Spicy & Sweet Stir-fried Shrimp and Garlic Scapes
The Ultimate Healthy Lunchbox Side Dish: Creating Delicious Stir-fried Shrimp and Garlic Scapes
Garlic scapes are rich in allicin, which helps prevent blood clots and lowers cholesterol levels, promoting clearer blood. They are excellent for cardiovascular health and, due to their warming properties, beneficial for those with cold extremities. When combined with shrimp, which are packed with protein, potassium, and arginine—essential for boosting immunity, preventing osteoporosis, and supporting growth—this dish becomes exceptionally nutritious. Let’s make this delicious stir-fried shrimp and garlic scapes!
Main Ingredients- 200g fresh garlic scapes
- 300g red shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 700ml water
- 0.5 Tbsp salt (for blanching garlic scapes)
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or oligodang (sweet rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or oligodang (sweet rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Here are all the ingredients prepared for making the stir-fried shrimp and garlic scapes. Please ensure your fresh garlic scapes and plump shrimp are washed clean.
Step 2
Trim the tough, woody ends from both sides of the fresh garlic scapes.
Step 3
Cut the garlic scapes into bite-sized pieces, about 5cm (2 inches) in length. Cutting them too short might cause them to break apart during stir-frying, so aim for a moderate length.
Step 4
Rinse the prepared garlic scapes thoroughly under running water two to three times to remove any dirt or impurities. Afterward, drain them well in a colander to remove excess moisture.
Step 5
Bring 700ml of water to a rolling boil in a pot over high heat. Once boiling, add 0.5 Tbsp of salt, then quickly add the prepared garlic scapes and blanch for just 1 minute. As soon as the water boils again, immediately turn off the heat. Immediately plunge the blanched garlic scapes into cold water to stop the cooking process, then drain them thoroughly in a colander. This step helps maintain the crispness of the garlic scapes, reduces stir-frying time, and results in a more tender texture. (Tip: If you’re short on time, you can skip the blanching step and proceed directly to stir-frying.)
Step 6
Peel the plump shrimp and carefully remove the dark vein running along their backs. Rinse them under clean water. (Tip: For a less fishy taste and a firmer texture, you can soak the thawed shrimp in milk for a few minutes before rinsing.)
Step 7
Heat 3 Tbsp of olive oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add the prepared shrimp and stir-fry for about 2 minutes until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Pre-cooking the shrimp like this adds a richer flavor to the dish.
Step 8
Once the shrimp are nicely browned, add the drained garlic scapes to the pan and stir-fry them together with the shrimp.
Step 9
Now, add all the seasoning ingredients to enhance the flavor: 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, and 1 Tbsp cooking wine.
Step 10
Finally, add 1 Tbsp of corn syrup or oligodang for sweetness. Stir-fry everything over high heat until well combined and the sauce begins to coat the ingredients.
Step 11
Continue to stir-fry for about 2 more minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and glaze the ingredients, then turn off the heat. Be careful not to overcook, as the garlic scapes might become mushy.
Step 12
With the heat off, drizzle 1 Tbsp of sesame oil over the ingredients for a fragrant finish.
Step 13
Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of sesame seeds for added nutty flavor. Tilt the pan and give everything a quick toss to coat evenly with the oil and seasonings. Your delicious stir-fried shrimp and garlic scapes are now ready!
Step 14
This delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors makes the stir-fried shrimp and garlic scapes a perfect side dish for any meal or a wonderful addition to your lunchbox. Enjoy your delicious creation!
