While much of the fare you commonly find on Asian American menus is heavy in sugar, fat, or calories, this lovely dish is an exception. In this easy 20-minute classic Chinese recipe fresh snow peas, juicy shrimp and crunchy water chestnuts are lightly coated in a velvety sauce infused with a hint of garlic and a pop of fresh ginger.
If you prefer, you can also make it with chicken. Simply slice 1-pound of skinless chicken breast into very thin slices across the grain and substitute it for the shrimp.
Pair it with 3/4 cup of brown rice and sit down to delicious Asian meal for under 350 calories.
MAKES 4 SERVINGS
1 pound peeled shrimp, (26 to 30 count)
(Or 1 pound very thinly sliced raw skinless chicken breast)
1 tablespoon sherry
¼ teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 tablespoon minced (or jarred) ginger
1 teaspoon minced garlic
8 ounces snow peas
1 8-ounce can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1. In a large bowl, toss the shrimp (or chicken) with sherry and salt. Add 2 teaspoons cornstarch, toss to coat. Let stand 5 minutes. In a small bowl combine 1/3 cup of water, soy sauce, sugar and remaining 1 teaspoon cornstarch. Set aside. Remove the strings from the snow peas, if desired.
2. Heat oil in large non-stick skillet or wok over high heat. Add the shrimp (or chicken), spread them into a single layer, and cook for 30 seconds, or until the bottoms start to turn pink. Using a spatula, stir-fry for 1 minute. Add ginger and garlic, toss well, then add the snow peas. Add the soy sauce mixture to the wok or skillet and cover for one minute.
3. Uncover, add the water chestnuts and sesame oil, and continue to stir-fry and toss until the snow peas are tender and everything is coated evenly with the sauce.
NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING (1 cup): Calories 170 | Carbohydrate 9g (Sugars 3g) | Total Fat 4g (Sat Fat 0g) | Protein 23g | Fiber 4 g | Sodium 440mg | Food Exchanges: 3 Lean Meat, 1 ½ Vegetable, ½ Fat | Carbohydrate Choices: 1/2 | Weight Watcher Freestyle Smart Point Comparison: 1
