Crispy sweet and sour shrimps

Ingredients

• For the shrimp
• 350 grams medium shrimp
• salt and pepper
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 cups cooking oil
• For the vegetables
• 2 tbsps corn oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic
• 1 stalk leek, sliced into 1-inch rings
• 5 slices of carrots
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks, reserve syrup for sweet-sour sauce
• For the sweet-sour sauce
• 2 tbsps cane vinegar
• 1/2 cup pineapple syrup
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup tomato ketchup
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tbsps sweet chili sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp cornstarch, dissolved in 1 1/2 tbsp water

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Preparation

• 1. Prepare the shrimp. Cut off the legs then slice the back halfway through, making sure the shell, head and tail are still attached. Season with salt and pepper.
  
  2. Dip the shrimp in egg then coat with cornstarch. Heat oil in wok then deep-fry shrimp just until color turns pink and the coating becomes golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
  
  3. Cook the vegetables. Heat oil and stir-fry onions and garlic until fragrant. Add the rest of the vegetables except for pineapple chunks. Saute until tender, about 1 minute. Add pineapple chunks and mix well; set aside.
  
  4. Make the sweet-sour sauce. In a saucepan mix all the ingredients (except for the cornstarch mixture) and simmer over medium heat until reduced in half. Strain and let cool. Place 1 cup of the sauce in a wok and bring to a boil. Thicken with the cornstarch and water mixture. Once thickened, toss in the fried shrimps and vegetables. Transfer to platter and garnish with sliced leeks. Serve immediately
  
  * If there is excess unused sauce, you can use it as dipping sauce for fried dishes.
  
  If you would like to read my blog post about this dish here is the link - http://eileenscookingadventure.blogspot.com/2011/10/crispy-sweet-and-sour-shrimps.html