Cafe Quick and Easy Shrimp Fried Rice

 

Summary of Recipe

 Café Quick and Easy Shrimp Fried Rice provides a comprehensive guide to preparing a quick and easy shrimp fried rice dish using common pantry ingredients.

Ingredients and Equipment: The recipe requires ready-cooked basmati rice, shrimp, vegetable oil, sesame oil, onion, garlic, frozen vegetables, eggs, soy sauce, and optional oyster sauce. Essential equipment includes a wok or large frying pan.

Cooking Instructions: The preparation process involves several steps: preparing the shrimp, sautéing aromatics, adding vegetables, scrambling eggs, combining all ingredients with rice and sauces, and finally incorporating the shrimp back into the pan.

Special Tips: The document also includes special tips on how to thaw frozen shrimp and prepare a brine solution using salt and baking soda to enhance the flavor and texture of the shrimp before cooking.

        Ingredients

         2 packs of ready-cooked basmati rice

1 pound of medium fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

2 tablespoons of Sesame oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

½  cup frozen vegetables ( peas, carrots, and corn) each

3 eggs, beaten

3 tablespoons of soy sauce

1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Green onions, chopped (for garnish)

               Equipment

                Wok or large frying pan

    Instructions   

1.     Prepare the shrimp: In a large pan or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of sesame seed oil and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink and opaque, for about 2-3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.

2.     Sauté the aromatics: In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of sesame seed oil and olive oil. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant and the onion becomes translucent.

3.     Add the vegetables: Stir in the frozen corn, carrots, and peas, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they are tender.

4.     Scramble the eggs: Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and pour the beaten eggs into the other side. Scramble the eggs until they are fully cooked, then mix them with the vegetables.

5.     Combine everything: Add the ready-cooked basmati rice to the pan and stir well to combine. Pour in the soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well mixed and heated through.

6.     Add the shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and toss everything together until the shrimp are heated through.

7.     Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Special tips on Fresh or Frozen Shrimp Brine preparation  

1.     Thaw the shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, place them in a colander and run cold water over them until they are thawed. This should take about 5-7 minutes. If you use fresh shrimp, skip this step.

2.     Prepare the brine: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of cold water, 1/4 cup of salt, and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Stir until the salt and baking soda are completely dissolved.

3.      Brine the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the brine solution. If needed, add ice cubes to keep the water cold. Let the shrimp soak in the brine for 15-30 minutes. Do not brine for longer than 30 minutes, as this can make the shrimp too salty.

4.     Rinse and drain: After brining, remove the shrimp from the brine and rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove any excess salt. Drain well.

5.     Pat dry: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels before cooking. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from becoming too watery.