Taiwanese cooking

Asparagus and Shrimp soup Asparagus Shrimp Soup Of Taiwan Asparagus Shrimp Soup is a Taiwanese specialty. Taiwan is a small island and there is no way the Taiwanese could have enough beef and pork to meet their needs. The Taiwanese for centuries have been looking to the sea for its protein. Asparagus Shrimp soup is fantastic! It is healthy! It is delicious! The sea provides a steady and fresh supply of tuna, grouper, sardines, shrimp, anchovies, squid, cuttlefish and more. The Taiwanese fisherman go out daily and return with fresh seafood for the markets and restaurants. What a delight it is, to see your seafood alive until it is time to cook. Many dishes are prepared right at your table. Hot pot is one of those dishes. Everything in Taiwan is fresh! It is amazing! Asparagus Shrimp Soup is absolutely delicious. I love soups, so I often experiment and change-up things. You can make it with all vegetables! No Shrimp, no problem, just add Sardines or Salmon. It is good to make it the traditional way the first time. The options are many! No matter what fish you add, it will be delicious. It is extremely nutritious! It is fresh...straight from the sea. For those of you who want to try a little healthy Taiwanese cooking, I have included a simple recipe to get you started. Asparagus Shrimp Soup is easy to make. It will get your creativity going. It never hurts to delve into the cruise of the country you hope to visit. This recipe comes to us by the Food Network. Enjoy the soup! Asparagus Shrimp Soup Recipe Courtesy of �Michelle Urvater Total Time: 40 min Cook: 40 min Yield:4 servings Level:Easy Ingredients 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 tablespoons minced shallots 6 cups water Bouquet garni including: the stems and roots of a bunch of cilantro, bay leaf, smashed peeled garlic clove, 2 red chili peppers 1 pound asparagus, peeled, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch rounds 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 cup canned straw mushrooms or fresh enoki mushrooms or sliced domestic mushroom caps 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1/2 cup (packed) cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped Salt and crushed red pepper Directions Heat the oil and add the shallots and saute. Add the water, bouquet garni and bring to a boil and simmer, covered for 10 minutes. Add the asparagus and simmer 5 minutes or until tender; add the shrimp and simmer just until the shrimp turn pink. Add the mushrooms, and simmer to heat through (if too much liquid has evaporated, add more to keep level constant). Remove the soup from the heat, remove the bouquet garni and stir in the lime juice to taste and cilantro. Adjust seasoning with salt and crushed red pepper. Recipe Courtesy of �Michelle Urvater Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/asian-shrimp-and-asparagus-soup-recipe.print.html?oclinkback Now, that you have tried your hand at a little Asian cooking, you can add other things. It is quick! It is easy! Now, you are ready to make it your own. Asparagus Shrimp Soup is just the beginning of what you will see in Taiwan. The soups are endless! The variety is unlimited! There seems to be no limit to the vegetables and fruits that grow on the island. They are abundant! They are fresh! It is easy to have a salad with every meal. You will love the freshness of everything. Nothing was prepared yesterday! Make this the year you discover Taiwan. For added tourist information, see our website at: exploretraveler.com