Fried Rice

 Ingredients ...

[1] rice -- cooked, cold about 3 cups. the left over from a restaurant is the best.

[2] scallions -- 2 stalks, cut into 0.2cm in length

[3] garlic  5 pieces -- minced it

[4] cooked fish -- break into small cubes, or just break it up

[5] ( for 4. you can add some cooked thrimps or beef/pork( all cooked, like the left over from your bbq)

[6] eggs x3

[7] soy sauce ... a little

[8] horn pepper x1, take out the seed, cut into 2mm slices.

[9] black pepper

Directions ...

[a] add some milk to [6].  make scrambled eggs, use spatula to break it down to like 2cmx2cm pieces, dont make it too small ==> [A]

[b] put [2] and [3] in wok for 2 minutes, add [1], add a little [7], stir, add some salt too.

[c] add [A] and [4] or [5] ( or the mixture of [4] and [5] ), stir evenly ==> good for the kids

[d] add [8],[9]  stir more ==> for adults

Note ...

this dish basically puts all your left over meat (fish, bbq, chinese sausage, thrimps, etc) and rice together.  very easy to make and quite tasty.

Lamb Soup (清炖)

 Ingredients ---

1. 一粒草果(amomum)

2. 几粒八角，

3. 2个桂皮(cinnamon)，

4. 2-3个香叶(bay leaf)

5. 孜然(cumin) // 羊肉汤

6. 羊肉, 2.1/2 lbs // two lamb shanks

7. 姜片，

8. 葱白（整条，不切碎）

9. 料酒，

10. 水。

11. 盐和白胡椒粉。

12 喜欢葱的可以放葱花或香菜。

Directions ---

[a] [6] 先在开水中烫一下，去血水 ==>[A]
[b] [1]+[2]+[3]+[4]+[5]，放调料包内 ==>[B]

[c] [A]+[7]+[8]+[9]+[10]+[B], 炖两小时或 instant pot

[d] +[11]+[12]

Notes --

[1]. 牛肉也可以这么做

[curtesy of Zhen Andrich]

Dumpling Wrappers

0 ---

[1] all purposes flour/room temp water/salt

500g/250g/5g
600g/300g/6g ***
650g/325g/6.5
700g/350g/7g

Directions ---

People[a] knead [1] at slow speed for 10 minutes in the mixer
[b] cover with wet towel for an hour
[c] knead another 3 minutes

Notes ---

[1] about 1lb ground pork, 1lb fat ground pork, 1.5lbs chinese chives, you should be able to make 75 pieces
[2]. with the pasta machine, for the wrappers, #4 10g, #5 8g, #6 6g. --> use #4 for dumplings, #5 for wonton, use wide noodle with #4.
[3] for noodle add two eggs. eggs+water == 240g. egg each is about 50~70g

Dutch oven Bread

Ingredients ---

1. all purposes flour 400g or (all purpose 50%+whole wheat 50%) or (all purpose 50%, whole wheat 30% corn meal 20%)
2. water 320g(310g, if too dense and did not rise well), 40c // microwave ~35 seconds in the glass measuring cup.  corn meal needs more water

3. yeast 4g (1/4 teaspoon)
4. salt 7g

5. sugar 30-60g, optional

6. craisins handful, chopped

Directions ---

[a] [1]+[2]+[3]+[4]+[5] -> mix well
[b] let it rise in the oven, with the oven light on, for 2-4 hours, could be more
[c] wet the fingers, stretch and fold the dough 4 times, can repeat steps [b]+[c] a few times
[d] let it rise for another hour, final proving ==> [A]
[e] about ~30 minutes before baking, put dutch oven with the lid into the oven, heat to 450. let it stay for another 10 minutes, so the dutch oven is heated evenly.
[f] mix [6] with [A]==>[B]

[g] put some flour on the board, put [B] on the flour, make it into shape, put the dough on the parchment paper, then put the whole thing into a bowl

[h] when the dutch oven is ready, move the dough/parchment paper into the dutch oven
[i] put the dutch oven, with the lid on, inside oven and bake for ~30 minutes
[j] take off the lid, bake for another ~10 minutes, to make the crust
[k] take the bread out, let it cool, might take about 30 minutes

