I keep a stock of Crispy Fried Shallots in my pantry at all times. These are commonly known as Crunchy Asian Shallots. They possess a delightful mix of saltiness, oiliness, and crunchiness, all at an affordable price. They make frequent appearances in my Asian recipes. If you’re unfamiliar with them, consider this a brief introduction!
What are Crispy Fried Shallots
Crispy Fried Shallots, also known as Crispy Asian Shallots, hold a significant role as a pantry essential in my culinary world. While they can readily be found in the Asian section of supermarkets, they are even more budget-friendly in Asian specialty stores, often priced at half the cost.
I rely on them extensively as a garnish across a spectrum of Asian dishes, spanning from soups and salads to poke bowls and curries. Their instant infusion of crunchiness and saltiness is a game-changer.
Moreover, they serve as a practical alternative in recipes that traditionally involve deep-fried onions or comparable ingredients, such as Biryani or Green Bean Casserole.
To clarify, Crispy Fried Shallots are essentially thinly sliced eschallots, known as shallots in the United States, hence the product’s name. These slices undergo frying until achieving a crisp texture, followed by a seasoning of salt.
Available in both jars and packets, a common brand can be found in major Australian supermarkets, while another frequently encountered brand is accessible in grocery stores.
What I use them for
Imagine Crispy Fried Shallots as the Asian counterpart to croutons – they introduce a delightful crunch, bursts of saltiness, and an overall enhancement to every dish they accompany.
My utilization of these shallots is regular and effortless, as they effortlessly elevate a dish by providing texture and additional flavor with a mere jar opening. Sometimes a light sprinkle suffices to subtly enhance a dish, while on other occasions, I liberally indulge. The key is to add them until contentment is reached!
Let me offer a few examples of the diverse range of dishes I incorporate them into. Take, for instance, a Spicy Asian Zucchini dish that is perfected with a generous shower of Crispy Fried Shallots. Similarly, a Thai Coconut Pumpkin Soup and a Yellow Curry achieve an extra layer of flavor through the addition of these crispy shallots.
Moving along, a beef soba noodle creation and a salmon salad both benefit from their presence. To exemplify further, consider a quick and effortless Chinese Rice Soup that gets an instant upgrade with a handful of these shallots.
To sum it up, my usage of Crispy Fried Shallots has become so routine that I noticed myself reiterating their benefits in numerous recipes. This led me to conceive this concise “About” post, which I can conveniently link to.
I hope you discover this information valuable!
