Shrimp Potstickers
Shrimp Potstickers
Makes about 30
2 tablespoons cilantro leaves
1/2 pound large shrimp, shelled and deveined
1 large egg white
1 1/2 teaspoons chile oil, or 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil mixed with a pinch of cayenne
1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 medium carrot, grated
3/4 cup finely chopped (about 2 ounces) Napa cabbage
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
2 small scallions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced (about 1 small) shallot
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 package 3-inch round Chinese dumpling wrappers, available at large supermarkets
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon rice-wine vinegar
1 scallion, sliced
Finely chop 1 tablespoon cilantro leaves. Set aside. Coarsely chop half of the shrimp by hand, and set aside. In the bowl of a food processor, combine remaining shrimp, egg white, chile oil, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Puree into a smooth paste. Transfer to a medium bowl, add chopped cilantro, reserved chopped shrimp, carrot, cabbage, ginger, scallions, shallots, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
Place 1 teaspoon of filling toward the front of a dumpling wrapper. There are two methods of sealing dumplings. Pleating one edge of the wrapper gives the dumpling its distinctive curved shape and allows it to stand upright in the pan. Do this by moistening edges with water using your finger. Bring two edges together, forming a taco shape, and pinch edges together only in the top center to seal. Pinch six small pleats (three on either side of the sealed center point) along one thickness only of the wrapper. Seal dumpling by pressing pleated and unpleated edges tightly together, enclosing filling. Alternatively, moisten wrapper edges with water, fold in half into a crescent shape around the filling, and pinch edges tightly closed. While forming dumplings, keep remaining wrappers covered with plastic wrap. Place filled dumplings on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and cover with plastic wrap.
In a small serving bowl, whisk together ingredients for dipping sauce.
Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a well-seasoned 11-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Arrange half of the dumplings tightly together in heated skillet, and cook until deep golden brown, shaking the pan one or two times, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1 cup hot water, partially cover, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, and cook until the bottoms of the dumplings are very crisp and all the water has evaporated, about 4 to 5 more minutes. Slide a spatula under dumplings to loosen them from the pan. Serve this batch of dumplings immediately or place them on a baking sheet, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and keep warm in a low oven. Wash skillet, and repeat process with remaining dumplings. Transfer to a plate, garnish with remaining cilantro leaves, and serve with dipping sauce.
Shrimp Shau Mai
Shrimp Shau Mai
Makes about 20
1/3 cup chopped canned water chestnuts
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1/2 pound shelled and deveined shrimp, chopped
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 tablespoon sherry wine
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 to 2 teaspoons sugar, optional
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 package wonton wrappers
Shau Mai Dipping Sauce (recipe follows)
In a large bowl, mix together water chestnuts, scallions, shrimp, sesame oil, peanut oil, sherry wine, cornstarch, sugar, if desired, salt, and pepper. Using a knife, trim the edges of each wonton wrapper to form a round. Place 1 tablespoon filling in the center of each wrapper; moisten edges with water. Cup your hand around wrapper, gathering folds up and around the filling. Press gathered folds lightly around filling to adhere.
Fill a large skillet or wok with 2 cups water; bring to a boil. Set a bamboo steamer into skillet and line with a damp piece of cheesecloth or a piece of parchment paper. Place shau mai in steamer about 1-inch apart. Cover and cook until filling is cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve immediately with dipping sauce.
Shau Mai Dipping Sauce
Makes enough for 20 shau mai
1/3 cup unseasoned rice-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons freshly grated and peeled ginger
Mix together vinegar and ginger in a small bowl.
Mussels in Parsley Vinaigrette
Mussels in Parsley Vinaigrette
Serves 4 to 8
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots, plus 1 tablespoon finely chopped (about 3 total)
1/2 cup dry white wine
3 pounds mussels, (about 100 small), scrubbed and debearded
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus leaves for garnish
Lettuce leaves, for serving (optional)
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced shallots; cook, stirring, until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add wine; bring to a boil. Add mussels; cover and cook, stirring once, until mussels open, about 3 minutes. (Discard unopened shells.) Remove mussels with a slotted spoon; discard cooking liquid. Chill mussels in a bowl in the refrigerator, about 1 hour.
Whisk together mustard, chopped shallots, and vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Pour in remaining 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking until emulsified. Whisk in parsley. Vinaigrette can be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Toss chilled mussels with 1/2 cup vinaigrette. If desired, serve on the half shell on a bed of lettuce. Garnish with parsley. Drizzle with more vinaigrette, if desired.
