Ingredients

• Ingredients
  1. 2 tablespoons sugar
  2. 3 tablespoons water
  3. 2 tablespoons canola oil
  4. 1 small red onion, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch wedges
  5. 3 garlic cloves, minced
  6. 1 1/2 pounds shelled and deveined large shrimp
  7. 2 serrano chiles, seeded and minced
  8. 1 1/2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
  9. 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
  10. 4 scallions, cut into 3-inch lengths
  11. 2 tablespoons coconut milk mixed with 2 tablespoons water
  12. Steamed rice, for serving

Directions

1. In a small skillet, mix the sugar with 1 tablespoon of the water and cook over high heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved. Cook without stirring until a deep amber caramel forms, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of water. Transfer the caramel to a very small heatproof bowl.
2. Heat a wok over high heat. Add the canola oil and heat until just beginning to smoke. Add the onion and garlic and stir-fry until just softened, about 1 minute. Add the shrimp and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the chiles, fish sauce, pepper, scallions and caramel and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and curled, about 5 minutes. Add the diluted coconut milk and cook until slightly reduced, about 1 minute. Serve with rice.