Spicy & Sweet Summer Delight: Easy Zucchini and Shrimp Stir-fry
Spicy & Sweet Summer Delight: Easy Zucchini and Shrimp Stir-fry
Flavorful Zucchini and Shrimp Stir-fry Without Fermented Shrimp Paste
Here’s a summer side dish recipe designed for adults, featuring a delightful kick from chili powder. It’s incredibly delicious even without fermented shrimp paste and requires minimal ingredients. Perfect for a quick meal using frozen shrimp and zucchini from your freezer, this super simple side dish is a lifesaver for busy days.
Ingredients- 1/2 medium zucchini
- 5-6 shrimp (thawed)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1/4 onion
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 Tbsp fine chili powder
- 1/2 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thaw the frozen shrimp by placing them in the refrigerator overnight. To remove any fishy odor, rinse the thawed shrimp in cold water with a splash of lemon juice. If you don’t have lemon juice, rinsing in plain cold water is sufficient. If you used lemon juice, make sure to rinse them thoroughly with water before cooking.
Step 2
While pre-minced garlic is convenient, using freshly minced garlic will impart a much more vibrant aroma to your dish. Try mincing it just before you use it.
Step 3
Finely chop the green onion. Slice the zucchini into half-moons about 0.5 cm thick. Cut the quartered onion into 6 bite-sized pieces.
Step 4
Heat your pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Add the chopped green onion and stir-fry slowly until fragrant and lightly browned, creating infused green onion oil. It’s best to add the green onion and oil together before the pan gets too hot to allow the flavors to meld gently.
Step 5
Once the green onion oil is aromatic and the green onions are lightly golden, add the sliced onion and zucchini to the pan. Give them a quick toss to coat, then add the shrimp.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to season. Add 1 tablespoon of cooking wine, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 tablespoon of fine chili powder, and 1/2 tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine and cook until everything is evenly coated. Tip: You can substitute the crushed red pepper flakes with finely chopped fresh chili peppers. If making this for children or prefer a milder taste, omit the chili powder and peppers.
Step 7
Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to stir-fry, ensuring the shrimp are cooked through and lightly golden, and the minced garlic doesn’t burn. Cook until all the ingredients are well combined and tender. Your delicious Zucchini and Shrimp Stir-fry is ready!
Step 8
Experience the delightful combination of tender zucchini and chewy, succulent shrimp! This is one of the best zucchini stir-fry recipes I’ve made recently. It’s fantastic as a side dish, but also makes a wonderful and satisfying meal when served over a bowl of hot rice.