Notes ---

1. can add nuts bits, craisins, milk powder, cheese, jalapeno pepper

Curry Chicken

 Ingredients ---

1. chicken thigh, 1 costco pack, bone-in. cut into ping-pong size
2. tomato, 2 medium, pureed
3. onion, 2 medium, chopped
4. plain yogurt, 2 tbl spoon
5. ginger // minced
6. garlic // minced
7. cooking oil
8. turmeric
9. cinnamon stick, 1
10. bay leave
11. blk cardamom x2 // crushed
12. green cardamom x2 // crushed
13. black pepper corn
14. cloves
15. salt 16. corriander powder 17. chili powder // kashmir chili powder: not as spicy but with bright color 18. garam masala // NOTE : add as the last step
19. kasoori methi // NOTE : add as the last step, optional
20. cumin seed powder // optional
21. fresh cilantro // optional

Directions ---

[a]. [1]+[4]+[8]+[16]+[17]+[15]+[20], marinate over night ==> [A]
[b]. [7], medium heat, +[A] when the oil is hot, cook for a few minutes, take out when the chicken turn golden yellow ==> [B] [c]. oil from [b] add more if needed. when hot +[5]+[6]+[9]+[10]+[11]+[12]+[13]+[14], till fragrant [d]. +[3]+[2], saute till the oil separated from onion, onion should look golden brown
      // might take a while in medium heat for the onion to turn golden brown
      // can cook [3] first then [2], then add more yogurt as well.
[e]. +[B], simmer for 10 minutes
[f]. +[19] mix well, +[18], mix well ... +[21] done

Notes -- [1]. can add some water if too thick or to avoid burning the food [2]. can add some sugar when needed [3]. can add potato or carrot [4]. corriander powder and chili powder are the main ingredients <with the help from Shri Iyengar> < ref. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2_DepctcIc>

Hot and Sour Soup

 

Ingredients ---

1. soft tofu, 1 box (threaded)
2. Enoki Mushroom(golden needle mushroom), 1 pack
3. black fungus (wood ear), dried, two golf balls size, soften with water for 4 hours, threaded
4. carrot, big, half. (threaded) to
5. cilantro, about an inch long pieces
6. ginger(threaded), 2 slices
7. egg x3, beat well
8. black vinegar + white pepper to taste
9. water
10. oil
11. soy sauce
12. chicken broth
13. corn starch, 2 teaspoon(depends on the [12]+[9], 3 is better), mixed with water
14. sesame oil
15. salt 16. chinese dried mushroom, x4 medium size, soften with water for 4 hours, threaded

Directions ---

[a] [10]+[6], sauté, +[9]+[15]+[11]+[12], bring to boil
[b]. +[1]+[2]+[3]+[4]+[16], bring to boil
[c]. +[13], small amount at a time while stirring, bring to boil
[d]. +[7], do not stir too much before egg drops taking shape
[e] +[8], mix well
[f] +[14]+[5]

Notes --

[1]. can add red pepper sauce to the taste [2]. can add bamboo shoots, threaded [3]. can add 冬粉

Beef Noodle Soup

 Ingredients ...

[1] beef shank ~4 lbs. cut into 1.1/2 inches cubes

[2] ginger large 20 slices, ~2mm in thickness

[3] rock sugar x3, 1 cubic cm each
[4] scallion 3 stalks, cross cut into 4 pieces each
[5] spice bag x1

[6] star anise x2
[7] pepper corn x20
[8] regular soybean paste 1 Tbsp

[9] sweet soybean paste, 1 Tbsp

[10] oil 5 tsp
[11] black pepper, 1/4 tsp
[12] noodle

[13] enough water to cover the meat when in the instant pot

[14] big carrot x3, cut into chunk about 1.1/2 cubic inches
[15] any vegetable. if use the following, cut into 3 or 4 pieces along the root. soak in the water for 15 minutes and rinse. spinach is good too.

[16] plumb tomato, 2, cut into 1 cm^3 cubes

[17] cooking wine, 1/2 cup

[18] garlic x5 cloves, sliced

[19] chicken broth x1, optional

[20] soy sauce 1Tbsp

[21] dry hot red pepper x2, optional

Directions ...

