QUẢNG NINH'S DELIGHTFUL SHRIMP PASTE – A DELICACY EASILY MADE AT HOME

Shrimp paste in general, and particularly Quảng Ninh's shrimp paste, is always mentioned as a beloved specialty by people of all ages in Vietnam. Its unique and delightful flavor sets it apart from any other type of shrimp paste.

This shrimp paste has a distinctive sweet taste and is rich in nutritional value. It is not only suitable for children but also excellent for the health of the elderly, especially for those recovering from illness. Similar to pork paste, shrimp paste is used to prepare many simple and quick dishes. We can even pair it with hot rice for a delicious, fast, and convenient meal.

This dish is perfect for busy individuals with limited time in the kitchen. Despite that, it still ensures essential nutrients for the body. Let's explore the article below to learn more about creating this flavorful and convenient shrimp paste dish.

Quảng Ninh Shrimp Paste - Coastal Specialty

Essential Ingredients for Making Shrimp Paste

500g Fresh Shrimp

500g Lean Pork Meat

Delicious Shrimp Paste

2 Lemongrass Stalks, 3 Bunches of Spring Onions

Seasonings: Pure Fish Sauce, 3 Spoons of Sugar, Seasoning Powder, Finely Ground Pepper, Soup Powder, MSG, White Wine, Cooking Oil, and more...

Ingredients for Making Quảng Ninh Shrimp Paste

How to Make Fragrant Shrimp Paste at Home

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients for Shrimp Paste

Choose small and fresh shrimp, wash them thoroughly, remove debris, and cut off the long whiskers. Clean the shrimp with water 2-3 times, then drain. For pork meat, select freshly butchered meat that feels sticky and has a vibrant red color. Trim off the meat tendons with a knife, then wash and cut it into square pieces. Let the meat drain.

When preparing shrimp paste, it's crucial to select small, fresh shrimp. Clean them thoroughly, removing any debris and cutting off the long whiskers. Wash the shrimp 2-3 times, then drain. For the pork meat, choose freshly butchered meat with a sticky feel and vibrant red color. Trim off the meat tendons using a knife, then wash and cut it into square pieces. Allow the meat to drain.

Clean the spring onions, removing the roots, and cut the white bulbs into sections. Wash and crush the lemongrass, then cut it into segments.

Prepare the Main Ingredients for Shrimp Paste

Step 2: Seasoning for Shrimp and Meat

Keep fresh shrimp and lean meat in separate bowls

For fresh shrimp, marinate with authentic fish sauce, seasoning powder, soup powder, MSG, finely ground pepper, and add a bit of cooking oil for even golden color. Mix the spices thoroughly with the shrimp to ensure an even infusion. Finally, add crushed and cut lemongrass, mix well, and marinate for 20-25 minutes.

For lean pork meat, season with seasoning powder, finely ground pepper, MSG, soup powder, authentic fish sauce, cooking oil, and add the sliced white onion bulbs. Mix and stir all ingredients thoroughly by hand to blend together. Marinate for approximately 20-25 minutes.

Note: It's essential to marinate shrimp and meat separately to avoid the shrimp's strong odor permeating the meat. In the shrimp bowl, add crushed lemongrass to mask the shrimp's odor, enhancing the shrimp paste's aroma. In the meat bowl, add onions to counteract the natural meaty scent.

Seasoning for Shrimp Paste

Step 3: Sear Shrimp and Meat

Place the pan on the stove and heat it. Add the marinated shrimp to the pan (discard the lemongrass residue). Cook on low heat, stirring evenly to achieve a consistent golden color and even cooking. Sear until all shrimp have a beautiful, even yellow hue, and the water in the pan has evaporated. Turn off the heat and transfer the shrimp to a bowl to cool.

Next, pour the marinated meat into the pan with ½ a bowl of retained water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat. Sear until the meat is evenly cooked, then turn off the heat and transfer it to a bowl to cool. Pour any excess meat broth into a separate bowl for later use.

Prepare a mixture of 2 tablespoons of shrimp sauce and 4 tablespoons of filtered water. Stir well to blend the mixture, then strain it to remove any residue. Combine with the leftover meat broth, stirring thoroughly.

Step 4: Grind and Crush Meat and Shrimp

To achieve the smoothest and fluffiest shrimp paste, grind the meat and shrimp separately. Start by crushing the shrimp in a mortar, ensuring the shrimp and shells are evenly crushed. Add small amounts at a time to prevent clumping and ensure uniform shrimp meat consistency.

After the shrimp is well crushed, transfer it to a grinder to make the shrimp meat and shells finer and fluffier when dried. Use the self-adjusting mode to avoid crushing the shrimp meat into chunks.

Similarly, for the meat, as it tends to stick together after grinding, use your hands to separate and tear the meat into individual strands. Once the meat is crushed, transfer it to the grinder for further grinding.

Grind and Crush Meat, Shrimp

Step 5: Roast Shrimp Paste and Meat

Heat a large pan, then pour the ground shrimp into the pan. Continuously stir to prevent clumping and ensure the shrimp meat is tender and fluffy, avoiding any lumpiness. Roast until the shrimp meat is dry, then transfer it to a bowl. Repeat the same process with the previously ground meat.

Once the meat is dry, keep the heat low. Add the dried shrimp, stirring together with the meat. When both are at a certain dryness level, gradually pour in the pre-mixed fish sauce mixture. Spread it evenly on the drying shrimp and meat. Add the mixture gradually, tasting and adjusting the seasoning until the shrimp paste is just right.

Additionally, we can add a bit of authentic fish sauce for a more fragrant shrimp paste, and a bit of cooking oil for a shiny and beautiful golden color. Once the shrimp paste has absorbed the flavors and dried evenly, we will turn off the heat.

Roast Shrimp Paste and Let it Cool

Note: Stir thoroughly to ensure the shrimp paste is uniformly golden and evenly dried, making it easier to store and use. After roasting, let the shrimp paste cool, then transfer it into plastic or glass jars for longer preservation and better taste in meals.

After roasting, let the shrimp paste cool, then transfer it into plastic or glass jars for longer preservation and better taste in meals.

Exquisite Quảng Ninh Shrimp Paste, Irresistibly Fragrant

And there we have it, the completion of this incredibly simple Shrimp Paste dish. Shrimp Paste, a specialty with the rich taste of the sea, is highly convenient for quick breakfasts. Additionally, it can be used to cook various soups such as Bottle Gourd Soup or Mustard Green Soup, bringing diversity to the family menu.

Quảng Ninh Shrimp Paste is renowned for its top-notch quality, benefiting from the abundant, fresh, and nutritious seafood in the region. It's also a favored tourist destination for many.

Wishing you success and delightful meals!

A blank canvas awaiting inspiration.