Soy Sauce Chicken
Soy Sauce Chicken
Serves 2
Chicken breasts, Whole Chicken, Chicken Wings, or Chicken Drumsticks (enough to fill pan)
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon sherry (optional)
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
Several chopped scallions (green onions)
1 tablespoon ginger (or pickled ginger)
1 smashed clove garlic
Clean chicken and place in pan. Add water, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, sherry, and sugar. Bring to boil. Add scallions, ginger, and garlic. Make sure that sauce covers at least half of chicken. Simmer for approximately 15 minutes; then flip chicken to ensure even browning. Simmer another 15 minutes. If frozen chicken, it will take approximately one hour of simmering before chicken is done.
Sauce can be frozen or refrigerated for future use.
Shrimp Cocktail Salad Rolls
Shrimp Cocktail Salad Rolls
Yields 4 servings
16 large, store-bought, peeled, de-veined and cooked shrimp, tails removed and chopped into bite-size pieces
5 radishes, thinly sliced, then stacked and julienned into matchsticks
1/4 yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
2 scallions, both green and white parts, thinly sliced on an angle
6 stalks celery, 2 finely chopped and 4 cut into sticks
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 to 3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup hot sauce
1/4 cup store-bought cocktail sauce
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons butter, melted
4 hot dog buns, split on the top
4 carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
1 bag rosemary potato chips, or any other healthy chip you like
In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the shrimp, radishes, bell pepper, scallions and the chopped celery. For the dressing: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the vinegar, honey, Worcestershire, hot sauce and cocktail sauce. Whisk in the olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour the dressing over the shrimp salad, toss to combine and reserve in the fridge until ready to serve.
Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. While the skillet is heating, brush the hot dog buns with the melted butter. Toast in the skillet until golden brown. Fill the buns with the shrimp salad. Serve with carrot and celery sticks and healthy potato chips alongside.
Steak Fajitas
Steak Fajitas
Yields 4 servings
8 flour tortillas, each 8 inches in diameter, heated
1 1/2 pounds beef flank steak, trimmed of fat
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chipotle powder or chili powder
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 turns around the pan
1/4 head Savoy cabbage, cored and shredded
2 red bell peppers, seeded and sliced
1 small red onion, sliced
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons hot sauce
2 limes, 1 juiced and 1 cut into wedges
1/2 pound smoked cheddar shredded
6 scallions, green part sliced on an angle
2 sliced avocados
1 cup sour cream
Preheat a grill pan or grill to medium-high. Preheat oven 200°F, wrap tortillas in a clean, wet, kitchen towel and place in oven to get warm. Drizzle steak with olive oil.
Season the steak with cumin, chipotle powder, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the seasoned flank steak on the grill or grill pan, cook until the meat is well-browned on one side, about 5 minutes. Turn and continue to cook until well-browned on the other side and medium-rare at the center, about 4 minutes more. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let rest for several minutes.
While the steak is cooking, preheat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and let the oil start to smoke. Add the cabbage, bell peppers and red onions, toss and cook them until the veggies soften and cabbage starts to wilt, about 8 minutes. Season the veggie mixture with salt, freshly ground pepper, hot sauce and juice of 1 lime. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
Thinly slice the steak across the grain and transfer to a warmed platter along with the spicy veggies. Serve with scallions, avocados, sour cream and lime wedges alongside as your toppers. Top the warm tortillas with a couple of slices of meat, spicy veggies, some smoked cheddar on top and whatever toppers you want!
Shrimp with Baby Penne & Baby Arugula
Shrimp with Baby Penne & Baby Arugula
Yields 4-6 servings
1 pound baby penne
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus some for drizzling
2 pints grape tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
24 medium shrimp, peeled and de-veined
6 scallions, green and white parts chopped on a bias
Zest of 1 lemon
3/4 cups basil, thinly sliced into ribbons
3 cups baby arugula, roughly chopped
Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of water over to a boil over high heat for the pasta. Once the water comes to a boil, add a generous amount of salt and the pasta. Cook until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of the starchy, pasta-cooking water.
While waiting for the water to boil, place the tomatoes on a cookie sheet, drizzle them with olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place tomatoes in the hot oven and roast until the tomatoes just start to burst, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, smash them lightly with a fork or a potato masher and reserve.
While the pasta is working and the tomatoes are almost ready, preheat a medium-size skillet over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan olive oil, about 2 tablespoons. Add the garlic to the hot skillet along with the shrimp. Cook the shrimp on both sides until firm and pink, about 2 minutes per side. Add the scallions, cook for a minute or so, then add the pasta, a ladle of the reserved pasta water, lemon zest, basil, arugula, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Give it a good toss and pour it into a serving bowl. Add the reserved roasted tomatoes, toss to combine and serve.
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.
Chicken and Thai Basil Dumplings
Chicken and Thai Basil Dumplings
Makes about 3 1/2 dozen
1 pound ground chicken breasts
2 ounces bean thread noodles, blanched and chopped
1 cup grated carrot, squeezed dry
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh Thai basil, chopped
1/4 cup scallion greens, cut on the diagonal
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon green curry paste, (preferably Maeploy brand)
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons coconut milk
1 package round white dumpling wrappers
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup Sriracha chile sauce
1 can (14-ounce) coconut milk
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1/4 cup dark-brown sugar
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Prepare the filling; combine all of the ingredients, except the dumpling wrappers, in a medium bowl. Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon filling, and cook until no longer pink. Taste, and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
Place a dumpling skin on work surface. Using your finger, wet around the edges with water. Place 1 1/2 tablespoons filling in the center. Fold dumpling skin over to enclose. Pinch the edges together to form a half moon. Pleat the rounded edge. Set aside. Repeat with remaining filling and wrappers.
