Are you having peas today?‏

Today is Gregor Johann Mendel's 189th birthday -- remember the chapter on genetics in your high school biology class?

Why you should care about Gregor Mendel

---without Mendel's contributions, Charles Darwin's theory of evolution would make no sense. So, eat your peas. The recipe below would probably be good with salmon too!

Stir-Fried Shrimp with Snow Peas and Ginger

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 cups cold water
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/3 cup chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons rice wine
• 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 6 ounces snow peas, strings removed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a large bowl, stir salt into water until dissolved. Add shrimp, and set aside 5 minutes. Rinse shrimps, and dry on paper towels.
2. In a small bowl, mix together broth, rice wine, soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar, and pepper. Set aside.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Cook shrimp, turning constantly, until pink on all sides, about 1 minute. Stir in garlic, ginger, and 2 teaspoons oil. Stir in snow peas, chives, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; stir-fry 1 minute more.
4. Stir broth mixture into skillet, and continue cooking until sauce thickens. Serve immediately.