Hot and Sour Soup
Hot and Sour Soup
Serves 8
8 cups chicken stock, or canned low-sodium chicken broth, skimmed of fat
1 ten-ounce whole boneless and skinless chicken breast
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced 1/4 inch thick
2 carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 1/2 teaspoons grated ginger
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
6 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar
1 large whole egg, plus 1 large egg white, beaten
3 large scallions, trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
6 ounces firm or extra-firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
In a small saucepan, bring 3 cups chicken stock to a boil. Add chicken breast; poach until cooked through, about 12 minutes. Transfer chicken to a cutting board; slice in half crosswise, then into 1/4-inch-thick strips. Set aside. Pass stock through a cheesecloth-lined sieve set over a medium bowl; set aside.
In a 6-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic and onion, and cover. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Add mushrooms, and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add reserved and remaining chicken stock, carrots, ginger, black pepper, cayenne, and salt; bring liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer until carrots are tender, about 3 minutes.
Place cornstarch in a small bowl, and slowly whisk in soy sauce until cornstarch has dissolved. Whisk in vinegar. Slowly whisk cornstarch mixture into soup. Simmer until soup is clear, 5 to 7 minutes. Add reserved chicken, and continue simmering until chicken is heated through, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Slowly pour beaten eggs through a perforated spoon into soup. Cover soup, and let stand 1 minute. Remove the cover, and gently stir. Add scallions and tofu. To serve, ladle into individual bowls.
Tuna Burgers with Wasabi Mayonnaise
Tuna Burgers with Wasabi Mayonnaise
Makes 6 burgers
1 tablespoon unseasoned rice-wine vinegar
Pinch of sugar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound sushi-grade tuna, very finely chopped
2 scallions, white and light green parts only, trimmed and minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Canola oil, for cooking
1/2 bunch arugula
Wasabi Mayonnaise (recipe follows)
Place vinegar and sugar in small bowl. Slowly whisk in 2 tablespoons olive oil to form an emulsion; season with salt and pepper; set aside. Place tuna, scallions, soy, 2 tablespoons olive oil, sesame oil, and lemon zest in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Mix well, using your hands, to combine. Divide tuna mixture into six equal portions and form each portion into a 1/2-inch thick patty.
Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add enough canola oil to coat bottom of skillet. Add patties, and cook until medium-rare, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Place arugula in a large bowl, drizzle with reserved dressing, and toss to combine. Divide arugula evenly between 6 plates. Place one patty on each bed of arugula; serve immediately with wasabi mayonnaise.
Wasabi Mayonnaise
Makes enough for 6 burgers
1 large egg, room temperature
2 teaspoons unseasoned rice-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
1 tablespoon wasabi paste
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
3/4 cup canola oil
Coarse salt
In the bowl of a small food processor, combine egg, vinegar, lemon juice, lime juice, ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce; pulse to combine. With food processor running, slowly drizzle in canola oil until mixture is emulsified. Season with salt.
Rice-Wine Vinaigrette
Rice-Wine Vinaigrette
Makes about 2/3 cup
1/4 cup rice-wine vinegar
4 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey, mustard, and lime juice. While whisking constantly, add oil in a slow, steady stream until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Vinaigrette may be stored in a refrigerator for up to one week.
Seared Beef and Noodle Soup
Seared Beef and Noodle Soup
Serves 4; Prep time: 45 minutes; Total time: 45 minutes
If you can’t find rice noodles, substitute eight ounces of capellini, or angel hair pasta; cook it until al dente, according to package instructions.
1/2 pound rice noodles
1 1/4 pounds beef sirloin (about 1 inch thick)
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
10 ounces white mushrooms, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups beef stock or reduced-sodium canned broth
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons rice-wine vinegar
2 carrots, cut into thin strips
1/2 head Napa cabbage, shredded
2 scallions, including green parts, thinly sliced
1 cup bean sprouts
1. Place rice noodles in a large heatproof bowl; pour boiling water over noodles. Let sit until translucent but still slightly chewy, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
2. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Season beef with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and rub with 1 tablespoon oil. Sear beef in pan until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Sear other side, 3 to 4 minutes more. Remove beef.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining tablespoon oil, mushrooms, and garlic; cook, scraping up any browned bits, until mushrooms are tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Add stock, soy sauce, vinegar, and 2 cups water to the pan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat; stir in carrots, cabbage, scallions, and bean sprouts.
5. Cut beef diagonally into very thin slices. Ladle the broth and vegetables into serving bowls, and place the noodles and sliced beef on top.
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