Shrimp Oil Side Dish

Shrimp Oil Side Dish

　　On the drinking tables of restaurants both big and small in Tangshan, there is one side dish that is particularly popular. In fact, this dish is quite simple — it’s just shrimp oil mixed with peanuts and radish peels.

　　This dish has been popular on Tangshan’s dining tables for over a decade and remains a favorite. To this day, no one has claimed to have invented it or applied for a patent. Although no one admits to having invented it, it has won the favor of people who enjoy hearty meals and those with a love for drinking.

　　Making shrimp oil with peanuts and radish peels is very simple. First, soak the peanuts in warm water, then peel them. Next, wash purple-heart radishes, and use a small knife to slice them into round pieces about the size of a one-yuan coin, with the green skin facing out, and place them on top of the peanuts. When eating, sprinkle on some high-quality shrimp oil, mix well, and serve with alcohol — it’s the perfect pairing. The characteristics of this dish: fresh, salty, fragrant, crispy, and refreshing. Those in Tangshan who enjoy drinking all love this dish. It’s both easy and convenient to make. Everyone knows how to prepare it, and every household has the ingredients. I always include this dish when I drink. We might not be able to prepare rare delicacies or exotic meats, but shrimp oil with peanuts is something we never run out of at home throughout the year. Since Tangshan is a peanut-producing region and also a coastal city, these two ingredients are always readily available, and radishes can be found year-round. Nowadays, in rural vegetable greenhouses, you can find all kinds of off-season vegetables — farmers grow whatever people want to eat. Eating well and drinking well have become top priorities in people’s lives.