Ok, so either I’ve totally caught your attention with the words “deep fried” or I’ve sent you running in the other direction. Those of you still here with me, you’re definitely my kinda eating buddy. And if you’re still here but you really dislike deep fried foods, I now luv ya even more. Besides the fact that this is a deep fried dish, it’s actually not all that unhealthy, and very quick and easy to make. So enough with the jibber jabber, let’s get started, shall we?
Deep Fried Salt & Pepper Prawns
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of prawns (Shell on and deveined. Headless or not is your choice.)
- oil for deep frying (enough to cover about 6 prawns at a time)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 and a half table spoons spice salt
- 4 stalks green onions finely chopped
- 2 red chili peppers finely chopped
In a bowl, mix together the cornstarch and spice salt. This is the type of spice salt I like to use:
Spice Salt
If you don’t have this, you can definitely use 1 tablespoon salt and half a tablespoon ground pepper.
Coat the prawns with the cornstarch and spice salt mixture either one at a time ( which is my preference because I’m so OCD like that :P) or by dumping all the prawns into the bowl with the mixture and mixing them around untill they’ve all been coated. Heat up a pot of oil to 350 degrees fahrenheit and deep fry about 6 prawns at a time. When the prawns have completely curled (about 1 to 2 minutes), they’re ready to take out. Do not deep fry the prawns for more than 2 minutes or they will start to dry up and be overcooked. Drain the prawns on a piece of paper towel. In a strainer, deep fry the green onions and red chili peppers for about 20 to 30 seconds. Drain and sprinkle them over the prawns.
This is one of my favorite dishes to order at a Chinese restaurant. Now I’m not going to tell you how to eat this, but after discarding the head and the tail, did you know some people actually eat the shells and legs too? That’s right, just like popcorn shrimp. Give it a try, you might actually enjoy the crunch. I used to peel off the shells and just ate the meat, until I tried eating it with shells and all one day and really liked it. Even though I discard the heads while eating, I chose to leave them attached here because that’s how I’ve always seen them being served at restaurants. But if the heads freak you out, you can definitely use deveined headless prawns.
Halloween is coming soon again so I want to take this time to remind everyone to please take caution when driving and watch out for all the little ghosts, goblins, and Supermans out there. Here’s a link for 13 Halloween safety tips for kids. I hope you’re all doing well and that you have a safe and happy Halloween. Thank you for taking the time to drop by again. Until next time, friends and family :D.
luvtoeat 
LeQuan…finally you showed up 🙂 I love this kind of prawns and like you always order in Chinese restaurant because I do not like to deep fry at home…and I sure love the heads…I know…my husband always make “that” face when he sees me sucking on the prawn’s head…what can I say 😉
Good to hear from you…hope you are having a wonderful week!
People who say they hate deep-fried food is bullshitting. Nobody hates fried food, they just hate the calories in there. If it’s deep-fried, I can just about eat anything. Even shrimp heads and tails and legs…and eyes! 🙂
Really? You can eat the shells? I am so confused…why did I not know this before?
The truth is that fried things don’t really float my boat. But who doesn’t LOVE fried shrimp? Me and Maya go a little bit crazy at all you can eat popcorn shrimp places. 🙂
Looks delicious! Glad to see you blogging again.
LeQuan, did you see I have grown a giraffe neck already? Luckily you did a post today, if I have to stretch that neck for another week, I will topple over! LOL! This is my kind of dish. PRAWNS cooked in any way will make me happy. I will glad eat this deep fried prawns even if I have to take anti-cholesterol drugs after that. I am allergic to certain prawns but don’t know what. Sometimes, I get the bumps and sometimes, I don’t so what I do now is I carry my anti-histamin in my bag and go everywhere with it. I eat prawns to my heart content and if the attack comes, pop a pill! My Quay Lo asked me to stay away from prawns…. NO WAY!! So much said, so if I have change to visit you one day, will you remember to cook this for me?
Hi Veronica,
You have a prawns allergy?! Oh my, you poor girl. Of course I will cook this for you, but you put me in a very tough situation now. Only if you promise to be good and not eat too many ;). And also hide me from your Quay Lo later. Teehee. I really do hope that one day we will meet! Hope you’re doing well, my dear :D.
Lequan, when I saw the title, I can hear it screaming for me! “Come quick, come quick!” Two things: Deep-fried + Prawns…… both my beloved. Lol! Love the recipe! I could finish the entire plate all by myself. Yum!
