tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65565965757101017922024-03-06T04:49:12.109+11:00Daan Tarts In Canberradumplingdesignzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260156948573840866noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556596575710101792.post-43307073510086444302010-12-15T18:56:00.003+11:002010-12-15T18:59:41.261+11:00ladymacaron20tenWhen I started this blog I had the best intentions of sharing my Chinese cooking skills as I lived in Hong Kong for 3 years and learnt how to make authentic Bejing, Shanghainese and Cantonese cuisine including dim sum.<br />
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It seems however, that since arriving back in Australia macaron have taken over and have become my new obsession. I've had more failures than I can count but with steely determination I've finally mastered them and have decided to set up a new blog just about macaron. To visit me click on the link <a href="http://ladymacaron20ten.blogspot.com/">http://ladymacaron20ten.blogspot.com</a>dumplingdesignzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260156948573840866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556596575710101792.post-35204490105148964662010-07-18T13:43:00.009+10:002010-07-29T13:57:45.038+10:00MasterChef & Alvin's Pork Belly - Greed, Wrath & SlothI made Alvin's Caramelised Pork Belly yesterday but unfortunately it wasn't a great hit. I've made quite a few pork belly recipes including Pork Adobo and Chairman Mao's Red Braised Pork with Water Chestnuts which are fantastic but this just didn't cut it. There was just too much brown sugar in this recipe for my liking and if I were to do it again I would caramelise the pork in a totally different way albeit a much safer way. You see, I had a slight problem with the step that you deep fry the pork pieces after simmering them. I thought that it was just a tad too dangerous as the oil splattered absolutely everywhere. The recipe did say, "...be careful oil will spit when pork is added..." but this was an understatement. It was like dodging missiles as every time I heard a pop sound I had to weave my entire body so that I wouldn't get wounded. Oil was spitting at every level imaginable and I did end up with a medium size blister on my right hand - the oil spat and sizzled as it took away layers of my skin in the seconds before I plunged my hand into cold water. By this time I was so fed up I ended up pouring cold oil into the wok, blanching the pork belly then popping the strained pork into the oven to brown. Afterwards, my kitchen floor was like an ice skating rink as one could easily slide from the oven to the sink without difficulty because there was so much grease on the floor - yuk! Thanks for this invention test Alvin as instead of invoking "Greed" from the seven deadly sins it invoked "Sloth" as the last thing I wanted to do was clean my entire kitchen.<br />
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Anyway, here are some of the shots that led to the end result, which by the way, did look pretty awesome on the plate - the finished dish not the raw pork!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Pork Belly disguised as Australian Pork Rashers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Eh0AM4-dG01-R2GdJ3lnekS0uKQg0yXdm55oUC33pehN2Q7AmQ3H03zIc0pkKd52bU7Y7-7V8c1oyoG_vW0pkF80il9NLkjSolXYKVMEK6C7yjry0xJ7nvCVd4k5iU5o85UbTfsZuNQ/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Eh0AM4-dG01-R2GdJ3lnekS0uKQg0yXdm55oUC33pehN2Q7AmQ3H03zIc0pkKd52bU7Y7-7V8c1oyoG_vW0pkF80il9NLkjSolXYKVMEK6C7yjry0xJ7nvCVd4k5iU5o85UbTfsZuNQ/s320/IMG_1386.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And, how did I know it was Pork Belly... well, there was one tiny nipple positioned on top of one pork rasher.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Braising the pork with the spices.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Deep-fried pork pieces.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjEhyphenhyphentsj_FteFuiApkARqveOyA8WwW4bKMjwNp4CjS4aLt9YD_mBNPjQe-9e-RuWDwCx1tqbh0tE-fPYrW3vaYrOAv-I4nTMhEBTEqYHNiPotx8HDtq8ohhp8htz9UUsmrXFAW3y0Kgs/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjEhyphenhyphentsj_FteFuiApkARqveOyA8WwW4bKMjwNp4CjS4aLt9YD_mBNPjQe-9e-RuWDwCx1tqbh0tE-fPYrW3vaYrOAv-I4nTMhEBTEqYHNiPotx8HDtq8ohhp8htz9UUsmrXFAW3y0Kgs/s320/IMG_1395.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Crispy fried ginger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Looks fantastic but greed turned to wrath as the kids decided that they didn't like it and mum turned into sloth coz she was sick of the mess in the kitchen. Not quite MasterChef presentation or to the standards of Donna Hay but good enough for a mum who was under the pressure test to plate up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxvl7qxsGaMzVptYyPBwk9co483LDt4O0-mp9ie8rPkay87MnNJYbejS8aJKRjQRvZ9EXEYLLJez1nDAypW0MSo-SQztLgB43Zww1jgcTv3RZU2obl5sKjxaatx43YA3NEUwmMYTcSPk/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxvl7qxsGaMzVptYyPBwk9co483LDt4O0-mp9ie8rPkay87MnNJYbejS8aJKRjQRvZ9EXEYLLJez1nDAypW0MSo-SQztLgB43Zww1jgcTv3RZU2obl5sKjxaatx43YA3NEUwmMYTcSPk/s320/IMG_1396.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mmmm, what to do with the leftovers.........<br />
