Shrimp Genghis

DEAR SOS: I have hunted high and low for an old SOS recipe for sauteed shrimp from Genghis Cohen restaurant in Los Angeles. It had a lot of garlic and a touch of heat. It was one of our very favorite dishes.

LORNA DONALDSON

Austin, Texas

DEAR LORNA: We published this recipe in 1988.

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Send requests to Culinary SOS, Food Section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 or e-mail to: cindy.dorn@latimes.com. Please include your last name and city of residence for publication. Include restaurant address when requesting recipes from restaurants.

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Genghis Cohen’s Crackerjack Shrimp

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes, plus 30 minutes marinating

Shaoxing wine is available at Asian markets.

SHRIMP

1 tablespoon Sherry or shaoxing wine

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg white, beaten

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch, divided

1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 cups peanut oil

Combine the wine, salt, egg white, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and the vegetable oil. Add the shrimp; marinate 30 minutes.

Place the remaining cornstarch in a bowl. Add the shrimp; toss well. Place the shrimp in a colander and shake to remove any excess cornstarch.

Heat a wok over high heat then add the peanut oil. Heat to 375 degrees. Drop half the shrimp into the oil and cook until light golden, 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Cook the rest of the shrimp. Drain the oil from the wok.

ASSEMBLY

1 tablespoon ketchup

1 tablespoon chicken broth

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon Asian chile sauce

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1/2 teaspoon minced ginger root

Shrimp

2 cups shredded lettuce

Heat the wok over high heat.

Combine the ketchup, chicken broth, sugar, chile sauce, garlic and ginger and add to the wok. Bring to a boil. Add the shrimp; toss to coat.

Divide the lettuce among 6 plates and top with the shrimp.

6 servings. Each serving: 155 calories; 369 mg sodium; 111 mg cholesterol; 6 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 11 grams carbohydrates; 13 grams protein; 0.27 gram fiber.