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

lion's head (pork meatball with napa)

Ingredients ...

[1] pork, 3 lbs, 30% fat 70% lean, enough to make 6~8 meat balls
[2] sake(rice wine), 1/2 cup
[3] soy sauce, 1/4 cup
[4] salt
[5] scallion, 5,  cut into fine pieces
[6] ginger, 6 big pieces, cut into fine pieces
[7] dried shrimp, 6 big ones, cut into fine pieces

[8] corn starch ==> add water to make thick liquid
[9] cooking oil, enough to cover 1/2 of a meatball in the pot
[10] napa ==> cut into 3 slices for each leaf, along the stem

Directions ...

[a] cut [1] into 2~3 mm slices, then chop them randomly, just to make sure there is no piece too big.
[b] +[2]+[3]+[5]+[6]+[7]
[c] +[4] to flavor, mix thoroughly ==>[A]

[d] wait 30 minutes for the ingredients and the sauce to completely soak into the meat
[f] add [9] to small pot, make sure the oil cover 1/2 of a meatball, medium heat
[g] make meatball the size of a fist from [A], throw back and forth between two hands to let out the air and make the meatball a bit firmer.
[h] use a spoon, cover the meat ball with [8], then fry in the pot, turn when brown.  done when the meatball is medium brown all over.

[j] when ready to eat, put the meat balls into a big pot, add water to cover 1/2 of a meat ball.
[k] bring to boil, then simmer for 1.1/2 hours
[l] +[10], bring to boil, let simmer for 30 minutes
[j] add [4] if needed.

Notes ...

-- after step [h], you can freeze the meatballs for later use.

（courtesy of  Chang Miaw)