Ani's Kitchen Stories

These Spicy Basil Tiger Prawn recipe is simple and comes together quickly. It’s packed with full of flavour and the aromatic sauce has got the hint of sweet, spicy and the depth of umami goodness. Perfect as an appetizer or a main dish, this will definitely be a crowd-pleaser.

Tiger prawn/shrimp have a distinct black and white striping, which looks like a tiger stripes and this is how they got their name. You can find it in the local fish market or supermarkets. They’re usually large meaty and juicy prawns that goes perfect with spice and bold flavours

Luckily, in one of our recent beach vacation in a coastal town, we happened to visit the local fishermen community and their wholesale fish market in the morning hours. There we got a good amount of tiger prawns in much cheaper rate. I got so excited and happy with our purchase and was already thinking about what to make with the meaty shrimp.

Tiger prawns generally have thicker shells compared to the other shrimp varieties. As I got them fresh, I’ve cleaned and deveined them at home. I had peeled the shells and kept the tails intact which will give a depth and flavour in the dish.

What goes in the sauce:

The sweet and spicy sauce with the goodness of basil leaves and the Shaoxing wine brings out the umami flavour in the dish.

Shallots

Garlic

Basil leaves : Thai basil leaves goes well in this. However if you don’t have it, Italian basil leaves will also work as a charm.

Thai Bird Eye Chilli to bring out the heat in the sauce.

Spring Onion

White pepper goes well in Oriental cuisine.

Shaoxing Wine: Shaoxing wine is the heart of the sauce and brings out the umami and nutty flavour. If you don’t have Shaoxing wine in your pantry, go ahead with Dry Sherry, Sake, Gin or White wine. You can even substitute Shaoxing wine with Rice vinegar, White or Apple cider vinegar, Balsamic vinegar or even the kitchen staple a mixture of lemon and sugar.

Dark Soy Sauce

Light Soy Sauce

Oyster Sauce

Ingredients: (Serves-2)

▪️ 300 gms Tiger prawns or any prawns of your choice (cleaned and deveined)

▪️ 1 shallot chopped

▪️ 7-8 garlic clove crushed and chopped

▪️ 7-8 Thai Red Chilli

▪️ Few Thai basil leaves

▪️ Spring onions (chopped)

▪️ 1/2 tsp White pepper (crushed)

▪️ 1 tbsp light soy sauce

▪️ 1 tsp dark soy sauce

▪️ 1 tsp oyster sauce

▪️ 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine

▪️ 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions:

▪️ Heat oil in a pan. Add the shallots, the white part of green onions and garlic and half of the chillies. Stir for a minute.

▪️ Add the Prawns and sear for a minute until prawns turns light pink in colour.

▪️ Add the Shaoxing wine, soy sauce and oyster sauce. Increase heat to medium and stir.

▪️ Add the basil leaves and crushed white pepper, let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

▪️ Garnish with green onions and freshly chopped remaining chillies.

▪️ Serve hot with rice and salad.