Tonic Drinks & Waters
Red-Wine Braised Prawns with Onion, Tomato and Pepper
A warming, celebratory dish for cold-feeling days
Why people make this dish
This is Bro Niu’s “lucky” New Year dish — large sea prawns braised in red wine, with the playful name “hee-haa big laugh” to wish everyone a happy, carefree year. Sea prawns are reasonably priced lately, and the roe in the prawn heads is the tastiest part, so the prawns are cooked shell-on. Pile it onto a big platter with onion, tomato and sweet pepper and the whole family will be happy.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- A warming, celebratory plate, traditionally regarded as suited to people who feel cold easily, with a sore lower back and weak knees.
- Contains shellfish and red wine — skip it if you have a shellfish allergy or need to avoid alcohol.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Large sea prawns (da hai xia): traditionally regarded as warming and supportive of kidney yang.
- Red wine (hong jiu): cooked in for fragrance and warmth, which is why this pairing is considered well-suited to those who feel the cold.
- Onion, tomato and sweet pepper: add color, aroma and a fresh, rounded flavor.
Ingredients (1 large plate, 3–4 servings)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Large sea prawns | ~600 g (1 jin) | Deveined; cooked shell-on |
| Onion | 1 | Cut into thick strips |
| Tomatoes | 2 | Peeled, diced |
| Sweet bell pepper | 1/2 | Cut into small pieces |
| Minced ginger | to taste | |
| Minced shallot | to taste | |
| Red wine | to taste | |
| Seasoning | to taste |
Method
- Devein the prawns, snip off the sharp tips of head and tail, and cut each into 3 segments. Peel and cut the onion into thick strips; peel and dice the tomatoes; cut the pepper into small pieces.
- Heat oil, stir-fry the onion strips until softened, and set aside.
- Add a little more oil; fry the minced ginger and shallot until fragrant, then add the prawn segments and sear.
- Add the tomato, onion and sweet pepper and stir-fry until fragrant, pour in the red wine and seasoning, cook briefly, and plate.
Bro Niu’s tips
Cook the prawns shell-on — the roe in the heads carries much of the flavor. The red wine and warming prawns make this dish especially welcome on cold days, for people who feel the cold or have a sore back and weak knees.
Published January 1, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