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BTW, I've committed the utmost cardinal sin by buying pork rashers from Woolworths. Normally, I do all of my shopping at Coles but by chance today, Woolworths was the closest store nearest my local Asian grocery shop. I still reckon Coles is a winner over Woollies.</div>dumplingdesignzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260156948573840866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556596575710101792.post-87428252916911118192010-07-14T23:28:00.001+10:002010-07-15T00:24:52.255+10:00How to Crack That Nut - Thai Green CurryMost of us have made a Thai curry but only recently did I learn how to get that wonderful depth of flavour you get at restaurants. The secret lies in how to crack that nut but not just any nut, specifically, coconut. Firstly, reduce coconut cream - best done in a wok - until it gets to a stage that it looks like you've got curds and oil i.e. cracks. Add your curry paste, combine the two and stir fry until the paste is fragrant. Then you can throw in your poultry or whatever takes your fancy, toss it a bit, then add the rest of your coconut cream, a bit of water, vegetables and herbs. If you do this each time, you'll end up with a lovely thick curry that has an amazing depth of flavour. I've included some photo's below so you get the picture (no pun intended). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrSOtg6k4cyxOBNG0DoiS4y3Bpgfqmjo19rRjFCKie-1gJ8kZKkPNKfNjc2N2QXu-cdmNLqfCImTro1avMDGaf_SHLz5LdvejXDyZsuT_YoCBd7PTNIDdZsAaM0E4srPbDUlJzfJOAFE/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrSOtg6k4cyxOBNG0DoiS4y3Bpgfqmjo19rRjFCKie-1gJ8kZKkPNKfNjc2N2QXu-cdmNLqfCImTro1avMDGaf_SHLz5LdvejXDyZsuT_YoCBd7PTNIDdZsAaM0E4srPbDUlJzfJOAFE/s320/IMG_1344.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Pour 1 x 270ml tin of Coconut Cream into a wok, I used Ayam Brand.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZYfYEBS3fBu-h1yomSCK25_2_UoIzxjLTnz7THYcX1DzcYOrWXGzJEUmET6c_jhX1EzIvacScWIG_63tbFHCGIt8KhsqF8LKIHIta-ebbRxS3YsR0pWrQs0oJmxDLxsyYUcKbeu8Eek/s1600/IMG_1345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZYfYEBS3fBu-h1yomSCK25_2_UoIzxjLTnz7THYcX1DzcYOrWXGzJEUmET6c_jhX1EzIvacScWIG_63tbFHCGIt8KhsqF8LKIHIta-ebbRxS3YsR0pWrQs0oJmxDLxsyYUcKbeu8Eek/s320/IMG_1345.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Simmer over a medium heat until it cracks, this can take anywhere from 10-20 minutes and continue stirring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_zgPZbesWKvdnmzQ93IF1k3ZbNNaajgKrKqW3V9gEMXnt3qRHLyNXtO7ktpzIB2pOlRGvykx5eSI6b5mey008L1d4g1ljQ992WRPeyGigaXyr1JXXKjXzpPUIHr53kIlKOrHQYhqKRA/s1600/IMG_1346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_zgPZbesWKvdnmzQ93IF1k3ZbNNaajgKrKqW3V9gEMXnt3qRHLyNXtO7ktpzIB2pOlRGvykx5eSI6b5mey008L1d4g1ljQ992WRPeyGigaXyr1JXXKjXzpPUIHr53kIlKOrHQYhqKRA/s320/IMG_1346.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If the cream starts to brown too quickly, turn down the heat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw4_j5N2CZHGem9ZI-qlPVy7lTGu0TOV0UtIukiJ-_lrquPreEZKdd3Q23YUfxbm-nL7u67ZzEA_WQM5Si2bGtzYDr2a_yFdRPNvQuyr5fUHkQBmbcPAye5YfaEH9COu2I7XyI9EZcQY/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw4_j5N2CZHGem9ZI-qlPVy7lTGu0TOV0UtIukiJ-_lrquPreEZKdd3Q23YUfxbm-nL7u67ZzEA_WQM5Si2bGtzYDr2a_yFdRPNvQuyr5fUHkQBmbcPAye5YfaEH9COu2I7XyI9EZcQY/s320/IMG_1348.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's all right to have some brown bits around the edges of the wok as the cream reduces. Scrape these into the cream as they add flavour. I've tried cracking the cream in a saucepan but in all honesty you just don't get the same result.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWriPgwyatJkuuPn5dsG3BTd4SCFz31qy8JL-rqgn7T7zlslC3exha6PakzBtfjOY1WIGAdoSMCFaaNdnF2DX0u28FXINx08U20zViLwkkuC_5wsdUggInjvwKxGrXbOu5F4IPb8yhM_M/s1600/IMG_1349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWriPgwyatJkuuPn5dsG3BTd4SCFz31qy8JL-rqgn7T7zlslC3exha6PakzBtfjOY1WIGAdoSMCFaaNdnF2DX0u28FXINx08U20zViLwkkuC_5wsdUggInjvwKxGrXbOu5F4IPb8yhM_M/s320/IMG_1349.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Coconut Cream has started to crack but I'll reduce it even further.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPckj9It-QbawtRaF4rPNI4pJzxk39-ajQmOVlYX0Z9z-vI6O4WLNGfvNRebFZOw6I0Cs0DYOPBDk8-Dm9uWopyX5v3jfyWKeLATrwDhn3mhmlVvkrNB6nORsRIgodWww0UJ_UswCdUY4/s1600/IMG_1351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPckj9It-QbawtRaF4rPNI4pJzxk39-ajQmOVlYX0Z9z-vI6O4WLNGfvNRebFZOw6I0Cs0DYOPBDk8-Dm9uWopyX5v3jfyWKeLATrwDhn3mhmlVvkrNB6nORsRIgodWww0UJ_UswCdUY4/s320/IMG_1351.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nearly there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUX81v4ZWbHD8zcRLe4YfAm7quKiylQJFptCWQjZlt3Z5cNSyl1084Ret5BDJz8hAnaL3pqJ8_iwoWelE6ifseEpIQBlT8f1fw-hnOBzacrKiIBFG0Pr3lVFoiVlT92jjeflXSTHO-J4o/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUX81v4ZWbHD8zcRLe4YfAm7quKiylQJFptCWQjZlt3Z5cNSyl1084Ret5BDJz8hAnaL3pqJ8_iwoWelE6ifseEpIQBlT8f1fw-hnOBzacrKiIBFG0Pr3lVFoiVlT92jjeflXSTHO-J4o/s320/IMG_1354.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">From this photo, you can see that the oil has separated and the Coconut Cream looks curd like.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7Yt-QziQXUaOE-9LuZ-uy8Hn-_TAOjjfRhEMukn5FU2GkTDWd_Lt-yeUcKITZh1FVRBG_D6f6XqoOxGgyWxBqCjdBLp96BaPHtQlC332XeRTthXPfeYQQfuOAgiB9hnNpQYdA9T3PsA/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7Yt-QziQXUaOE-9LuZ-uy8Hn-_TAOjjfRhEMukn5FU2GkTDWd_Lt-yeUcKITZh1FVRBG_D6f6XqoOxGgyWxBqCjdBLp96BaPHtQlC332XeRTthXPfeYQQfuOAgiB9hnNpQYdA9T3PsA/s320/IMG_1355.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's at this stage that I add the Thai curry paste, whether it is red, yellow or green.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZ5Kiru8tR8Wlz_03xgNEWmfBJvYSM77prQMNzXjiPdvw8KPuUqOcs01Wx034mRJDroHziWSx8QKXfLPW8agrYcneSwoFKVOWYFP8WNYvW4qdUyVzseKTwZ0uhZqmSohAPUiQkUx7kPE/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZ5Kiru8tR8Wlz_03xgNEWmfBJvYSM77prQMNzXjiPdvw8KPuUqOcs01Wx034mRJDroHziWSx8QKXfLPW8agrYcneSwoFKVOWYFP8WNYvW4qdUyVzseKTwZ0uhZqmSohAPUiQkUx7kPE/s320/IMG_1356.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't have time to pound my own paste, so I add a couple of tablespoons of Maeploy Green Curry Paste which is available in most Asian grocery stores.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmJ5CDKi9wmHGax2O1NiU4BWhQZkgfEN_b9DfahB_rxxLg9fmBhfkQOaTwOu2gDzSymtu380P-xUqiKZQkMxNOzIAzC92zTXIJ9Yn5s7QXpFBJy-mbpqaQwF939yVq5VxOlC3zU0UTPo/s1600/IMG_1359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmJ5CDKi9wmHGax2O1NiU4BWhQZkgfEN_b9DfahB_rxxLg9fmBhfkQOaTwOu2gDzSymtu380P-xUqiKZQkMxNOzIAzC92zTXIJ9Yn5s7QXpFBJy-mbpqaQwF939yVq5VxOlC3zU0UTPo/s320/IMG_1359.