A Hint of Spice: Oriental Cuisine

Showing posts with label Oriental Cuisine. Show all posts

CHINESE HOT AND SOUR SOUP

INGREDIENTS
6 cups vegetable broth or Chicken Broth
10-15 mushrooms, sliced thin (shiitake mushrooms)

1 small 4 ounce can bamboo shoots
1 small 4 ounce can water chestnuts
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp hot sauce
2 tbsp vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 green onions (scallions) chopped
Corn Starch mixed with cold water, for thickening, as needed

DIRECTIONS
1.Bring the broth to a boil in a large pot.
2.Add all ingredients except scallions.

3.Reduce heat to a slow simmer, and allow to cook for at least 20 minutes.
4.If you think that the soup is too runny,then mix corn flour with cold water in another bowl.
5.Remove the soup from heat and mix the cornflour slurry,1/2 tblsp at a time.Let it cook for some time and even then if you think its runny,then add more cornstarch slurry.

6.Add scallions and allow to cook for 3 to 5 more minutes.

7.Add more soy sauce or hot sauce to taste.
8.Enjoy your soup with Spring rolls or egg rolls.
'njoy!!!

TIP
1.Always remember to mix corn flour in cold water,otherwise it will form lumps.
2.You can find bamboo shoots and water chestnuts in small cans in the International food aisle in the stores near the chinese(oriental) food.

Sending this to Deb from Kahakaikitchen for her Event Souper Sundays.

1:08 AM | Labels: Appetizer, Chinese, Comfort Food, Eating Healthy, Event Entrees, Low Calorie, Low Carb, Low Fat, Mushroom, Oriental Cuisine, Soup, Vegetarian | 2 Comments

PAN SEARED SALMON

Salmon is delicious with exceptional nutritional value found in few other foods (omega 3 fatty acids), the lovely pink-hued salmon can be served in a variety of ways and is always a favorite among fish lovers.
Salmon is low in calories and saturated fat, yet high in protein, and a unique type of health-promoting fat, the omega-3 essential fatty acids. As their name implies, essential fatty acids are essential for human health but because they cannot be made by the body, they must be obtained from foods. Fish contain a type of essential fatty acid called the omega-3 fatty acids. . In addition to being an excellent source of omega-3s, salmon are an excellent source of selenium, a very good source of protein, niacin and vitamin B12, and a good source of phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin B6.
Pan searing salmon is one of the easiest way to make salmon.Also it's very healthy way to retain all the nutrients.

Ingredients
2 Salmon fillet
Salt
Black Pepper
Italian Seasonings
3 tablespoon Lemon Juice

Directions
1.Using a fork poke the salmon steaks.
2.Marinate the Salmon Fillet in lemon juice,salt and black pepper for 30 minutes.
3.Spray a Non stick pan with Canola Oil spray and preheat for 2 minutes.
4.Sprinkle Italian seasonings on both sides of the salmon steak and let it cook in the non stick pan on both sides.
5.You can also use a indoor grill for grilling the salmon.
'njoy!!!

Serving suggestions:-Serve with Sweet Corn & Black Bean Salad or Spring Salad

4:05 PM | Labels: Comfort Food, Eating Healthy, Low Calorie, Meals, Oriental Cuisine, Salmon, Seafood | 0 Comments

VEGETABLE CHOW MEIN

Chow mein is a generic Chinese term for a dish of stir fried noodles, of which there are many varieties. Chow mein is generally made of soft noodles, however Hong Kong style chow mein is made from thin crispy noodles.

Chow mein is also common in Indo Chinese cuisine, having been introduced by the Chinese of Calcutta. It is usually offered Hakka or with gravy. Catering to vegetarian diets, there is an Indian variant, vegetable chow mein, which consists of noodles with cabbage, bamboo shoots, pea pods, green peppers, and carrots.

