Asparagus and Shrimp Stir-Fry on Noodle Pillows
James Carrier
Yields Makes 4 servings
Notes: Prepare the ingredients for this stir-fry while the noodle pillows bake; cook the mixture (step 2) just before the pillows are done.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Snap tough stem ends off asparagus. Cut spears at a 45° angle into 1/2-inch-thick slices. In a small bowl, mix broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, and white pepper.

Step 2
2

Set a 14-inch wok or 12-inch frying pan over high heat. When hot, add oil, ginger, and garlic; stir until garlic begins to turn golden, about 30 seconds. Stir in asparagus and add 3 tablespoons water; cover and cook just until asparagus is bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Add shrimp and stir, uncovered, until they are opaque in center of thickest part (cut to test), 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 3
3

Stir broth mixture and add to pan; stir until sauce boils and thickens. Add salt to taste.

Step 4
4

Set a noodle pillow on each of four dinner plates. Spoon shrimp and asparagus stir-fry equally over noodle pillows.

Step 5
5

Making noodle pillows:

Step 6
6

In a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat, bring 3 quarts water to a boil. Add 12 ounces dried thin Asian wheat noodles or dried vermicelli pasta and stir to separate. Cook until barely tender to bite, 3 to 7 minutes. Drain and return to pan. Mix in 2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil and salt to taste.

Step 7
7

Divide noodles into four equal portions; set each mound about 2 inches apart on two 10- by 15-inch nonstick baking pans. Pat each into a 1/2-inch-thick round.

Step 8
8

Bake pillows in a 425° oven until most of surface is crisp and browned, 15 to 20 minutes (switch pan positions halfway through baking). Serve hot.

Ingredients

 1 1/2 pounds asparagus, rinsed
 1 1/2 cups fat-skimmed chicken broth
 2 tablespoons soy sauce
 2 tablespoons cornstarch
 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
 1 pound shelled, deveined shrimp (31 to 40 per lb.), rinsed
  Salt
 4 noodle pillows (see below)

Directions

Step 1
1

Snap tough stem ends off asparagus. Cut spears at a 45° angle into 1/2-inch-thick slices. In a small bowl, mix broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, and white pepper.

Step 2
2

Set a 14-inch wok or 12-inch frying pan over high heat. When hot, add oil, ginger, and garlic; stir until garlic begins to turn golden, about 30 seconds. Stir in asparagus and add 3 tablespoons water; cover and cook just until asparagus is bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Add shrimp and stir, uncovered, until they are opaque in center of thickest part (cut to test), 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 3
3

Stir broth mixture and add to pan; stir until sauce boils and thickens. Add salt to taste.

Step 4
4

Set a noodle pillow on each of four dinner plates. Spoon shrimp and asparagus stir-fry equally over noodle pillows.

Step 5
5

Making noodle pillows:

Step 6
6

In a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat, bring 3 quarts water to a boil. Add 12 ounces dried thin Asian wheat noodles or dried vermicelli pasta and stir to separate. Cook until barely tender to bite, 3 to 7 minutes. Drain and return to pan. Mix in 2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil and salt to taste.

Step 7
7

Divide noodles into four equal portions; set each mound about 2 inches apart on two 10- by 15-inch nonstick baking pans. Pat each into a 1/2-inch-thick round.

Step 8
8

Bake pillows in a 425° oven until most of surface is crisp and browned, 15 to 20 minutes (switch pan positions halfway through baking). Serve hot.

Asparagus and Shrimp Stir-Fry on Noodle Pillows

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