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's important to blend the Coconut Cream and curry paste together and stir fry them until the curry paste is fragrant. A common mistake people make is to dollop the curry paste straight into the Coconut Cream and/or Coconut Milk and boil it up. If you do this you will still have the raw taste of the spices and the flavours won't develop.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_rWFk43CPBQTxg0iDIKhgpumWALD-phA18Mp0kC-i6YhcpRHLBNVr2-EX2iQhp8H52i3j_RNBb7iIzphHXm_pEcIJR2JltJtYmL1lvobC2UfCWO0AOKnOG5ImEEHHrW6gZf-HZxOM5M/s1600/IMG_1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_rWFk43CPBQTxg0iDIKhgpumWALD-phA18Mp0kC-i6YhcpRHLBNVr2-EX2iQhp8H52i3j_RNBb7iIzphHXm_pEcIJR2JltJtYmL1lvobC2UfCWO0AOKnOG5ImEEHHrW6gZf-HZxOM5M/s320/IMG_1363.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've added chicken pieces and am stir frying them for a couple of minutes before adding....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX08HWU6qdF8vCJKL0BXZaFiowk6iGer93JLgZwpPXryogtEV3gqCHYJqc2ofOpqfm4sABkcMob7dbXc1emhNUdCiiHFbxNB0AJ4coOaARomzhhDbdYWX_6PG_q58Qelv44OD6cC0aWK0/s1600/IMG_1365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX08HWU6qdF8vCJKL0BXZaFiowk6iGer93JLgZwpPXryogtEV3gqCHYJqc2ofOpqfm4sABkcMob7dbXc1emhNUdCiiHFbxNB0AJ4coOaARomzhhDbdYWX_6PG_q58Qelv44OD6cC0aWK0/s320/IMG_1365.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">yep, you guessed it... more Coconut Cream/Milk. Notice the Coconut oil floating on the top which we got from cracking the Coconut Cream earlier. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwk07c2WL9Vx5yyiE1jLQ0T1kZbApIlGJyOMPHHd9gxxyEHrK_xMNIDfAbIZ0vqKmWRAiyP9ikd4B-2HANV1mgDMxF39kPKty8AVTf_dFtq_umU-nmEKhhKChxyg9GW8rurbkBhoKLY4/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwk07c2WL9Vx5yyiE1jLQ0T1kZbApIlGJyOMPHHd9gxxyEHrK_xMNIDfAbIZ0vqKmWRAiyP9ikd4B-2HANV1mgDMxF39kPKty8AVTf_dFtq_umU-nmEKhhKChxyg9GW8rurbkBhoKLY4/s320/IMG_1366.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now you can add whatever vegetables you fancy. I added bamboo shoots, eggplant, shredded Kaffir lime leaves and a tablespoon of palm sugar.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83Bs77fWfKeFUZzWI_dP4tEUObRJDDcjd-VPoXFn43LGfO6RzOviEqnto1Tm5Hkrcd3O-vimZfafQPXVI_t8F3_1G2GqOYODdyfbQZvFxQhQzD5QdaBmCM0UuX_-rEDWzn3PZpcRbB3E/s1600/IMG_1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83Bs77fWfKeFUZzWI_dP4tEUObRJDDcjd-VPoXFn43LGfO6RzOviEqnto1Tm5Hkrcd3O-vimZfafQPXVI_t8F3_1G2GqOYODdyfbQZvFxQhQzD5QdaBmCM0UuX_-rEDWzn3PZpcRbB3E/s320/IMG_1370.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Towards the end of the cooking process, I threw in some sliced red pepper to add a bit of colour.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3-IIUZxudrx4uxcelY3ousM5KAt7OrZ19XO1p73-zIjXurCnt1cWpOeNSe6jkzkIUs6UtOXI2Xga6xbGbZUw3NY6RH_56krK-ewp2abiTgvuzpJtTypIhyDzTQkgNuCLlQpi1iwFPfk/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3-IIUZxudrx4uxcelY3ousM5KAt7OrZ19XO1p73-zIjXurCnt1cWpOeNSe6jkzkIUs6UtOXI2Xga6xbGbZUw3NY6RH_56krK-ewp2abiTgvuzpJtTypIhyDzTQkgNuCLlQpi1iwFPfk/s320/IMG_1373.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just before serving, throw in some fresh basil leaves and cook until they wilt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_oXg2pMM0CFnVDHzeyDEDKizSZaGSp7BO9eyRf-zyGnvtxsB4ed_UY0zI2gMzldyCXRJmE65jlfWbNLSty2Ar-ukH4wN_xm4JgyM6vHaECxeXHCmEI9zHtSlwBBpXLkDPZrrdqEXne8/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_oXg2pMM0CFnVDHzeyDEDKizSZaGSp7BO9eyRf-zyGnvtxsB4ed_UY0zI2gMzldyCXRJmE65jlfWbNLSty2Ar-ukH4wN_xm4JgyM6vHaECxeXHCmEI9zHtSlwBBpXLkDPZrrdqEXne8/s320/IMG_1374.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Done and dusted - yumdelicious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you would like the actual recipe, please send me a comment with your email address.</div><span id="goog_538774074"></span><span id="goog_538774075"></span>dumplingdesignzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260156948573840866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556596575710101792.post-23777320011960410042010-07-05T00:06:00.004+10:002010-07-11T20:58:18.042+10:00Chicken with Ginger & GarlicAlthough, I've lost my ability to smell and taste I can still feel the heat of ginger and chilli so when I make a stir fry I load it chock full just so that I can try and get some enjoyment from food... that, in addition to colour and texture. <br />
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</div>I make this stir fry so often that I don't measure ingredients anymore - so far so good. I'm either getting it right each time or my family are just being awfully nice as not once have I had a complaint. After living in a gourmet capital (Hong Kong) my hubby and gorgeous girls have developed high standards so if I stuff up I'll soon know about it. The base sauce can be used for any type of meat and vegetables and depending on your ingredients, you'll get a different result.<br />
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Stir Fry Chicken with Garlic and Ginger<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
2 cloves garlic (chopped finely)<br />
1-2 tbsp ginger (chopped finely)<br />
1 bunch of spring onion (cut into 1 inch lengths)<br />
2 carrots (peeled and sliced)<br />
1 packet of chicken breast (doesn't really matter how much)<br />
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Sauce:<br />
2 tbsp oyster sauce<br />
2 tbsp light soy sauce<br />
1 tbsp dark soy sauce<br />
1/2 tbsp fish sauce<br />
3 tbsp water<br />
1 tsp cornflour<br />
1 tsp palm sugar<br />
pinch white pepper<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">First prepare all of your ingredients then mix up the sauce in a small jug or bowl. Notice that I've separated the thick white part of the spring onion to the finer green ones. The thick lengths of spring onion have a longer cooking time so need to be placed into the wok closer to the start of your stir fry whereas the finer green lengths are thrown into the wok towards the end and require less cooking time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdq6RV8nsqtJCCAFr5TU901PUOr7ev3yPH_vNl8iFamWr9WUDsHFgqFIxCS2aDfXh_yiE78Tu2z8aZ4SUBK58-LkU4I4PTxWdSbS68hALPwzYWI254LEl0LnzXe3qCvvk6MO1tU1l35E/s1600/IMG_1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdq6RV8nsqtJCCAFr5TU901PUOr7ev3yPH_vNl8iFamWr9WUDsHFgqFIxCS2aDfXh_yiE78Tu2z8aZ4SUBK58-LkU4I4PTxWdSbS68hALPwzYWI254LEl0LnzXe3qCvvk6MO1tU1l35E/s320/IMG_1296.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Before you start your stir fry blanch the carrot in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. When blanching vegetables, I was taught to throw in a piece of ginger, a tsp of sugar and a splash of shao xing wine to the water - this step is optional. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnD-eRbDwCmxdeF9vRaKfq625JsewK6DAEXEovNtLLzqkTayw8myeSe1oSWenMHLF0xbrORU3b7WNV_pBm7EbTvoeE6b6QNa1Fjgth_dAjuTvQgsoRwniP_ERz4CQjoNJXbgcDi1PfGGo/s1600/IMG_1300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnD-eRbDwCmxdeF9vRaKfq625JsewK6DAEXEovNtLLzqkTayw8myeSe1oSWenMHLF0xbrORU3b7WNV_pBm7EbTvoeE6b6QNa1Fjgth_dAjuTvQgsoRwniP_ERz4CQjoNJXbgcDi1PfGGo/s320/IMG_1300.JPG" /></a></div><br />
After you blanch the carrots, place them in cold water to stop the cooking process and drain your wok. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAwyGxsbbLrs8X4h2rBCJnmCXJYK0aZrylDaxk2Q5nz5h0iKjT8eM6x4tzHSYSv2i39StxanVIVRmiHSsayRJGHerxymCVShddLbU9yVehccZTnmrAdQIwwlo3qcR6SAOy3Nz4Vj87vA/s1600/IMG_1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAwyGxsbbLrs8X4h2rBCJnmCXJYK0aZrylDaxk2Q5nz5h0iKjT8eM6x4tzHSYSv2i39StxanVIVRmiHSsayRJGHerxymCVShddLbU9yVehccZTnmrAdQIwwlo3qcR6SAOy3Nz4Vj87vA/s320/IMG_1301.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Heat your wok until it smokes then swirl enough cold oil around the middle so that it runs down to the bottom. Throw in your garlic and ginger and stir fry until fragrant. In my case I can tell when it's ready just by the colour. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdenB47NxA66hUs_4bcy0lWjgl2dwp2MifkGuCFAwLDBM6-OrttCMvozGZM3K28HktCQMI2TGt3qLVduHsUKcpaI0z19gwL5uSYlJaC9h27ftUzJ3w2FZpx-oxUlRIoFBQ_3QTtVNw3o/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdenB47NxA66hUs_4bcy0lWjgl2dwp2MifkGuCFAwLDBM6-OrttCMvozGZM3K28HktCQMI2TGt3qLVduHsUKcpaI0z19gwL5uSYlJaC9h27ftUzJ3w2FZpx-oxUlRIoFBQ_3QTtVNw3o/s320/IMG_1308.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If the wok gets too hot and the ginger and garlic start to burn add your next ingredient i.e. the thick white lengths of spring onion, to bring down the heat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZ3jvQ1wCOKPf4Cqhh2zxkQbFskjgE1gFSuUBqB9q4wNu-pTA_kW8MOY3OYWvJdN0Qr1LKo6FTAtEEnqpl0wFdd2dLCkYX9SS4wXA5eEDq2a-TpN4pUNTCwgBJWmx4Pk6RHTzVvN_MU8/s1600/IMG_1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZ3jvQ1wCOKPf4Cqhh2zxkQbFskjgE1gFSuUBqB9q4wNu-pTA_kW8MOY3OYWvJdN0Qr1LKo6FTAtEEnqpl0wFdd2dLCkYX9SS4wXA5eEDq2a-TpN4pUNTCwgBJWmx4Pk6RHTzVvN_MU8/s320/IMG_1309.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stir fry the white part of the spring onion for about a minute then add the chicken.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7IA08zCyUw90kB-VX-GGlSxnHg4OmvDrZc1YqmcFtdo5wcN8pHE63YSTgYmdv8OLFc9loPoCVU_8NqxKc43IS_pvHH3kar_RkhwZbekeMFlmOWwPavN-2wWjHmMUXfnIx4hgfFfdyeY/s1600/IMG_1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7IA08zCyUw90kB-VX-GGlSxnHg4OmvDrZc1YqmcFtdo5wcN8pHE63YSTgYmdv8OLFc9loPoCVU_8NqxKc43IS_pvHH3kar_RkhwZbekeMFlmOWwPavN-2wWjHmMUXfnIx4hgfFfdyeY/s320/IMG_1310.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I normally blanch the chicken in hot oil until it changes colour before I add it to the wok in this step but one GG was vying for my attention so I added the chicken raw. Although, the colour doesn't look great and the gas intensity felt like it was next to zero, the chicken was still lovely and tender in the finished dish. Continue to stir fry the chicken until cooked then add the finer green spring onions, carrots and the sauce. When adding the sauce drizzle it around the middle of the wok so that the heat of the wok starts to heat it instantly. Make sure that the sugar melts, the sauce thickens and that the chicken and vegetables are well coated with the sauce before serving. Garnish with some coriander.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjh7xctY5fGJGL8wG3nC8KbihLqZ763f8JqZ_LBcoMBC07AzEei70JezDI0wgyYO9oFa5PMp3xNgNZRjncqrxAnGg1kU2hqVjE7ODzfvntc8p8XTBKnMVh_9VMTwpyag7qeNR7BSHUGM/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjh7xctY5fGJGL8wG3nC8KbihLqZ763f8JqZ_LBcoMBC07AzEei70JezDI0wgyYO9oFa5PMp3xNgNZRjncqrxAnGg1kU2hqVjE7ODzfvntc8p8XTBKnMVh_9VMTwpyag7qeNR7BSHUGM/s320/IMG_1312.JPG" /></a></div>dumplingdesignzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260156948573840866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556596575710101792.post-89106273364494121782010-07-04T22:38:00.001+10:002010-07-14T23:42:31.790+10:00Wok The Fu*k - How to Hold Your WokYou thought this was rude didn't you, well sorry to disappoint... if it's crude stuff you're after it's best to leave my blog NOW!<br />
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Back to the serious art of cooking... now where was I... thats right, how to hold your wok whilst cooking.<br />
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If you have a wok that has two small handles, one on each side, use an old face washer or flannel as my nanna used to call them, to hold your wok whilst cooking. Wet the face washer, squeeze out all of the water then fold it in half so that you have a rectangle; fold it in half again so that it becomes a square. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypP0Ncju3bcWkw4tmEY2ec2zBFpjJAxQ8NxGGhoo8L6q3TATLkN3u8sSBANjD15ouJynVhZHxjL7ZKr1HRZofd9MqUvSwCD3eHDPFFVBa8JYiQ0OiVwPkOS6GXFkm6s68apQWgpWfUUE/s1600/IMG_1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypP0Ncju3bcWkw4tmEY2ec2zBFpjJAxQ8NxGGhoo8L6q3TATLkN3u8sSBANjD15ouJynVhZHxjL7ZKr1HRZofd9MqUvSwCD3eHDPFFVBa8JYiQ0OiVwPkOS6GXFkm6s68apQWgpWfUUE/s320/IMG_1305.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Now hold your wok like I'm holding mine in the photo below.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJiYgmutu293N3hQgUIYvHJhFfPpTeZn9pwf-KYnRzg_eMgPe2tJho9NnB1rvt7bfv21jQdqGvQTtsnz82NA2Zr8bzTSxqja4D3mgWV4ns-Ru-7IIeI39Ntt_8cG2HzVDkED7Ub4mKD0/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJiYgmutu293N3hQgUIYvHJhFfPpTeZn9pwf-KYnRzg_eMgPe2tJho9NnB1rvt7bfv21jQdqGvQTtsnz82NA2Zr8bzTSxqja4D3mgWV4ns-Ru-7IIeI39Ntt_8cG2HzVDkED7Ub4mKD0/s320/IMG_1307.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Contrary to what we are taught in Western cooking i.e. not to pick up anything hot with a wet cloth, when I learnt Chinese cooking I was taught the opposite. The wet cloth actually prevents you from burning yourself and is less likely to catch fire near the intense heat. If the handle starts to get too hot, simply rinse your cloth in cold water, squeeze out excess water and fold again as above.dumplingdesignzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260156948573840866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556596575710101792.post-55771919337907928102010-06-26T22:25:00.000+10:002010-06-26T22:25:45.239+10:00Really ExcitedLast Saturday I got the loveliest surprise as hubby had been out shopping and had bought me a present to cheer me up (lots of stuff has been going on and things have been tough).<br />
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Sitting on the stainless steel bench in my kitchen was a gorgeous red KITCHENAID and not just any one but the 90th Anniversary edition in CANDY APPLE RED. He had even washed the bowl and whisk ready for use - WHAT A SWEETY!!!!!! Lots of cakes, pavlovas and macarons to be made in our household.....yummo:)dumplingdesignzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260156948573840866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556596575710101792.post-46262672159483227902010-06-25T17:15:00.008+10:002010-06-25T22:18:18.253+10:00Sometimes Ignorance is Bliss<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If I had to sum up Hong Kong in a sentence I would say, "a crazy, exciting, fun place with AWESOME food and shopping". When expats move there they either grab the bull by the horns and have a ball or they find it so overwhelming that they don't cope and end up going back to their own country. I was the expat that grabbed the bull by its horns and threw myself into the culture. I learnt some basic Mandarin, Cantonese, Chinese cooking, Chinese knots and Mahjong - Hong Kong rules of course.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkV4QLKBroIkipgmq52av8JJLbiIKVM53ZByWpLbsSrvaxMW4PFvw9CuLEHJ2IXT16jWDshSs8ysyl8aNarmJds2OSdhsbDD5Wy0q3wKvmfcFhbdlTxx9j64CR2BHAYSljCglPBlhWysA/s1600/IMG_2912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkV4QLKBroIkipgmq52av8JJLbiIKVM53ZByWpLbsSrvaxMW4PFvw9CuLEHJ2IXT16jWDshSs8ysyl8aNarmJds2OSdhsbDD5Wy0q3wKvmfcFhbdlTxx9j64CR2BHAYSljCglPBlhWysA/s320/IMG_2912.JPG" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Chinese food is fantastic but to the average "gweilo" authentic Chinese food can be just a bit too weird and scary. As we all know the Cantonese are known to eat pretty much every part of the beast... did I take risks and try things that I wouldn't normally eat...hell yeah! Look, if I could eat a witchetty grub and a bogong moth when I was a kid, I could sure eat snake soup and the like... and I did. After living in HK for 3 years and then recently moving back to oz I have suffered a bit from reverse culture shock as it was almost like living on another planet. No longer do I go to the wet markets to do my shopping where I see chickens being slaughtered and intestines hanging on hooks and/or blood and guts. Now I go to a quality butcher located in Mawson and Coles supermarket; and everything is sanitized - I am still yet to discover the local Canberra markets but expect pretty much the same....gourmet products but no nasty surprises.<br />
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I miss the excitement of shopping in the wet market talking to the vendors in my basic Cantonese and/or Mandarin. I miss picking out unusual herbs such as Sichuan peppercorn leaves, transported from Sichuan, or picking out live prawns and shrimps. I miss the giggle of my 6 year old when a prawn escaped from the plastic bag and jumped all over the floor on the bus. Did anyone care? No... this was Hong Kong, this was part of everyday life. On the other hand, did I know what I was eating half the time? No. Did many expats shop at the wet market? No. Could I have eaten harmful fungicides and pesticides? Yes. Did the prawns in Hong Kong have a lot of flavour? No. Did the Chinese farmers use lots of antibiotics with their farmed animals and seafood? Yes. Australia has some of the finest seafood, meat, poultry and produce in the world and the highest standards but when you live overseas sometimes ignorance is bliss. Australia is truly the lucky country but we do have to look after it as the pollution in Hong Kong is so bad some days that you only have 2km visibility. China produces most of the world's products and the environmental disasters resulting from this are catastrophic and possibly irreversible. Although, I love Hong Kong and there will always be place for it in my heart I also love Australia so will always be torn.<br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spices in Graham Street Wet Market</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">A typical butcher in the wet market.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">My 6 year old loved going to the wet market and always held the bag of live prawns on the way home. I also remember how excited she was when she saw some live toads floating in a bowl above a tub of water...it was even funnier when the vendor started spinning the bowl and the toads got dizzy.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fruit and veggie stalls at Graham Street wet market on Hong Kong Island.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Below are photos of an authentic Chinese grocery store. Wing Woo Grocery store located in Wellington Street (now closed) had operated for over 80 years and was handed down through generations. It was popular with locals and tourists alike and was one of my favourite shops.