I have been baking and cooking with Dorie for a LONG time. It isn’t often I come across a recipe I really DON’T like. I did this week.
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shrimp and cellophane noodles
I have to agree with many of the members of FFwD. This was not a keeper. I found it to be rather tasteless even after I doubled the 5 Spice. It improved somewhat, but not enough to make it again. Ingredients were pretty basic – Sesame Oil, shrimp, onions, 5 spice, garlic. It was the tomato puree that really messed me up. It just didn’t seem to belong there. Several members either deleted or cut back on the puree and said it wasn’t bad. Wish I had followed their lead.
I would rather use my shrimp in something else – like an etouffee or creole.
Sorry Dorie.
You can read the other members’ comments by visiting 
The recipe is on page 322 of around my french table.
January 25, 2013 at 10:01 PM
I didn’t like it either. Part of the problem was that the seasonings were lost in the final dish, drowned by tomato puree? Oh well, no one (not even Dorie) can be perfect all the time. Have a great weekend.
January 26, 2013 at 1:17 AM
Well, that tomato puree was a problem, but this recipe as a whole was not up to Dorie standards. Yours looks better than most by putting a shrimp dish on top of noodles that did not gob up from over cooking and over saucing. At least yours looks edible…so I say, good job and we hope next week’s recipe is much tastier!
January 26, 2013 at 7:02 AM
LOL well you tried it! even if it wasnt fantastic – now you have great shrimp for another meal!
January 26, 2013 at 11:44 AM
I am thinking that there must have been a misprint in the recipe or something. It is so rare that so many of us ended up not liking one of her recipes! I haven’t made my notes in the book yet, but I want to make sure if I forget and make it again that I won’t use the puree.
January 26, 2013 at 1:21 PM
Yes. It’s a shame. I really wonder what the original dish that entranced Dorie was like. I suppose we’ll never know. The only good thing is that most of us agree this recipe was not a “keeper.” Enjoy your weekend!
January 26, 2013 at 1:41 PM
Although you did not really care for the way the final Shrimp & Cellophane Noodles tasted, your dish does look very pretty and appetizing the way you presented it! Too bad it did not really live up to most of the Doristas expectations but there are many more delicious recipes coming up and I am really looking forward to them!
Have a wonderful weekend!
January 26, 2013 at 7:10 PM
It wasn’t the greatest recipe but at least we all tried it. Next week’s
veggie recipe sounds quite interesting and I’m looking forward to making
it. Have a great weekend.
January 26, 2013 at 9:24 PM
Yep the seasonings were way too light on for that amount of tomato sauce. Oh well, live and learn, right? Onwards and upwards to Brussels sprouts and Squash!
January 27, 2013 at 1:58 AM
The P&Q section saved me this week – after reading about others’ reactions, I changed the recipe a bit and left out the tomato. This one may go down as the least favourite recipe of the group!
January 27, 2013 at 2:25 PM
You are not alone! Oh well, at least it was a learning experience
January 27, 2013 at 7:53 PM
This one didn’t make my “favorites” list either. It’s rare to come across a recipe that just doesn’t work and this was certainly one of them! Next weeks will be much better!
January 28, 2013 at 6:16 PM
so sad to make a dish from our favorite AMFT and not like it ;-( Oh well, there is always next week!
January 29, 2013 at 6:11 AM
Instead of tomato puree, light soy sauce and oyster sauce would work. Really.
January 29, 2013 at 9:06 AM
Hi, Terri. Yes, that would be much better than the puree. And much more asian in flavor. Thanks!
January 29, 2013 at 9:04 PM
Wow this looks fantastic.