Honey Walnut Shrimp

Method11 steps · about 30 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Boil the 3 tbsp sugar and 2 tbsp water together in a small pan until the syrup thickens and becomes slightly golden.

   Uses 3 tbsp sugar · 2 tbsp water

2. 2

   Step 2: Turn all ½ cup walnut halves through the earlier hot syrup to coat evenly, adding the separate pinch of walnut salt (1 pinch). If desired, drizzle on the separate tiny unmeasured honey finish while the nuts are warm.

   Uses All earlier prepared sugar-and-water syrup · 0.5 cup walnut halves · 1 pinch salt for candied walnuts · A tiny drizzle honey for warm candied walnuts, optional; amount unspecified

3. 3

   Step 3: Spread the earlier glazed walnuts apart on parchment and leave them until fully cool, dry and crisp. Do this before preparing the shrimp so they can cool while the later stages proceed.

   Uses All earlier coated walnuts with their syrup, salt and selected honey finish

4. 4

   Step 4: Pat all 500 g peeled and deveined raw prawns completely dry. Mix with the separate ½ tsp shrimp salt, ½ tsp white pepper, 1 tsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp shrimp sesame oil and the one egg white. Refrigerate this mixture for 5 minutes.

   Marinate raw prawns in the refrigerator · 5 minUses 500 g large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails may be left on) · ½ tsp salt for shrimp marinade · 0.5 tsp white pepper · 1 tsp shaoxing wine · 1 tsp sesame oil for shrimp marinade · 1 egg white

5. 5

   Step 5: Combine the ½ cup cornflour with the optional ¼ cup potato starch if selected. Dredge the earlier marinated prawns in this coating and shake off loose excess starch. Rest the coated raw prawns in the refrigerator for 5–10 minutes to help the coating adhere.

   Rest coated raw prawns in the refrigerator · 5 minUses 0.5 cup cornstarch · 0.25 cup potato starch (optional) · All earlier refrigerated marinated prawns

6. 6

   Step 6: Heat the unmeasured frying-oil supply to 180°C / about 355°F. Fry the earlier coated prawns in small batches for about 1½–2 minutes per batch, until light golden and crisp. Lift out and drain each batch; keep this same oil for the second fry.

   First prawn fry — repeat for each batch · 2 minUses as needed neutral oil (such as canola oil; for deep-frying) · All earlier coated prawns, divided into frying batches

7. 7

   Step 7: Let the first-fried prawns rest out of the oil for 2 minutes before their second fry. Earlier batches may already have rested while later batches were frying; every batch needs at least this interval.

   Rest first-fried prawns before the second fry · 2 minUses All earlier first-fried prawns, drained out of the oil

8. 8

   Step 8: Raise the same earlier frying oil to 190°C / about 375°F. Give the earlier rested first-fried prawns a second fry in small batches for 30–45 seconds per batch, until the crust is crisp and the shrimp are fully cooked, pearly and opaque throughout. Drain after frying.

   Second prawn fry — repeat for each batch · 1 minUses The same earlier frying-oil supply, reheated to190°C · All earlier first-fried prawns after the separate2-minute rest

9. 9

   Step 9: Whisk the 3 tbsp mayonnaise, separate 1½ tbsp sauce honey, 1 tsp sweetened condensed milk, 1 tsp lemon juice, separate ½ tsp sauce sesame oil and separate ¼ tsp sauce salt into a smooth creamy glaze. Add the unmeasured vinegar to taste for a slightly tangy balance.

   Uses 3 tbsp mayonnaise · 1½ tbsp honey for creamy sauce · 1 tsp sweetened condensed milk · 1 tsp lemon juice · ½ tsp sesame oil for creamy sauce · ¼ tsp salt for creamy sauce · Vinegar for creamy sauce, to taste; amount unspecified

10. 10

    Step 10: Just before serving, gently toss all the earlier twice-fried drained prawns with the earlier creamy honey sauce until evenly coated.

    Uses All earlier fully cooked twice-fried prawns · All earlier mixed mayonnaise, honey, milk, lemon, sesame, salt and selected vinegar sauce

11. 11

    Step 11: Plate the finished sauced shrimp as 3 portions. Top with all the earlier fully cooled crisp candied walnuts and, if desired, thinly sliced green onion and ready toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

    Uses All earlier sauced cooked prawns · All earlier candied walnuts after drying and cooling · as desired scallions (optional) · as desired toasted sesame seeds (optional)