Sweet and Sour Thai Shrimp

This is a quick stir-fry recipe which takes on the character of a stew with a satisfying broth at the end. As long as you chop all your vegetables the night before it only takes 10 minutes to cook the following day.

This is nothing like a Chinese sweet and sour recipe. The aromatic kaffir leaves and coconut milk  give this dish an authentic Thai flavour. That said, Kaffir leaves are a speciality item and when I run out of them I have already decided that a quick trip to my patio for some freshly cut lemongrass (locally called fevergrass) will suffice until my next trip to the gourmet shop.


Sweet and Sour Thai shrimp
recipe adapted from here

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

SERVES 4
3/4 lb. shrimp  (shells left on or removed )
MARINADE: 1 Tbsp. oyster sauce + 1 tsp. brown sugar

1-2 Tbsp vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 thumb-size piece ginger, grated or sliced up fine
6 Tbsp. dry white wine or white vinegar
1/2 carrot, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
4 kaffir lime leaves
1 tomato, diced
1/2 cup coconut milk
3 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. lime juice
4 Tbsp oyster sauce
1 to 1 ½ cups pineapple chunks, fresh or canned
1 1/2. corn starch dissolved in 3 Tbsp. water


Preparation:

Combine marinade ingredients and pour over the shrimp. Toss to coat and set aside.

Place 1-2 Tbsp. oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the garlic and ginger 1-2 minutes. Add a little wine or vinegar.

Add the carrot and stir fry until tender. Add the green pepper and stir-fry 1 minute. Add wine or vinegar as needed to keep ingredients frying nicely.

Reduce heat to medium. Add the lime leaves, tomato, coconut milk, honey, lime juice, oyster sauce sauce. Stir well to combine.

Add the shrimp and pineapple chunks. Simmer 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are pink and plump.

Add the cornstarch dissolved in water and stir well. Simmer 1 more minute, or until the sauce has thickened.

Taste-test the dish, adding more honey (or brown sugar) if you prefer it sweeter. If you prefer more of a tang add more lime juice or vinegar