Prawns with Honey (Chinese)

No heavy batter and a super crispy crunchy coating.

16 large prawns, peeled and deveined
¼ cup chicken stock
1 Tbsp. light soy sauce
3 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. honey
1 cup plain flour
4 spring onions (scallions), pale parts finely chopped and green parts finely chopped
2 tsp. cornstarch, dissolved in 2 Tbsp. water
vegetable oil for frying
1 tsp. sesame seeds

Garnish:
spring onion (scallions), sliced

Marinade:
1 Tbsp. Chinese shaoxing wine
1 egg white, lightly whisked
½ tsp. sea salt

In a large bowl, place the prawns and the marinade ingredients. Mix thoroughly to break up the egg white. Allow to marinate for 10 minutes.

In another bowl, mix together the chicken stock, soy sauce, sugar and honey.

Place the flour in a large tray or bowl. Add the prawns and the marinade and use your hands to pat and press the liquid and flour together around the prawns to form a craggy coating.

Fill a wok or saucepan to about 1/3 capacity with the vegetable oil. Heat over high heat. The oil is hot enough for frying at 325°F (165°C) or when a wooden spoon dipped into the oil forms small little bubbles. Shake excess flour from the prawns. Cook the prawns in 2-3 batches for about 3 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Drain on kitchen paper.

In a clean wok or pan over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil and then add the pale part of the spring onion. Cook for about 10 seconds. Then add the chicken stock mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sugar has dissolved. Add the cornstarch mixture. Cook for another minute or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Add the prawns and toss until evenly coated. Transfer to a serving plate and sprinkle with sesame seeds and the green part of the spring onion.

Makes 4 servings.