Crispy honey shrimp is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine that combines succulent shrimp with a sweet and savory sauce. The dish is typically served as an appetizer or as part of a main course and has gained popularity in recent years due to its unique flavor profile and crispy texture.
Ingredients
To make crispy honey shrimp, you will need the following ingredients:
- Shrimp: Fresh, jumbo shrimp are the best for this dish. Make sure they are deveined and peeled, leaving the tails intact for presentation purposes.
- Cornstarch: This is used to coat the shrimp and make them crispy.
- Oil: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or vegetable oil, for frying the shrimp.
- Honey: The key ingredient in the sauce that gives it its sweet flavor.
- Soy sauce: Adds a salty and savory flavor to the sauce.
- Rice vinegar: This provides a tangy taste and balances the sweetness of the honey.
- Garlic: Minced garlic gives the sauce a pungent and flavorful kick.
- Ginger: Grated ginger adds warmth and depth to the sauce.
- Red pepper flakes: These add a subtle heat to the dish, but can be omitted if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Scallions: Chopped scallions are used as a garnish for the dish and add a fresh flavor to it.
Preparation
Here’s how to make crispy honey shrimp:
- Rinse and pat dry the shrimp with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix together cornstarch and salt.
- Toss the shrimp in the cornstarch mixture until they are evenly coated.
- In a wok or deep frying pan, heat the oil over high heat until it reaches 375°F.
- Fry the shrimp in small batches until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch.
- Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil.
- In a separate pan, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.
- Add the fried shrimp to the pan with the sauce and toss them until they are coated evenly.
- Garnish the dish with chopped scallions and serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
Crispy honey shrimp is a delicious treat, but it’s important to keep in mind its nutritional value. A serving of crispy honey shrimp (approximately 6-8 pieces) contains around 300-400 calories, depending on the size of the shrimp and the amount of oil used for frying. The dish is also high in protein and carbohydrates, but may contain high levels of sodium due to the soy sauce.
Variations
Crispy honey shrimp can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Here are some variations to try:
- Spicy honey shrimp: Add more red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce for a spicier flavor.
- Garlic honey shrimp: Increase the amount of minced garlic in the sauce for a stronger garlic flavor.
- Sesame honey shrimp: Garnish the dish with sesame seeds for a nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
- Pineapple honey shrimp: Add chunks of fresh pineapple to the sauce for a tropical twist.
- Coconut honey shrimp: Coat the shrimp in a mixture of shredded coconut and cornstarch for a crispy, coconutty crust.
Conclusion
Crispy honey shrimp is a tasty and easy-to-make dish that is sure to impress your guests. With its crispy texture and sweet and savory flavor, it’s no wonder it has become a popular dish in Chinese cuisine. It’s a great appetizer or main course that can be customized to suit your taste preferences.
