Sweet and Sour Shrimp

I am not a fan of the Saundra Lee Semi-Homecooking show.  However, I am a fan of the concept.  I find it challenging to make a full meal out of "scratch" on a week night. I had bought the Sweet Chili Sauce at Trader Joe's awhile go and have been using it when I serve meatballs as an appetizer.  This time around, I decided to use it as the sauce in a shrimp stir fry.  Both Moe and I enjoyed it especially given how little time it took to prepare.  I'm a fan of this one.

Sweet and Sour Shrimp

Source:  Miss J Original

8 jumbo shrimp - deveined (with or without tails is fine depending on preference)

1/2 cup of Trader Joe's Sweet Chili Sauce

1 bell pepper (preferably red)

1/2 cup of cashews

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1/2 onion diced finely

water chestnuts (optional)

2 scallions (greens only)

1 tsp butter

Thaw shrimp in a bowl of cold water for 20 minutes.  Brine shrimp (see below for directions) and pat dry before cooking. 

While shrimp is brining, heat butter in a saute pan.  Add cashews to pan and saute until lightly toasted.  Remove from pan and set aside.  Without cleaning saute pan, add diced onions and remaining oil.  Saute for 1 minute then add the red peppers.  Continue to cook until onions are translucent. Remove from pan and set aside. 

Add shrimp to saute pan.  Cook on medium high for two minutes on both sides or until shrimp is cooked.  Careful not to overcook to avoid shrimp getting too tough to eat. 

Once shrimp is done, toss all cooked ingredients together in the saute pan.  Add chili sauce and stir until everything is heated through.   Serve immediately over a bed of jasmine rice. 

Notes: I didn't have enough shrimp so I threw some scallops in this recipe instead.  Scallops take a bit longer to cook in the skillet than shrimp so add those to the pan first.

Directions for brining shrimp: Dissolve 3 tablespoons of salt in about 1 gallon of cold water. Soak for 20-30 minutes if peeled shrimp and 40-50 minutes for unpeeled shrimp. Remove shrimp and rinse with cold water. Pack with ice until ready to use.

-  Miss J