Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fry
Ingredients
Sauce:
1 ½ sesame oil
½ tsp ginger, finely chopped
½ tsp garlic, finely chopped
175ml (6 fl oz) chicken stock
2 whole anise stars
1 ½ tsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
½ tsp salt
1 tsp Hoisin sauce
½ tsp Tabasco sauce
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp 5 spice powder
2 tsp cornflour dissolved in 1 tbsp water
Stir-fry:
1 tbsp Szechuan peppercorns
1 tbsp salt
450g (1 Ib) prawns
2 tbsp canola oil, or corn oil
2 tbsp ginger, finely chopped
1 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
175g (6 oz) onions, chopped
175g (6 oz) broccoli florets
85g (3 oz) green peppers, finely sliced
85g (3 oz) red peppers, finely sliced
85g (3 oz) yellow peppers, finely sliced
175g (6 oz) shiitake mushrooms, sliced
2 tbsp thin soy sauce
85ml (3 fl oz ) dry sherry
1 tbsp chilli paste
85g (3 oz) spring onions, cut thinly on the bias
3 tbsp Szechuan stir fry sauce
Method
For the sauce...
1. Heat the oil in a small saucepan. Add the ginger and garlic and sauté for 1 minute until softened but not browned.
2. In a bowl combine the remaining ingredients except for the corn-starch mixture. Add them to the saucepan and bring to a simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
3. Remove the star anise. Whisk in the corn-starch mixture and let boil 1-2 minutes. Taste and add more Tabasco if desired.
For the stir-fry...
1. Heat a small, dry pan and toast the peppercorns until they are fragrant. Shake the pan constantly. Remove from heat. Place the peppercorns in a spice grinder and grind.
2. Season the prawns with the peppercorns and salt and set aside. Heat the wok over high heat. When the wok is hot, add the oil.
3. Add the ginger, garlic and onions and stir fry for 1 minutes. Add the prawns, broccoli, peppers, shiitake mushrooms, soy sauce, sherry and chilli paste. Stir fry until the prawns are cooked and vegetables are al dente, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the spring onions and stir fry for 1 minute. Check seasonings and serve at once.