Zui Xia (Drunken Shrimp)

🧂 Ingredients

• 500 g Live shrimp
• 500 ml Shaoxing wine
• 3 thin slices Ginger
• 2 Scallions
• to taste ml Soy sauce
• a handful Ice cubes

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the shrimp: Gently rinse the live shrimp under cold running water. If using ice cubes, place them in a large, deep bowl and add the shrimp on top to keep them cool and less active. Ensure the shrimp are still lively.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes
2. 2

   Add aromatics: Bruise the ginger slices slightly by pressing them with the side of a knife to release their aroma. Add the bruised ginger slices and the cut scallion sections to the bowl with the shrimp.

   ⏱️ 2 minutes
3. 3

   Marinate: Pour the Shaoxing wine over the shrimp, ensuring they are fully submerged. The wine should cover the shrimp. If not, add a little more wine. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid.

   ⏱️ 10 minutes
4. 4

   Serve: The shrimp will turn pinkish and opaque as the alcohol 'cooks' them. Serve immediately. Arrange the shrimp in a serving dish, discarding the ginger and scallions. Provide a small dish of soy sauce for dipping.

   ⏱️ 3 minutes

💡 Pro Tips

• ✓The absolute freshness and vitality of the shrimp are paramount. If the shrimp are not lively, this dish is not recommended.
• ✓The Shaoxing wine acts as a 'cooking' agent through its alcohol content, denaturing the proteins in the shrimp.
• ✓This dish is a traditional but often controversial delicacy due to the use of live ingredients.
• ✓Ensure the bowl is covered tightly to prevent the alcohol fumes from escaping, which helps in the 'cooking' process.

🔄 Variations

• For a less intense experience, a portion of the Shaoxing wine can be replaced with water or a milder rice wine.
• Some variations include adding a pinch of salt or a few goji berries to the marinade.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving