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1
Soak sticky rice in 4 cups (1 L) water for 6 to 8 hours.
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2
Prepare two simple dipping sauces: In a small saucer, combine rice vinegar and ginger julienne; in another saucer, stir together chilies, soya sauce, lemon juice and garlic.
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3
Set sauces aside.
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4
Cover mushrooms in cold water and soak 10 minutes or until soft.
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5
Drain, discarding liquid.
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6
Remove and discard stems; quarter mushroom caps and set aside.
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7
Soak dried shrimp in cold water to cover for 10 minutes; drain and set aside.
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8
In a saucepan heat oil over medium-high heat; cook shallots until golden.
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9
Strain, reserving oil; set shallots aside.
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10
In 2 tbsp (25 ml) of the shallot oil cook dried shrimp and ginger over medium-high heat for 30 seconds; stir in mushrooms and cook until browned.
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11
Stir in wine; cook until liquid evaporates.
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12
Set aside.
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13
Cut legs off shrimp with scissors but keep shells on; devein.
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14
Rinse clams or rinse and debeard the mussels.
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15
Cut the squid tubes into rings and separate the tentacles into 2 or 3 sections.
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16
(Or cut in the Chinese fashion: Cut open the tubes, lay them on the board exterior-side down and score a close crisscross pattern into, but not completely through, the interior flesh; cut diagonally into strips.)
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17
Drain rice; in a shallow casserole dish, carefully mix rice with shallots, mushroom mixture, stock, green onions and salt without browning the rice kernels.
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18
Bring to a simmer on the stove, cover well and place in preheated 350 F (180 C) oven.
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19
Cook 30 minutes
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20
Meanwhile, prepare lobster or crab.
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21
For lobster: pull off claws, divide into 2 sections and crack shells lightly with side of knife; cut tail from body and divide horizontally into 3 sections or split lengthwise; divide body lengthwise into 2 pieces (carefully preserving the tamale and roe).
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22
For crab: Remove claws and crack; lift off flap from bottom shell and discard; with a knife or cleaver, carefully pry off the back shell from the body and retain shell with any roe; divide the body in half lengthwise through the middle (discarding the white heart and innards between the two halves), remove the lungs from the outside of each half and cut each half into 2 pieces (2 legs each).
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23
After rice has cooked 30 minutes, put lobster or crab on top of rice; cover and cook 12 minutes longer.
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24
Add shrimp and clams or mussels; cover and cook 5 minutes.
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25
Add squid; cover and cook 5 minutes longer.
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26
Serve with dipping sauces on the side.
