Sweet Chili Fried Shrimp Hack

It’s week 6 of SIP (shelter in place) in San Francisco. I think most of us are more or less adjusted to staying home and the new norms of mask wearing when outside, but I’m pretty sure we haven’t adjusted to food cravings. I’ve started a list of all the things I want to eat once we can start eating in public places again. For now, take out and delivery will suffice. However, I know some of my friends are avoiding take out and delivery for the time being so I’m aware some of you are too. Cue more hacks for you to eat scrumptious food that you’re missing.

One food I’m totally craving are fried foods. Even before SIP, some friends would avoid deep frying food at home. They didn’t like how it made the house smelled afterwards. And I totally get it but my love of fried food just makes me crank the air purifier on high. The sad part is that fried food doesn’t travel very well so takeout/delivery options aren’t ideal either.

So I have the perfect compromise: a hack to bake up frozen fried food and making it more delicious with dashes of sweet, salt, and spice. I love Gorton’s butterfly shrimp because they use large pieces of shrimp in their product. It’s a really satisfying bite every single time. But let’s transform it into something that you wouldn’t think you could make at home!

I’m loving this hack because it’s so easy and uses everything you already have at home. Another reason this hack is great is because the sauce creates this protective barrier around the crispy shrimp. Somehow, the coated shrimp becomes even crispier and there’s an even bigger crunch in every bite. Then comes in that delicious sweet and slightly spicy flavor and you have one amazing dinner. I used mine in tacos but this is perfect to serve over rice or noodles to remind you of your favorite Chinese restaurant too!

Hack away, my friends! And remember: quarantine meals don’t need to be hard or extravagant. An easy peasy dinner loaded with lots of flavor is just in your freezer.