Prepare dipping sauce; combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat gently, whisking, until emulsified. Be sure not to boil. Set aside to cool. Just before serving, bring a large pot, fitted with a steamer insert lined with lightly oiled parchment paper with a few holes poked in it, to a simmer. Add dumplings and simmer until cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.
Whole Snapper with Balinese Spices
Whole Snapper with Balinese Spices
Serves 2
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
2 tablespoons finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
5 tablespoons finely chopped lemon grass
3 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped
1 Thai chile, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon sambal chili paste)
5 curry leaves
1 cup finely shredded fresh or frozen coconut
1 whole red snapper, (about 1 3/4 pounds), dressed and scored on both sides
1 cup coconut milk
1 lime
Julienned scallion greens, for serving
Cilantro, for garnish
Preheat oven to 375 degrees;. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add shallot, and, stirring constantly, add ginger, garlic, lemon grass, lime leaves, Thai chile, curry leaves, and coconut. Continue stirring until the mixture is fragrant and coconut is beginning to dry out, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and let stand until cool.
Fill the belly of the fish with three-quarters of the stuffing. Use a long wooden skewer to hold the belly of the fish closed. Heat remaining 1/2 cup oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add snapper to pan, and cook until the skin is crisp and brown, about 3 minutes per side. Very carefully pour off oil from pan. Transfer fish to oven until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat remaining stuffing in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in coconut milk, and heat through. Transfer cooked fish to a serving platter. Strain sauce through a fine sieve directly over the fish. Season with lime juice, and garnish with scallion greens and cilantro.
Morel and Scallions Omelet
Morel and Scallions Omelet
Serves 2
1/2 ounce dried morel mushrooms
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
4 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 large eggs
4 large egg whites
Freshly ground pepper
Cover mushrooms with 1 1/4 cups hot water in a medium bowl. Set a small bowl on top of mushrooms to keep them submerged. Let stand until soft, about 20 minutes. Remove mushrooms with a slotted spoon. Cut large mushrooms lengthwise into 1/4-inch strips; keep small mushrooms whole. Set aside. Strain soaking liquid; set aside.
Melt 1 teaspoon butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallions and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until scallions are wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in mustard, mushrooms, and 1/4 cup soaking liquid. Cover; cook, stirring, until mushrooms are tender and liquid has evaporated, about 3 minutes more. Set aside. Whisk eggs, egg whites, remaining salt, and 2 pinches of pepper in a medium bowl. Melt 1/2 teaspoon butter in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add half of the egg mixture. Stir gently with a rubber spatula to create curds. Use spatula to pull cooked egg awayfrom sides, allowing raw egg to flow underneath; cook until almost set, 3 to 4 minutes. Top with half of the mushroom filling. Cook until set, 1 to 2 minutes more. Gently fold one half over the other. Slide omelet onto a plate. Repeat with remaining butter, eggs, and filling. Season with pepper.
Chicken Siu Mai
Chicken Siu Mai
Makes 24
10 ounces skinless boneless chicken, trimmed, patted dry, and coarsely ground
1/3 cup finely diced, peeled, and washed water chestnuts
1/3 cup finely diced bamboo shoots
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions
2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons White Peppercorn Oil (recipe follows)
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon Shao Hsing wine or dry sherry
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pinch of freshly ground white pepper
1 large egg white, beaten
24 dumpling wrappers, cut into 2 1/2-inch rounds
Vegetable oil, for steamer basket
Mustard Dipping Sauce (recipe follows)
Make the filling: In a large bowl, combine chicken, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, scallions, cornstarch, white peppercorn oil, oyster sauce, ginger, Shao Hsing, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, pepper, and egg white. Stir to mix thoroughly. Transfer to a shallow dish, and refrigerate, uncovered, for 4 hours, or covered, overnight.
Make the dumplings: Lightly oil a bamboo steamer basket, or line the bottom with a round metal steamer insert; set aside. Work with one wrapper at a time, and cover unused wrappers with a damp cloth. Place 1 1/2 tablespoons filling in center of each wrapper. Hold filling in place with the blade of a butter knife. Holding the dumpling in the other hand, gradually turn the knife and dumpling slowly in a clockwise direction so that the dumpling forms a basket shape.
Remove knife, and pat filling with point of knife to smooth. Squeeze the dumpling slightly to adhere dough to filling, this will ensure that the dumpling and filling will remain intact during the steaming process. Tap the dumpling bottom lightly on work surface to flatten. Place into prepared steamer basket. Repeat with remaining filling and wrappers.
Bring 3 inches of water to a boil in a wok. Place steamer basket over water. Cover, and steam until dumplings are cooked through, about 6 minutes. Turn off heat. Remove the steamer from the wok, and transfer to a platter. Serve dumplings directly from steamer with mustard dipping sauce on the side.
White Peppercorn Oil
Makes 1 scant cup
1 cup peanut oil
1/2 cup white peppercorns
In a wok over medium heat, combine oil and peppercorns. Bring to a boil. Reduce to low heat, and cook for 2 minutes. Turn off heat, and allow oil to cool in wok. Do not strain; pour oil and peppercorns into a glass jar and seal. Will keep, refrigerated, for up to 2 months.
Mustard Dipping Sauce
Makes 1/4 cup
1/4 cup dry mustard
Tabasco sauce, to taste
In a small bowl, stir together mustard, 1/4 cup water, and Tabasco.
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.
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