Salt & Pepper King Prawns

Name: Salt & Pepper King Prawns
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 2 to 3 servings
Cuisine: Chinese Menu
Ingredients: King Prawns — 500g; Salt — ½ tsp; White Pepper — ½ tsp; Cornflour — 1 tbsp; Water — 1 tbsp; Cornflour — 100g; Salt — ½ tsp; Black Pepper — ½ tsp; Chinese Five Spice Powder — ½ tsp; Onion — ½; Garlic — 4 cloves; Red Pepper — ½; Green Pepper — ½; Crushed Chilli Flakes — 1 tsp; Spring Onions — 4; Vegetable Oil — 500ml

Chinese Salt & Pepper King Prawns are a standout of Cantonese 'dry-fry' (gan chao) cooking. This dish is a celebration of seafood at its most indulgent: large, succulent prawns encased in a delicate, crispy shell and tossed in a fragrant, spicy mixture of toasted spices and fresh aromatics.

Cuisines

Cooking Instructions

Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 10 minutes

Servings: 2 to 3

Notes:

Fresh raw king prawns should be peeled and deveined, leaving the tails intact for easy handling.

Crushed chilli flakes can be adjusted or omitted according to personal heat preference.

Dredging the prawns thoroughly in cornflour just before frying ensures a delightfully crisp, golden crust.

Prepare Vegetables and Seasoning
Slice the onion, garlic, red pepper, and green pepper into thin strips, and chop the spring onions. In a small dish, mix together the salt, black pepper, and Chinese five spice powder to create the seasoning mix.

Season and Coat Prawns
In a bowl, toss the king prawns with salt, white pepper, cornflour, and water until evenly combined. Dredge each marinated prawn generously in additional cornflour, shaking off any excess.

Fry the Prawns
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 180°C (350°F). Fry the coated prawns in batches for 2 to 3 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Remove with tongs and drain on a wire cooling rack.

Stir-fry Aromatics and Vegetables
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok over high heat. Add the sliced onion and garlic, stir-frying for a few seconds, then toss in the red and green pepper strips and crushed chilli flakes for 1 minute until tender-crisp.

Combine and Finish
Add the crispy fried prawns to the wok. Sprinkle the Chinese salt and pepper seasoning powder over the top, toss rapidly to coat all ingredients, finish with chopped spring onions, and serve immediately.