Shrimp in chinese lobster sauce

2 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
Stephen Ceideburg
1poundsJumbo shrimp (21-25 per pound)
1tablespoonFermented black beans
2Garlic cloves, minced
1Quarter-sized slice fresh ginger, peeled, minced
1tablespoonShao Hsing rice wine, or dry sherry
2tablespoonsPeanut or corn oil
½teaspoonSalt
6ouncesGround pork butt
1smallOnion, cut into 1-inch cubes
1Bell pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes
½teaspoonSugar
Big pinch white pepper
½tablespoonLight soy sauce
¾cupChicken stock
2teaspoonsCornstarch, blended with:
1tablespoonWater
1largeEgg, lightly beaten
1Green onion, chopped
1teaspoonAsian sesame oil

Directions

Shell and de-vein the shrimp. Butterfly shrimp by slicing them down the length of the back, stopping just above the tail. Rinse with cold water and blot dry.

Cover the black beans with lukewarm water; let soak for 5 minutes.

Drain. Combine with the minced garlic and ginger; gently crush into a paste. Mix in the wine; set aside.

Place a wok over medium-high heat. When hot, drizzle in half of the oil. Add the shrimp and stir-fry until they begin to curl and turn bright orange, about 1 minute. Remove to a dish and keep warm.

Reheat wok over medium heat; add remaining tablespoon of oil and the salt. Add the black bean paste and saute a few seconds until it becomes aromatic. Increase heat to medium-high. Add the pork and stir-fry until the morsels are no longer pink, about 3 minutes.

Add onions, peppers, sugar, white pepper and soy sauce; toss together until the vegetables begin to soften, about 1 minute. Add the stock and keep tossing until it comes to a boil.

Stir the cornstarch mixture to recombine, then drizzle into the center of the work, stirring constantly, until mixture thick- ens, about 20 seconds.

Turn off the heat and slowly stir in the beaten egg to combine the mixture into a creamy sauce. return the shrimp to sauce, add the green onions and swirl in the sesame oil.

Serves 2 as a complete meal, or up to 6 with other entrees.

PER SERVING (6servings): 225 calories, 19 g protein, 5 g carbohydrate, 14 g fat (4 g saturated), 149 mg cholesterol, 530 mg sodium, 0 g fiber.

From an article by Joyce Jue, San Francisco Chronicle, ⅙/93.