Recipe for Sichuan Shrimp with Chili Sauce

Ingredients for Sichuan Shrimp with Chili Sauce:
4 cups water
10 spears of asparagus, tips removed, stems cut in thin diagonal slices
1 celery stalk, cut in thin diagonal slices
1 bamboo shoot, cut into thin diagonal slices
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 pound large shrimp
3 to 6 hot chili peppers
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon finely minced ginger
1green onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon hot chili paste (optional)
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Sauce
5 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 tablespoon salt

Sichuan Shrimp with Chili Sauce preparation instruction:
1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add asparagus, celery, and bamboo to pot; boil rapidly until they reach peak color brightness, about 2 minutes. Immediately strain into a bowl and set aside.

2. Heat vegetable oil in a large wok over high heat. When smoking, add shrimp and cook until pink, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Add chili peppers, garlic, ginger, green onion, and chili paste to wok; cook 1 minute, stirring.

4. Add reserved asparagus, celery, and bamboo to wok; cook 2 minutes, until lightly browned. Add shrimp back to wok and stir.

5. In a small bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients. Add to wok and cook, stirring, until sauce thickens.

6.Serve hot with a drizzle of sesame oil over each plate.

Notes about Sichuan Shrimp with Chili Sauce:
Makes 4 servings.