Unicorn (Unicorn@Indenial.com)
Tue, 05 Jan 1999 11:33:44 -0500
Reader Lon Rombough sent us the following in response to yesterday's
recipe for escargot. I heard this joke many years ago, and wish I had
the presence of mind to include it with the recipe.
All the animals decided to have an automobile race. Each chose a car
and put some sort of identification on it. The snail painted an
enormous "S" on his car and filled in with many smaller "S"'s. The
race started and, much to the surprise of the other animals, the
snail's car was the fastest, so fast that they all exclaimed "Look at
that S car go!"
This recipe is testimony to my faith in canned products. It's a quick
and easy version of a Chinese classic, and I promise you'll love it.
Corn and Crab Soup
1 14.5 oz (411 g) can creamed corn
1 14.5 oz (411 g) can chicken stock
1 star anise* (optional)
1 tsp (5 ml) cornstarch mixed in 1/4 (60 ml) cup water
1 6 oz (170 g) can crab meat
4 Tbs (60 ml) dry sherry (optional)
Combine all ingredients except the sherry in a saucepan and heat to a
simmer, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Remove and discard the optional star anise before serving. Add a
tablespoon (15 ml) sherry to each bowl just before presentation, or
serve it in a small cruet or pitcher for the diners to add themselves.
Serves 4.
* A star-shaped, dark brown pod that contains a pea-sized seed in each
of its eight segments. Native to China, star anise comes from a small
evergreen tree. Although the flavor of its seeds is derived from
anethol (the same oil that gives anise seed its pronounced flavor),
star anise has a different heritage - the magnolia family. Its flavor
is slightly more bitter than that of regular anise seed. In Asian
cuisines, star anise is a commonly used spice and tea flavoring. It's
also widely used to flavor liqueurs and baked goods in Western
cultures. It can be found whole in Asian markets and some
supermarkets, and as a ground ingredient in Chinese five spice powder.
from THE FOOD LOVER'S COMPANION, 2nd edition, by Sharon Tyler Herbst,
Barron's Educational Services, Inc.
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