Saturday, March 25, 2017

Shanghai Street Noodles



Easy and fantastic street food is one of my favorites to cook and eat when traveling overseas.  It doesn't matter if you're in Shanghai, Singapore, or just your kitchen; this dish is exceptional!

What you need:


  • Flank Steak - 1 pound, Sliced thin, against the grain in 1x2-inch pieces
  • Mushrooms - 16 ounces or so of sliced mushrooms, I use a mix of several types
  • Baby Bok Choy - 9 bunches, cleaned and sliced.  These usually come in 3-bunch packs in the grocery market, so grab three bunches.
  • Baby corn chunks - 1 can
  • Green Onions - 1 bunch, cleaned and cut into four-inch sections
  • Noodles - 1 package  **Pick your favorite.  I actually use Gluten Free Barilla Spaghetti noodles since my wife has to eat gluten free and you can't always find gluten free rice noodles, even though there should never be an issue.**
  • Sesame Oil
  • Chili Oil
  • Gluten Free Soy Sauce
  • Fish Sauce - 1 TBSP
  • Brown Sugar - 1/4 cup
  • Corn Starch - 1 TBSP
  • Sesame Seeds - 2 TBSP


What you do:

Boil water and cook noodles until al dente.  If they're mushy, you will regret it later.  Once cooked, set them aside after tossing with some sesame and chili oil.

In a large bowl, combine chopped bok choy, baby corn chunks, 1 TBSP chili oil, 4 TBSP Soy Sauce, brown sugar, corn starch, and fish sauce - mix and set aside.  It will look like entirely too much and you will question if you did something wrong.  Don't worry, everything will be perfect!

Heat your wok on high heat and cook the mushrooms until they release their water and are browning.  Once the water is gone and mushrooms browned, add meat to brown.  Add green onions to the meat and mushrooms and let them wilt slightly.

Next, add a few tablespoons of sesame oil, then the noodles and 3 - 4 TBSP Soy Sauce.  This will make the noodles brown and heat them up.  Make sure you are constantly moving your food.  **Food that sits in a Wok burns quickly.**

After tossing the noodles and meat/mushroom mix together, add the bok choy mixture - all of the mixture at one time, it will fit, I promise!  Toss everything together until hot and the bok choy has wilted.  Taste.  Add more soy sauce, brown sugar, or chili oil if needed - the final result should be completely balanced between salt, sweet, spice, and savory.  If not, adjust the seasoning as needed.

Add some chili peppers to make a spicy version!

Sever in a bowl, close your eyes, and be transported to the open air food markets in Asia!  This is addictive food, you've been warned!





Friday, March 24, 2017

Panang Chicken Curry - Extra Spicy!



Panang Curry is one of my favorites!  It is a spicy red Thai curry that warms the blood and tastes incredible!

What you'll need:

Chicken - 1.5 Pounds, thinly sliced and in 1-inch squares
Thai Red Curry Paste - 1 whole 4-oz container
Green Beans - 1 bag, cut and cleaned
Shitake Mushrooms - 8 ounces or more if you like! You can use any mushroom, these are just my favorite.
Lime - one whole; zest and juice
Coconut Milk - 1 can, MIXED WITH 1 TSBP of Corn Starch
Chicken Stock - 1 cup
Red Thai Peppers - 8 whole peppers, chopped
Fish Sauce - 1 TBSP
Sesame Oil
Chili Oil
Soy Sauce

Okay, this one is easy!  Have a hot wok, add sesame oil and chicken.  Brown the chicken and then add mushrooms.  Once the mushrooms give off their water, add the remaining ingredients.  Soy Sauce to taste.  Serve over rice and while the green beans are still crunchy but hot.  I like a little chili oil and sesame seeds on my rice before adding the curry!

Enjoy!







Saturday, March 18, 2017

Paul's Korean Style Beef (Gluten Free)




Paul's Korean Style Beef (Gluten Free for those with Celiac)

  • Flank steak:  1 to 1.5Lbs of flank steak cut on a bias against the grain into two-inch strips.
  • Corn Starch
  • Honey - 1TBS
  • Siracha - 1TBS
  • Rice Wine Vinegar - 1TBS
  • Red Pepper Flakes - 1 TSP (or more if you like spicy!)
  • Chili Oil - 2 TSP
  • Sesame Oil - 1 TBS
  • Brocolli - 2 cups
  • Carrots - 3 medium cut into strips, or to save time, use a peeler to create you strips!
  • White Onion - 1 cup chopped
  • Ginger - 2 TBS sliced or chopped (Fresh only)
  • Soy Sauce (we use Gluten Free) -  1 Cup
  • Beef Stock - 1 Cup
  • Dark Brown Sugar (if you only have light, add 1TBS of Molasses, too) - 1/2 cup

Coat Flank Steak strips in corn starch.  Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.  Cook for 4 - 5 hours on low.  Once done, add some chopped scallions or green onions and some sesame seeds.  Steam some rice, serve, and enjoy!  Homemade Asian foods are wonderful and a lot cheaper than takeaway or delivery.  Besides, it's also gluten free this way and that protects my Wife!  :)