Kok Sen big prawn hor fun
A recreation of the big prawn hor fun at Kok Sen in Singapore
Big Prawn Hor Fun
Serves 4
For the shallot oil and prawn stock:
1 red onion, thinly sliced
200g prawn shells
5 dried red chillies
2L water
For the pickled green chillies:
60g white vinegar
30g water
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
Big pinch of salt
1-2 green chillies, sliced
For the hor fun:
1kg hor fun
20g garlic
30g ginger
30g red onions
20g deseeded chilli
30g galangal
6 tablespoons shallot oil
1.2L prawn stock
2 tablespoons pickling liquid from chillies
4 tablespoons light sauce
65g Ayam sweet chilli sauce
Sugar and salt to taste
2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with water to form a slurry
1 large bunch kailan
8 big prawns, cut in half lengthwise, shell-on, deveined
4 eggs, stirred lightly
Freshly cut red chilli or chilli padi
To make the shallot oil, cover onions in oil then set over high heat until crispy. Pass through a sieve – save the crispy shallots for another dish. Heat some shallot oil in a pot or wok, then add the prawn heads and shells. Fry until caramelized, then cover with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for an hour before sieving. Top up the stock to 1.2L.
To make the pickled chillies, combine the vinegar, water, sugar and salt in a small jar. Heat in a microwave until the sugar dissolves. Add the sliced green chillies and pickle for at least an hour.
If using packaged hor fun, soak in boiling water before draining well. Char in a smoking hot wok or cast iron pan. Add a little oil to prevent sticking if necessary. Blend the garlic, ginger, onions, chilli and galangal to form a rempah, then fry in a wok with shallot oil. Add the prawn stock and bring to a boil. Season with vinegar, light sauce, dark sauce, salt and sugar, adjusting quantities to your taste. Thicken with cornstarch slurry then add the vegetables and prawns and stir gently until cooked. Dribble over the eggs. Cover and cook for half a minute or so. Ripple the egg through then pour over the hor fun. Serve with freshly cut chilli and pickled green chillies.