Looking for a quick and easy meal idea for a weeknight dinner? Stir fry prawn Chinese recipe is a household favourite in many Asian families. Known for its delicious taste and healthy ingredients, this dish is a must-try if you want a meal that is both tasty and nutritious.
To make stir fry prawn Chinese recipe, you will need a few essential ingredients such as prawns, ginger, sesame oil, and soy sauce. You can also add other seafood such as squid or scallops if you prefer. The preparation techniques are simple and easy to follow, and the cooking process takes only a few minutes. Once you're done, you can serve the dish with rice or noodles and garnish it with some fresh herbs or sesame seeds.
Key Takeaways
- Stir fry prawn Chinese recipe is a quick and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- The essential ingredients for this recipe are prawns, ginger, sesame oil, and soy sauce.
- You can add other seafood such as squid or scallops to the recipe for added flavour and nutrition.
Essential Ingredients
When it comes to making a delicious stir fry prawn dish, there are a few essential ingredients that you simply can't do without. In this section, we'll take a closer look at the key components of this popular Chinese recipe and explore what makes them so important.
Choosing the Right Prawns
The first and most important ingredient in any stir fry prawn recipe is, of course, the prawns themselves. When selecting your prawns, it's important to choose fresh, high-quality seafood. If you're buying whole prawns, be sure to peel them before cooking. Alternatively, you can use fresh or frozen and thawed peeled prawns.
In addition to prawns, you can also use other types of seafood such as scallops or squid in your stir fry. Just be sure to adjust your cooking times accordingly.
Vegetable Selection
Another key component of a great stir fry prawn dish is the selection of vegetables. Common vegetables used in this recipe include garlic, onions, carrots, bean sprouts, and spring onions. These vegetables add both flavour and texture to the dish, and they also provide important nutrients.
When selecting your vegetables, be sure to choose fresh, high-quality produce. You can also experiment with other vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms to add even more flavour and texture to your stir fry.
Sauce and Seasonings
Finally, no stir fry prawn dish would be complete without the right sauce and seasonings. Common sauces used in this recipe include soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. These sauces add depth and complexity to the dish and help to bring all of the flavours together.
Other seasonings that you might use include sugar and salt. These seasonings help to balance out the flavours in the dish and give it a well-rounded taste.
Overall, the key to making a delicious stir fry prawn dish is to choose high-quality ingredients and to experiment with different flavours and textures. With a little bit of practice, you'll be able to create a dish that is both healthy and delicious, and that your family and friends will love.
Preparation Techniques
Cleaning and Prepping Prawns
Before starting with the recipe, you need to clean and prep the prawns. Start by removing the head and shell, leaving the tail intact. You can also use pre-peeled and deveined prawns to save time. Rinse the prawns under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. If you are using frozen prawns, make sure to thaw them before cooking.
Chopping Vegetables
For the stir fry, you can use a variety of vegetables like bell peppers, onions, carrots, and broccoli. Chop the vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces so that they cook evenly. You can also add other vegetables like snow peas or mushrooms for added flavour and nutrition.
Making the Stir Fry Sauce
The stir fry sauce is an essential part of this recipe. To make the sauce, mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and cornstarch in a bowl. You can also add some seafood stock or broth to enhance the flavour. If you want to use seafood in this recipe, you can add some prawn or fish stock to the sauce.
Overall, the preparation for this stir fry prawn Chinese recipe is easy and straightforward. With a little bit of prep work, you can have a delicious and healthy meal ready in no time.
Cooking Process
When it comes to stir frying prawns in a Chinese recipe, mastering the wok is key to achieving the perfect dish. Here are some tips to help you get there:
Mastering the Wok
The wok is the most important tool in your kitchen for stir frying. It's important to use a wok that is large enough to hold all of your ingredients without overcrowding. A non-stick wok is ideal for stir frying, as it allows you to cook your ingredients without sticking.
Stir Frying in Stages
Stir frying is all about cooking your ingredients quickly over high heat. To achieve the perfect stir fry, it's important to cook your ingredients in stages. Start by cooking your prawns until they are pink and piping hot. Then, remove them from the wok and set them aside. Next, stir fry your vegetables until they are tender but still crisp. Finally, add your prawns back to the wok and stir fry everything together until it's heated through.
Achieving Wok Hei
Wok hei is the smoky, charred flavour that is characteristic of a great stir fry. To achieve wok hei, you need to cook your ingredients over high heat until they are seared and caramelised. It's important to preheat your wok until it's smoking hot before adding your ingredients. Use a high smoke point oil, such as vegetable or peanut oil, to prevent your wok from smoking too much.
