Shrimp and Cabbage Stir-Fry: A Quick and Delicious Seasonal Dish
Simple Shrimp Recipe: Flavorful Stir-Fry with Shrimp and Cabbage
This Shrimp and Cabbage Stir-Fry highlights the fresh flavors of seasonal shrimp. We’ve kept the seasoning minimal to let the natural sweetness of the shrimp and the crispness of the cabbage shine. It’s a quick, healthy, and delicious dish perfect for a weeknight meal or a light appetizer.
Ingredients
- 15 peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1/6 medium cabbage, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 Korean green chili pepper, thinly sliced (optional, for heat)
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (for color)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking sake/white wine)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by preparing your shrimp. If you’re using pre-peeled shrimp, ensure they are deveined. If using whole shrimp, remove the head and tail, peel off the shell, and then use a toothpick to gently devein them by making a small insertion along the second segment of their back. This step removes the dark intestinal tract for a cleaner taste and appearance.
Step 2
Wash the cabbage leaves thoroughly under running water. Gently pat them dry, then chop them into uniform, bite-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking and easy eating.
Step 3
Now, let’s stir-fry! Heat about 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan or wok over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 4
Once the garlic is aromatic, add the prepared shrimp to the pan. Stir-fry the shrimp briefly until they start to turn pink. Cooking them early allows them to absorb the garlic flavor.
Step 5
To help eliminate any potential fishiness from the shrimp and add a touch of sweetness, pour in 1 tablespoon of Mirin (or your preferred cooking wine/sake). Stir well and let it cook off for a moment.
Step 6
As the shrimp begin to turn a beautiful pink color, add all of the chopped cabbage to the pan. Toss everything together to combine.
Step 7
Season the stir-fry simply. Sprinkle in about 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. The goal here is to enhance, not overpower, the natural flavors of the shrimp and cabbage.
Step 8
Finally, add the sliced green and red chili peppers (if using) for a pop of color and a hint of spice. Stir-fry over high heat for just 2-3 minutes, until the shrimp are fully cooked and pink, and the cabbage is tender-crisp. Overcooking will make the shrimp tough, so keep it brief!
Step 9
Transfer the stir-fry to a serving plate. Garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty finish. Enjoy your delicious and healthy Shrimp and Cabbage Stir-Fry!
