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since 10/3/2005.


VIETNAMESE RECIPIES \| VIETNAMESE SAUCES
17 - Asparagus and Crab Meat Soup
Ingredients
4 cups chicken broth 3 tsp of nuoc mam (Vietnamese fish sauce) 1/2 tsp sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1 tbs vegetable oil 6 shallots - chopped 2 garlic cloves - chopped 8 ounces lump crab meat - Picked over and drained Freshly ground black pepper 2 tbs cornstarch or arrowroot - mixed with 2 tbs cold water 1 egg - lightly beaten 15 oz white asparagus spears 1 tbs shredded coriander 1 scallion - thinly sliced Cut into 1 inch sections with canning liquid reserved
DIRECTIONS: Combine broth, 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce, sugar and salt in a 3-quart soup pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer. Heat the oil in a skillet and the shallots and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. Add the crabmeat, the remaining 2 teaspoons fish sauce and black pepper to taste. Stir-fry over high heat for about 1 minute then set aside Bring the soup to a boil. Add the cornstarch mixture and stir gently until the soup thickens and is clear. While the soup is boiling, add the egg and stir gently, continue to stir for about 1 minute. Add the crabmeat mixture and asparagus with its canning liquid and cook gently until heated through. Transfer the soup to a heated tureen. Sprinkle on the coriander, scallion and freshly ground black pepper. Makes about 4 to 6 servings.