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Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp

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Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp is a delicious and savory dish that perfectly balances flavors and textures. This popular Chinese restaurant dish is a delightful combination of crispy, tender shrimp seasoned with a fragrant blend of salt, pepper, and a touch of heat. Often served as an appetizer or main dish, it’s a quick and easy recipe that brings bold flavors and a satisfying crunch to your table. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying a simple weeknight dinner, Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp will be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

For your Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp, you will need:

  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon five-spice powder (optional for extra flavor)
  • 1–2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1–2 small red chilies, sliced (adjust to spice preference)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

Prepare the Shrimp:

  1. Clean and Dry the Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp, removing any shells and tails. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispier coating when fried.

Make the Seasoning Mix:

  1. Combine Seasonings: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch, salt, black pepper, white pepper, and five-spice powder (if using). This will be your seasoning mixture.

Coat the Shrimp:

  1. Toss Shrimp in Seasoning: Add the shrimp to the bowl with the seasoning mixture, tossing them until each shrimp is evenly coated with the cornstarch and seasoning.

Fry the Shrimp:

  1. Heat the Oil: In a large frying pan or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot but not smoking.
  2. Fry the Shrimp: Carefully add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer, cooking in batches if necessary. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove the shrimp from the oil and set them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Prepare the Seasoning Sauce:

  1. Cook Garlic and Chilies: In the same pan, add a little more oil if necessary and sauté the minced garlic and sliced chilies over medium heat for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  2. Add Soy Sauce and Vinegar: Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to the pan, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 1 minute.

Combine and Serve:

  1. Toss Shrimp in Sauce: Add the fried shrimp back into the pan and toss them gently to coat them with the flavorful sauce.
  2. Garnish and Serve: Transfer the shrimp to a serving dish, garnish with chopped green onions, and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://succulentrecipes.com/chinese-salt-and-pepper-shrimp/