cooking shrimp with salt and pepper

How to Make Salt and Pepper Shrimp: A Comprehensive Guide

Salt and pepper shrimp is a beloved Cantonese dish celebrated for its crispy texture and aromatic flavors. Here’s a step-by-step guide to mastering this classic.

Ingredients: 500g large shrimp, peeled and deveined; 2 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp white pepper; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 red chili, sliced; 4 green onions, chopped; 1 cup oil for frying.

Steps:

1. Prepare the shrimp: Pat dry shrimp thoroughly, then toss with cornstarch, salt, and white pepper until evenly coated.

2. Heat oil: In a wok or deep pan, heat oil to 180°C (350°F). Fry shrimp for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove and drain excess oil.

3. Stir-fry aromatics: In the same pan, stir-fry garlic, chili, and green onions until fragrant (30 seconds).

4. Combine: Return shrimp to the pan, toss quickly with the aromatics. Add a pinch of extra salt and pepper if needed.

5. Serve: Plate immediately and garnish with extra chili or green onions.

Tips: For extra crunch, double-cook the shrimp: first blanch for 1 minute, then fry until crispy. Adjust spice levels by reducing chili or adding Sichuan peppercorns for a numbing kick. Enjoy this crispy, flavorful dish as an appetizer or main course!