--- to make the soup ...

[a] median heat +[10] +[4] +[2] +[18], sauté for 1.5 minutes

[b] +[1], +[20], stir for 2 minutes +[8] +[9], stir until fragrant

[c] +[16] stir for another minute ==> [A]

[d] put [A] into the instant pot +[17] +[5] +[6] +[7] +[11] +[13] +[3] +[21], use stew, (~34 minutes) ==> [B]

[e] put [B] into a big pot, take out ginger/star anise/spice bag/scallion, bring to boil

[f] +[19] or water, if the soup is not enough, bring to boil

[g] +[14] cook for 15 minutes till carrot becomes soft ==> [C]

--- to cook vegetable and noodle ...

[h] bring a pot of water to boil, +[15] bring to boil, take [15] out when 80% done ==>[D]

[i] +[12] bring to boil again, lower heat (but keep the water bubbling) till done (~9 minutes) ==>[E]

--- to serve ...

[j] [D] +[E] +[C] for each bowl.

Notes ... 

-- the combination of [8], [9] and [20] might be salty.  adjust accordingly.

-- pictures of [5], [8] and [9] are the brands I use, other brands are available as well.

华蛋牛

 Ingredients ...

[1] beef flank 1.1/4 lbs, cut into thin slices
[2] egg x8, mixed well, with salt
[3] scallion x2, slanted cut
[4] 2 tsp sugar
[5] 2 tsp salt
[6] 1 Tbsp corn starch
[7] cooking wine 4 Tbsp
[8] 1 tsp baking soda, as meat tenderizer // 1tsp per pound
[9] 1 tsp oyster sauce
[10] 2 Tbsp corn starch, mix with water
[11] oill
[12] water 600g
[13] salt
[14] white pepper
[15] sesame oil

Directions ...

[a] [1]+[4]+[5]+[6]+[7]+[8]+[9]+[11] marinate for 2~3 hours ==> [A]
[b] [11] high heat +[A] lower heat, till half done ==> [B]
[c] [12]+[13]+[14], bring to boil, lower heat, slowly +[10], stir slowly
[d] when close to boil again +[3] for 30 seconds +[B] bring the water to boil
[e] +[2] let the egg set first, do not stir, once set, start to move from the side to the center
[f] when the egg is ready +[15], turn off heat

Notes ...

can replace [1] beef with shrimps, pork, sausages, brocolli, etc.

Tilapia and Mushroom Soup

 Ingredients ...

[1] tilapia 1.5 lbs for 4 people. slant cut, thin slices, 1/3 cm in thickness. marinated with cooking wine, corn starch, salt, a little soysauce, white pepper. add 1 tbsp of cooking oil, to coat the fish with a thin layer of oil, so the pieces won't stick together. put aside for at least an hour.
[2] cilantro, finely chopped

[3] scallion x1, cut into small pieces
[4] white pepper
[5] sesame oil
[6] chicken broth x1 can
[7] water 1.6 liters
[8] tofu, silk or soft, 1 box, thinly cut
[9] oyster mushroom, 1.5 lbs, cut off the tip of the root. use hand to tear them into medium pieces along the stems
[10] ginger, fine strips
[11] cooking oil, 5 tsps
[12] fried shallot, 2 tsps
[13] salt
[14] corn starch 1tsp, mixed with water

Directions ...

[a] +[11]+[12]+[3]+[10] saute for 1 minute
[b] +[9] stir for 2 minutes
[c] +[7] +[6] +[8] bring to boil
[d] +[13] to taste
[e] +[1] spread out on the top of the soup evenly, can flip the fish to the other side once. don't stir too much or may break the fish.
[f] after fish is about done, +[14], spread on the top evenly
[g] shut off heat, +[4] +[5] +[2] to taste

ManToe (馒头）

Ingredients ...

[1] flour 500g, in the mixer bowl. this can make 8 mantoes.

2] yeast 5g // 1/4 tsp is equal to 1g

[3] sugar 20g

[4] 250g warm water (~39c // or 102.2f ), if use glass measuring cup, microwave ~20 seconds.

