Schezwan Sichuan Schezuan Prawn

 Schezwan Sichuan Schezuan Prawn

As the name suggests, these popular types of prawns belong to the Schezwan Sichuan Schezuan regional cuisine of China.

With the Sichuan peppercorn famously added to heighten the spice levels, one should toast the peppercorn before grinding it to get the vibrant flavour. 

1 tablespoon of this peppercorn will equal about 1 teaspoon of the powder.

                                 
Serves 6

2 lb/1 kg clean washed shelled prawns

4 tbsp soya sauce

2 tsp sesame oil

Marinate and leave aside for 15 minutes

 

Heat the wok with oil

 

Coat the prawns with 

1/2 cup cornstarch/cornflour- you can use plain flour if preferred

1/4 tsp salt

Cook the shrimp few at a time until just cooked. 3 minutes. 

Remove and drain.

The Sauce

Heat together in a pan until fragrant, tossing constantly. Bring the liquid to a boil, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Keep it aside until you are ready to serve. Reheat the sauce and pour it over freshly cooked prawns. 

1 tbsp oil

12 finely cut green spring onions - keep some of the greens to decorate with later

8 cloves of garlic finely chopped

2 tbsp of finely chopped ginger in shoestring or 1 tbsp finely chopped

16 dry red long chillies

5 tbsp soya sauce

2 tsp sugar

2 tbsp shaoxing wine or rice wine or sake or sherry

Toss in the cooked prawns and sprinkle with 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorn powder.

Remove and serve immediately, sprinkled with the greens of the shallots.

 

Tips

 

 

Add an extra teaspoon of Schezuan pepper if you enjoy the flavour.  

Use only as much sauce as is required to pour it over. 

If you are using green onions, an additional 3 sliced or diced shallots add to the texture of the sauce. 

Add an extra teaspoon of schezuan pepper if you enjoy the flavour. 

Serve immediately, as it is hard to reheat.

 

Photo courtesy Fazilah Vajid

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The World of Parsi Cooking: Food Across Borders is a 3 award winning book. It has been self published in July 2019 and will be going into its second print in 2022. 

The Art of Parsi Cooking; reviving an ancient cuisine was published in 2016 by Austin Macauley and continues to be available through amazon book depot book depository and from the publishers.