Traditional Chinese medicine holds that shrimp possess a damp nature and a sweet-salty flavor, entering the kidney and spleen meridians.Shrimp meat is said to tonify the kidneys and strengthen yang energy, promote lactation and counteract toxins, nourish blood and secure essence, resolve stasis and detoxify, benefit qi and nourish yang, unblock meridians and relieve pain, stimulate appetite, and transform phlegm. It is suitable for those with kidney deficiency, impotence, premature ejaculation, insufficient lactation, joint and bone pain, limb convulsions, generalized itching, skin ulcers, physical weakness, and neurasthenia.
Below is a collection of shrimp recipes. Note the cooking time for shrimp—only by mastering the timing and heat can you achieve delicious results.
Boiled Shrimp
Ingredients: Shrimp, ginger slices, salt, scallion segments, star anise.
Method:
1. Place purchased shrimp in a small basin and soak in water for 20 minutes.
2. Fill a pot with water. Add scallions, ginger, star anise, and salt.
3. Once water boils, add shrimp, cover, and boil for 8 minutes.
Steamed Shrimp Crawlers
Ingredients: Shrimp crawlers, salt.
2. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of salt over them, tossing until evenly coated. Omitting salt is optional, but adding it enhances the flavor.
3. Place in a steamer. Once the water boils and steam rises, steam for 5-10 minutes. Five minutes yields a tender texture, while ten minutes ensures thorough cooking.
Drunken Shrimp Crabs
Drunken Shrimp Crabs—also known as mantis shrimp or pea shrimp—are crustacean seafood with countless tiny legs. This is the most beautiful and authentic way to enjoy them.light soy sauce 30g, sugar 1 tbsp, salt 5g, Sichuan peppercorns 3g, ground black pepper 2g, 30°C baijiu 50g, vinegar 10g, MSG 2g, cooled boiled water 100g.
Method:
1. Rinse the mantis shrimp thoroughly and place them in a Lock&Lock container, filling it to 80% capacity.Add 15g ginger slices, 15g minced garlic, and 15g minced scallions.
2. Then add 30g light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 5g salt, 3g Sichuan peppercorns, and 2g ground black pepper. Finally, add 50g 30-degree baijiu, 10g vinegar, 2g MSG, and 100g cooled boiled water.
3. Secure the Lock&Lock container lid and refrigerate for 3-5 hours before serving.
Editor's note: Select fresh, plump shrimp. When preparing drunken shrimp, refrigerate for several hours before eating. This allows the marinade to penetrate fully and ensures the raw seafood stays chilled for a crisp, authentic texture.Of course, the most crucial factor is sourcing mud crabs from pristine, unpolluted waters—only then can this seemingly bold yet exquisitely natural preparation truly shine. Braised Mud Crabs Ingredients: Mud crabs, salt, braising spice packet, soy sauce, MSG, sugar, chicken bouillon powder, ground pepper, white wine.
Method:
1. Rinse live mud crabs to remove sand, then drain and set aside. Heat a pot with 400g water. Add the braising spice packet, soy sauce, MSG, sugar, chicken powder, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let cool. Stir in white wine to create the braising sauce.
2. Submerge the shrimp in the marinade and let steep for about 10 hours. Remove and arrange on a serving plate. Pour the marinade over the shrimp to cover completely. Garnish with chopped cilantro, ginger slices, garlic slices, scallion segments, and red pepper rings. Serve immediately.
Spicy Stir-Fried Shrimp Crawlers
Ingredients: 1000g shrimp crawlers, oil as needed, salt as needed, Shaoxing wine as needed, scallions as needed, ginger as needed, garlic as needed, Sichuan peppercorns as needed, star anise as needed, dried red chili peppers as needed.
Method:
1. Rinse the shrimp in clean water and set aside. Heat oil in a wok, add Sichuan peppercorns and star anise to release fragrance, then stir-fry scallions, ginger, garlic, and dried red chili peppers until aromatic.
2. Add the rinsed shrimp to the wok and stir-fry until cooked through. Season with a pinch of chicken bouillon powder before serving.