Salt-and-Pepper Shrimp

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. Salt
• 1 lb. Large shrimp-peeled and deveined
• 2 tsp. Coarse, sea or kosher salt
• 1 tsp. crushed or ground peppercorns
• 1 tsp. Sugar
• 2 Tbsp. Finely chopped garlic
• 2 tsp. Minced peeled fresh ginger
• 2 Tbsp. Finely chopped scallions
• 2 cups oil, for deep frying

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine the coarse salt, peppercorns, and sugar and set aside. In another small bowl, combine the garlic, ginger, scallions and the chopped chilies. Heat a wok or deep skillet until it is hot and add the oil. When the oil is very hot and smoking, add the shrimp and deep-fry for about 1 minute or until they are pink. Remove them immediately with a slotted spoon and drain well. Pour off all but 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil and reheat the wok. Add the salt-peppercorns-sugar mixture and stir-fry for 10 seconds. Add the garlic-ginger-scallion mixture and stir-fry for 10 seconds. Return the shrimp to the wok and stir-fry over high heat for about 2 minutes until the spices have thoroughly coated the outer shell of the shrimp. Transfer the shrimp to a serving platter and serve at once.

By Chell