Slippery Shrimp Recipe

Deep Fried Slippery Shrimp Recipe

Despite its somewhat interesting name, slippery shrimp is a delicious dish of wok-fried shellfish in a sticky sweet sauce.

Although it became popular in Chinese American restaurants throughout Los Angeles in the 1960s, it wasn’t until Chinatown’s Yang Chow opened in 1977 that this dish achieved citywide popularity.

In this article, I will give you a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious slippery shrimp recipe.

So, let’s get started.

Slippery shrimp recipe

Ingredients 

  •  2 lbs of uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 6 tablespoons of cornstarch
  • 1 cup of corn oil or 1 cup of vegetable oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 teaspoons of cornstarch
  • 4 teaspoons of water
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup of green onion,  thinly sliced
  • 1⁄2 cup of tomato sauce
  • 2 teaspoons of dry sherry
  • 2 teaspoons of unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon of thinly sliced green onion
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon of salt

Equipment you will need 

  • A large bowl
  • A small bowl
  • A large skillet or wok
  • A slotted spoon

Instructions

  • To begin, grab a large bowl and place your shrimp and 6 tablespoons of cornstarch in it. Mix the two together until each shrimp is evenly coated in cornstarch.
  • Next, mix the remaining 4 teaspoons of cornstarch and 4 teaspoons of water in a small bowl until it is a smooth consistency.
  • Grab a large skillet or wok and heat the oil over a high heat.
  • Next, you need to begin to fry the shrimp in batches, until they are cooked all the way through and appear golden on both sides. This should usually take around 3 minutes, but it could be shorter or longer depending on the heat of your oil.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked shrimp to a clean plate. Repeat the process in batches until all of the shrimp have been cooked.
  • Once all of the shrimp are cooked and have been set aside, drain all but 1 tablespoon of oil from the wok and heat over a medium-high heat.
  • Add the minced garlic cloves, sugar, cayenne pepper, and salt to the oil. Stir constantly until the garlic begins to brown. This will usually take about 15 seconds.
  • Next, add tomato sauce, vinegar, and sherry to the wok. Stir the water/cornstarch mixture if separated and add to the sauce.
  • Cook until the sauce begins to boil and thicken, stirring constantly for about 1 minute.
  • Grab the bowl of cooked shrimp and add them to the sauce. Stir to coat the shrimp until they all have an even coating.
  • Remove from the heat and add 1 cup of green onions to the sauce and toss.
  • Transfer the prawns to a plate and garnish with the remaining green onions. 
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips on buying shrimp

Make sure that you buy your shrimp from a busy shop, and don’t be afraid to ask your fishmonger questions.

For example, ask them if the shrimp were thawed that day, how long they have been out, and if they have ever been refrozen to ensure you’re getting the freshest possible seafood.

Shrimp should always have a firm feel to them. Bearing this in mind, you should avoid shrimp that feel soft or even mushy to the touch.

In the same breath, never buy shrimp if you smell any hint of ammonia, as this is a clear sign that they have already started to spoil.

Always make sure that you buy your shrimp from a trusted source! It’s best to buy from a fish market that you know, or a grocery store where you frequently shop and trust the quality of the ingredients that they source.

They will have to see you again, so there is a higher chance that they will give you the best product, service, and advice when it comes to buying seafood.

When you’re looking for seafood, you’re looking for freshness. This is why frozen shrimp can actually be a better option a lot of the time, as they are often fresher than the shrimp you see laid out on ice at the seafood counter.

This is thanks to the fact that they are flash-frozen once, and generally stay frozen until they’re brought to the supermarket.

How long does this slippery shrimp recipe take to prepare and cook?

This recipe is super simple and shouldn’t take you any longer than 30 minutes to prepare and cook! In addition to the slippery shrimp, you can start cooking steamed rice 15 minutes before the recipe is done to save you time and you’ll have a full meal ready in half an hour!

Serving suggestions for slippery shrimp

This sweet and slightly spicy slippery shrimp dish is best served with a side of steamed rice. Alternatively, you could opt for some egg noodles or a portion of steamed vegetables if you’re not the biggest fan of rice.

Is it healthy to eat shrimp?

Shrimp, like lots of seafood, is highly nutritious. It is fairly low in calories and provides a high amount of protein and healthy fats, in addition to a wealth of vitamins and minerals. 

That being said, you should always be mindful of what you’re adding to your shrimp recipes, as this will significantly affect the nutritional value of the shrimp.

While they can be absolutely delicious, a lot of shrimp recipes can contain high volumes of sugar and salt, and therefore should only be eaten in moderation.

How do you know if shrimp is bad before cooking?

The best way to figure out whether shrimp has gone bad before cooking is to smell and look at the shrimp. 

Typically speaking, signs of bad shrimp are a sour smell, dull, grey-ish color, and slimy texture. When it comes to seafood, it’s best not to risk it if you think your shrimp is on the turn.

If you think that your shrimp has gone bad after inspecting it, then you must discard any shrimp with an off smell or appearance. Failure to do so will result in you feeling very unwell! 

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