Crunchy Salt Shrimp with Ginger Sauce
James Carrier
AuthorJean Patterson, Pasadena, California

While in Kenting, a fishing village in Taiwan, Jean Patterson was served just-caught shrimp crisp-fried in hot oil; to her delight, the shells were crunchy and edible, and the shrimp the most succulent she had eaten. Back home, she now cooks shrimp in the shell for adventurous guests; those less daring can shell the shrimp before eating them. You can also start with shelled shrimp.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Devein shrimp in shells by pushing a toothpick perpendicular to each shrimp through a joint on the back shell and about 1/8 inch under the vein; pull up to lift out dark vein. If it breaks, repeat at another shell joint. If using shelled shrimp, slit shrimp backs and pull out vein. Rinse shrimp, put in a bowl, and add sake and cornstarch; stir to mix well.

Step 2
2

In another small bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, and ginger.

Step 3
3

Pour about 1 inch oil into a 14-inch wok or deep, narrow 3- to 4-quart pan over high heat. When oil reaches 375°, add half the shrimp; stir often until they turn pink and shells are crisp, about 2 minutes (about 1 minute for shelled shrimp). With a slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to towels to drain. Repeat to cook remaining shrimp.

Step 4
4

Drain oil from wok; discard or save for other uses. Set wok over medium heat, add garlic and salt, and stir until pan is hot. Add shrimp; stir until shrimp are coated with garlic mixture and hot, 1/2 to 1 minute.

Step 5
5

Pour shrimp onto a platter, sprinkle with basil, and serve with ginger dipping sauce. Eat shells, if desired, or peel shrimp.

Ingredients

 1 pound (21 to 25 per lb.) shrimp in shells
 2 tablespoons sake or dry sherry
 2 tablespoons cornstarch
 2 tablespoons soy sauce
 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  About 1 1/2 cups salad oil
 1 tablespoon minced garlic
 1 teaspoon kosher or other coarse salt
 1/4 cup slivered fresh basil leaves

Directions

Step 1
1

Devein shrimp in shells by pushing a toothpick perpendicular to each shrimp through a joint on the back shell and about 1/8 inch under the vein; pull up to lift out dark vein. If it breaks, repeat at another shell joint. If using shelled shrimp, slit shrimp backs and pull out vein. Rinse shrimp, put in a bowl, and add sake and cornstarch; stir to mix well.

Step 2
2

In another small bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, and ginger.

Step 3
3

Pour about 1 inch oil into a 14-inch wok or deep, narrow 3- to 4-quart pan over high heat. When oil reaches 375°, add half the shrimp; stir often until they turn pink and shells are crisp, about 2 minutes (about 1 minute for shelled shrimp). With a slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to towels to drain. Repeat to cook remaining shrimp.

Step 4
4

Drain oil from wok; discard or save for other uses. Set wok over medium heat, add garlic and salt, and stir until pan is hot. Add shrimp; stir until shrimp are coated with garlic mixture and hot, 1/2 to 1 minute.

Step 5
5

Pour shrimp onto a platter, sprinkle with basil, and serve with ginger dipping sauce. Eat shells, if desired, or peel shrimp.

Crunchy Salt Shrimp with Ginger Sauce

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