Archive for January, 2008
Bean Curd with Mushrooms
Ingredients:
1 large cucumber
1 tsp salt
8 oz smoked bean curd
2 tbsp vegetable oil
3/4 cup snow peas
10-12 baby corn ears
1 celery stalk, sliced diagonally
15oz can straw mushrooms
2 scallions
1/2 inch ginger root
1 tbsp ellow bean sauce
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp dry sherry
I didn’t have the sherry, ran out of soy sauce and didn’t have the straw mushrooms. I used red onions instead of scallions and didn’t have the yellow bean sauce. It really needed some kind of “binding agent”. The ginger was fantastic, though; had never cooked with raw ginger root before. I need to learn how to prep cucumber in order to remove the seeds better. Served over jasmine rice.
2 out of 4 spoons.
Add comment January 31, 2008
Bruschetta
Ingredients:
Loaf of fresh bread, sliced
Kalamata olives, diced
1 Red onion
1 clove of garlic
2 tomatoes, peeled
Smoked mozzerella
This turned out to be a good improvised appetizer. We had it with ravioli with vodka sauce and fresh basil leaves. Delicious!
3 out of 4 spoons.
Add comment January 30, 2008
Butternut Squash Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
2 lb butternut squash, peeled
3 tbsp peanut oil
1 onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tbsps chopped fresh cilantro
generous 1/3 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup water
2/3 cut salted cashew nuts
lime zest
I used a banana squash instead of a butternut squash. I used olive oil instead of peanut oil. This turned out suprisingly well. I need a wok, though; my biggest frying pan wasn’t big enough to accommodate all of the ingredients. The lime zest really makes this dish. Also, the cashews are a nice texture with the squash. This is great over rice.
3 out of 4 spoons.
Add comment January 29, 2008
Saffron Noodle Soup
Ingredients:
5 cups of vegetable bouillion
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp saffron threads
4 scallions, sliced into rings
2 zucchini, cut into batons
2 large tomatoes, skinned and chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
4 oz rice noodles
ground black pepper
I used Chinese wheat noodles instead of rice noodles. This dish is insanely delicious! Must be the saffron. That stuff is crazy. It comes in tiny vials like crack cocaine and it’s quite expensive but oh so good.
4 out of 4 spoons
Add comment January 28, 2008
Avocado Margherita
Ingredients:
1 small red onion
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tbsp olive oil
2 small tomatoes
2 avocados, halved and pitted
4 fresh basil leaves, torn
1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper
This is the first recipe I cooked. It’s a snap to prepare since it is cooked in the microwave. I didn’t peel the tomatoes because I didn’t yet know how to peel tomatoes. Also, I didn’t crush the garlic because I didn’t have a garlic press. This makes a great appetizer. I used smoked mozzarella and it really makes the dish. Not too bad of a way to begin this adventure.
2 out of 4 spoons
Add comment January 28, 2008