[5] oliver oil 1 tablespoon

[6] sugar 45g

Directions ...

[a] +[2]+[3]+[4], mix well, put aside for 5 minutes ==> [A]
[b] pour [A] into [1]+[6] gradually, while running the mixer in low speed for 12 minutes

[c] when the flour starts to form nuggets, +[5], once the dough starts to take shape, can use higher mixer speed ==> [B]
[d] cover [B] with a lid. put inside oven, with the oven light on, let it rise for 2 hours. the dough should become twice the size. // see Note[2] below. if the temperature starts to reach 40c (usually after an hour), turn off the oven light.
[e] mix [B] again for 5 minutes. can use higher speed
[f] cut and make into shape (~100g each), put in the steamer on the parchment paper, you can have 4 mantoes on each rack, let it rise again for 20 minutes

[g] put adequate amount of water in the steamer, bring to boil.

[h] put the rack of the mantoe back into the steamer, steam for 14-15 minutes
[i] shut off heat, wait 5 minutes before opening the lid. they will collapse if open right away. if two tiers of steamers used, wait 10 minutes total.

[j] take mantoe out, be careful not to let the waterdrops fall on the mantoe, put mantoe on the cookie rack to cool

Notes ...

[1]. when checking the termperature of the water in [4] above, stir it first, so it is even in the cup.

[2]. this is the tricky part, if in the summer, the air might be warm enough, then oven light is optional.

[3]. in step [d], it rises faster in the summer, takes longer in the winter.

[4]. in step [f], use the parchment paper designed for the steamer (holes on the paper, so the steam can go thru)

[5]. if you need to steam them 4 at a time, the second batch might "rise" too long and bigger bubbles might form in the mantoe.

辣椒小炒

材料

[1] 牛角椒 10~12 根. 细的较辣. 切段约2公分.
[2] 大蒜9瓣，切片.
[3] 葱8支，切粒，约0.5~1公分.
[4] 油.
[5] 盐.
[6] 酱油.

作法

[a] 锅加热, +[4] ，用大中火.
[b] +[2]+[3], 爆香，勿焦.
[c] +[1],炒30秒.
[d] +[5]+[6], 炒至8分半熟.
[e] 起锅，冷即可食.

附记

-- [4] 宜多 --> 辣油
-- [5] 约炒青菜的1.5倍

（courtesy of 江尧琦)

Pumpkin

 

Ingredients ...

[1] 1 small kabocha pumpkin, cut into 1 inch cubes without skin.  the heavier the pumpkin the better.

[2] ginger ... two golf ball size, minced
[3] garlic ... 1 pod, minced
[4] sugar ... to taste

[5] water

[6] salt ... to taste

[7] oil ... 8 table spoons, may add more during cooking.

Directions ...

[a] heat [7], medium heat

[b] +[2] + [3] ... stir till fragrant

[c] +[1] ... mix well until the edge of the pumpkin cubes become soft

[d] +[6] ... mix well

[e] +[5] ... bring to boil, lower the heat, simmer till the pumpkin becomes soft and the juice becomes thick

[f]  +[4] ... mix well

Rib and white radish soup

Ingredients ...

[1] pork ribs ... 2~3 lbs
[2] ginger ... one golf ball size, slice
[3] scallion ... 2, no need to cut
[4] cooking wine ... 4 tablespoons
[5] star anise ... 2
[6] peppercorns ... 15 pieces
[7] while pepper
[8] white radish ... one, cut into 1 cubic inches cube.
[9] cilantro ... optional, chop, 2 tablespoons
[10] salt

Directions ...

[a] add [1] to a pot of boiling water, bring to boil again for a minute, take out, wash off the “dirty stuff" attached to the rib. ==> [A]
[b] prepare a pot of water, +[A] +[2] +[3] +[4] +[5] +[6], bring to a boil, lower the heat, cook for 50 minutes
[c] +[8], bring to a boil again, lower the heat, cook for another 10 minutes.
[d] +[10]
[e] take out [2], [3], [5], [6]
[f] +[7] +[9] when ready to serve.

Note ...

-- step [b] can be done in the instant pot.

GamJaTang

For 4 people.

Ingredients ...

