How to Make Shrimp Stir-fry with Vegetables
If you're looking for a stir-fry that is both nutritious and visually appealing, Cookbeo suggests shrimp stir-fry with mixed vegetables. This dish is perfect not only for everyday meals but also for holidays or family gatherings, as it is both flavorful and attractively presented.
Ingredients
- 400g fresh shrimp
- 150g broccoli (green or white)
- 100g carrot
- 150g baby corn and snow peas
- 5g wood ear mushrooms (can add dried shiitake mushrooms)
- 4 shallots
- 5-6 garlic cloves
- 1 chili (optional for a mild heat)
- Seasoning: fish sauce, MSG, seasoning powder, ground pepper, oyster sauce
Ingredient Notes
In addition to the ingredients listed, feel free to use other vegetables of your choice for this shrimp stir-fry. This is why the dish is also called 'shrimp stir-fry with mixed vegetables'.
Broccoli, baby corn, carrots, snow peas, and wood ear mushrooms
Instructions
Prepare the Shrimp
Rinse the shrimp with salt, then peel off the shells, leaving the last segment near the tail for a more attractive presentation. Remove the heads and clean them well. You can save the heads to make soup, such as shrimp broth with winter melon or malabar spinach.
Rinse the shrimp again after cleaning and drain well. Marinate with 1 teaspoon of fish sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of MSG.
Prepare the Vegetables
Separate the broccoli into small florets, soak in salt water, rinse, and drain. If using broccoli, peel the tough outer skin from the stems as they can be fibrous, while cauliflower is softer.
Peel and wash the carrot, then slice it into rounds or carve it into flower shapes for an attractive presentation.
Trim the ends of the baby corn and soak in salt water, rinse and drain. Cut longer ears of corn into halves or thirds. String the snow peas along both edges, and soak them with the baby corn in salt water, then rinse thoroughly.
Bring a pot of water to a boil, add a pinch of salt, and blanch the vegetables for 1 minute. Blanch the lighter-colored vegetables first (baby corn), followed by the neutral colors (carrots and snow peas), and finally the vibrant greens (broccoli).
After blanching, transfer the vegetables to an ice bath for about 2 minutes to cool, then drain. This quick blanching helps speed up stir-frying while preserving the crisp texture and vibrant color of the vegetables.
Prepare Other Ingredients
Rinse the wood ear mushrooms, then soak them in water for about 20 minutes to soften. After soaking, rinse again and slice them into strips or squares.
Shiitake mushrooms, whether dried or fresh, can also be used. The dried mushrooms have a strong aroma, so you may want to soak them in rice-washing water with a pinch of salt to soften the smell.
Thinly slice the chili and chop the shallots and garlic.
Cook the Shrimp Stir-fry
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan. When the oil is hot, add half of the chopped garlic and shallots and stir-fry until fragrant. Add the shrimp and stir-fry over high heat until the shrimp turn bright orange and are just cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside to avoid overcooking.
In the same pan, add 2 more tablespoons of oil and the remaining garlic and shallots. Stir-fry until fragrant, then add the vegetables. Since carrots and baby corn take longer to cook, add them first, followed by the broccoli and snow peas.
Stir-fry for about 20 seconds, then season with oyster sauce, seasoning powder, and MSG. Cookbeo suggests 2 teaspoons of oyster sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1/2 teaspoon of MSG, and 1/2 teaspoon of fish sauce. You can adjust these seasonings to taste.
After about 2 minutes, when the vegetables are nearly cooked, add the wood ear mushrooms. These mushrooms absorb flavors quickly, so adding them at the end prevents them from becoming too salty. Increase the heat slightly to keep the stir-fry from becoming watery.
Shrimp stir-fry with mixed vegetables is a great source of fiber, vitamins, protein, calcium, and minerals, making it a healthy and nutritious dish. It's also visually appealing, with a colorful and appetizing presentation.
