Steamed Shrimp with Glass Noodles – Two Ways from the woks of life

steamed-shrimp-noodles
For the garlic version:
12 oz. shrimp, cleaned
1 bundle of glass noodles
1 tablespoon minced or grated garlic
1/4 cup water, plus more, to soak the garlic
1/4 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons light soy
1/2 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
For the cilantro and green chili version:
12 oz. shrimp, cleaned
1 bundle of glass noodles
1 tablespoon minced green chilies
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cilantro, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons light soy
1/2 tablespoon Shaoxing wine

Split the shrimp in half to the tail, leaving the tail whole. Soak the glass noodles in warm water for 20 minutes and drain.

For the garlic version, put the minced garlic into a bowl of hot water for a minute and strain. This takes some of the edge off of the garlic, and makes it sweeter once steamed. Combine the strained garlic with another 1/4 cup fresh water, sugar, light soy, and shaoxing wine.

For the cilantro green chili version, pound the minced green chilies and 1/4 teaspoon salt together in a mortar and pestle. Set aside for 30 minutes. Then mix in the cilantro, sugar, water, light soy, and shaoxing wine.

Spread out the glass noodles in two shallow, heat-safe bowls. Fan out equal amounts of shrimp on each plate. Spoon the prepared sauces evenly over each of the shrimp dishes.

Boil water in a steamer with a steamer rack and place the dishes inside. Cover immediately and steam for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. The shrimp should be opaque and but not over-cooked. Keep a close eye on it, and adjust the steaming time according to the size of your shrimp.

Once you take the shrimp out, spoon the liquid over the shrimp and serve immediately.