Fried Prawns with Spicy Garlic Sauce

• vegetable oil↗

  for frying

• large prawns↗700g large g

  peeled, deveined and dried

• cornstarch65g g
• potato starch↗95g g
• flour↗50g g
• baking soda↗½ tsp tsp
• egg white1
• vegetable oil↗1 tsp tsp
• granulated sugar↗3 tbsp tbsp
• tomato paste4½ tsp tsp
• soy sauce↗1 tbsp tbsp
• rice vinegar↗1 tbsp tbsp
• gochujang↗1 tsp tsp
• sriracha1-2 tsp tsp

  chili sauce or chili‑garlic sauce, depending on how hot you like it

• toasted sesame oil↗1 tsp toasted tsp
• кукурудзяний крохмаль1 tsp
• рослинна олія↗1 tbsp
• цибуля↗3 tbsp diced
• зубчики часнику↗6

  натерті або дрібно нарізані

• корейський червоний перець чилі↗1 fresh

  або фресно чилі, нарізаний кубиками

• корейський зелений перець чилі↗1 fresh

  або халапеньо, нарізаний кубиками

• зелена цибуля↗handful of

  нарізана під кутом

• білий рис↗cooked

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   In a large, wide, heavy skillet at least 13 cm deep, heat 5 cm of vegetable oil over medium‑high heat (ensure the pan is no more than two‑thirds full) to 190 °C. While the oil heats, prepare the batter. In a bowl whisk together corn starch, potato starch, flour and baking soda with a pinch of salt. Add the egg white, vegetable oil and 120 ml water and whisk until a thick batter forms.

2. 2

   Working in batches, coat the prawns in the batter, letting excess drip back into the bowl. Carefully lower the prawns into the hot oil one by one and fry, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 1½ min. Transfer to a rack or paper‑lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining prawns, allowing the oil to return to 190 °C between batches.

3. 3

   Heat the oil again to 190 °C, then carefully return the prawns to the oil and fry a second time for 1½‑2 min until very crispy. Transfer to a rack or paper‑lined plate to drain. Set aside.

4. 4

   For the sauce, whisk sugar, tomato paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, gochujang, sriracha and toasted sesame oil in a bowl together with the remaining corn starch and 60 ml water until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.

5. 5

   Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium‑high heat and add onion, garlic, red and green chili peppers. Cook about 30 seconds, stirring, until fragrant. Add the sauce and cook another ~45 seconds, stirring, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Add the fried prawns, toss quickly to coat with the sauce, and transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with sliced green onion and serve immediately with rice.