Crispy Longjing Shrimp Delight

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) fresh shrimps, peeled and deveined 500g (1.1 lb) fresh shrimps, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup cornstarch 1 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• For the Longjing tea-infused sauce: For the Longjing tea-infused sauce:
• 2 tablespoons Longjing tea leaves 2 tablespoons Longjing tea leaves
• 1/4 cup hot water 1/4 cup hot water
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 24g, 4g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the shrimps, soy sauce, Chinese rice wine, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Mix well and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, prepare the batter by combining the cornstarch and all-purpose flour.
3. 3.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok over medium-high heat.
4. 4.
   Dip each marinated shrimp into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated, and carefully place it into the hot oil.
5. 5.
   Fry the shrimps in batches for about 2-3 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
6. 6.
   In a small bowl, steep the Longjing tea leaves in hot water for 3-4 minutes. Strain the tea leaves and discard them.
7. 7.
   In a saucepan, combine the brewed Longjing tea, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. Heat the sauce over low heat, stirring until well combined.
8. 8.
   Toss the fried shrimps in the Longjing tea-infused sauce until they are evenly coated.
9. 9.
   Serve the Crispy Longjing Shrimp Delight hot and garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Shrimps — Ensure that the shrimps are fresh and properly deveined before marinating them. Overcooking the shrimps can result in a rubbery texture, so be careful not to fry them for too long.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra crispy texture, you can double-coat the shrimps by dipping them in the batter twice before frying.
• If you don't have Longjing tea, you can substitute it with other fragrant green teas like Jasmine tea or Sencha tea.
• Serve the Crispy Longjing Shrimp Delight as an appetizer or as a main dish with steamed rice or noodles.
• Adjust the amount of honey in the sauce according to your desired level of sweetness.
• To make the dish spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few drops of chili oil to the sauce.

Serving advice

Serve the Crispy Longjing Shrimp Delight as a centerpiece on a platter, garnished with fresh green onions or sesame seeds. Provide small dipping bowls with extra Longjing tea-infused sauce for guests to enjoy.

Presentation advice

Arrange the golden crispy shrimps on a bed of vibrant lettuce leaves to add a pop of color to the dish. Place a small teapot filled with brewed Longjing tea next to the platter to enhance the visual appeal and reinforce the connection to the tea-infused flavors.