My pepper shrimp recipe is rated H for Hot. Any hotter than this, and this pepper shrimp recipe would be banned for inducing spontaneous combustion LOL!! hahaha.
The Origin of Pepper Shrimp
Pepper shrimp is a recipe that has been influenced by our Chinese heritage on the island, but like all other trini recipes, this one has evolved to a more trini style Chinese recipe in our main stream trini cooking. First of all, the method is a little different (at least how we do it is!) to traditional Chinese cooking. How I like to put it, is that it starts of Chinese but by the end of its cooking the pepper shrimp becomes Trini.
What I would like to think makes Pepper Shrimp very Trini is the amount of ketchup that is used. If you know anything about the trini palate, you’ll know that we love ketchup. Added to that, there is also the, distinctly trini, seasonings that we use: there’s lots of chadon beni, chive and garlic.
Pepper shrimp is of course peppery and spicy, and to me a bit lava-ish, but being done trini style makes it mouthwateringly delectable. It’s like a love/ hate relationship or, as I would put it, a sweet/ hot relationship: you’re seduced by the sweet exotic tasting sauce, only to be stung by the peppery end, but you can’t stop now because the sauce already has you tootoolbay for more. 
Making Trini Style Pepper Shrimp
For this Trinidad pepper shrimp recipe we’re doing it with the shell on, so that the sauce could really soak into the shrimp. Of course you could do it without the shell: it’s just a matter of preference. I am very aware that some people don’t like to stop to take out the shell when enjoying this spicy shrimp delight.
This trini style pepper shrimp is a sure winner in our kitchen and once you master it, it will be in yours too. It goes great as a side with fried rice and perhaps anything you could think of: probably with Hops bread too who knows! One thing for sure is that it would surely add some spice to your life! Here’s pepper shrimp trinistyle. Enjoy!
The Pepper Shrimp Recipe
1 lb shrimp
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 med. sweet pepper
1 small carrot
1 hot pepper
2 pimento peppers
2 cloves garlic, grated
4 leaves chadon beni, chopped
1 small onion
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp lime juice
2 chives (divided), chopped
1 tbsp sesame oil
1/2 cup ketchup
water
Devein the shrimp leaving the shell on.
Wash and drain
Season with ginger, pimento pepper, garlic, black pepper, chadon beni, lime juice, 1 chive and salt.
Take a fork and scour the sides of the carrot.
Cut the carrot into 1/8 ” slices
Cut the onion in four.
Then cut each piece in half.
Separate the onion layers.
Cut up the hot pepper…
…and chive.
Heat the oil in the wok over a medium flame.
Add the hot pepper and fry for 1 minute.
Add the shrimp and stir fry for 1 minute.
Add about 1/4 cup of ketchup, soy sauce and a little water…
Then add the onion, chive, sweet pepper and carrots
Add 1/4 cup ketchup and 1/4 cup water. Stir
Cover and simmer for 2 minutes
The pepper shrimp looks good now.The water has reduced to the right consistency.
Garnish with a sprig of chive.Now you know how to make trinistyle pepper shrimp. I hope it was a wonderful experience for you.
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See you next week with more trini recipes.
Ah gone!
P.S. If you liked my pepper shrimp recipe why not leave a comment below.
great recipe, thanks for posting
I tried other pepper shrimp recipes but they were never this simple or tasty.
thanks !!:)
omg, this looks sooo easy to make as it looks incredible to taste. Will definitely try this recipe this week…heck tomorrow. Thanks
Hey Felix I trying This tonight! If my mouth catch fire I coming by you for sorrel LOL
looks sooo yummy can’t wait to try this ….thanks 4 sharing !!!!
Looks delicious. Trying this tonight
Looks delicious. Trying this tonight
I made this many times and it’s always delightful and mouth watering! Thank you for the many delicious recipes Felix!
great post
Thanks
Thank u I needed this for tomorrow nite….my contribution to the party….great recipe
Thank you Andrew
This recipe was the best….it was absolutely delicious
Thank you Kerry, much appreciated
I tried this recipe and it came out gr8. Thanks much
Easy to follow recipe.
Thank you Camille