Chile Shrimp

This Singaporean-style Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry is a delightful and quick recipe inspired by a popular street snack in Singapore. Bursting with bold and authentic flavors, this dish features succulent shrimp coated in a zesty and aromatic sauce. With a perfect balance of heat, tang, and umami, this simplified version ensures you can enjoy the vibrant taste of Singaporean cuisine right in the comfort of your own home. Serve it over plain rice or rice noodles for a satisfying meal, or get creative by stuffing the shrimp into toasted Italian bread for a unique cross-cultural “poor boy” sandwich.

MAKES: 4 servings

TIME: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 inches fresh ginger, peeled
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly crushed
• 2 shallots, roughly chopped
• 4 small fresh chiles, like Thai, or dried red chiles, stemmed and seeded, or to taste, or hot red pepper flakes to taste
• 3 tablespoons neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste or 1 medium tomato, cored and chopped
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 tablespoons nam pla (Thai fish sauce)
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• About 11/2 pounds shrimp, 20 to 30 per pound, peeled, rinsed, and dried

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Put the ginger, garlic, shallots, and chiles in a food processor and process until minced.
2. Put the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the minced chile mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds.
3. Stir in the tomato paste, lime juice, nam pla, soy sauce, sugar, and 2 tablespoons of water.
4. Add the shrimp and stir to coat with the sauce. Cook just until the sauce is bubbling and the shrimp turns pink, about 5 minutes.
5. Serve immediately.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• Serve this Singaporean-style Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry over steamed jasmine rice for a classic pairing that will absorb the flavorful sauce and complement the shrimp perfectly.
• Alternatively, prepare rice noodles while making the stir-fry, and serve the deliciously saucy shrimp over the cooked noodles for a delightful and aromatic meal.
• For a cross-cultural fusion experience, stuff the spicy shrimp into a split loaf of toasted Italian bread, creating a unique and delicious “poor boy” sandwich that blends the best of Singaporean and Western flavors.

VARIATIONS:

• If you prefer different protein options, try substituting similar-sized scallops, shelled lobster, clams, mussels, lump crabmeat, or whole small crabs in the shells for a delightful seafood twist.

With its bold flavors and quick preparation time, this Singaporean-style Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry is the perfect choice for a weeknight dinner that feels like a restaurant-quality experience. Enjoy the authentic taste of Singapore in the comfort of your home and let this zesty and aromatic dish transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Singapore.