Sweet and Sour Shrimp

Finding new recipes to blog about can be quite difficult seeing as my guy likes most of the things I've already made and blogged about. Plus working in a fine dining kitchen keeps me busy! But I decided to take some time this week to make something new. I've never really made chinese food at home. I love korean, thai, indian and japanese! I had some shrimp in the freezer and essentially all of the ingredients in the pantry for the sauce, so this was a no-brainer.

Sweet and Sour Shrimp

1 lb shrimp, shelled and devined
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 stalks celery, cut on a biased
2/3 cup sweet and sour sauce {recipe below}
1/4 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup pineapple chunks

• Combine the shrimp, garlic, ginger and white pepper in a bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Place a wok over high heat until hot. Add the oil, and coat the sides of the wok. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink. Once ready, remove from the pan.
• To the pan, add the celery and saute for 2 minutes.
• Add the sweet and sour sauce and chicken stock and cook until it boils and reduces slightly. Add the pineapple and shrimp and stir to coat well.

 

Sweet and Sour Sauce

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup orange juice
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons ginger, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup water

• In a bowl, combine the water, ketchup, brown sugar, orange juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce and crushed red pepper.
• In a pan over high heat, add the oil. Add the ginger and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add the mixture from above and bring to a boil making sure the sugar dissolves.
• Mix the cornstarch and water, add this to the cooked mixture, stirring until the sauce boils and thickens.

Ashley