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Chinese Salt & Pepper Prawns


  • Author: Ben Caldwell
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Pescatarian

Description

A crispy and flavorful dish featuring prawns seasoned with garlic, chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns, perfect for impressing at dinner parties.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) large prawns, shells on but deveined
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • Vegetable oil for deep frying (about 2 cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 23 fresh red chilies, finely chopped
  • 4 spring onions, sliced diagonally
  • 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, toasted and ground
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
  • ½ teaspoon white pepper powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

  1. Prepare the prawns by cutting along the back and removing the dark vein; pat them dry.
  2. Coat the prawns in a mixture of cornstarch, baking soda, white pepper, and sea salt.
  3. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry the prawns in batches for about 2 minutes until crispy.
  4. Drain the fried prawns on paper towels.
  5. In a separate pan, heat oil and stir-fry garlic, chilies, and the white parts of spring onions for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Add the fried prawns and toss with Sichuan peppercorns, sea salt flakes, white and black pepper.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with green parts of spring onions.

Notes

Serve alongside a cucumber salad or sticky rice. Store leftovers in an airtight container; reheat in an oven for best results.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 27g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 150mg