Ginger Shrimp, Sugar Snap Pea, and Corn Stir-Fry

Sugar snap peas are one of the things I most eagerly anticipate appearing at the farmers' market. Left to my own devices, I could probably eat a half-pound of fresh peas in one sitting, but they quite often make into stir-fries like this one. Shrimp is indelibly associated with sugar snap peas in my mind, needing only a generous sprinkling of red peppers and corn to complete this delicious and visually impressive meal. Healthy of portions of fresh and crunchy vegetables happily mingle with tender shrimp on a bed of rice (or noodles) in a subtly spicy sauce in this perfect summer meal. This stir-fry isn't particularly adventurous or unusual, but it is a wonderful collection of classic flavors that subtly accents the featured ingredients, letting them shine in the best possible light. In a move a bit off the beaten path, I served my stir-fry with wild rice (actually a grass) instead of my usual brown, a substitution I found immensely satisfying. Even more flavorful and texturally interesting than white or brown rice (though also more expensive), wild rice is a more complex accompaniment to stir-fry that I heartily recommend trying. Although there are surely many more stir-fry recipes to come as I impulsively buy vegetables at the farmers' market, I hope you enjoy this classic stir-fry to kick off a summer of bountiful produce.

Ginger Shrimp, Sugar Snap Pea, and Corn Stir-Fry
from Bon Appetit, via Epicurious
serves 4

1 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined
2 tablespoons canola oil
3 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 pound sugar snap peas, strings removed
1 cup fresh corn kernels (cut from about 2 ears)
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
3 green onions, thinly sliced on diagonal
2 teaspoons black or white sesame seeds (optional)

1. Mix shrimp, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger, half of garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and crushed red pepper in medium bowl. Let stand 1 hour.

2. Heat wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add shrimp mixture; sauté until shrimp are just opaque in center, about 2 minutes. Transfer shrimp to bowl. Add 1 tablespoon oil to wok, then add sugar snap peas, corn, bell pepper, green onions, 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger, and remaining garlic. Stir-fry until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Return shrimp and any accumulated juices from bowl to wok; stir-fry 1 minute longer. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.