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Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp

Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp
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Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp is a quick and easy dish featuring peeled and deveined shrimp coated in cornstarch and fried to a golden crisp. It delivers a delightful crunchy texture paired with a bold, savory seasoning blend of salt, white pepper, garlic, and fresh green chilies. Perfect as an appetizer or main course, it pairs wonderfully with rice or fresh vegetables, offering a versatile and widely loved meal that can be customized to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp

  • 1 lb fresh peeled and deveined shrimp

Coating

  • 1/2 cup cornstarch

Seasoning

  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp white pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Aromatics & Garnish

  • 2 green chilies or jalapeños, thinly sliced
  • 3 spring onions (scallions), chopped

Frying

  • Vegetable oil for deep frying (enough for 2-3 inches depth)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse the peeled and deveined shrimp under cold water, then pat them completely dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks well.
  2. Mix the Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine salt, white pepper, and finely minced garlic. This mixture will be used to season the shrimp before and after frying for maximum flavor.
  3. Coat the Shrimp: Lightly dust each shrimp individually in cornstarch, making sure they have an even coating without clumps, which will fry up crispy.
  4. Fry the Shrimp: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok to 350°F (175°C). Fry the shrimp in small batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each batch for about 2-3 minutes or until golden and crispy. Drain the fried shrimp on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  5. Toss with Seasoning and Aromatics: Immediately after frying, toss the hot shrimp with the prepared salt and pepper seasoning, along with the chopped green chilies and spring onions to add fresh heat and color.

Notes

  • Pat shrimp completely dry before coating for a crisp finish without sogginess.
  • Maintain oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) for even frying and to prevent greasy shrimp.
  • Fry shrimp in small batches to avoid lowering the oil temperature and compromising the crunch.
  • Use freshly minced garlic instead of garlic powder for better aroma and flavor.
  • Serve immediately for best texture and flavor while the coating remains crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chinese shrimp, salt and pepper shrimp, crispy shrimp, fried shrimp, Chinese appetizer, gluten-free shrimp

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