Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice: A Chinese-Inspired Recipe
Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice: A Chinese-Inspired Recipe
How to Make Wok-Hei Shrimp Fried Rice (Chef Baek’s Style)
Have leftover frozen cocktail shrimp? Don’t let them go to waste! Transform them into a delicious, Chinese-inspired fried rice with a captivating wok hei (breath of the wok) flavor, following Chef Baek’s popular recipe style. This dish is surprisingly easy to make and perfect for a quick yet impressive meal.
Ingredients- 1 bowl of cooked rice (warm)
- Cocktail shrimp (adjust quantity as desired)
- 2 eggs
- 1 stalk of green onion
- Cooking oil (generous amount)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the green onion, which adds a wonderful aroma to the fried rice. Slice about 5cm of the green onion stalk thinly and set aside. Thin slices release more flavor when sautéed.
Step 2
Next, prepare the egg mixture. Crack 2 eggs into a bowl, remove the chalazae (the white stringy bits), and whisk them thoroughly with a fork or whisk until smooth. This will add a lovely richness to the fried rice.
Step 3
If using frozen cocktail shrimp, soak them in cold water for about 10 minutes to thaw. Be careful not to over-thaw, as this can make the shrimp mushy. Once thawed, pat them dry with a paper towel.
Step 4
Now, let’s start stir-frying! Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Once the oil is hot, add the thinly sliced green onions and stir-fry over medium-low heat until fragrant and slightly softened, being careful not to burn them. You’re creating a fragrant green onion oil.
Step 5
Once the green onion oil is fragrant, add the thawed cocktail shrimp to the wok and stir-fry quickly over high heat until they turn pink. Push the shrimp to one side of the wok, and pour the beaten eggs into the empty space to make scrambled eggs. Stir gently with chopsticks as the eggs begin to set, aiming for about 70% cooked.
Step 6
Combine the shrimp and scrambled eggs and stir-fry briefly. Now for the signature wok hei flavor! Pour 1 tablespoon of soy sauce into a corner of the wok and let it sizzle and caramelize slightly, creating a deep, smoky flavor. Stir everything together once the soy sauce has caramelized.
Step 7
Add the warm bowl of cooked rice to the wok. Use a spatula to break up any clumps of rice and stir-fry until the grains are separated and slightly toasted. Finally, add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce and stir-fry to coat everything evenly. Oyster sauce adds a wonderful umami depth.
Step 8
Once everything is well combined and stir-fried, season with a pinch of black pepper for a final touch. The peppery aroma enhances the overall flavor profile of the fried rice.
Step 9
To serve, give your shrimp fried rice a professional presentation! Press the fried rice firmly into a round bowl to shape it. Place a plate on top of the bowl, and then quickly flip them over together. Carefully lift the bowl to reveal a perfectly shaped, restaurant-style shrimp fried rice. Enjoy your delicious creation!
