This recipe for Ukoy na Hipon, or Filipino shrimp fritters, is a variation of the popular dish Ukoy. Millie uses fresh shrimps as the main ingredient, which is combined with finely chopped red and green bell peppers, onions and garlic, seasoned with salt and pepper. The mixture is then coated with a batter of eggs and flour and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. Ukoy is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of main ingredients, including seafood or vegetables, and this shrimp fritter version adds a delicious and succulent flavor.
Ingredients: 4-6 servings
2 lbs. fresh unshelled shrimps, deveined
1/2 of medium size, finely chopped green bell pepper
1/2 of medium, finely chopped red bell pepper
1/2 of medium, finely chopped onion
2 finely chopped garlic
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 battered eggs
1-2 cups of cooking oil or enough for deep-frying(depending on the mount of shrimp fritters created)
salt & pepper to taste
Cooking Preparation:
- Clean and devein shrimps, divide them in 2 groups, remove the shells and finely chop one group, while leaving shells from the other. Set them aside separately.
- Thoroughly combine all finely chopped ingredients including chopped and whole shrimps, flour and battered eggs, on a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and crushed peppers.
- Set up the stove temperature at medium to high and heat up the cooking oil on a deep frying pan. Use a large spoon to form portions of the ukoy mixture to fry. Add at least one piece of whole unshelled shrimp in each portion.
- Carefully slide each piece or portion of the Ukoy na Hipon(Filipino shrimp fritters) deep into the hot oil. Try to fry each piece in small groups to allow a space for each ukoy to fry separately, avoiding them from sticking together.
- Flip each side if necessary, continue to fry each piece until browned and crispy. Drain each fried ukoy na Hipon(Filipino shrimp fritters) or fried shrimp ukoy on a strainer prior to serving. Enjoy!
Note: Serve it hot with your choice of dip sauce, but the best sauce for fried shrimp ukoy is a mixture of spicy vinegar with a couple of teaspoon of fish sauce(or salt alone will do), chopped garlic and red onions.
