Spicy Kung Pao Prawns

1. Prepare the Prawns:

• Marinate the Prawns:
  In a bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of cornflour with 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce. Add 400g of butterflied raw prawns to the mixture and toss to coat.
  • Set Aside:
    Let the prawns marinate for 10 minutes. This helps enhance their flavor and texture.

2. Make the Sauce:

• Combine Ingredients:
  In a separate bowl, stir together:
  • 2 tablespoons of Chinese rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce
  • 1 heaped tablespoon of tomato purée
  • 1 teaspoon of caster sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of water
  • This will be your sauce, ready to add later.

3. Cook the Prawns:

• Heat the Pan:
  Preheat a large frying pan or wok until it’s very hot. This ensures a good sear on the prawns.

• Add Oil and Fry Prawns:
  Pour in 1 tablespoon of sunflower or groundnut oil.

  • Fry the Prawns:
    Add the marinated prawns to the pan. Fry them until they are golden in places and have opened up, about 2-3 minutes.
    • Tip Out the Prawns:
      Once cooked, remove the prawns from the pan and set them aside.

4. Stir-Fry the Aromatics:

• Heat Remaining Oil:
  In the same pan, add another 1 tablespoon of oil.

• Add Peanuts and Chillies:
  Toss in 85g of unsalted roasted peanuts, 6 whole dried chillies, and 2 cans (225g each) of drained water chestnuts. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes, or until the peanuts start to color.

• Add Ginger and Garlic:
  Next, add thumb-sized piece of finely grated ginger and 2 finely chopped garlic cloves. Stir-fry for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

5. Combine and Serve:

• Add Prawns and Sauce:
  Return the cooked prawns to the pan and pour in the prepared sauce. Stir to combine and let it simmer for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

• Serve:
  Serve the dish hot over a bed of rice for a delicious meal.

Tip for Butterflying Prawns:

To butterfly a prawn, make a cut along the entire length of the prawn, cutting almost all the way through. Pull out the black vein. While butterflying isn’t essential, it helps the prawns cook quickly, trap sauce, and look visually appealing. For a visual guide, watch our step-by-step video on preparing prawns.