Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon egg white
  • 2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine or quality dry Sherry
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 pound medium (25 to 30) shrimp, shelled and deveined
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted chicken stock
  • 18 cup Chinese rice wine or quality dry Sherry
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chinese chili sauce (Koon Yick Wah Kee brand recommended)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon cold water
  • 13 pound Chinese egg noodles (or any thin, fresh pasta)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chili oil
  • The minced zest from half a lemon
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rings
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips
  • 1 cup 1/4-inch-thick slices fennel bulb
  • 4 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
  • 4 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 slim scallions, the green and the white part cut in very thin rounds
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried hot pepper flakes
  • The julienned zest from half a lemon
  • 2 teaspoons thinly sliced rings of hot fresh chili pepper, such as Fresno or Serrano (optional)
  • 2 cups 1/2-inch-thick strips of Napa cabbage
  • Fennel sprigs
  • 2 scallions, the green and the white part cut in very thin rounds

Method

  • Mix together the ingredients for the marinade in a medium-sized bowl until thoroughly combined.
  • Add the shrimp, toss so they are coated with the marinade, cover and refrigerate for 8 to 36 hours.
  • Whisk together all of the sauce ingredients, except the cornstarch and water, in a large bowl and reserve.
  • Whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and reserve.
  • Bring four cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan over high heat, then remove from the heat and add the shrimp.
  • Leave them in the hot water just until they turn pink, about 20 seconds.
  • Drain and reserve.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
  • Add the noodles and stir to separate, then cook until al dente.
  • Drain, run under cold water to cool them and drain well.
  • Toss in a large bowl with the chili oil and the minced lemon zest.
  • Reserve.
  • Heat one tablespoon of the peanut oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until nearly smoking.
  • Stir-fry the onions just until they turn golden at the edges, about one-and-a-half minutes.
  • Add the bell peppers and stir-fry until they become slightly limp, about two-and-a-half minutes.
  • Add the fennel and stir until it begins to turn limp but is still crisp, about three-and-a-half minutes.
  • Transfer the vegetables to a plate and return the skillet to the heat.
  • Add the additional oil to the skillet and, when the oil is nearly smoking, add the ginger, garlic, scallions and hot chili-pepper flakes and lower the heat to medium so they foam without browning.
  • Cook just until they release their fragrance, about 30 seconds.
  • Add the lemon zest and the hot pepper slices, stir, then add the Napa cabbage and stir-fry until it becomes glossy and is slightly cooked, about 30 seconds.
  • Add the cooked noodles and stir-fry just until they are hot, about two minutes, then add the cooked vegetables and toss until all of the ingredients are mixed.
  • Increase the heat to high and add the sauce mixture.
  • Cover and bring to a boil, then add the shrimp and toss until they are incorporated into the mixture.
  • When the mixture returns to a simmer, add the cornstarch mixture and stir, then cook just until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thickened, about one minute.
  • Transfer to a serving platter or bowl, garnish with the fennel sprigs and scallion rings and serve immediately.