This shrimp recipe is a very easy to cook and also requires less than 15 minutes to cook. Most of the ingredients are easy to find you can find in your kitchen pantry or in the refrigerator. But one ingredient that might not be readily available is the mirin or mirin. You can use any kind of cooking wine as a substitute to cook this delicious and savory sweet and spicy shrimps.
The Perfect Blend of Sweet and Spicy: A Shrimp Dish to Savor
Cooking shrimp is often associated with quick, delicious meals that don’t require much time or effort. This sweet and spicy shrimp recipe is a prime example. It’s not only easy to prepare, but it also takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish, making it a perfect option for weeknight dinners or impromptu gatherings. You probably already have most of the ingredients sitting in your pantry, though there’s one key ingredient—mirin—that might need a special trip to the store. But don’t worry, cooking wine works just as well in a pinch.
The magic of this dish lies in its balance of sweetness and heat, a flavor combination that brings out the natural succulence of the shrimp. For anyone who enjoys a bit of kick in their seafood, this recipe will quickly become a go-to favorite.
Prepping the Shrimp: A Key Step for Success
Before you dive into cooking, the shrimp needs a little preparation. First, remove the antennae and the veins. This process ensures a clean and smooth eating experience, free from any unpleasant textures. Run the shrimp under cold water to wash off any remaining impurities and place them in a colander to drain. This step not only helps clean the shrimp but also allows them to dry off, which is essential for ensuring a good sear later in the pan.
Freshness is also crucial when preparing seafood. For the best results, try to use shrimp that are either freshly caught or properly stored. The fresher the shrimp, the more tender and flavorful the final dish will be.
Building the Base: Garlic, Onion, and Ginger
Every flavorful dish starts with a solid base, and in this recipe, garlic, onion, and ginger take center stage. Heating a few tablespoons of oil in a pan and sautéing these aromatics for just a few seconds releases their fragrant oils, setting the stage for the shrimp to soak up layers of flavor.
Ginger, in particular, offers a unique touch to this dish. Not only does it add a warming spice, but ginger has long been known for its digestive properties, which pairs beautifully with the richness of seafood. The combination of garlic and onion adds a familiar depth, while the ginger keeps things interesting.
Adding the Shrimp: A Quick Sear for Maximum Flavor
Once your aromatics are fragrant, it’s time to add the shrimp. Stirring the shrimp in the hot pan will allow them to turn a bright, appetizing orange. This transformation happens quickly, so keep the heat high and your spoon moving. This sear is essential—it locks in moisture, ensuring the shrimp stays juicy, while also creating a flavorful crust.
The Sweet and Spicy Symphony: Sugar, Mirin, and Oyster Sauce
As soon as the shrimp starts turning orange, it’s time to bring in the key flavor components. Adding sugar to the shrimp might seem unusual, but it provides a beautiful caramelized sweetness that pairs perfectly with the seafood. High heat ensures the sugar melts quickly and coats the shrimp evenly.
Next comes the addition of mirin or your substitute cooking wine. Mirin, a sweet Japanese rice wine, is essential in many Asian dishes. It not only adds sweetness but also lends a slight tang and glossiness to the sauce. If you don’t have mirin on hand, regular cooking wine will work as a substitute, though it may require a pinch of extra sugar to achieve the same balance.
Oyster sauce, the final ingredient in this flavor trio, adds a rich umami depth that complements the shrimp’s natural brininess. This combination of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy makes the dish irresistible. Let the mixture simmer for a minute to allow the sauce to thicken and coat the shrimp, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
A Touch of Heat: Green Chilies for Spice
No shrimp dish would be complete without the “spicy” element. Sliced long green chilies, also known as siling panigang in Filipino cuisine, bring a subtle heat that elevates the dish without overwhelming it. These chilies are mild enough that even spice-sensitive eaters can enjoy the dish, but they add just the right amount of warmth to balance out the sweetness.
If you’re a fan of spicier food, feel free to add more chilies or even substitute with a hotter variety like bird’s eye chili. The beauty of this dish is in its adaptability to your preferred spice level.
The History Behind the Dish: Asian Influence on Sweet and Spicy Seafood
The combination of sweet and spicy flavors is a hallmark of many Asian cuisines, particularly in Southeast Asia. Sweet and spicy shrimp dishes are common in Filipino, Thai, and Vietnamese cooking, where seafood is abundant and frequently prepared with a balance of bold flavors. This particular recipe, with its use of mirin and oyster sauce, draws inspiration from Japanese and Chinese cooking techniques, which prioritize harmony between ingredients.
Historically, these flavors have been developed to preserve freshness and to enhance the natural taste of seafood, as sugar and spices were often used to mask any unwanted odors or flavors in the days before refrigeration. Today, they are celebrated for their ability to elevate the taste of shrimp to new heights.
Serving Suggestions: How to Enjoy Your Sweet and Spicy Shrimp
Once your shrimp is cooked and the sauce has thickened, all that’s left is to turn off the heat and serve it hot. This dish is perfect over a bed of steamed white rice, which soaks up the flavorful sauce beautifully. Alternatively, you can serve it alongside stir-fried vegetables or noodles for a complete meal.
For a bit of extra garnish, consider topping the dish with fresh herbs like cilantro or chopped green onions. They add a burst of color and freshness that balances the richness of the sauce. A squeeze of fresh lime on top can also enhance the flavors, cutting through the sweetness with a touch of acidity.
Final Thoughts: A Dish to Impress, Yet Easy to Make
What makes this sweet and spicy shrimp so appealing is its simplicity combined with its complex flavor profile. The shrimp cooks quickly, and the ingredients are mostly pantry staples, yet the end result is a dish that feels special and indulgent. Whether you’re preparing it for a quick dinner or serving it at a small gathering, this shrimp dish is sure to impress your guests without requiring much effort on your part.
If you haven’t tried cooking with shrimp before, this recipe is an excellent starting point. It’s approachable, flavorful, and adaptable—everything a great recipe should be.
Sweet and Spicy Shrimps
Ingredients
- 1/2 kilo shrimps
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 pc onion
- 2 inch ginger
- 2 Tbsp. oyster sauce
- 3 Tbsp. sugar
- 2 pcs long green chilies
- 3 Tbsp. water
- 1 Tbsp. Mirin or mirin cooking wine
- salt to taste
- cooking oil
Instructions
How to Cook Sweet and Spicy Shrimps
- Remove the antennae and veins of the shrimps. Wash in running water and put in a colander to drain excess water.
- Heat 3 Tbsp. cooking oil in a pan and sauté garlic, onion and ginger for a few seconds.
- Add shrimps and stir until the color turns to orange. Add sugar and stir in high heat until the sugar is melted.
- Add mirin and oyster sauce and stir for 1 minute. Add 3 Tbsp. water and let it simmer until the sauce is thick.
- Add sliced long green chilies or siling panigang and stir for a few seconds. Turn off heat and serve hot.
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips
Ensure Proper Shrimp Preparation
Before cooking, be sure to remove the antennae and veins from the shrimp. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to clean them properly and drain any excess moisture using a colander. Dry shrimp will sear better and absorb the sauce more evenly.Control the Heat for Balanced Flavor
When adding the green chilies, consider your spice tolerance and adjust accordingly. You can always start with fewer chilies and add more if needed. For an extra kick, opt for hotter chili varieties, but remember not to overpower the sweetness.Simmer for the Perfect Sauce Consistency
Allow the shrimp and sauce to simmer briefly after adding the water. This step is crucial to thicken the sauce, ensuring it clings to each shrimp evenly. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from reducing too much or sticking to the pan.
