Hundred Corner Shrimp Balls

These little dim sum treats are so delicious and very easy to prepare. They are great hot or at room temperature and can be served with a dipping sauce of hot chili sauce or salt seasoned with a little curry powder, five spice powder or crushed Szechuan peppercorns. They can be made ahead and reheated in the oven.

Any white fleshed fish fillets can be used instead of the shrimp. The shrimp paste itself (without the bread cubes) can also be poached in water and served as dumplings in soup, or can be pan fried as little shrimp patties.

12 slices white bread
1 pound raw shrimp, shelled and cleaned
1 egg white
1 tablespoon rice wine
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon minced ginger root
1 tablespoon minced green onion
1/4 cup minced water chestnuts
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 cups peanut oil for deep frying

Remove the crusts from the bread. Dice the bread into 1/4-inch cubes. Place on a cookie sheet and dry out in a very low oven (200 degrees F/90 degrees C).

Pat the shrimp dry and mince in a food processor or blender. Blend in all the remaining ingredients except the oil.

With wet hands, shape the shrimp paste into 1-inch balls and roll in the bread cubes. Press the cubes firmly into the shrimp mixture.

Heat the oil in a wok or deep, wide pot to 375 degrees F. Cook the shrimp balls in batches until nicely browned and cooked through (this should only take 4 to 5 minutes). Drain on paper towels.

Makes approximately 36 balls.