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Top floor of the store where Kwan Moon-chui lived - don't cha love the gorgeous pink long johns:P The building itself is over a 100 years old but, if not already, will be torn down by Urban Renewal Authority and will become the site of the portal for the new wet markets in the Central district. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well that's about it for today, from the photo's above I think you now have some insight as to what life was like - very different but very exciting. If there are any other bloggers out there that have found the excitement in Canberra let me know coz I haven't found it:( </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>dumplingdesignzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260156948573840866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556596575710101792.post-24465678564793725182010-06-24T00:06:00.000+10:002010-06-24T00:06:36.746+10:00Send in your Tips and or Suggestions on Asian CuisineOk, I've got blonde hair and blue eyes and there is no hint of Asian about me but I spent a good 9 months with Cantonese cooks learning about Chinese cuisine and have an intermediate Chinese Cooking certificate to prove it. I plan to include lots of yummy recipes on my site but if you read my blog and are Asian and have some tips or suggestions passed down from your mum or grandma then send them in as I would love to hear from you.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxizI7U6e_nk6lFrkgCNzEDq9jsCZjlescXjnVev_KXq6D_FegTvf4kKGqO43QH1lx3xtj8KDop8bDicthTmT2iR5sLEBfAxTjG5kSinDJkfF3DqIzNeajTgnBMv5n6_NcHOinqBtleY/s1600/Aberdeen+June+2008+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxizI7U6e_nk6lFrkgCNzEDq9jsCZjlescXjnVev_KXq6D_FegTvf4kKGqO43QH1lx3xtj8KDop8bDicthTmT2iR5sLEBfAxTjG5kSinDJkfF3DqIzNeajTgnBMv5n6_NcHOinqBtleY/s320/Aberdeen+June+2008+038.jpg" /></a></div>dumplingdesignzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260156948573840866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556596575710101792.post-70050659038111472092010-06-20T23:14:00.010+10:002010-06-23T22:50:24.577+10:00Hand Minced Pork Dumplings with Homemade Wrappers<div style="text-align: justify;">It's too late to post the recipe and photo's of the dumplings that I made today but they are totally scrumdelicious!!!!! When I get time later this week, I will update this post with the recipe and photos. Making dumplings for the first time can prove a little tricky but with tips and a bit of practice you'll be making your own in no time. Pop them into the freezer and you have a delicious snack that you can prepare quickly. My kids love them and they are great for tots.... mmmmmmmmmmmmm.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A few days later and I've finally loaded the photo's....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you have a cleaver, go to your local butcher and ask for pork belly and try mincing your own meat, this way you will end up with a spongey, moist filling that is flavoursome and juicy instead of dry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY33MoGp710F4pfbnrs5AIw-bfDdhRVkyAPi1sS0B0iuDeeLjpnDEeOSV7H1V6ARS2UapbbpRit7YC-6W-AICoFtVVhut5REnR2hyphenhyphenbWpKlmylmaw-s8lIxl5rFdqoYlXxaSBi44MqGl74/s1600/IMG_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY33MoGp710F4pfbnrs5AIw-bfDdhRVkyAPi1sS0B0iuDeeLjpnDEeOSV7H1V6ARS2UapbbpRit7YC-6W-AICoFtVVhut5REnR2hyphenhyphenbWpKlmylmaw-s8lIxl5rFdqoYlXxaSBi44MqGl74/s320/IMG_1247.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chinese cooks use two cleavers to mince their meat but I only feel comfortable using one thanks very much!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQw60QKbN9oJ39wUkbyZkA_ulRRAHcIeVy8lHN_5Ytb1qjGR5-iufNLMTqpye4LFlhUUHtwAbFqmKCBZ5LKUaZlm196CJk1uvQJuvy0g2_VvmwWJkYVkDFPBwvur3-k-fABJreByd9hQ/s1600/IMG_1249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQw60QKbN9oJ39wUkbyZkA_ulRRAHcIeVy8lHN_5Ytb1qjGR5-iufNLMTqpye4LFlhUUHtwAbFqmKCBZ5LKUaZlm196CJk1uvQJuvy0g2_VvmwWJkYVkDFPBwvur3-k-fABJreByd9hQ/s320/IMG_1249.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we are aiming for half fat and half lean pork so that the fat renders down whilst cooking and keeps the filling moist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS57F4xU6E7tzudJVnr9Rwz73cD0GZmMPimfchzh8aZnQIkPuPMEUovtgkYCU9eU7nyWKiNYJ9INEnH85jZD9ABLl5Y7XaxnT08tz-LD0X1RQX4BOkfmUattI7iL7QDfhFUdXWhJltvGI/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS57F4xU6E7tzudJVnr9Rwz73cD0GZmMPimfchzh8aZnQIkPuPMEUovtgkYCU9eU7nyWKiNYJ9INEnH85jZD9ABLl5Y7XaxnT08tz-LD0X1RQX4BOkfmUattI7iL7QDfhFUdXWhJltvGI/s320/IMG_1252.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Slice the ginger then fan it out and shred it finely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XnxLQ1abydqNPFXMBmn9NzZ2XImXBTNVPkYqrSBVnFU0AhEkw9m0ajBK9U3R84TpMkZNJhEft5cHgohVE2SPM5qs54ZsVtoMEsyvarn1C1e3C3TP1McTrBkZmkmVQN0Qv-74LRm4xuE/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XnxLQ1abydqNPFXMBmn9NzZ2XImXBTNVPkYqrSBVnFU0AhEkw9m0ajBK9U3R84TpMkZNJhEft5cHgohVE2SPM5qs54ZsVtoMEsyvarn1C1e3C3TP1McTrBkZmkmVQN0Qv-74LRm4xuE/s320/IMG_1253.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then in a fan type motion with your knife or cleaver, dice the ginger finely in a similar way that you would finely chop herbs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9Q-J3pRwHUkxVXvby5lR21dPyw-8U1sOeuPr9Nyx4egjOpRDdcazjqaJhP1yomQjx47tLvc3qCwct7geBCXvwIL7LTtdanGCMfLxextLxjzFLRhRbxgyOtNIbxXLlXOJw5pOmO9RDoQ/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9Q-J3pRwHUkxVXvby5lR21dPyw-8U1sOeuPr9Nyx4egjOpRDdcazjqaJhP1yomQjx47tLvc3qCwct7geBCXvwIL7LTtdanGCMfLxextLxjzFLRhRbxgyOtNIbxXLlXOJw5pOmO9RDoQ/s320/IMG_1258.