Hot Sour Hunan Veggies

Hot and Sour Hunan Vegetables
(adapted from _China Moon Cookbook_, Workman, 1992)

1 T minced ginger
1 T minced garlic
2 T fermented black beans, coarsely chopped (Chinese)
1/4 t hot red pepper flakes
1/2 c unsalted vegetable stock
2 1/2 T soy sauce
2 T white vinegar
1/4 t sugar
3/4 pound cauliflower florets, cut into walnut sized pieces
1/2 pound peeled carrots, cut diagonally into 1/8 inch coins
1 pound slender green and golden zucchini, cut into 1/4 inch rounds
1 T cornstarch dissolved in 1 1/2 T water
4 scallions, cut diagonally into rings

Combine ginger, garlic, black beans and red pepper flakes in a small
bowl; cover and set aside. Blend stock, soy sauce, vinegar and sugar
together in a second bowl.

Bring large pot of water to a rolling boil. Fill a large bowl with
ice water. Blanch cauliflower 1 minute, then plunge into the ice
water. Repeat with remaining vegetables, letting water in the pot
return to a boil before adding a fresh batch. Blanch the carrots for
15 seconds, and the zucchini for 5 seconds. Drain the vegetables
well and place in separate bowls.

Heat a wok or large heavy skillet over high heat until hot enough to
a drop of water on contact. Add water (about 2 T) and swirl to glaze
pan. Reduce heat to moderately high, than add ginger mixture and
stir gently until fragrant, 20 to 30 seconds. Add cauliflower and
toss 2 minutes. Add carrots and toss 1 1/2 minutes, than add zucchini
and toss 30 seconds. Stir stock minxture and add to pan, stirring to
combine. Bring mixture to a simmer, then cover and cook until veggies
are crisp-tender, about 30 to 60 seconds. Stir cornstarch mixture to
blend, than add to pan and stir until sauce turns glossy and slightly
thick, 10 to 20 seconds. Serve immediately ona heated platter,
garnished with a sprinkling of scallion rings and teamed up with
noodles or rice. Serves 4 to 6.