Prawn & Black Bean Stir-fry Recipe

Prawns: Peeled and deveined, these are the main protein in the dish, offering a sweet and delicate flavor.

Black bean sauce: A savory and slightly salty sauce made from fermented black beans, adding depth to the stir-fry.

Soy sauce: A staple in Asian cooking, it provides a salty and umami-rich flavor.

Oyster sauce: A thick, dark sauce made from oyster extracts, enhancing the dish with a rich umami taste.

Vegetable oil: Used for stir-frying, it has a high smoke point and neutral flavor.

Garlic: Minced to release its pungent and aromatic qualities, adding depth to the dish.

Ginger: Minced to provide a warm, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor.

Red bell pepper: Sliced to add a sweet and slightly fruity flavor, along with vibrant color.

Green bell pepper: Sliced to contribute a fresh, slightly bitter taste and crisp texture.

Onion: Sliced to add a sweet and savory flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the stir-fry.

When stir-frying, make sure to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking. This is known as mise en place and ensures that you can cook quickly and efficiently without overcooking any components. For this prawn and black bean stir-fry, have your prawns, garlic, ginger, bell peppers, and onion all sliced and measured out. This way, you can focus on achieving the perfect stir-fry texture and flavor.

• prawns - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast provides a similar texture and protein content, making it a good alternative for those who do not consume seafood.

• black bean sauce - Substitute with hoisin sauce: Hoisin sauce offers a similar savory and slightly sweet flavor profile, making it a suitable replacement in stir-fry dishes.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a similar umami flavor, making it perfect for those with gluten sensitivities.

• oyster sauce - Substitute with mushroom sauce: Mushroom sauce provides a similar depth of flavor and umami richness, making it a great vegetarian alternative.

• vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and high smoke point, making it a suitable substitute for vegetable oil in stir-frying.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the dish similarly to garlic.

• ginger - Substitute with galangal: Galangal has a similar spicy and aromatic profile, making it a good alternative to ginger in Asian cuisine.

• red bell pepper - Substitute with yellow bell pepper: Yellow bell peppers provide a similar sweetness and crunch, maintaining the dish's texture and flavor.

• green bell pepper - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini offers a mild flavor and similar texture, making it a good substitute for green bell peppers.

• onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks provide a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can replace onions while adding a unique twist to the dish.

• Allow the prawn & black bean stir-fry to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to sogginess.
• Transfer the stir-fry to an airtight container. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent any odors from seeping in.
• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the dish within 2-3 days. This will keep the prawns and vegetables fresh and flavorful.
• For longer storage, place the stir-fry in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.
• When freezing, try to remove as much air as possible from the container or bag to prevent freezer burn, which can affect the texture and taste of the prawns and bell peppers.
• To reheat, thaw the stir-fry in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This gradual thawing process helps maintain the texture of the prawns and vegetables.
• Reheat the dish in a wok or skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of vegetable oil or a bit of soy sauce to refresh the flavors and prevent sticking.
• Stir-fry until the dish is heated through, ensuring the prawns are hot and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
• Serve immediately with freshly steamed rice to enjoy the dish at its best.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of vegetable oil to the pan.
  3. Once the oil is hot, add the leftover prawn & black bean stir-fry.
  4. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating, cooking for about 5-7 minutes until the prawns and vegetables are heated through.
  5. If the dish seems dry, add a splash of water or chicken broth to maintain moisture.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the leftover stir-fry in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Stir the stir-fry halfway through to ensure even heating.
  5. Continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals until the dish is heated through.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover prawn & black bean stir-fry in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Check to ensure the prawns and vegetables are heated through before serving.

• Steaming Method:

  1. Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
  2. Place the leftover stir-fry in a heatproof dish that fits inside the steamer basket.
  3. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Check to ensure the prawns and vegetables are heated through before serving.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover prawn & black bean stir-fry in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Check to ensure the prawns and vegetables are heated through before serving.

• Wok: A versatile cooking vessel ideal for stir-frying, allowing for even heat distribution and quick cooking.

• Spatula: Essential for stirring and tossing ingredients in the wok to ensure even cooking.

• Knife: Used for slicing the bell peppers, onion, garlic, and ginger with precision.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe and stable surface for chopping and slicing ingredients.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the black bean sauce, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.

• Bowl: Useful for holding the peeled and deveined prawns before cooking.

• Garlic press: Handy for mincing garlic quickly and efficiently.

• Grater: Ideal for mincing ginger finely.

• Serving spoon: Used to serve the stir-fry onto plates or bowls.

• Rice cooker: Convenient for preparing steamed rice to accompany the stir-fry.

• Tongs: Helpful for handling the prawns and vegetables during cooking.

Prep ingredients ahead: Mince garlic and ginger, and slice bell peppers and onion in advance.

Use pre-made sauces: Opt for store-bought black bean sauce, soy sauce, and oyster sauce to save time.

Quick-cooking protein: Choose prawns as they cook quickly, reducing overall cooking time.

High heat cooking: Stir-fry on high heat to speed up the cooking process and retain the vegetables' crunch.

One-pan method: Use a wok to cook everything in one pan, minimizing cleanup time.