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mix the hot water into the flour first before adding the cold so that the water cooks the flour and it ends up looking like this. This is an important step as the hot water helps to make the dough elastic and it is easier to fill your dumpling wrappers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4xDz9eRFxF6-oJLM9aVW7BHNX89M5MSayiqNxG-spJzDLXEqFBOgtBQHh1rz2Dz6qiCjj8PeLMF8FA9PaPey2dma9kyR5D003ZtUKw0HF5qFpydOJB2WdrtViytvezkQTSEhrMsT78A/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4xDz9eRFxF6-oJLM9aVW7BHNX89M5MSayiqNxG-spJzDLXEqFBOgtBQHh1rz2Dz6qiCjj8PeLMF8FA9PaPey2dma9kyR5D003ZtUKw0HF5qFpydOJB2WdrtViytvezkQTSEhrMsT78A/s320/IMG_1260.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Keep kneading the dough just like bread so that it ends up looking like the dough below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxd_D7n-eFxtQWBLrz0oCH2uubZxe7I-qpYJpq9AXwizqE-uUUBRKDIoJhqVmTOUCAThR9W_nSfss-moo8htQe4ZKgO5efOfMVviuEI9xS_kesYLI7Ann3sprtDyPQN4Cr86s1WOm5E0/s1600/IMG_1261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxd_D7n-eFxtQWBLrz0oCH2uubZxe7I-qpYJpq9AXwizqE-uUUBRKDIoJhqVmTOUCAThR9W_nSfss-moo8htQe4ZKgO5efOfMVviuEI9xS_kesYLI7Ann3sprtDyPQN4Cr86s1WOm5E0/s320/IMG_1261.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here, the gluten has started to relax and the dough is still soft and a little sticky. Try not to spread too much flour on your working surface or you will lose the stickiness in the dough. If you have to use a little flour only use cornflour otherwise, plain flour and the like will be absorbed into the dough and make it unmanageable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9azrsZsmAdV6uQtJDmijUYyw3np_onhrZNmy8u6dCj53i5kD3kfhzGJ9lLTlRFXGGGgR_fzryPjefgjEcFLBbkuoKKQD7qpraRWi08rioWY99jJJExtlEPM7-_YHkt6aqb3voyND90cw/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9azrsZsmAdV6uQtJDmijUYyw3np_onhrZNmy8u6dCj53i5kD3kfhzGJ9lLTlRFXGGGgR_fzryPjefgjEcFLBbkuoKKQD7qpraRWi08rioWY99jJJExtlEPM7-_YHkt6aqb3voyND90cw/s320/IMG_1262.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cut the dough into portions and cover them in plastic wrap ready for use.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKk_-KWdEIc5CA1G4HODN_OqNXfTLYXR9PZFRoRyqPhuc2nu4vP2PRm5aKku3hY48f2-5RlZ2gKR_G1ELS7OxtHxDgB7LEaQ6v4aJVEQNd12n6_2W0b1k12zU5XQfiJDsozrDZpZiKyw/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKk_-KWdEIc5CA1G4HODN_OqNXfTLYXR9PZFRoRyqPhuc2nu4vP2PRm5aKku3hY48f2-5RlZ2gKR_G1ELS7OxtHxDgB7LEaQ6v4aJVEQNd12n6_2W0b1k12zU5XQfiJDsozrDZpZiKyw/s320/IMG_1263.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roll the portion of dough into a long rope and cut with a plastic scraper, similar to gnocchi. Notice that there isn't too much flour on the work surface.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwjuC8-LTPpMkuTWNNfJbZCyxp9piVBdLRFVwPqNpENlrOb5rRlOukasWb8P9LAwFFA_pRoIssUQ5p7Vr2wwPbwLGzoprwbb1dkafsv7IdT0bB_mNKcT5OaNaUJokhudatnB1CZb-JM8/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwjuC8-LTPpMkuTWNNfJbZCyxp9piVBdLRFVwPqNpENlrOb5rRlOukasWb8P9LAwFFA_pRoIssUQ5p7Vr2wwPbwLGzoprwbb1dkafsv7IdT0bB_mNKcT5OaNaUJokhudatnB1CZb-JM8/s320/IMG_1265.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Press the piece of dough down with the palm of your hand, cut surface facing up, so that a circle is formed then roll the wrapper as above. I have a dim sum rolling pin but you can go to your local hardware store and have a small bit of wood cut to suit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyZnHZm16Azlbo1Log6HThzIclmUR3VPXCcLaxKqzxpXEmdGLVYNEIBWYjxT1hh08kzUM8OsQX7RzZLlT83kd88H696mIC3BZ8LY7GUbnVmkrkN9o3B4Wviihv_C9zZ5uR5B61nt3PF0/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyZnHZm16Azlbo1Log6HThzIclmUR3VPXCcLaxKqzxpXEmdGLVYNEIBWYjxT1hh08kzUM8OsQX7RzZLlT83kd88H696mIC3BZ8LY7GUbnVmkrkN9o3B4Wviihv_C9zZ5uR5B61nt3PF0/s320/IMG_1270.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When you fill the dumpling it is important to leave a a rim so that you can fold and pleat the wrapper. Oops, in the above photo I dredged the dumplings with too much cornflour which made it difficult to pleat and seal the wrapper - not good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasHOEcma4JSRGnlFWQCSniCl37oMZmFmANymOZKnRAqBFrcxQLk7OviurNmPLUTtuLeFWzhEOBS3sa_ZVpSS9qo_y8EQEP0eyUj0kFbyXq8PoT-Z1mP9ttpbAIC-zoZGBYv3CPE-0yxk/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasHOEcma4JSRGnlFWQCSniCl37oMZmFmANymOZKnRAqBFrcxQLk7OviurNmPLUTtuLeFWzhEOBS3sa_ZVpSS9qo_y8EQEP0eyUj0kFbyXq8PoT-Z1mP9ttpbAIC-zoZGBYv3CPE-0yxk/s320/IMG_1275.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To form the dumpling, fill the wrapper, fold it in half then pinch the right hand corner. Start pleating the front side of the wrapper whilst pinching against the back of the wrapper and there you have it. Notice that I haven't dredged the bench or dumpling with much cornflour and the result is a lot better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UykPIw2u1WxrpdI3mBu3PzMcierRT8lKy0j9sugK36807KmNbp0mfe3iMGMElgWPWIYf8Z83fMnrf-pXXGPn36quhtxlloI7ryzycVo_fUWd8jZj-JiegN-rKWm-KlbH8njpA1GUCzE/s1600/IMG_1285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UykPIw2u1WxrpdI3mBu3PzMcierRT8lKy0j9sugK36807KmNbp0mfe3iMGMElgWPWIYf8Z83fMnrf-pXXGPn36quhtxlloI7ryzycVo_fUWd8jZj-JiegN-rKWm-KlbH8njpA1GUCzE/s320/IMG_1285.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, look there's more.... waaaaaaaaaaaa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next step is to post the recipe.... back soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>dumplingdesignzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260156948573840866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556596575710101792.post-51557321723041106792010-06-19T20:03:00.010+10:002010-06-23T22:41:38.612+10:00Noodles with Beef & Soy Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These noodles were my absolute favourite in Hong Kong and I think I make a pretty mean version of them. There is a chef located at Causeway Bay that has a reputation for making the best version of this dish, he uses pork fat in his recipe and so do I...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ-xiXp_4M4opHe6imNh1ZEEjb3t7oSRJoL2_ZjgI0jOPSX4ZFn3upIi5xXJO-V8hybqjlukRPcWH2Z7fQnnxogKR7muNnuPd58isbxz2cJ1U2ncPmcauiGYNeFAP_hmH96G2EEvYQMI/s1600/IMG_1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ-xiXp_4M4opHe6imNh1ZEEjb3t7oSRJoL2_ZjgI0jOPSX4ZFn3upIi5xXJO-V8hybqjlukRPcWH2Z7fQnnxogKR7muNnuPd58isbxz2cJ1U2ncPmcauiGYNeFAP_hmH96G2EEvYQMI/s320/IMG_1242.JPG" /></a></div>Ingredients:<br />
