Monday, February 11, 2008

February 2008 ROM - Sesame Orange Shrimp


Sesame Orange Shrimp

This month's recipe is simple and tasty...which are both good qualities when you are looking for something new to add to your dinner rotation. The recipe comes straight from the "Everyday Food" cooking show on PBS, and it is so easy to make that I didn't even have to make any changes! The shrimp can be cooked using the same method and then coated in any number of sauces (e.g. Kung Pao, Sweet and Sour, etc.), so just try this as a starter recipe and then find other recipes for sauces that suit your taste. I've also substituted chicken in place of the shrimp (cut into 1-inch cubes) and it works just as well (just cook it a few minutes longer to make sure it's done). Enjoy!


Ingredients:
2 large egg whites
¼ cup cornstarch
¼ cup sesame seeds
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1-½ pounds uncooked medium or large shrimp, peeled
¼ cup vegetable oil, plus more if needed
1 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
4 green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced

Instructions:
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together egg whites, cornstarch, sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until frothy. Add shrimp, and toss to coat.

Step 2: Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in two or three batches, cook shrimp until golden and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Add more oil to skillet if necessary for remaining batches.

Step 3: Wipe skillet with a paper towel. Add orange juice, soy sauce, and sugar. Boil over high heat until syrupy and reduced to about 1/3 cup, 4 to 5 minutes. Return shrimp to skillet; add green onions, and cook until heated through and coated with sauce, about 1 minute.

Step 4: Serve over plain white rice. Makes approximately 2 servings.