Light Bites Recipes - Asparagus with Crab Meat Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

• 450g/1lb asparagus sports, trimmed

• 4 thin slices of peeled fresh root ginger

• 15ml/1 tbsp vegetable oil

• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 115g/4oz cup fresh or thawed frozen white crab meat

• 5ml/1 tsp sake or dry sherry

• 150ml/2/3 cup semi skimmed (low-fat) milk

• 15ml/1 tbsp corn flour (cornstarch)

• 45ml/3 tbsp cold water

• salt and ground white pepper

• 1 spring onion (scallion), thinly shredded, to garnish

Serves 4

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Method:

1. Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil. Poach the asparagus for about 5 minutes until just crisp-tender. Drain well and keep hot in a shallow serving dish.

2. Bruise the slices of ginger with a rolling pin. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pa or wok.

3. Add the ginger and garlic for 1 minute and cook to release their flavor, then lift them out with a slotted spoon and discard them.

4. Add the crab meat to the flavored oil and toss to mix. Drizzle over the sake or sherry, then pour in the milk. Cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, put the corn flour in a small bowl with the water and mix to a smooth paste.

6. Add the corn flour paste to the pan, stirring constantly, then cook the mixture, continuing to stir, until it forms a thick and creamy sauce.

7. Season to taste with salt and peppers, spoon over the asparagus, garnish with shreds of spring onion and serve.