Instructions: PREPARATION: Rinse the dried shrimp. Soak for 1 hour in 2 tablespoons sherry. Rinse mushrooms, cover with warm water, and soak for 30-60 minutes or until soft. Cut off stems and leave whole. Save stock. Triangle-cut peppers. Mince garlic. Prepare seasoning sauce: blend together the hot sauce, soy sauces, vinegar, sugar, 1 tablespoons sherry in which dried shrimp was soaked.

Trim off ends of aubergine and discard. Cut the aubergine into eighths lengthwise. Cut the slices into 1 1/2 to 2 inch cubes. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt and place on cookie sheet, with paper towels and chopping block in top. Let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse, drain, and dry aubergine slices well. Mince dried shrimp.

COOKING PROCEDURE: Place wok over high flame for 30 seconds. Add 3 tablespoons of oil, and heat for 20 seconds or until oil is very hot but not smoking. Ass aubergine cubes; stir and press lightly to aid browning.

Cook over a medium flame till lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add drained and minced shrimp and continue to stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add garlic. Add mushrooms and peppers. Stir-fry until tender, about 1-2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup stock. Cook, stirring about 5 second. Add seasoning sauce. Cook over medium heat, stir-frying about 3-5 minutes, or until juices have thickened.

Empty contents of wok into a serving dish. Serve hot, warm or cold.

TIMING:
This recipe can be kept warm if necessary, uncovered, in a preheated 225* oven for 5-7 minutes. Aubergine in Garlic Sauce makes an excellent appetizer served cold or hot. It will keep, if refrigerated, for 5 days.

SUBSTITUTIONS: If dried shrimp is not available, omit and follow recipe as indicated. For the aubergine you can substitute zucchini. Roll-oblique-cut zucchini and cook for only 1 minute instead of 5 in the first step.

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