Pro Tips

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**

- Cook shrimp and squid quickly over high heat — they turn rubbery in under 3 minutes.

- Do not overcook shrimp — they are done as soon as they turn pink and curl into a C-shape.

- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot until it doubles in size for the fluffiest texture.

- For grilled fish, oil the grates well and do not flip until the skin releases naturally.

Cooking Tips

Seafood cooks quickly — remove it from heat the moment it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Overcooking makes it tough and rubbery. Pat shellfish dry before adding to the pan so they sear rather than steam. A hot, quick cook preserves their natural sweetness. Have all your ingredients prepped and measured before you start cooking — quick dishes leave no time for chopping mid-recipe.

Ingredient Substitutions

Out of cane vinegar? White vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar all work — each brings its own subtle character. Avoid balsamic (too sweet) or distilled white (too harsh). Lemon or calamansi juice can replace vinegar in most marinades and braises. Add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity. Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Seafood dishes are best consumed within 1–2 days. Reheat gently — microwave on low power or warm in a covered skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking. Do not refreeze thawed seafood dishes. Once reheated, consume immediately and do not re-refrigerate. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.

Breaded Shrimp with Sweet and Sour Sauce

Breaded Shrimp with Sweet and Sour Sauce

Metro Manila, NCR

Crispy breaded shrimp served with a tangy homemade sweet and sour sauce — a Filipino-Chinese party favorite.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Total: 30 min Medium Serves 4

Instructions

  1. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the shrimp. Let it stand for 15 minutes.
  2. Heat the oil in a deep pan.
  3. Dredge the shrimp in flour and then dip in the beaten eggs. Quickly roll the shrimp over the breadcrumbs. Make sure that the shrimp are properly coated.
  4. Deep fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until the color turns golden brown.
  5. Arrange in a plate lined with paper towels. This will absorb the oil.
  6. Transfer to a serving plate. Serve with Sweet and Sour Sauce.

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Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Cook shrimp and squid quickly over high heat — they turn rubbery in under 3 minutes.
- Do not overcook shrimp — they are done as soon as they turn pink and curl into a C-shape.
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot until it doubles in size for the fluffiest texture.
- For grilled fish, oil the grates well and do not flip until the skin releases naturally.

Cooking Tips

Seafood cooks quickly — remove it from heat the moment it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Overcooking makes it tough and rubbery.
Pat shellfish dry before adding to the pan so they sear rather than steam. A hot, quick cook preserves their natural sweetness.
Have all your ingredients prepped and measured before you start cooking — quick dishes leave no time for chopping mid-recipe.

Substitutions

Out of cane vinegar? White vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar all work — each brings its own subtle character. Avoid balsamic (too sweet) or distilled white (too harsh).
Lemon or calamansi juice can replace vinegar in most marinades and braises. Add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity.
Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious.
Seafood dishes are best consumed within 1–2 days. Reheat gently — microwave on low power or warm in a covered skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking.
Do not refreeze thawed seafood dishes. Once reheated, consume immediately and do not re-refrigerate.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
M

Chef Jun Mercado

Seafood, Grilling & Filipino Fusion

Chef Jun Mercado is a contributor to the UlamDaily editorial team. Trained at the Center for Culinary Arts in Manila, he spent a decade working in resort kitchens across Cebu, Palawan, and Boracay before joining our team to share seafood, grilling, and Filipino fusion recipes.

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