Name: Sesame-Ginger Shrimp
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 pound extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 count), peeled and deveined; 4 teaspoons soy sauce; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon peanut oil or vegetable oil; 1/2 cup water; 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin, 2-inch-long strips; 5 scallions, white and light green parts, cut into 2-inch pieces; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Why This Recipe Works

Stir-fries are the perfect vehicle for quick-cooking, sweet-tasting shrimp. But a proper shrimp stir-fry is easier said than done. We have found that it’s all too easy to overcook the shrimp or bury its flavor under competing ingredients. For our Sesame-Ginger Shrimp, we first made sure everything was prepared before we started cooking. Stir-frying progresses too quickly for us to prep ingredients as we go. Temperature matters. If the pan is not hot enough, the ingredients will stew, not stir-fry. We used fairly large shrimp—21 to 25 per pound—so the shrimp wouldn’t overcook. Red bell pepper and scallions provide flavor and textural contrast to the sweet-flavored crustacean.

Before You Begin

Toast the sesame seeds in a small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Serve this dish with rice.

Instructions

Toss shrimp and 2 teaspoons soy sauce in medium bowl. Combine garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon peanut oil in small bowl. Stir water, sesame oil, oyster sauce, remaining 2 teaspoons soy sauce, and cornstarch together in measuring cup.

Heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat until smoking. Add bell pepper and scallions and cook until browned in spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl. Add remaining tablespoon peanut oil and shrimp to empty skillet and cook, tossing until just opaque, about 30 seconds. Push shrimp to sides of skillet, add garlic mixture to center of pan, and mash with spoon until fragrant, 10 to 15 seconds. Stir mixture into shrimp. Add water mixture and cook until thickened, 60 to 90 seconds. Return vegetables to pan, add lemon juice, and toss until heated through. Transfer to platter and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve.