Hot and Sour Shrimp with Watercress and Walnuts

By á-177220

Bon Appetit February 1991
A light marinade of Sherry and ginger flavors the shrimp, which are stir fried with red bell pepper and green onions. Watercress makes a colorful bed for the shrimp.
4 Servings

Serve with Ginger Poached Spiced Pears for Dessert

Ingredients

• 1 lb large uncooked shrimp, peeled deveined and butterflied
• 4 tbsp dry Sherry
• 1 tbsp grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup chicken stock or canned broth
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp catsup
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp oriental sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 6 tsp peanut oil
• 2 tbsp chopped walnuts
• 3 bunches watercress, trimmed
• 2 medium red bell peppers, cut into 1 inch squares
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 green onions, cut diagonally into 1 inch long pieces

Preparation

Step 1

Combine shrimp, 2 tbsp Sherry and grated ginger in large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Mix remaining 2 tbsp Sherry, chicken stock, soy sauce, catsup, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil and cayenne pepper in small bowl.

Heat 2 tsp peanut oil in wok or heavy large skillet over high heat. Add walnuts and stir fry 1 minute. Transfer walnuts to plate using slotted spoon. Add watercress to wok and stir fry until just wilted, about 1 minute. Divide watercress among plates. Add 2 tsp peanut oil, bell pepper and garlic to wok and stir fry 1 minute. Add remaining 2 tsp peanut oil, shrimp mixture and onions and stir fry 1 minute. Stir stock mixture, add to the wok and cook sauce until clear and thick, stirring frequently, 2 minutes.

Spoon sauce and shrimp over watercress. Sprinkle with walnuts and serve.