Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup vodka
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 10 dried red chiles
  • One 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and very thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
  • 3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 3/4 pounds medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
  • Salt
  • 3 scallions, white parts only, coarsely chopped

Method

  • In a small bowl, stir the vodka with the soy sauce, ketchup and vinegar.
  • In a large skillet, heat the oil.
  • Add the chiles, ginger and Sichuan peppercorns and stir-fry over high heat until the chiles and peppercorns darken and the ginger starts to brown, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and stir-fry until golden, about 10 seconds.
  • Add the shrimp, season lightly with salt and stir-fry until just cooked, about 3 minutes.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat and slowly add the vodka sauce.
  • Using a long match, carefully light the sauce.
  • Return the skillet to the heat and bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring.
  • Add the scallions; serve.