(VOVWORLD) - Imagine sunlight filtering gently through tall pine trees, birds singing softly in the distance, and a cool breeze drifting through the misty air. It’s the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a quiet and delicious midday meal. And for today’s menu, we have something truly special: Crispy Shrimp with Oats.
A: Hello everyone, and welcome back to Food Delight. Today, we will take you back to the peaceful and romantic city of Da Lat with Chef Tran Le Thanh Thien and his cooking series From Nature to the Table, inspired by the natural beauty of this resort town..
B: Imagine sunlight filtering gently through tall pine trees, birds singing softly in the distance, and a cool breeze drifting through the misty air. It’s the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a quiet and delicious midday meal.
A: And for today’s menu, we have something truly special: Crispy Shrimp with Oats.
 Crispy Shrimp with Oats (Photo courtesy of Tran Le Thanh Thien) |
“This attractive dish is perfect for a midday meal. For those who love cooking, and especially for seafood lovers, Crispy Shrimp with Oats is simple to make, but full of flavor,” said chef Thien.
A: First, let’s talk about the ingredients. And the star of the recipe is, of course, the tiger prawn.
B: Chef Thien is using about half a kilo of tiger prawns, a perfect amount for a family meal. These prawns have firm flesh and natural sweetness, qualities which really stand out after frying.
A: We also need garlic, red chili, and kaffir lime leaves. They may seem like small details, but they are essential for that special aroma. Garlic brings warmth, chili adds gentle heat, and lime leaves give a fresh citrus note.
B: And of course, the oats, the ingredient that makes this dish both healthy and unique.
A: Now that everything is ready, let’s start cooking together with Chef Thien.
“Tiger prawns sized at 30-40 per kilogram are ideal because they stay juicy inside and cook evenly. First, remove the black vein along the back. This improves both cleanliness and taste,” said Thien.
A: Then comes the marinating step, I guess?
Chef Thien: “Yes. Marinate the shrimp with one tablespoon of wine and a few slices of ginger for about five minutes. The wine removes the fishy smell, and the ginger adds warmth and freshness.”
B: That’s already sounding great! What seasonings do we add next?
Chef Thien: “Add half a teaspoon of seasoning powder, a quarter teaspoon of ground pepper, two tablespoons of cornstarch for crispiness, and one egg white. Mix gently until every shrimp is lightly coated. Heat about three hundred milliliters of rice bran oil. Fry the shrimp until they are golden and crispy, then remove them and let the excess oil drain.”
B: OK, while the shrimp are resting, we move on to preparing the vegetables and the oats.
Chef Thien: “Finely chop two cloves of garlic and cut four kaffir lime leaves and a little red chili into small pieces. Then prepare fresh Da Lat vegetables: one red, one yellow, and one green bell pepper, and one small onion. Wash them well and cut them into neat, bite-sized squares. Finally, deep-fry one hundred grams of basil leaves until crispy for garnish.”
A: Now for the oats. In a bowl, mix one hundred grams of oats with a little sugar, seasoning powder, and ground pepper. Oats add nutrition, and a gentle nutty crunch to the dish’s texture.
Chef Thien: “Melt about fifty grams of butter in a pan. Sauté the garlic, lime leaves, and chili until fragrant, then add the bell peppers and onion. Add the seasoned oats and stir well. After about one minute, add the crispy shrimp and mix gently.”
 (Photo courtesy of Tran Le Thanh Thien) |
B: And Crispy Shrimp with Oats is now ready to serve. But don’t forget a plate of sour salad, or a mixed salad with a light mayonnaise-vinegar dressing. It will go perfectly with rice.
A: Our sincere thanks to Chef Tran Le Thanh Thien for sharing this beautiful dish with us today. And thank you, dear listeners, for spending time with us on VOV24/7’s Food Delight. Until next time, happy eating!