Chinese Salt & Pepper Prawns

Here’s a recipe for Chinese Salt & Pepper Prawns:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) large prawns, peeled and deveined (leave tails on)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon rice flour (optional for extra crispiness)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, toasted and ground (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 red chilies, finely sliced
• 3 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Prawns:
   • Pat the prawns dry with paper towels.
   • In a bowl, mix the cornstarch, rice flour, salt, white pepper, black pepper, and ground Sichuan peppercorns (if using).
   • Toss the prawns in the mixture until they are evenly coated.
2. Fry the Prawns:
   • Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat.
   • When the oil is hot, add the prawns in batches and fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden and crispy.
   • Remove the prawns from the oil and drain them on a paper towel-lined plate.
3. Sauté the Aromatics:
   • Remove all but 1 tablespoon of oil from the wok.
   • Add the chopped garlic, chilies, and green onions to the wok and stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Combine and Serve:
   • Return the prawns to the wok, add the soy sauce, and toss everything together until the prawns are evenly coated with the aromatic mixture.
   • Sprinkle a little more salt and pepper over the top if desired.
5. Serve:
   • Serve the Salt & Pepper Prawns immediately, garnished with extra green onions and chilies if desired.

Enjoy your crispy, flavorful Chinese Salt & Pepper Prawns!