Salt & Pepper Prawns

Yes, yes and thrice yes, believe in the power of custard powder! Just make sure it's the original.

Ingredients

The prawns

• King Prawns (about 8-10)

• 1 egg, beaten

• 4 tbsp birds original custard powder

• 4 tbsp potato starch

• 0.5 tsp MSG

• 0.5 tsp salt

• ¼ tsp white pepper

• 2L vegetable oil for frying
  

Seasoning mix

• ¼ tsp five spice

• ¼ tsp ground ginger

• ¼ tsp sand ginger

• ¼ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp salt

• 1tsp MSG
  

The Vegetables

• 1 pepper, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 carrot, ribboned

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

• 0.5 tsp salt

• 0.5 tsp MSG

• 1 sliced red chilli

Method

For the prawns

1. Mix the custard powder, potato starch, MSG, salt and white pepper in a bowl.

2. Spread the mix out on a plate.

3. Add a pinch of salt and MSG to the egg and put onto a plate.

4. Roll the prawns in the mix, then the egg, then the mix again, until sufficiently coated.

5. Heat the oil then fry the prawns for 2-3 minutes each, until the coating is crispy.

6. Drain on kitchen paper.

7. For extra crispy batter rest the prawns for 20-30 minutes, then reheat the oil and refry for 1-2 minutes.
   

Assemble the dish

1. Mix the seasoning ingredients in a bowl.

2. Heat the oil in a wok and fry off the onions, peppers and carrot.

3. Once they have started to brown make a well in the centre, add the salt and let it sit for 20-30 seconds.

4. Add the MSG to the well and let it brown.

5. Add the garlic and stir.

6. Add the prawns and stir.

7. Shake the seasoning mix into the pan, turning 3 or 4 times as you do it.

8. Cook on high for a minute or 2 and add the sliced chilli.

9. Give it another mix then serve.