Peking shrimp ball soup

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1Egg
2teaspoonsDry sherry
2teaspoonsCornstarch
½teaspoonSalt
½teaspoonFresh grated ginger
¼cupFinely chopped water chestnuts
½poundsMedium shrimp **
Soup
2ouncesBean threads
4cupsChicken broth
1teaspoonDry sherry
1teaspoonSoy sauce
¼poundsMushrooms, sliced
20Snow peas *
3Sprigs cilantro
Shrimp Balls
Salt to taste

Directions

*Ends and strings removed from snow peas ** Shrimp should be shelled, deveined and finely chopped

Balls - In a bowl, beat egg white until foamy. Blend together sherry and cornstarch, then stir into egg white along with salt and ginger.

Add water chestnuts and shrimp; mix well. With oil-coated hands, roll shrimp filling into walnut-size balls. Heat a pan of water to simmering. Drop in shrimp balls a few at a time and simmer gently until they float (about four to five minutes). Drain and discard liquid. If made ahead, cool, cover, and refrigerate up to two days.

Soup - Cover bean threads with warm water and let stand for 30 minutes. Drain, then place on a cutting board and cut in 6" lengths.

In a 2-quart pan heat chicken broth, sherry and soy just to boiling.

Add bean threads and mushrooms and simmer, uncovered for 5 minutes.

Add snow peas and cook for two minutes. Add shrimp balls and cook just until heated through. Garnish with cilantro and season to taste with salt.