So happy to see a post from you, LeQuan! The shrimp looks fantastic, I love that flavorful crispy coating from the cornstarch and spices. The onion and chili on top is a great touch too! I had no idea you could eat the shells…I think I just may give that a try.
Happy Halloween to you too, my friend!
I’ve missed you!!
Prawns are one of the few types of seafood that I really, really like. I’ve never had them like this though. Theyre usually just coated with garlic. 🙂 I really like the sound of these.
Dear Le Quan – You are back!!!! Yea!!!!
I LOVE nothing more than the deep fried salt and pepper prawns and order them everytime at the restaurant.
Now I will make them at hope for sure! In fact I have them marked on my calendar for my next grocery list 🙂
PS – LOVE eating the head, tail and all…he…he
Thanks!!!! Happy Halloween darling 🙂
Delicious. These look so good. I’ve missed your posts, and I was so happy when I saw this one! Now if only you could come over and cook me dinner tonight…and thank you for sharing the safety tips for Halloween. So important!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
I love deep fried food but just hate the deep frying….too much cleaning up after that on top of the smell in the house. Next summer I think I am going to do a lot of deep frying in my backyard. Have actually been saying that since last year…haha. This is of course my favourite…prawns!!!! I actually cooked fried noodles with tiger prawns this morning. Must be my first time doing that. Smells good and taste good…mmmm. Glad I did that otherwise I would be drooling badly here…haha 😀
Beautiful presentation of these delicious looking prawns. I think you’re cheating yourself if you remove any part of the prawn before serving, let the diner decide what he/she would like themselves! Nice to see a post from you Le Quan, I’m breaking my promise to take a break from commenting on blogs during my vacation but just one tiny comment won’t hurt anybody;-)
You’ve definitely caught my attention with the DEEEEEEP FRIED! This is definitely a Peter-approved dish – and a Jessie-approved one as well! I love frying shrimp, and although I usually pan fry them, I have been known to deep fry a few in my time 😉 This recipe is now going on my “Leeqie must-make list” and I will be looking for that spice salt the next time we’re in the Asian grocery. I didn’t know that coating your shrimp one at a time makes you OCD – if so, I’m am OCD like crazy in the kitchen! I definitely coat my shrimp one at a time, as well as arranging things in dishes just so … hmm, you’ve opened my eyes here, LeeQs 😉
The first time I ate fried shrimp shells was in HK when I was visiting my aunt. At first I was like “whoa, don’t you usually throw those out??”, but then, I discovered they’re delicious! It’s too bad people don’t eat them more here – I think I would get funny looks if I tried it here.
Great tips for kids on Halloween! I hope K and L enjoyed their Halloween and got the candy they wanted! Take care, dear LeeQie, and have a great weekend!
I am one who will eat the shells, esp when prawns are deep-fried, the shells are so crispy delicious. No need for “glucosamine” anymore – prawns shells will do!
I think most people enjoy deep fried foods as it is really delicious! Just have to take it in moderation 🙂 I remember this dish and a slight variation to it using butter and eggs called butter prawns. Both are yummy! I like the fried green onion and chili topping.
Oh you can’t scare me of with “Deep Fried” LeQuan…I love ya too much 🙂 Your prawns look fantastic by the way, love the spiciness and that you also fried the green onions…YUM! Oh, and Grely eats the shells on prawns all the time 😉
Hope you are having a fantastic week…hugs
Hi, dropping by to wish you and your family a most fun and prosperous New Year 2012! Next, to remind you that you have not blogged for a long, long time!!!! 😛 Come one, come on, you can do it….first blog of the year….even if it’s a short one! 😀
Just stopped by to say “Hello”, and hope you had a nice Holiday…Happy New Year to you and your love ones LeQuan 🙂
These look wonderful- delicious as always! And happy new year to you and your family!
First of all I love prawns, who wouldn’t? And second deep fried are even juicier. Simple and tasty, my kind of meal! You have a beautiful collection of recipes in your blog!
Where are you Le Quan??? You are missed :))
chow! DEVAKI @ weavethousandflavors
Happy Easter!
Thinking of you and special kiddies today. Hugs and kisses to all and your mom and dad.
XO
V
Girrrrllllll, I think it’s time to get your butt back to blogging 😉
Stopped by just to say “HI” and hope all is well with you and your family LeQuan 🙂