🍽️ How to Make Garlic Shrimp (Suanrong Shrimp)

🧆 Ingredients

• 300g fresh shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 6 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon ginger (minced)
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon cooking wine
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt to taste

🍳 Steps

1. Clean and Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp under cold running water. Peel and devein each shrimp, removing the shell and the dark vein along the back. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss the cleaned shrimp with cooking wine, a pinch of salt, and cornstarch. Let them marinate for at least 10 minutes to enhance flavor and texture.

2. Prepare the Aromatics: Peel and finely mince the garlic and ginger. Chop the green onions, separating the white and green parts. The white parts will be used for stir-frying, while the green parts are reserved for garnish.

3. Sauté Garlic and Ginger: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the green onions. Stir-fry gently for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant and the garlic turns slightly golden, but do not let it burn.

4. Cook the Shrimp: Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the marinated shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Let them sear for about 30 seconds without stirring to develop a light crust. Then stir-fry continuously until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes. Avoid overcooking, as shrimp become tough if cooked too long.

5. Season and Finish: Add soy sauce and toss the shrimp to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt if needed. Sprinkle in the green parts of the green onions and give everything a final toss.

6. Serve: Transfer the shrimp to a serving plate. Serve immediately while hot for the best texture and flavor. This dish pairs well with steamed rice or noodles.

Additional Tips

• How to Judge Doneness: Shrimp are perfectly cooked when they curl into a loose "C" shape and turn from translucent to opaque pink. Overcooked shrimp will be tightly curled and rubbery.
• Ingredient Quality: Use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best results. Frozen shrimp can be used if thawed and dried thoroughly.
• Garlic Preparation: For a milder garlic flavor, briefly soak minced garlic in cold water before cooking. For a stronger flavor, add more garlic or use some raw as garnish.
• Oil Temperature: Ensure the oil is hot but not smoking before adding aromatics to avoid burning the garlic.
• Serving Suggestion: Garnish with extra chopped green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added aroma and presentation.

💡 Tips

• Use plenty of fresh garlic for robust flavor.
• Do not overcook shrimp to keep them juicy.
• Adjust soy sauce and salt to taste.
• Serve immediately for best texture.