Chinese Walnut Shrimp Recipe: Shrimp Cakes with Walnut Toppings!
If you like the intense flavor of shrimp, this Chinese walnut shrimp recipe is a must-try for you. Instead of using whole shrimp, I will mince the shrimp and mix it with fresh herbs to make it more fragrant and flavorful. The walnut topping will add some crunch to the dish.
The cooking time for this dish is short but the preparation will take some time. If you follow the recipe properly, the result will be aromatic shrimp cakes packed with flavor. Let’s get into more detail and make this awesome shrimp dish.
Table of Contents
Chinese Walnut Shrimp Recipe Recipe Overview
I compiled the essential information about the recipe in the following chart. It will help you plan your steps.
| Course: Appetizer | Cuisine: Chinese | Difficulty: Easy | ||
| Total Time: 15 minutes | ||||
| Serving | Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Calories | |
| 2 persons | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | 439 kcal | |
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
I am making this recipe with ingredients easily available in any kitchen. Check the following list.
- Shrimp: 300g of shrimp paste
- Walnut: 15-20 pcs
- Parsley: 8-10 stalks
- Celery: 2-3 stalks
- Soy Sauce: 2 tbsp
- Chicken Essence: 1 tsp
- Cooking Oil: 2 tbsp
- Scallion: 1 tbsp, chopped
- Chili: 2-3 pcs, chopped
Chinese Walnut Shrimp Recipe: Step-By-Step Instructions
If you follow the steps below, you can finish cooking this dish in the shortest possible time.
Step 1: Blanch the Parsley and Chop the Celery
Heat water in a pot and put the parsley stalks in the boiling water. Blanch them for a few seconds and then take them out. Chop the blanched parsley and raw celery. The celery doesn’t need to be blanched.
You Can Also Try Chinese Long Squash Recipe
Step 2: Prepare the Shrimp Paste
Take the shrimp paste in a bowl. Mix chopped parsley and celery with the shrimp paste.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
Take 2 tbsp of soy sauce in a small bowl. Add 4 tbsp of water and 1 tsp of chicken essence to the soy sauce. Mix everything well.
Step 4: Make Shrimp Balls and Fry Them
Heat oil in a pan. Squeeze the shrimp paste into small balls with your hand and scoop them out using a spoon. Put the balls directly into the hot oil. Then, poke two walnuts into each ball and keep frying the shrimp cake over medium heat.
Step 5: Add the Sauce
After frying the shrimp cakes for about 2-3 minutes, add the sauce you made earlier to the pan. Increase the heat and cover the pot with the lid. The steam will cook the top part of the shrimp cakes.
Step 6: Finish the Shrimp with Scallions and Chili Peppers
Before taking the cakes out, sprinkle some chopped scallions and chili peppers on them. Then, serve the hot and spicy walnut shrimp.
Nutrition Facts of the Recipe
Even though walnut shrimp is delicious, it contains about 439 calories per serving. It is also high in cholesterol and sugar. Read the nutritional values below.
- Total Carbohydrates: 46g
- Protein: 20g
- Total Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 2.7g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.9g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Total Dietary Fiber: 1.1g
- Total Sugar: 28g
- Cholesterol: 138mg
- Sodium: 706mg
- Potassium: 224mg
- Calcium: 62mg
- Vitamin A: 85IU
Do’s and Don’ts of the Recipe
Following these tips can make your workflow easier.
Do’s
- Always maintain the 1:2 ratio for soy sauce and water. It will keep the sauce balanced.
- You can make your own shrimp paste. But it will take more time. So, use store-bought shrimp paste.
Don’ts
- Don’t turn the shrimp cakes over. It might dislodge the walnuts.
- Don’t put too much chicken essence. Otherwise, it will cover the natural flavor of the shrimp.
Chinese Walnut Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Heat water in a pot and put the parsley stalks in the boiling water. Blanch them for a few seconds and then take them out. Chop the blanched parsley and raw celery. The celery doesn’t need to be blanched.
- Take the shrimp paste in a bowl. Mix chopped parsley and celery with the shrimp paste.
- Take 2 tbsp of soy sauce in a small bowl. Add 4 tbsp of water and 1 tsp of chicken essence to the soy sauce. Mix everything well.
- Heat oil in a pan. Squeeze the shrimp paste into small balls with your hand and scoop them out using a spoon. Put the balls directly into the hot oil. Then, poke two walnuts into each ball and keep frying the shrimp cake over medium heat.
- After frying the shrimp cakes for about 2-3 minutes, add the sauce you made earlier to the pan. Increase the heat and cover the pot with the lid. The steam will cook the top part of the shrimp cakes.
- Before taking the cakes out, sprinkle some chopped scallions and chili peppers on them. Then, serve the hot and spicy walnut shrimp.
FAQs
If you have more questions in mind about this recipe, you can check the following FAQs.
Can you suggest alternatives for those allergic to shrimp?
Of course. If you want to avoid shrimp, you can use beans, lentils, or any lean meat to make this recipe. Make sure to mince the ingredients well so that the cake holds its shape.
How do you ensure the shrimp stays crispy after coating and frying?
You need to fry the shrimp over high heat for the first minute. It will sear the bottom and keep the shrimp crispy. Otherwise, the shrimp cake will become soft and mushy.
What type of coating is typically used for the shrimp?
Flour and cornstarch coatings are typically used for the shrimp. You can also use breadcrumb coating to make the shrimp crispy.
Can I substitute shrimp with any vegetables in this recipe?
If you want to substitute shrimp with vegetables, oyster mushrooms can be a great alternative. They absorb flavor easily and will give a tender texture, just like the shrimp.
Conclusion
The combination of shrimp and walnuts may sound weird at first. Believe me, it just tastes awesome to experience the tenderness of the shrimp and the crunch from the walnuts. Also, these shrimp cakes are crispy on the bottom and tender on the top.
If you haven’t tasted shrimp this way yet, why don’t you try this Chinese walnut shrimp recipe? I can promise the dish will be worth your time and effort. From kids to adults, everyone will love the flavor of these shrimp cakes. Try this recipe and let me know the result.
