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Japanese ebi chili is a shrimp in chili sauce recipe that coats tender shrimp in a glossy sweet spicy glaze for a quick and flavorful meal. This dish usually uses shrimp cooked briefly so they stay juicy, then combines them with a sauce made from ketchup, chili sauce, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar or sake for balance. As the sauce thickens in the pan, it clings to the shrimp and creates a shiny coating with mild heat, tangy sweetness, and savory depth. Green onion, sesame oil, or a little egg can add aroma and body while keeping the shrimp soft and delicate. The final ebi chili pairs well with steamed rice, lettuce, cabbage, or simple vegetables, making it an easy Japanese-style dinner with bright sauce, tender shrimp, and a clean sweet spicy finish.
Transcript
00:00I made this ebi chili with no deviations and it came out great, says one of my readers.
00:05Shell-infused oil for depth, bloom to avanjan for warmth,
00:09cut-up fried to rust-colored sweetness, then a slurry that turns everything silky and glossy.
00:14For a printable version of this recipe, visit my website, just Google ebi chili statue to find me.
00:20Before we start, let's prep the ingredients.
00:23Finally, mince 1 tablespoon of ginger, 2 cloves of garlic, and 30 grams of the white part of a Japanese
00:31leek.
00:31If you can't find Japanese leek, regular leek, onions or shallots can pinch hit here.
00:37Chuka dishes are all about prep as the actual cooking time is so short.
00:41Next, these shell 450 grams of shrimp and keep 5 of these shells. We'll use them later.
00:48We're going to use them to create custom shrimp-infused cooking oil that amplifies this dish seafood character without adding
00:56any extra ingredients.
00:58It's up to you whether you want to keep the tails on or not, but I personally like removing them
01:04for every chili.
01:05After reserving 5 shells, you don't need to take off the legs first. That way, you can peel faster.
01:13Next, make a shallow cut along the back and remove the dark vein.
01:17As for the shrimp variety, I recommend larger ones like black tiger or white leg.
01:22Mine today is white legs, but ideally, use a bit bigger than mine.
01:26Next is the cleaning.
01:28Sprinkle over a 1.5 teaspoon of salt and 1.5 tablespoon of potato starch.
01:32The salt draws out impurities while the starch clings to any surface grit, so they cook up clean.
01:39I know it seems like a big hassle, but shrimp really needs thorough prep.
01:43Work it over every surface and let the shrimp sit for 3 minutes.
01:48Use the waiting time to set a wok or large frying pan over medium-low heat and add 2 tablespoons
01:53of neutral cooking oil.
01:55When it shimmers, drop in those 5 saved shells and fry gently for 3 minutes until vivid, orange and fragrant.
02:04Scoop the shells out and discard. You've now made a quick shrimp-infused oil that boosts the dish.
02:13Rinse the salted-starged shrimp thoroughly under cold water, then pat them completely dry.
02:23Return the shrimp to a new dry bowl and add 1 tablespoon of potato starch tossed to coat evenly.
02:29Slide the shrimp into the hot shrimp-scented oil and stir-fry over medium heat until they curl into loose
02:37C-shapes, about 80% done, roughly 2 minutes.
02:47Immediately transfer them to a heat-proof container. Slightly under is perfect because we'll finish cooking them in the sauce.
02:56Lower the heat to its gentlest setting. In the same wok, add 2 teaspoons of chilli bean paste, called doubanjan,
03:04and stir slowly for about 1 minute.
03:07Just until you see bright red oil pooling and the raw harsh aroma relaxes into something warm and savoury. Stop
03:14before it darkens.
03:16Now stir in the ginger, garlic, and leek that we prepared earlier. Keep it moving for about 30 seconds until
03:23fragrant.
03:26Add 2 tablespoons of tomato ketchup and fry for 1-2 minutes, stirring. This is a true backbone of ebi
03:33chilli.
03:33Back in the 50s, Chinese-born chef Chen Kenming adopted shichuan gan shao shrimp for Japanese home kitchens.
03:41He thought ketchup delivered consistent colour, gentle sweetness, and balanced acidity that softened the heat while keeping the glossy red
03:50finish.
03:51Pour in 150ml of water, then add 1 teaspoon of Chinese-style chicken bouillon powder and 1-4 teaspoon of
03:58sugar.
03:58Bring it to a lively simmer, stirring to dissolve the bouillon.
04:03While you wait, mix a slurry of 1 teaspoon of potato starch with 1 tablespoon of cold water until smooth.
04:09Then stream the slurry into the simmering sauce while stirring. Within seconds, it will thicken and turn glossy.
04:16Thinly coat the back of your spoon.
04:19Return the part-cooked shrimp to the pan with 2 tablespoons of green peas.
04:27Toss for 15-20 seconds of medium heat, then turn off the heat.
04:33Finish with a light drizzle of toasted sesame oil or chilli oil.
04:37Plate and garnish with finely chopped green onion.
04:40And a few chilli threads.
04:42Serve immediately.
04:43This sauce is at its glossiest right now.
04:45And yes, plain steamed rice is a must.
04:48And there you have it.
04:49Look at the glossy, vibrant sauce.
04:52The shrimp are springy.
04:53The sauce is sweet, spicy, and aromatic.
04:56And the leeks and green onions keep everything bright.
04:59Want even more delicious recipes?
05:02Grab my free cookbook from the link in the description.
05:06Okay, let's go over the ingredients one more time.
05:08And if you're ready to cook, grab the written instructions by clicking the full recipe box
05:12with a picture that's about to pop up on your screen.
05:15Want to learn every detail behind this recipe?
05:18You can find the full version and step-by-step tips on my website.
05:22Just tap the link on the screen.
05:24And for more recipes like this, head to my seafood playlist.
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