This is the week to celebrate Chinese New Year, which fell on Jan. 29. Shrimp Fried Rice and Chinese Almond Cookies are among the dishes many people like to serve during those celebrations.
Those dishes are so tasty you might want to make them yourself at home in your own kitchen. This fried rice recipe makes a great seafood dish your family is sure to enjoy. The cookies are also delicious and make a sweet dessert or snack any time of year.
SHRIMP FRIED RICE
2 eggs
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 green onions and tops, chopped
3 cups cold, cooked rice
12 ounces cooked shrimp, chopped
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
Beat eggs with water, just to blend; set aside.
Heat oil in hot wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add green onions and stir-fry 30 seconds. Add eggs and scramble.
Stir in rice and cook until heated, gently separating grains. Add shrimp, soy sauce and garlic salt. Cook and stir until heated through. Serve immediately. Makes 6 servings.
CHINESE ALMOND COOKIES
1 cup vegetable shortening, plus 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With an electric mixer, beat the shortening together with the sugar in a mixing bowl until creamy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and almond extract
In another bowl, sift flour, baking soda and salt. Stir the flour mixture into the sugar-shortening mixture and mix well.
Scoop up a scant tablespoon of dough with a spoon and form into a walnut-sized ball. Place the ball onto an ungreased cookie sheet and press the ball slightly with your thumb to create a flat spot on top, but don’t flatten the cookie.
Bake in the preheated oven until slightly browned, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool on a rack. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.
Brotherton offers website readers one stellar recipe a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature. Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email me at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and I’ll see if I have it.
