Thursday, July 30, 2015

Beef Chow Fun

I think everyone loves beef chow fun.  We love a version at Sam Woo with beef and black bean sauce but we also like a more plain version (especially my daughter.)  I wish I had a wok to make this properly but my wok-like Calphalon does a decent job, too.  I think the hardest part is separating the rice noodles cuz they're so oily.

Thank you, Woks of Life!  My daughter loves it when I make "flat noodles!"

Beef Chow Fun
Ingredients
For the beef & marinade:
8 oz. flank steak
1/4 teaspoon baking soda (optional)
1 teaspoon corn starch
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon oil
For the rest of the dish:
12 oz. fresh flat rice noodles
3 tablespoons oil
4 scallions, split in half vertically and cut into 3-inch pieces
3 thin slices ginger
2 tablespoons shaoxing wine
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
2 tablespoons regular soy sauce
Pinch of sugar
salt and white pepper, to taste
4 to 6 ounces fresh mung bean sprouts
Combine the beef and marinade ingredients and let it marinate for about an hour. The little bit of baking soda tenderizes the meat.
Some rice noodles come as large sheets, while others are already cut. If you have the sheets, slice the rice noodles so they're about 1/2-3/4 of an inch thick.
Heat your wok over high heat until smoking, and add 1 1/2 tablespoons oil to coat the wok. Add the beef and sear until browned. As long as your wok is hot enough, the meat shouldn't stick. Set aside. Add a little more oil to the wok. Then add the ginger first to infuse the oil with its rich flavor for about 15 seconds. Add the scallions.
Spread the noodles evenly in the wok and stir-fry the whole mix on high until it is mixed evenly, about 15 seconds. Add the shaoxing wine around the rim of the wok.
Next, add the sesame oil, soy sauces, pinch of sugar, and a bit of salt and pepper to taste (taste the noodles before adding salt) along with the beef. Stir fry, making sure your spatula scrapes the bottom of the wok and you lift the ho fun in an upward motion to mix well and coat them evenly with the soy sauce.

If the noodles were cold and refrigerated when you started, you may have to toss the noodles longer to heat them through properly. If the noodles are fresh, then less time will be required. Your heat should remain as high as possible at all times. Add the bean sprouts and stir-fry until the bean sprouts are just tender. Serve!

Monday, July 27, 2015

Char Siu

This is going to sound weird, but one of my fondest road trip memories is having a carton of char siu to share with my siblings while we drove off to...I don't even know where.  I just remember the meat!  I love pork and having a good char siu recipe became a necessity when it wasn't just 10 minutes away.

I tried this with pork belly as written but I didn't love the cut.  My dad suggested pork shoulder instead and it was just right.  The pork shoulder I bought was huge so I froze some of it with the marinade.  I actually might do this in the future because it came out great and I didn't have to make the marinade a separate time.

I've made it with and without the fermented red bean curd and I think it just came out sweeter without it (besides not having the signature color.)  I might cut back on the sugar a little next time, too.

Thank you, Rasa Malaysia!  My Chinese food repertoire is more complete now.



Ingredients:
1 lb (450 g) skinless pork belly, cut into 2 long strips
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
Char Siu Sauce:
2 pieces Chinese fermented red bean curd 1 tablespoon maltose
1 tablespoon Chinese Shaoxing wine
1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 teaspoon dark and thick soy sauce
1 teaspoon five-spice powder
1/4 teaspoon white pepper powder
3 1/2 oz (100 g) sugar, or 8 1/2 tablespoons
Method:
1. Get a big bowl, mix all the Char Siu Sauce ingredients, add the garlic and pork belly and marinate overnight in the fridge.
2. The next day, heat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3. Place the pork belly on a wire rack and bake for 15 minutes.
4. Removed from oven and turn the pork belly over, brush the remaining char siu sauce over and place the pork belly back in the oven for another 15 minutes or until cooked. The char siu will look dark in color, it’s normal.
5. Slice the char siu into thin and bite-size pieces, serve immediately with steamed white rice.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Cream biscuits

I had a container of heavy cream and was looking for something to use it up.  I decided on biscuits because carbs=love in this house.

I've become a Serious Eat junkie and found this recipe because it looked easy.  The biscuits were so soft and were great even two days after.  I used it first for chicken stew and then last night for peach shortcakes (with the whipped cream).

Thanks, Marissa Sertich Velie!

Light and Tender Cream Biscuits

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Procedures

  1. 1
    In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
  2. 2
    Add heavy cream and stir gently with a wooden spoon until dry ingredients are just moistened.
  3. 3
    Turn out dough onto a lighted floured work surface. Using your hands, fold it one or two times so it becomes a cohesive mass and press it down to an even ½-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch round cookie-cutter, cut out biscuits as closely together as possible. Gather together scraps, pat down, and cut out more biscuits. Discard any remaining scraps.
  4. 4
    Bake the biscuits in a 400°F oven until risen and golden, about 12-15 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve warm.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Biscoff (Cookie Butter) granola

I was kinda iffy on yogurt growing up until I realized that it became infinitely better when you added granola to it.  Store-bought granola can either be really delicious or really gross and lately the really delicious brand has been pretty expensive.  I decided to make my own, and I might not ever go back. 

The best part?  Being able to add whatever I want.  I've been getting ingredients from the bulk food section so it doesn't cost a fortune.

I forgot why I looked for a cookie butter granola recipe but I don't regret it.  This version is super easy and totally addictive.  

Thanks, Rachel Gurk!  I love this granola.  I should make some tonight.


INGREDIENTS:
  • 1/2 cup Biscoff spread (creamy, not crunchy)
  • 1 tablespoon oil (I used coconut)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 cups thick cut rolled oats (I used quick oats instead)
  • 1 cup sliced raw almonds
  • 3 tablespoons ground flax 
  • pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat baking mat.
  2. Add Biscoff spread and oil to a small bowl and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds on 50% power or until melty. Stir in honey.
  3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine cinnamon, oats, almonds, ground flax (or wheat germ), and salt. Pour Biscoff mixture over the oat mixture and stir until well combined and all dry ingredients are coated. Spread onto prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 15 minutes, stir, and continue baking for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely before storing in airtight container.