Metropolitan Gardening

R emember the article about the instant spring window box ? Well today was the day to pick the first fruits from the window and mix them into a stir fry. Two very happy hot peppers came indoors and we washed them well. It's amazing eating your own fresh produce from the window. A neighbor chatted with us about their flower box up above and we discussed the garden next door.

Ingredients : 1/4 cup Sesame Oil 2 lbs Fresh Shrimp 1lb Sugar Snap Peas 2 table spoons Sichuan Peppercorns 2 table spoons Grains of Paradise 1/4 cup Pickled Ginger 1/4 Chopped Roasted Garlic Dash Soy Sauce 5 cups Water Be careful but make sure the wok is sizzling hot! Utensils: Large Wok Wooden Spoon Measuring Cups 2 Bowls large enough  for Shrimp and Sugar Snap Peas 1 small bowl for grated peppercorn mixture Large Boiling Pot Strainer Pepper Mill Sissors Put the pepper corns and the grains of paradise into the pepper mill. Grate the mixture into a small bowl.  Put water in pot to boil.  Wash and remove the shells from the shrimp wash shrimp again and place them in the large pot of water reduce to simmer until they turn pink (2 minutes). Remove from heat, Strain the shrimp from the water put them in a bowl. Set aside. Wash the Peas and snip the ends from the sugar snap peas with the scissors. Set aside.