Stir-fry Snow Peas with Dried Shrimps
This stir-fried snow peas with dried shrimps was made in a jiffy. The actual time the snow peas sit in the wok is only about a minute or two, as they cook fast. Fast cooking will result in crisp and vibrant snow peas. As usual, I prepare most of the ingredients the night before, so that when I reach home, I can make this dish in record time.
See Also:
- Chicken Soba Noodles Recipe
- Stir-fry Pork with Vegetables Recipe
- Stir-fry Prawns with Snow Peas Recipe
To prep the snow peas, I “pull and discard” the “strings” at the sides of each pod, so that they are not woody after cooking. Do you do this too? I know many people who don’t, but my family does not like snow peas that has not been prepped this way due to the snow peas’ woody fibrous texture. This process took me a little over 5 minutes for a whole packet, so that meant extra work for me :P
Dried shrimps (aka “hei bi” or 虾米) add a savoury depth to the dish. The dried shrimps are first soaked in hot water until softened, then patted dry on paper towels. I return some of the dried shrimp soaking liquid when stir-frying to flavour the dish. The cooked dried shrimps can also be eaten with rice.
This dish goes well as a vegetable side to any Chinese meal. For variations, you can add a protein such as prawns (shrimps), chicken, pork or tofu for added sumptuousness.
Snow Peas with Dried Shrimps Recipe
Once the snow peas are added to the wok, stir-fry quickly so that they are vibrant and crisp after cooking. For variations, you can add a protein such as prawns (shrimps), chicken, pork or tofu for added sumptuousness.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp dried shrimps (虾米/”hei bi”)
- 3 tbsp hot boiling water & dried shrimp soaking liquid
- 1 packet (150g) snow peas (荷兰豆)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce to taste
- 1 tbsp Hua Tiao/ Shaoxing Chinese wine
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Directions:
- Prepare dried shrimps by placing them in a small bowl. Add hot boiling water to cover the dried shrimps. Soak until softened. Take out the dried shrimps and pat dry on paper towels. Reserve dried shrimp soaking liquid.
- Prepare snow peas by pulling & discarding the “strings” at the sides, then trimming the ends.
- Cook the dish. Heat oil in a wokpan. Add dried shrimps and stir fry until aromatic. Add garlic and stir fry briskly until fragrant. Add prepared snow peas, dried shrimp soaking liquid and light soy sauce. Stir-fry on high heat until the snow peas are just cooked, about 1 minute. Add sesame oil and drizzle Chinese wine along sides of the wall, during the last 10 seconds of cooking.