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Recipe: Chinese Walnut Prawns

August 24, 2023
Peter Rigby

 

 

 

Here’s a great way to experiment with authentic Chinese cooking. Boa Family by Céline Chung (Murdoch Books) is a wonderful push back by her and her family against the stereotypes surrounding Chinese cooking and pays tribute to its diversity and regionality. When Chinese food is good, it is really good, and every dish in Boa Family is one you’ll want to try. There are 80 classic recipes from eight Chinese culinary regions in the book, all of which you can prepare at home. Try making these delish walnut prawns for starters!

 

 

MAKES AROUND 2 SERVINGS

Ingredients 

PRAWNS ……………………………………………………..500 G (1 LB 2 OZ)

RICE FLOUR………………………………………………….3 TABLESPOONS 

CORNFLOUR………………………………………………..3 TABLESPOONS

CONDENSED MILK…………………………………………..60 ML (¼ CUP)

MAYONNAISE (SEE TIP)……………………………………. 60 G (2¼ OZ)

HONEY ………………………………………………………………… 30 G (1 OZ)

WALNUTS ……………………………………………………….. 150 G (5½ OZ)

WATER…………………………………………………………2 TABLESPOONS

WHITE (GRANULATED) SUGAR…………………………….. 30 G (1 OZ)

OIL FOR FRYING

Steps

  1. Peel and devein the prawns, keeping the tail.  Slit the back of the prawn to remove the vein. In another bowl, mix the rice flour and cornflour. Combine the condensed milk, mayonnaise and honey in a mixing bowl. 
  2. Fry the walnuts in oil at 160°C (320°F) for 2 to 3 minutes until golden, remove from the oil and set aside. Bring the water, sugar and walnuts to a boil in a small saucepan.  Stir until there is no more liquid in the pan, then allow to cool. Once cooled, the sugar should be crystallised but not sticky.
  3. Coat each prawn with the dry ingredient mixture and fry in oil at 160°C (320°F) until the outside is golden brown. The frying time will depend on the size of the prawns, but it should take 1½ to 2 minutes on average. Place the prawns in the bowl containing the sauce and mix well until each one is coated. Add the nuts, stir again and serve. 

OUR TIP

Kewpie mayonnaise is best for this recipe but you  can use any other mayonnaise if you can’t find it.

 

 

Images and text from Bao Family by Céline Chung, photography by Grégoire Kalt. Murdoch Books RRP $45.00.