Tep Rang or Vietnamese Caramelized Baby Shrimps 

Here's my instructional video for my Tep Rang! And for anyone who hasn't had this dish before I'll answer the most common question now. Do you eat the shells? YES YES YES you eat the shells! It's actually very tasty. The shells on the baby shrimps are more tender and once it's caramelized it becomes quite crispy too. Best way to enjoy this dish is with a nice hot bowl of steamed white rice!
I prefer using baby shrimps with the head on because the head fat (the orange gooey thing in the head) gives it more flavor and that natural vibrant orange color! But if you can't find baby shrimps with the head on it's fine to use shrimps with the head removed.
Ingredients:
12 oz baby shrimps (shell and head on preferably)
1 minced shallot
1 white part of green onion finely chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1 tsp mushroom seasoning
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp fish sauce (add more if needed)
1 tbsp cooking oil
pinch of black pepper
Thai chilies optional
Instructions:
1. Trim off the legs and tips of the head and tail. Do not trim off the part of the head with the head fat (orange goo). During the cooking process the head fat will produce more flavor while giving the dish the beautiful orange color. If you're using shrimps with the head already removed you can always add some annatto oil to give it a color boost if you want.
2. Marinate shrimps with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp mushroom seasoning and some black pepper.
3. Heat up a pan with 1 tbsp of oil and add in the onions, shallots and garlic. On high heat fry for about 20 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add in the shrimps and stir coating it evenly.
5. Add 1 1/2 tbsp of sugar. Season to taste and add more if you want it sweeter.
6. Stir until shrimp turns orange and then add in 1 tbsp fish sauce. Season to taste and add more if needed. Turn heat down to medium heat. Add in some Thai chilies if you want a spicy kick.
7. Continue to stir and cook until the shells are translucent and crispy, sugar has caramelized and the fish sauce has evaporated. I cooked mine for about 15 minutes total.
8. Serve with some white rice and fresh veggies or a veggie soup. It can be served as a main or side dish.
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