Szechwan Prawns

J is not a big fan of Chinese cuisine. Hence, I usually avoid preparing them when he is around. Today was one of those days. J had mentioned that he won’t be joining us for lunch or dinner. So I went ahead and prepared fried rice and Szechwan Prawns, after a long gap. We had just finished our lunch when J called up and informed that he was on his way home. I was a bit apprehensive while serving food to him. But my joy knew no bounds when he asked for a second helping. Yipppee !!! Little pleasures of life…Doing the happy dance 🙂

Szechwan Prawns
J is not a big fan of Chinese cuisine. Hence, I usually avoid preparing them when he is around. Today was one of those days. J had mentioned that he won't be joining us for lunch or dinner. So I went ahead and prepared fried rice and Szechwan Prawns, after a long gap. We had just finished our lunch
Ingredients
- 400 gms Prawns
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper powder powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 4 tablespoons Spring onion Chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic - heaped
- 3 green chillies Slit
- 1 teaspoon Soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Tomato Ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Chilli powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Cornflour
- 1 cup Water - (+ 2 tablespoons)
For the Szechwan Paste
- 5 - 6 chillies Whole dried Red
- 1 Ginger "
- 4 Garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon Vinegar
- 1 pinch Salt
Instructions
- For the Szechwan Paste` . `
- Soak the chillies in warm water for 10 minutes.
- Take them off the water and grind them along with ginger, garlic, vinegar and salt into a fine paste.
- Soak the chillies in warm water for 10 minutes.
- Keep aside
- Take them off the water and grind them along with ginger, garlic, vinegar and salt into a fine paste.
- Keep aside
- Use only as much as you require.
- The remaining portion can be used for any other recipe that calls for the same ingredients.
- For the Gravy
- Marinate the prawns with salt and pepper powder. Keep aside for about 10 minutes or more.
- Heat a pan on medium high heat.
- When hot, pour oil. When the oil is hot, add the prawns and stir fry till they turn pink in colour and curl up.
- Transfer the prawns to a plate. Keep aside.
- Take a pan and pour a tablespoon of oil.
- When hot, add the spring onion, garlic and green chillies.
- Stir for about 30 seconds.
- Add the szechuan paste and chilli powder (if using).
- Stir for 30 seconds.
- Add the szechuan paste and chilli powder (if using).
- Add the soy sauce and ketchup and stir.
- Stir for 30 seconds.
- Add the prawns and mix well.
- Add the soy sauce and ketchup and stir.
- Add water and give a stir and adjust the seasoning.
- Add the prawns and mix well.
- Bring to a boil
- Meanwhile mix the cornflour with 2 tablespoons of water.
- When the gravy starts to boil, add the cornflour mixture and mix well.
- When the gravy starts to thicken, switch off heat.
- Transfer to a serving bowl .
- Garnish with chopped spring onion.
- Serve hot