1 sm. or med. egg white
1 tbsp. vodka or gin
1 tbsp. cilantro stems, minced
1 tbsp. scallion, minced (white)
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. minced ginger, peeled
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 med. shrimp, peeled, deveined & minced
1/4 c. lump crabmeat, minced
1/2 c. water chestnuts, minced
1/2 lb. thin won-ton wrappers (about 30)
1/4 c. red bell pepper, minced
1/4 c. cilantro leaves, minced
Red Pepper Sauce (recipe follows)

In medium sized mixing bowl, beat egg white until frothy. Add vodka or gin, cilantro stems, scallion, oil, ginger, salt and pepper and mix well. Stir in shrimp, crabmeat and water chestnuts. Using a 3 inch round cookie cutter, cut won-ton wrappers into circles. Place two teaspoons of the filling in the center of a wrapper and wrap the dough up and around the filling, leaving the top surface of the filling exposed. It should resemble a small pouch. Top with 1/4 teaspoon each of minced cilantro and red pepper. Repeat for the remaining dumplings. Place the dumplings in a steamer basket in batches if necessary. Cover and steam for 10 minutes, or until heated through. Spoon a little Red Pepper Sauce onto each plate and place dumplings on top. Makes 30 dumplings.

RED PEPPER SAUCE:

1 tsp. soy or vegetable oil
1 lg. red bell pepper, seeded & coarsely chopped
1/2 c. defatted chicken stock
1/2 tsp. salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste

In medium sized saucepan, heat oil over low heat. Add peppers, cover and cook, stirring frequently, for 25 to 30 minutes, or until very tender. Add stock. Heat until steaming. In a food processor or blender, puree the peppers until smooth. Strain through a fine meshed sieve and return to the saucepan over through a fine meshed sieve and return to the saucepan over low heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and heat until steaming. Recipe can be made ahead and held in refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat over low heat before serving.

This is a marvelous sauce, I sometimes use it over grilled meat or grilled fish. I have a friend in Florida, and he just goes wild over Dim sum. Whenever I make them I make sure to give him a doggie bag.