Stir-Fried Green Prawns with Colorful Vegetables
This Stir-Fried Green Prawns with Colorful Vegetables recipe is a delightful and vibrant dish that brings the flavors of the East to your table. Featuring succulent, large raw prawns paired with an assortment of fresh Chinese vegetables, this dish is not only a feast for the eyes but also for the taste buds. The prawns are tender and juicy, infused with the aromatic flavors of ginger, garlic, and a savory sauce, while the vegetables are crisp and colorful. Perfect for a family dinner, this quick and easy recipe will surely impress with its wonderful balance of flavor and texture. Enjoy it with your choice of noodles for a satisfying meal that everyone will love.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
large shrimp
500 g (peeled)
fresh ginger
1 teaspoon (grated)
Chinese vegetables
4 cups (mixture of choice, chopped)
garlic
1 teaspoon (crushed)
dry sherry
1 tablespoon
soya sauce
1 tablespoon
oyster sauce
2 teaspoons
sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon
dried bird's eye chiles
1-2 (or 1-2 dried chili, crushed)
chicken stock
1/2 cup
cornflour
2 teaspoons
cooking oil
1 tablespoon
Instructions
1
Start by preparing your vegetables: chop a mix of bok choy, bean sprouts, capsicum, onion, broccoli, asparagus, Chinese leaf, and baby corn into bite-sized pieces for a colorful medley.
2
Blanch the asparagus and broccoli in boiling water for 2 minutes to retain their color and crispness. Drain and set aside.
3
In a small bowl, combine the chicken stock, soya sauce, dry sherry, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and cornflour mixed with enough water to create a slurry. Whisk until well combined.
4
Heat a wok over medium-high heat and add half of the cooking oil. Once hot, add the prepared vegetables and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until they are vibrant and just tender. Transfer the vegetables to a warm oven to keep them hot.
5
In the same wok, add the remaining cooking oil and quickly stir-fry the prawns for 1-2 minutes until they turn pink and opaque.
6
Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the wok with the prawns. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
7
Return the vegetables to the wok and quickly toss to combine all ingredients, ensuring everything is evenly coated with the sauce and heated through.
8
Serve the stir-fried prawns and vegetables hot alongside your choice of noodles for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Stir-Fried Green Prawns with Colorful Vegetables dish?
It is a vibrant and flavorful East Asian-inspired dish featuring succulent prawns and a variety of fresh Chinese vegetables like bok choy and baby corn in a savory sauce.
What type of prawns should I use for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 500 grams of large raw prawns that have been peeled.
Which vegetables are included in the 'Chinese vegetables' mix?
The suggested mix includes bok choy, bean sprouts, capsicum, onion, broccoli, asparagus, Chinese leaf, and baby corn.
How should the vegetables be prepared before cooking?
The vegetables should be chopped into bite-sized pieces to create a colorful medley that cooks evenly.
Do any of the vegetables need to be pre-cooked?
Yes, you should blanch the asparagus and broccoli in boiling water for 2 minutes before stir-frying.
Why is blanching necessary for the broccoli and asparagus?
Blanching helps these denser vegetables retain their vibrant color and ensures they achieve a perfect crisp-tender texture during the stir-fry.
What ingredients are used to make the stir-fry sauce?
The sauce is a combination of chicken stock, soya sauce, dry sherry, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and a cornflour slurry.
How do I make the cornflour slurry for the sauce?
Mix 2 teaspoons of cornflour with enough water to create a smooth liquid before adding it to the sauce mixture.
What aromatics are used to season the prawns?
The recipe uses one teaspoon of grated fresh ginger and one teaspoon of crushed garlic.
How much cooking oil is required?
A total of one tablespoon of cooking oil is used, split between cooking the vegetables and the prawns.
How long should I stir-fry the vegetables?
The vegetables should be stir-fried for about 3-4 minutes until they are vibrant and just tender.
What should I do with the vegetables once they are stir-fried?
Transfer them to a warm oven to keep them hot while you prepare the prawns and sauce.
How long do the prawns take to cook?
The prawns cook very quickly, requiring only 1-2 minutes until they turn pink and opaque.
When do I add the sauce mixture to the wok?
Add the prepared sauce mixture to the wok once the prawns have finished their initial 1-2 minute stir-fry.
How long does it take for the sauce to thicken?
The sauce should thicken in about 1-2 minutes of continuous stirring over medium-high heat.
When should the vegetables be recombined with the prawns?
Return the vegetables to the wok after the sauce has thickened, then toss quickly to coat everything evenly.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
It is best served hot alongside your choice of noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe includes 1-2 dried bird's eye chiles, which provide a mild to moderate heat depending on how much they are crushed.
Can I substitute the large prawns with something else?
Yes, you can use large shrimp as they are essentially the same for this cooking application.
What if I do not have dry sherry?
You can substitute dry sherry with Shaoxing rice wine or a dry white wine if necessary.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, substitute the prawns with tofu, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, and use a vegetarian mushroom sauce instead of oyster sauce.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 main ingredients in this stir-fry recipe.
What provides the nutty aroma in the sauce?
Half a teaspoon of sesame oil provides the characteristic nutty aroma and flavor.
How do I prevent the prawns from becoming rubbery?
Ensure you only stir-fry them for 1-2 minutes; overcooking is the primary cause of rubbery prawns.
What equipment is best for this recipe?
A wok is ideal for the high-heat stir-frying required, though a large heavy-bottomed frying pan can also work.
Can I prepare the ingredients in advance?
Yes, chopping the vegetables and mixing the sauce ahead of time is recommended as the cooking process is very fast.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is specifically described as a quick and easy recipe perfect for a family dinner.
How much chicken stock is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of chicken stock.
What is the role of oyster sauce in this dish?
Oyster sauce adds a rich, savory, and slightly sweet umami depth to the stir-fry sauce.
Can I use different vegetables than the ones listed?
Yes, you can use any mixture of your choice, though keeping a variety of colors and textures is recommended.