooked. Once it's cooled down, you can mash it with a fork or food processor until it's fine.
If you can't find salted egg, you can make your own by soaking duck or chicken eggs in a saltwater solution for several weeks. This will give the eggs a salty flavour and a creamy texture that's perfect for this dish.
Additional Flavour Enhancers
To add more flavour to the dish, you can use additional ingredients such as garlic, curry leaves, white pepper, and butter. Garlic and curry leaves add a fragrant aroma to the dish, while white pepper gives it a subtle heat. Butter adds richness and creaminess to the dish.
If you're looking for a healthier alternative, you can use vegetable oil instead of butter. You can also add other seasonings such as chicken granules, salt, and sugar to enhance the flavour of the dish.
Overall, the key to making a delicious Salted Egg Prawn dish is to use fresh ingredients and to balance the flavours. With the right ingredients and a bit of practice, you can create a mouth-watering dish that's sure to impress your family and friends.
Cooking Techniques and Tips
Achieving the Perfect Crispiness
When it comes to cooking salted egg prawns, achieving the perfect crispiness is key. This can be achieved through deep frying or stir-frying with corn starch. If you prefer a healthier option, you can opt to stir-fry the prawns instead of deep frying them.
If you choose to deep fry, make sure the oil temperature is hot enough (around 180°C) before adding the prawns. This will help to prevent the prawns from absorbing too much oil. Use a slotted spoon to remove the prawns from the oil once they turn golden brown.
For stir-frying, coat the prawns with corn starch before cooking. This will help to create a crispy texture. Heat up the wok until it's smoking hot before adding the cooking oil. Add the prawns and stir-fry until they turn golden brown.
Mastering the Stir-Fry Method
Stir-frying is a popular cooking technique in Chinese cuisine. To master the stir-fry method, it's important to prepare all the ingredients beforehand and have them within reach.
When stir-frying salted egg prawns, use a wok if possible. The high sides of the wok will help to prevent the prawns from falling out while stir-frying.
Make sure the wok is heated up until it's smoking hot before adding the cooking oil. This will help to prevent the prawns from sticking to the wok.
Add the prawns to the wok and stir-fry for a few minutes until they turn golden brown. Add the salted egg yolk sauce and stir-fry until the sauce coats the prawns evenly.
Managing Heat in Cooking
Managing heat in cooking is important to prevent overcooking or undercooking the prawns. To manage heat, it's important to have the right cooking equipment and to monitor the temperature closely.
When deep frying, use a deep fryer or a deep pot to ensure the prawns are fully submerged in the oil. Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature closely.
When stir-frying, use a wok or a frying pan with a thick bottom to ensure even heat distribution. Monitor the heat closely and adjust the heat accordingly to prevent the prawns from overcooking or undercooking.
If you prefer to use seafood instead of prawns, you can use other types of seafood such as squid or scallops. Make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to prevent overcooking or undercooking the seafood.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Accompaniments for Salted Egg Prawn
Salted egg prawn is a flavourful dish that goes well with a variety of accompaniments. To start with, you can serve it with a bowl of steaming hot rice or noodles. The plainness of the rice or noodles helps to balance out the richness of the salted egg yolk sauce.
If you are looking for something with a bit of crunch, you can serve the salted egg prawn with some stir-fried vegetables such as bok choy or broccoli. The vegetables add texture and a healthy element to the meal.
Seafood lovers can add some extra seafood to the dish. You can serve it with a side of crispy fried calamari or some grilled prawns. The seafood complements the salted egg prawn perfectly, adding an extra layer of flavour and texture to the meal.
Wine and Beverage Pairings
When it comes to pairing wine or beverages with salted egg prawn, you have several options.
For wine, a light-bodied white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with the dish. The acidity in the wine helps to cut through the richness of the salted egg yolk sauce.
If you prefer beer, a light lager or pilsner works well. The crispness of the beer complements the salted egg prawn, making it a refreshing pairing.
