Black-Bean Prawns with Chinese Broccoli

Ingredients for Black-Bean Prawns with Chinese Broccoli

• 180ml homemade chicken broth (reserved from winter melon soup ) or store-bought chicken broth (reduced-sodium if canned)

• 45ml Chinese rice wine (preferably Shaoxing) or medium-dry Sherry

• 3 teaspoons light soy sauce (preferably Pearl River Bridge brand)

• 2 teaspoons cornflour

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1/4 teaspoons salt

• 675g gai lan (Chinese broccoli)

• 675g large prawns in shell (21 to 25 per lb), peeled and deveined

• 1 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil

• 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into very thin matchsticks

• 2 tablespoons fermented black beans, rinsed and chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/2 fresh jalapeño chilli (including seeds), or to taste, cut crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices

• 1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil

• a well-seasoned 14-inch flat-bottomed wok

How to make Black-Bean Prawns with Chinese Broccoli

Stir together broth, rice wine, soy sauce, cornflour, sugar, and salt in a small bowl until cornflour is dissolved.

Remove any bruised or withered outer leaves from gai lan, then trim and peel stalks, halving thick ones lengthwise. Cut crosswise into 2 1/2-inch pieces, separating leafy parts from thick stems.

Cook stems in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add leafy parts and cook until all of gai lan is just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain well, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel and pat dry. Transfer to a large dish and keep warm, loosely covered with foil.

Pat prawns dry. Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water vaporizes instantly. Pour peanut oil around side of wok, then tilt wok to swirl oil, coating side. When oil just begins to smoke, add ginger and stir-fry 5 seconds. Add black beans, garlic, and jalapeño and stir-fry 1 minute. Working quickly, add prawns, spreading in 1 layer on bottom and side of wok. Cook, undisturbed, 3 minutes, then stir-fry until prawns are just pink on both sides, about 1 minute more. Stir broth mixture, then add to prawns and bring to a boil. Boil, stirring, 2 minutes. Remove from heat and drizzle with sesame oil, then stir to combine.

Pour prawns and sauce over gai lan.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.