[1] rib, 3 lbs
[2] ginger chunk
[3] medium size onion, big chunk
[4] scallion,4, cut into thirds or quarters
[5] scallion, 1, chopped
[6] red chili paste, 2 table spoons
[7] fermented soybean paste (Doenjang), 2.1/2 table spoons
[8] garlic 6, chopped
[9] fish sauce or soy sauce, 3 tea spoons
[10] red pepper flakes, 3 table spoons
[11] black pepper to flavor
[12] wild-grown sesame, crushed, 1 table spoon
[13] little potato, whole
[14] Napa cabbage, 1/2
[15] Garlic, whole, 9
[16] rice wine
[17] dry red pepper, 1
[18] dry shiitake mushroom, 2, sliced
[19] whole black pepper, 1/2 tsp
[20] soybean sprouts, 8 ozs
[21] perilla leaves, or basil, cut in half
[22] bay leaves, 1 or 2

Directions ...

[a] blanch [14] for 2-3 minutes, rinse in cold water. tear the leaves length-wise by hands. ==> [A] water ==>[B]
[b] bring water to boil +[1] for 5 minutes, take out, clean the meat ==>[C]
[c] [C]+[B]+[2]+[3]+[4]+[6]+[7]+[8]+[9]+[10]+[11]+12]+[16]+[17]+[18]+[19]+[15]+[22] bring to boil, simmers for 1 to 1.1/2 hours for the meat to be cooked thoroughly
[d] +[20]+[A]+[21]+[13] cook for 20 minutes or till the potato is done
[e] +[5] before served

Notes ...

-- can put [3]+[4]+[15]+[2]+[19]+[22] into a spice bag, take out after [c] completes.
-- can marinate the [A] with [12]+[10]+[9]+[5]+[7] for 10 minutes, before putting all back in [d]
-- can try with "tofu stick"

*Courtesy of Ashley Liu

spaghetti

Ingredents:

[1] 1 onion, chopped
[2] 3 peppers, chopped
[3] 6 garlic, chopped
[4] 2 lbs of ground beef/turkey
[5] cooking oil 
[6] garlic powder
[7] salt
[8] oregano
[9] basil
[10] italian seasoning
[11] sugar
[12] tomato sauce
[13] chili powder

Directions:

[a] [5]+[1]+[2]+[3] saute for 10 minutes, push to side of the pan ==>[A]
[b] +[4], when 80% done, mixed with [A]
[c] +[12] bring to boil, mix well, lower heat
[d] +[6]+[7]+[8]+[9]+[10]+[11]+[13], low heat for 20 minutes.

Notes:

[1] can add water

* Courtesy of Chris Liu

Chili

good for 6~8 people

Ingredients  ...

   -  3 White Onions (chopped and sauteed in advance)
   -  4 Cans of Beef Broth
   -  3 large cans Hunt’s Diced Petite Tomatoes (not drained)
   -  12 jalapenos
   -  1 red bell pepper
   -  1 green bell pepper
   -  15 garlic cloves
   -  1.3 lb. chuck eye blade steak
   -  1.2 lb. ground turkey
   -  1.13 lb. boneless pork loin chops
   -  5 bay leaves
   -  2/3 cup chili powder (I did this homemade with toasted and ground ancho chiles, ground arbol chiles, and cumin)
   -  2 Tbsp cumin
   -  2 Tbsp cayenne pepper
   -  5/2 Tbsp salt  <<< might not needed >>>
   -  5/4 Tbsp oregano
   -  2 Tbsp pepper
   -  1 Tbsp basil
   -  1 Tbsp thyme
   -  8 oz. tomato sauce
   -  30 oz. chili beans (not drained)
   -  45 oz. black beans (1/2 drained)
   -  30 oz. kidney beans  (drained)
   -  2 Lucky Bucket Lagers, beer.

Directions ...

• cut the beef/pork into 1cm cube, stir well in hot pot to take out extra juice/water.
• put into slow cooker; high heat for 6 hours.

Note ...

   Chris - Overall, I thought the batch was too thin.
   Larry - i cut the quantity of each ingredient in half, but still came out one big pot, not sure why :-)

   * courtesy of Chris Liu