BETTER THAN TAKEOUT - Easy Kung Pao Shrimp Recipe

shrimp

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: chicken

Tofu is lower in calories and suitable for vegetarians.

peanuts

🥗Healthier: sunflower seeds

💰Cheaper: cashews

Sunflower seeds are nut-free and lower in calories.

soy sauce

🥗Healthier: tamari

💰Cheaper: liquid aminos

Tamari is gluten-free while liquid aminos is a lower-sodium option.

rice vinegar

🥗Healthier: apple cider vinegar

💰Cheaper: white vinegar

Apple cider vinegar offers a similar tangy flavor.

Marinate shrimp with 1/3 tsp salt, white pepper powder, 2.5 tsp Chinese cooking wine, and 1 tbsp cornstarch. Mix well.

Add 2/3 cup cornstarch into a big container, add shrimp, cover with remaining cornstarch, put on lid, and shake well.

In a sauce bowl, mix 4.5 tbsp sugar and 1.5 tsp cornstarch to prevent clumping, then add 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 2.5 tbsp Chinese black vinegar, and 3 tbsp water. Mix well and set aside.

Heat oil in a wok over medium-low heat, add raw peanuts, and stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes until small bubbles appear and nuts are slightly opened. Remove nuts from oil.

Use a sieve to remove excess starch from shrimp. Check oil temperature, aiming for 400℉. Fry shrimp in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, then transfer to a rack to drain excess oil.

Remove crumbs from oil using a sieve before frying the next batch of shrimp.

Slice 4 cloves of garlic and 1/2 inch of ginger thinly. Dice the white part of 4 scallions and cut the green part into short pieces. Cut half of a handful of red dried chilies into short pieces and leave the rest whole.

Toast 1/2 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns in the wok over low heat for a couple of minutes, then grind into a fine powder.

Remove most of the oil from the wok, leaving 1.5 tbsp. Saute aromatics (garlic, ginger, scallions) and Sichuan Dou Ban Jiang over medium-low heat until fragrant.

Add Sichuan peppercorn powder and pour in the sauce. Stir over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens.

Add reserved green part of scallion, peanuts, and shrimp. Toss until everything is coated thoroughly.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens