Black-bean Shrimp With Chinese Broccoli
A Chinese Meal Is Incomplete Without Something Leafy, & This Dish Features A Wonderful Green. The Pleasant Bite Of Gai Lan, Or Chinese Broccoli, Complements Stir-fried Shrimp Beautifully; Once You've Tried It, You'll Be Eager To Cook With It Again.
¾ Cup Homemade Chicken Broth Or Store-bought
Chicken Broth (reduced-sodium If Canned)
3 Tbsp Chinese Rice Wine (preferably Shaoxing) Or
Medium-dry Sherry
3 Tsp Light Soy Sauce (preferably Pearl River Bridge Brand)
2 Tsp Cornstarch
1 Tsp Sugar
¼ Tsp Salt
1½ Lbs Gai Lan (chinese Broccoli)
1½ Lbs Large Shrimp In Shell (21 – 25/lb), Peeled & Deveined
1 Tbsp Peanut Or Vegetable Oil
1 - 1-inch Piece Fresh Ginger, Peeled & Cut Into Very Thin
Matchsticks
2 Tbsp Fermented Black Beans, Rinsed & Chopped
2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
½ Fresh Jalapeño Chile (including Seeds),
Or To Taste, Cut Crosswise Into 1/8-inch-thick Slices
1 Tsp Asian Sesame Oil
A Well-seasoned 14-inch Flat-bottomed Wok
Stir Together Broth, Rice Wine, Soy Sauce, Cornstarch, Sugar, & Salt In A Small Bowl Until Cornstarch Is Dissolved.
Remove Any Bruised Or Withered Outer Leaves From Gai Lan, Then Trim & Peel Stalks, Halving Thick Ones Lengthwise. Cut Crosswise Into 2½ -inch Pieces, Separating Leafy Parts From Thick Stems.
Cook Stems In A 6 – 8 Quart Pot Of Boiling Salted Water, Uncovered, Until Crisp-tender, About 3 Minutes. Add Leafy Parts & Cook Until All Of Gai Lan Is Just Tender, 3 - 5 Minutes. Drain Well, Then Transfer To A Clean Kitchen Towel
& Pat Dry. Transfer To A Large Dish & Keep Warm, Loosely Covered With Foil.
Pat Shrimp Dry.
Heat Wok Over High Heat Until A Drop Of Water Vaporizes Instantly. Pour Peanut Oil Around Side Of Wok, Then Tilt Wok To Swirl Oil, Coating Side.
When Oil Just Begins To Smoke, Add Ginger & Stir-fry 5 Seconds.
Add Black Beans, Garlic, & Jalapeño & Stir-fry 1 Minute. Working Quickly,
Add Shrimp, Spreading In 1 Layer On Bottom & Side Of Wok. Cook, Undisturbed, 3 Minutes, Then Stir-fry Until Shrimp Are Just Pink On Both Sides, About 1 Minute More.
Stir Broth Mixture, Then Add To Shrimp & Bring To A Boil. Boil, Stirring, 2 Minutes. Remove From Heat & Drizzle With Sesame Oil, Then Stir To Combine.
Pour Shrimp & Sauce Over Gai Lan.
Note: Gai Lan Can Be Trimmed & Cut 1 Day Ahead & Chilled In Sealed Plastic Bags Lined With Paper Towels. Bring To Room Temperature Before Using.
Makes 8 Servings (as Part Of A Chinese Meal).