If you're looking to add some variety to your stir fry prawn Chinese recipe, you can try using other types of seafood. Scallops, squid, and mussels are all great options that will pair well with the flavours of the stir fry. Just make sure to adjust the cook time accordingly to ensure that your seafood is cooked through.
Serving and Presentation
Plating the Stir Fry
When it comes to serving your delicious stir fry prawn Chinese recipe, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to ensure that the dish is plated neatly and attractively. You can achieve this by using a large, shallow bowl or plate, which will allow the prawns and vegetables to be spread out evenly.
If you're serving the stir fry with rice, you can place a bed of rice in the centre of the plate or bowl, and then arrange the prawns and vegetables on top. Alternatively, you could serve the stir fry alongside a bowl of rice or noodles, allowing your guests to help themselves.
Garnishing for Flavour and Aesthetics
Garnishing your stir fry with sesame seeds and green onions is a great way to add both flavour and visual appeal to the dish. Simply sprinkle some sesame seeds over the top of the stir fry before serving, and then chop up some green onions and scatter them over the top.
If you're looking to add even more flavour to your dish, you could also consider adding some other seafood, such as squid or scallops, to the stir fry. This will add a delicious seafood flavour to the dish and make it even more impressive.
Overall, serving and presenting your stir fry prawn Chinese recipe is all about making sure that it looks as good as it tastes. By following these simple tips, you can create a dish that is sure to impress your guests and leave them asking for the recipe.
Nutritional Information
If you're looking for a healthy and delicious meal, stir-fried prawns are a great option. Prawns are an excellent source of protein, low in calories, and packed with essential nutrients. They are also low in fat, making them a great option for a healthy diet.
One serving of stir-fried prawns contains approximately 150 calories, making it a great option for those looking to maintain a healthy weight. The dish is also rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, vitamin E, and selenium, which are essential for maintaining good health.
To make your stir-fried prawns even healthier, consider using seafood instead of prawns. Seafood such as salmon, cod, and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining good heart health. They are also a great source of protein and low in calories, making them an excellent option for a healthy diet.
When cooking with seafood, it is important to choose fresh, high-quality seafood. Look for seafood that is firm and has a fresh, briny smell. Avoid seafood that is slimy or has a strong, fishy odor.
In summary, stir-fried prawns are a delicious and healthy meal option. They are low in calories, high in protein, and packed with essential nutrients. If you're looking to make your stir-fried prawns even healthier, consider using seafood instead of prawns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the secret to a simple yet delicious prawn stir fry?
The secret to a simple yet delicious prawn stir fry is to keep things simple. Use fresh prawns and high-quality ingredients, and don't overcomplicate the recipe with too many spices or sauces. A classic ginger sesame Chinese stir fry sauce is a great base for any prawn stir fry, and it's easy to make at home.
How can you make a garlic prawn stir fry like a pro?
To make a garlic prawn stir fry like a pro, start by marinating the prawns in garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for at least 30 minutes. This will infuse the prawns with flavour and help to tenderize them. When stir frying, cook the garlic and prawns separately to avoid burning the garlic. Add the garlic back in towards the end of cooking for maximum flavour.
What are the best veggies to add to a prawn stir fry?
The best veggies to add to a prawn stir fry are those that cook quickly and can stand up to high heat. Snow peas, broccolini, bell peppers, and carrots are all great options. You can also add some greens like bok choy or spinach towards the end of cooking for some extra nutrition.
Can you share tips for keeping prawns juicy during stir frying?
To keep prawns juicy during stir frying, make sure to not overcook them. Prawns cook quickly, so be sure to watch them closely and remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink. You can also add a bit of cornstarch to the marinade to help the prawns retain their moisture.
What's the best way to tenderize prawns for a stir fry?
The best way to tenderize prawns for a stir fry is to marinate them in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic for at least 30 minutes. This will help to break down the proteins in the prawns and make them more tender. You can also add a bit of baking soda to the marinade to further tenderize the prawns.
How do you incorporate noodles into a prawn stir fry for a complete meal?
To incorporate noodles into a prawn stir fry for a complete meal, cook the noodles separately according to package instructions. Then, add them to the stir fry towards the end of cooking and toss to combine. You can also use seafood like squid or scallops with prawns to add more variety to your stir fry.