One Year Blog Anniversary with Coriander Root & Garlic Shrimps

February 12, 2011




I believe that most people probably say the same thing on their one year blog anniversary that they can't believe it's already here. Yes, I am one of them too! Time goes by quickly. I have learned many things through out the creation of this blog and can't wait to learn more things in the coming years. This blog also lead me to the great opportunity that I'm about to tell you below, so keep reading...

At first, I wasn't sure whether I would be back in time for my blog anniversary(Oops, I couldn't remember the exact date of my first post! Only knew that it was sometimes close to the Valentine's Day, but now I know!). The past couple weeks, I have been pretty busy. I was away for my Hong Kong & Beijing trip with my family for two weeks as you know and just got back on Tuesday night. Yes, I still need to post interesting pictures from the trips. Please wait!

Right after got back, I finally started my first real job that I have been dreaming for! (Yes, it is the great opportunity that I'm talking about.) I'm so exciting about it! I got a job at a food magazine in Bangkok, working as a foodstylist and luckily I will do some writing too. I still can't believe that I got a job in this field. Thank you for my editor, who has given this great opportunity to me and believe that I can do well in this field. Now, I know that if you want something badly and have great passion for it, just work really really hard and you will have what you have been waiting for. I know I'm still new to this, but I will do my very best and will work very hard on it.

Last but not least, I'm ending this with this lovely Coriander Root & Garlic Shrimps recipe. Coriander Root is one of the important ingredients in Thai cuisine. It gives lovely strong fragrant and flavour. I'm not sure whether it's hard to find elsewhere outside Thailand, but if you happen to find the coriander roots at your Asian grocery store, please don't forget to buy them and try this recipe. Or, if you happen to have coriander in your garden, please go to your garden and try this. I believe that if you are already a fan of garlic shrimps, you will love this one. Enjoy!

One year ago: Chocolate Spice Bread
Coriander Root & Garlic Shrimps
(for 1-2 servings)

6 large shrimps ( shell on, slit the back of the shrimp and deveined)
2-3 cloves garlic
2 coriander roots
2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp chopped finely red chili
1 tbsp green onion, chopped
1 tbsp Chinese rice wine
1 tbsp soy sauce
1-2 tbsp canola oil
2-3 tbsp of water, more if needed

To make coriander and garlic paste:
Smash the garlic, the coriander roots, black pepper and salt together in a mortar and pestle until all crushed up and incorporated into a paste. Divided the paste in halves. Marinate the shrimps with half of the coriander-garlic paste for 2-3 hours or overnight. Set aside the remaining in a small bowl, covered.

Note: if you don't have a mortar and pestle, you can use a mini-food processor to make the coriander and garlic paste.

To cook:
Heat up a wok with oil over a medium-high heat. Lightly saute the remaining coriander-garlic paste until aromatic. Add shrimp into the wok and stir well with the coriander-garlic paste. When the shrimps are slightly pink, add in Chinese rice wine, soy sauce and a little bit of water. Cover the wok with its lid. Allow it to cook and steam for 1-2 minutes or until the shrimp completely cooked. Add in chopped green onion and red chili. Stir well. Transfer on to a serving plate and serve immediately.

Note: It's best serving with a bowl of rice and maybe with some vegetable stir-fry. Easy idea for your weekday dinner. Or, you can have this by itself for a cocktail dinner party.