Sichuan Prawns in Chilli Sauce
A quick, simple, spicy prawn dish from Ken Hom. This recipe for spicy Sichuan prawns with chilli sauce makes a perfect dinner party main course, or indulgent midweek meal.
From the book
Complete Chinese Cookbook
Ken Hom's all-encompassing guide to Chinese cuisine
250 inspiring recipes for authentic Chinese dishes
Easy-to-follow recipes from basic dishes to elaborate feasts
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Introduction
Sichuan cooking is popular throughout China. I can see why – next to Cantonese, it is one of my favourite culinary regions of Chinese cookery. This is one of the best known dishes from that area, but beware of versions that tend to err on the side of excessive sweetness. The dish is quick and easy and makes a wholesome and delicious meal, served with a stir-fried vegetable and steamed rice.
Ingredients
| 450g (1lb) | uncooked prawns |
| 1½ tbsp | groundnut oil |
| 2 tsp | finely chopped fresh ginger |
| 2 tsp | finely chopped garlic |
| 2 tbsp | finely chopped spring onions |
| For the sauce: | |
| 1 tbsp | tomato purée |
| 2 tsp | chilli bean sauce |
| 1 tsp | Chinese black vinegar or cider vinegar |
| 1 tsp | sugar |
| 2 tsp | sesame oil |
| salt and black pepper | |
| For the garnish: | |
| spring onions, sliced lengthways |
Method
If required, peel the prawns and, if you are using large uncooked ones, cut them down the back and remove the fine digestive cord. Wash them and pat them dry with kitchen paper.
Heat a wok or a large frying-pan over a high heat until it is hot. Add the oil, and when it is very hot and slightly smoking, add the ginger, garlic and spring onions. Stir-fry for 20 seconds and then add the prawns. Stir-fry the prawns for about 1 minute.
Add the sauce ingredients, season with ½ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper and continue to stir-fry for another 3–5 minutes over a high heat. Garnish with the spring onions and serve at once.
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