The Chinese love to have prawns on the dinner menu during Chinese New Year. Prawns are called "har" in Cantonese and it sounds like laughter, as in hahaha, which, of course sounds merry and happy, a good start to a new year. Whatever it symbolizes, prawns are delicious and quite expensive during the festive occasion, especially so when a prawn dish is on the menu from the Chinese restaurants. I have stocked up on some prawns before the festive season starts, and now that I'm back home after the holidays, it's time to bring some "har" to my dinner table at home. Since prawns are a favourite in my house, you can be assured of lots of "hahaha and smiles" when these are served.
This is a very simple and easy fried prawn dish. Last weekend, I've visited my sister and harvested from her garden a big bunch of lovely Thai basil leaves from her very lush basil plant. Thank you sis, the basil leaves are extremely fragrant!
My family enjoyed this dish a lot! We love the wonderful smell and taste of the crispy minced garlic and the fragrance from the basil leaves. Prawns have their own unique flavourful taste, and would be extremely delicious with the right amount of seasoning, so adjust the seasoning to your taste. Best eaten with your fingers! It is fingers licking good!
I am submitting this post to Chinese New Year Delights 2013 hosted by Sonia aka Nasi Lemak Lover
And also sharing this with :
600gm medim-sized fresh prawns (remove legs, feelers and de-vein, leaving head and shell intact)
a big bunch of fresh Thai basil leaves
8 large garlic cloves, chopped finely
salt to taste
1/2 tsp sugar
generous sprinkling of white pepper powder
cooking oil for frying
- Marinate prawns with 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp sugar and a generous sprinkling of white pepper powder. Keep aside, covered for 15 minutes. Drain.
- Heat about 1/2 cup oil and fry prawns in one single layer, 2 minutes per side until cooked. Remove and drain. You may need to do this in a few batches.
- Remove oil from wok, retain about 2 tablespoons of oil in wok. Saute the chopped garlic until light brown, crispy and fragrant. Add in all the pre-fried prawns and a pinch of salt to taste. (You may add in more white pepper powder and sugar to taste if desired). Stir fry until prawns are coated with the fragrant chopped garlic about 1 minute. Add in the basil leaves, stir to combine for a minute more or until leaves are wilted and fragrant.
- Dish out to a serving plate. Enjoy!
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