2 small rib eye beef steaks (sliced finely)<br />
3 cloves of garlic (chopped finely)<br />
2 tblspn fresh ginger (chopped finely)<br />
1 bunch of garlic chives (cut into 1 inch lengths)<br />
pork fat (walnut size)<br />
1 packet of fresh rice noodles (sliced thickly)<br />
1 cup of oil (to blanch the beef)<br />
1 tbsp oil extra<br />
<br />
Marinade:<br />
1 tsp bicarbonate soda<br />
2 tsp water<br />
2 tsp shao xing wine<br />
<br />
Sauce:<br />
3 tbsp light soy sauce<br />
1 tbsp dark soy sauce<br />
1 1/2 tbsp sugar<br />
1 tbsp fish sauce<br />
1/2 tsp chicken powder<br />
<br />
1. Marinate the beef in the marinade for 15 minutes. Make sure that you dissolve the bicarb soda well in the water before adding it to the beef and mix thoroughly. After 15 minutes pour the beef into a sieve to remove excess moisture then using one cup of oil, blanch the beef in the wok (on high heat) until it changes colour - remove. Pour the oil through a strainer and either dispose or store for later use. Rinse the hot wok under running tap water and clean with a nylon brush then put it back on the wok burner for later use.<br />
2. Pour a few drops of dark soy sauce onto the fresh rice noodles (in a bowl) and mix thoroughly so that they become a lovely brown colour.<br />
3. Heat the wok on high until it smokes. Add 1 tbsp cold oil (drizzled around the middle of the wok so that it runs down to the bottom) then add the chopped ginger and garlic. Stir-fry a few seconds then add the strained beef back to the wok, add the garlic chives and stir-fry continuously until the garlic chives start to wilt. At this stage, add the pork fat then the rice noodles. Stir-fry until the noodles become soft and separate.<br />
4. Add the sauce and stir-fry until the noodles and beef are well coated.<br />
<br />
Note: For the pork fat I went to my local butcher and asked for the fat that surrounds the kidneys. This fat renders down to a liquid and imparts a smoky flavour to the dish. Garlic chives and the fresh rice noodles are available from your local Asian grocery store. Below is a picture of the packet of fresh noodles that I used.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JTWC6ErA4fprJfPJg-bQgfLbFpzU1UwFDXxjxrLNJHoVXcjMD367Y6z1kAG_KudDkikOj7j3YiZQmaWLhnTFMt_PR37QQeryAnXsWEtmxHmTw3eOCsqRIaqyG508QZHUXKKfN1HvC1c/s1600/IMG_1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JTWC6ErA4fprJfPJg-bQgfLbFpzU1UwFDXxjxrLNJHoVXcjMD367Y6z1kAG_KudDkikOj7j3YiZQmaWLhnTFMt_PR37QQeryAnXsWEtmxHmTw3eOCsqRIaqyG508QZHUXKKfN1HvC1c/s320/IMG_1244.JPG" /></a></div>dumplingdesignzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260156948573840866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556596575710101792.post-90743393381962352010-06-17T21:51:00.013+10:002010-06-23T22:24:39.397+10:00Seasoning Your Wok<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I had just bought my shiny new carbon steel wok from Shanghai Street in Yau Ma Tei and was proudly carrying it through the central wet market on Hong Kong Island when an old Cantonese lady gave me tips on how to season my wok. Scrub the wok with a soapless scourer to remove the thin film of manufacturing oil that protects it from rusting, rinse it in running water then dry with paper towel. Heat the wok on high heat until it starts to smoke then add pork fat. Use the garlic chives to swirl the pork fat around the wok so that the surface of the wok is coated in the pork fat. As the pork fat renders down and the garlic chives become blackened, turn off the heat and let the wok cool. Remove the blackened pork fat and garlic chives then repeat this process once or twice with fresh ingredients.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">When the carbon steel wok is exposed to high heat the pores in the steel open up. As you season your wok, the pork fat along with its flavour gets trapped in the pores and the garlic chives acts as an antiseptic.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">After you have followed the above instructions, your wok is ready to use. Each time you cook you will be adding to the depth of flavour and colour of the woks patina. After I make a stir-fry, I put the wok under cold running water and use a nylon dishwashing brush to clean it - never clean your wok with dishwashing liquid. By the time you put the nylon brush into the wok, it has already cooled down so as not to melt the brush. Wipe your wok out with paper towel, then immediately put it back onto the wok burner on a high heat to remove any moisture, then turn off the heat. If you follow this method you won't have to deal with a rusty wok. To be on the safe side, you can also wipe the inside of the wok with a few drops of oil when the wok cools down.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Note that I have a bamboo brush to clean my wok but find it quicker and easier to use the nylon one as sometimes it is necessary to clean your wok several times in the preparation of a dish. Also, if you are able to get pork fat from around the kidney area, the fat will simply melt and you won't have to remove it. In this case, wipe the wok clean with paper towels before you repeat the process. This type of fat is often used to make the blocks of lard in the supermarket.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKbxv6HHmZIWM1tLeHJEnsoDzw9rI2TmPcoTkW4if0vTxVvBrIzKl-doACPjRmZ92sJz5ZNVBpfV14sEn5ZKfTY857I9mxMbRvWhFoLWLy1H61Vn2ER3YF-xptL0ts34DVScEBPoRg0s/s1600/IMG_2965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKbxv6HHmZIWM1tLeHJEnsoDzw9rI2TmPcoTkW4if0vTxVvBrIzKl-doACPjRmZ92sJz5ZNVBpfV14sEn5ZKfTY857I9mxMbRvWhFoLWLy1H61Vn2ER3YF-xptL0ts34DVScEBPoRg0s/s320/IMG_2965.JPG" /></span></a></div>dumplingdesignzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260156948573840866noreply@blogger.com0