* 3/4 pound fresh asparagus * 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil * 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots (about 2 shallots the
size of
golf balls) * 2 cloves garlic, minced * 1/2 teaspoon salt * 1/4 teaspoon pepper * 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock * 1 teaspoon cornstarch * 2 Tablespoons water * 2 teaspoons fish sauce * 1 egg, well beaten * 8 ounces cooked crab meat * several
green onions, thinly sliced