Sweet Prawns Zesty Citrus Marinade

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with an exceptionally delightful dish that’s as easy to make as it is to devour. This recipe introduces you to the beauty of “Sheng Yan Xia,” or marinated prawns, a preparation method that highlights the natural sweetness of premium prawns through a vibrant, zesty marinade. While the marinating process takes several hours, the active preparation time is remarkably swift, making it an approachable culinary adventure for any home cook. The result is a symphony of flavors – a perfectly balanced salty savoriness, a touch of gentle sweetness from the prawns themselves, and a bright, spicy zest from the accompanying aromatics. Its delicate texture and unique profile are sure to impress, offering a refreshing departure from conventional seafood preparations. Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this marvel: Main Ingredient: 1 lb (approx. 500g) Fresh Prawns (Tiger Prawns or Jumbo Shrimp are excellent choices; ensure they are very fresh if not live) Aromatic Elements: 1 Lemon (juiced and zest), plus extra wedges for serving ½ medium Onion, finely chopped or pulsed into small pieces 1 thumb-sized piece of Ginger, peeled and finely minced 10 cloves Garlic, peeled and finely minced 3.5 oz (approx. 100g) Hot Green Peppers (like Serrano or Jalapeño), seeded and finely chopped 0.35 oz (approx. 10g) Bird’s Eye Chilies (or other small, hot red chilies), stemmed and finely chopped (adjust to your heat preference) 0.35 oz (approx. 10g) Fresh Cilantro (Coriander leaves), roughly chopped Seasonings & Marinade Base: 1 Teaspoon Sugar (granulated) A generous pinch of Salt, to taste (start with 1-2 teaspoons, adjust as needed) Soy Sauce, to taste (light soy sauce recommended for subtle color and flavor) A splash of Baijiu or Chinese white spirit (optional, about 1 tablespoon; alternatively, use a dry sherry or a splash of vodka. This helps…