For non-alcoholic options, you can serve the dish with some iced tea or lemonade. The sweetness of the drink helps to balance out the saltiness of the dish.
Overall, salted egg prawn is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of accompaniments and beverages. Whether you prefer wine, beer or non-alcoholic drinks, there is a pairing that will suit your taste.
Where to Find Ingredients
To make the perfect salted egg prawn recipe, you need to start with the right ingredients. If you're wondering where to find these ingredients, here are some options you can explore:
Asian Supermarkets
Asian supermarkets are a great place to find all the ingredients you need for your salted egg prawn recipe. They stock a wide range of authentic Asian ingredients, including salted eggs, prawns, and other seafood. You can also find spices and condiments that are essential for creating the perfect flavour.
Some popular Asian supermarkets in the UK include Wing Yip, Hoo Hing, and See Woo. These supermarkets have multiple branches across the country, making it easy for you to find one near you.
Grocery Stores
If you don't have an Asian supermarket near you, you can still find most of the ingredients you need at your local grocery store. Look for prawns and other seafood in the frozen section, and check the international aisle for salted eggs.
If you can't find salted eggs, you can make your own using fresh eggs and salt. There are many recipes available online that show you how to make salted eggs at home.
Amazon Associate
If you prefer to shop online, you can find all the ingredients you need on Amazon. They have a wide range of salted eggs, prawns, and other seafood available for purchase. You can also find spices and condiments that are essential for creating the perfect flavour.
When buying seafood online, make sure to check the seller's reviews and ratings to ensure that you're getting fresh and high-quality seafood. Some popular seafood options for this recipe include tiger prawns, king prawns, and jumbo prawns.
Overall, with the right ingredients, you can create a delicious salted egg prawn dish that will impress your family and friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a simple salted egg prawn dish?
Making a simple salted egg prawn dish is easy. First, clean the prawns and remove their shells and heads. Then, marinate them with salt and pepper for about 10 minutes. Next, coat the prawns in cornflour and fry them until they turn golden brown. To make the salted egg sauce, mash salted egg yolks and mix them with evaporated milk, sugar, and butter. Lastly, toss the fried prawns in the salted egg sauce and serve.
What's the secret to a creamy salted egg sauce for prawns?
The secret to a creamy salted egg sauce for prawns is using evaporated milk and butter. These ingredients give the sauce its rich and creamy texture. Additionally, make sure to mash the salted egg yolks until they are fine to avoid lumps in the sauce.
Can you use salted egg powder instead of actual salted eggs for the prawn recipe?
Yes, you can use salted egg powder instead of actual salted eggs for the prawn recipe. However, the flavour and texture of the dish may differ slightly from the authentic version. It is recommended to use actual salted eggs for the best results.
What are some easy steps to prepare salted egg prawns at home?
To prepare salted egg prawns at home, first, clean and devein the prawns. Then, season them with salt and pepper. Coat the prawns in cornflour and fry them until they turn golden brown. To make the salted egg sauce, mash salted egg yolks and mix them with evaporated milk, sugar, and butter. Lastly, toss the fried prawns in the salted egg sauce and serve.
How can you replicate Din Tai Fung's salted egg prawn recipe?
To replicate Din Tai Fung's salted egg prawn recipe, use fresh prawns and coat them in cornflour before frying. For the salted egg sauce, mash salted egg yolks and mix them with evaporated milk, sugar, and butter. Add curry leaves and chilli padi for an extra kick of flavour. Lastly, toss the fried prawns in the salted egg sauce and serve.
What ingredients do you need for an authentic Chinese-style salted egg prawn?
To make an authentic Chinese-style salted egg prawn, you will need fresh prawns, salted egg yolks, evaporated milk, sugar, butter, curry leaves, and chilli padi. Optionally, you can also add garlic and Chinese cooking wine for extra flavour. If you want to use seafood, you can also substitute prawns with crab or lobster for a luxurious twist.