Shrimp Lo Mein

This Asian-inspired main dish can be made in just over 30 minutes. Stir-fry cabbage, fresh pea pods, and carrots, then throw them in with cooked shrimp and bubbly soy sauce. Add cooked Chinese egg noodles and you've prepared a quick and tasty meal. If you want more kick, add hot peppers to your stir-fried vegetables.

ingredients

• 1 pound fresh or frozen peeled and deveined medium shrimp
• 1/3 cup water
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 2 stalks celery, thinly bias-sliced (1 cup)
• 1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 2 cups fresh pea pods, strings removed, or one 6-ounce package frozen pea pods, thawed
• 1 medium carrot, shredded (1/2 cup)
• 4 ounces dried Chinese egg noodles or linguine, cooked and drained
• 2 green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
• Carrot flowers (optional)

directions

1. Thaw shrimp, if frozen. Cut shrimp in half lengthwise. Set aside.
2. For sauce, in a small bowl stir together water, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Set aside.
3. Pour cooking oil into a wok or 12-inch skillet. (Add more oil as necessary during cooking.) Preheat over medium-high heat. Stir-fry celery and chopped onion in hot oil for 2 minutes. Add cabbage, fresh pea pods (if using), and carrot; stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes more or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove vegetables from the wok.
4. Add half of the shrimp to the hot wok. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until shrimp turn opaque. Remove shrimp from the wok. Repeat with remaining shrimp. Return all shrimp to the wok. Push shrimp from the center of the wok.
5. Stir sauce. Add sauce to the center of the wok. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Return cooked vegetables to the wok. Add hot cooked noodles or linguine, green onions, and thawed frozen pea pods (if using). Toss all ingredients together to coat with sauce. Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes more or until heated through. Serve immediately. Garnish with carrot flowers, if desired. Makes 4 servings.
6. Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare vegetables; cover and chill up to 4 hours before cooking.