½tbspchili flakes/crushed red pepper1 tbsp if you like it spicy, I used 1 tbsp for this recipe
2tbsptamarind juice
1inchpiece ginger
2-3spring onionsroot trimmed and chopped roughly
Handful of cilantro leaves
2tbsplight soy sauce
4tbspbrown sugar
2tspground coriander seed
salt to taste
To serve
Extra sliced spring onionscilantro and chili flakes
Instructions
Pat dry the shrimp to remove excess moisture and set aside in a bowl.
In a mini processor, add all the ingredients of the marinade and process to form a paste. Add 2 tbsp of oil and process further until smooth. Taste the marinade and add some salt if needed.
Add the baking soda to the marinade and mix to combine. Next add the marinade to the shrimps and mix well to coat. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes to marinate.
If you are using dried shiitake mushrooms, place these in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let the mushrooms hydrate for about 20 minutes, or until fully hydrated.
Drain the water and then hold the mushrooms under cold running water to let them cool down a little and then squeeze out the excess water in the mushrooms (be careful as the absorbed water will be hot).
Cut mushrooms into thick slices and set aside.
When ready to make the parcels, divide green tea leaves evenly into four groups and place them on the parchment papers. Next divide the shrimp into four groups as well and place them on the tea leaves (about 8-10 shrimps per parcel). Place sliced mushrooms next to the shrimp. Divide the remaining marinade evenly between the four parcels.
Fold over the parchment paper carefully to create parcels, making sure that none of the marinade/juices will come out when being steamed.
Bring a pot of water to a boil, with a steamer on top (I used a tiered bamboo steamer). When the water comes to a boil, reduce heat and simmer.
Place the shrimp parcels in the steamer and steam (covered) for 15-20 minutes (if you're using a tiered steamer, the top tier takes a little longer than the bottom).
Serve with cooked white rice, with some chopped spring onions, cilantro and chili flakes.
Notes
Please remember to check where your prawns / shrimps are being sourced from. Make sure they are not being imported from countries that use slave labour.