Ingredients

6 oz Chow Mein Noodles

1 medium sized onion thinly sliced

1 cup cabbage thinly shredded

1 medium sized green bell pepper thinly sliced

1 medium sized red bell pepper thinly sliced

1 carrot thinly sliced

Bamboo shoots (optional)

1 spring onion finely diced

1 tsp ginger finely grated

1 tsp garlic finely chopped

1 small green chilli finely chopped

2 tblsp light cooking oil

2 tblsp soya sauce

1/2 tsp black pepper

salt to taste

Directions

1.Boil a pot of water and when it starts boilling add a pinch of salt and 1/4 tsp oil.Then put the chow mein noodles and let them boil in wtar till they are done.

2.Heat oil in a wok and saute garlic,green chilli,white part of spring onion.

3.Add Onion let it saute till it turns pinkish in color.

4.Add the green bell pepper and the red bell pepper,carrots and Bamboo shoot.Let them saute.

5.Finally add the finely shredded cabbage and let it saute for about 2 minute.

6.Add salt,black pepper and Soya Suace and mix it well to coat the vegetables.

7.Now mix the sauteed vegetables with the boiled and drained noodles.

8.Serve hot with Vegetable Manchurian or Chicken Manchurian.

'njoy!!!

9:23 AM | Labels: Bell Pepper, Cabbage, Chinese, Meals, Oriental Cuisine, Vegetarian | 0 Comments

VEGETABLE MANCHURIAN

Ingredients

4 tblsp Corn Flour

2 cup grated cabbage

1/2 cup grated carrot

2 tblsp soya sauce

2 chopped spring onions

4 chopped green chilli

1 tblsp grated garlic

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp ground black pepper

2 tblsp Cooking oil

Salt to taste

Directions

1.Squeeze out excess water from grated cabbage.

2.Mix grated carrot,grated cabbage and corn flour.

3.Add salt & pepper to make a dough.

4.Shape into small balls deep fry in medium hot oil till light brown.

5.Heat 2 tblsp oil in a frying pan.

6.Add chopped green chillies,chopped garlic spring onions.

7.Cook about 5 minutes.

8.Add 1 cup of water,salt,pepper,sugar,soya suace.

9.Bring to a boil.

10.Mix Corn Flour properly in a cup of cold water.

11.Add slowly mix to thicken the gravy.

12.Add the fried manchurian balls & garnish with parsley or green onions.

13.Serve with Chow Mein or Fried Rice.

'njoy!!!

8:53 AM | Labels: Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese, Meals, Oriental Cuisine, Vegetarian | 1 Comments

PEANUTTY WHEAT NOODLES WITH SHRIMP

Recently we have been making a conscious effort to increase our intake of whole wheat products in one form or another.....although being Indian and that too from North India we do eat whole wheat chapatis everyday.But to incorporate whole wheat or whole grains in other cuisines.So when I wanted to make this dish I bought Wheat noodles and believe me the taste increases multifold.

Ingredients

8 ounces uncooked wheat noodles
3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
2 teaspoons sesame oil (optional)
1 teaspoon hot sauce
2 teaspoons peanut oil /vegetable oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 pound medium shrimp , peeled and deveined
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup chopped scallions
Chopped cilantro leaves, for garnish, optional

Directions

1.Cook noodles according to package directions.

2.Always cook wheat noodles in plenty of boiling water. Some Asian cooks recommend cooking them until they're al dente (cooked through, but still firm), while others suggest cooking them a bit longer to make them softer. Rinse the noodles in cold water after they're done and let them drain.

3.Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine chicken broth, soy sauce, peanut butter, sesame oil, and hot sauce.

4.Whisk until blended and set pan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Simmer 10 minutes.
5.Heat peanut oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

6.Add ginger and garlic and saute 2 minutes.

7.Add bell pepper and saute 2 minutes.

8.Add shrimp and saute 2 minutes.

9.Add 1 cup of the peanut sauce sauce and simmer 2 minutes, until shrimp are bright pink and cooked through.

10.Drain noodles and add to shrimp mixture. Toss to combine.

11.Transfer noodle mixture to 4 individual plates and top each serving with peanuts, scallions and cilantro, if desired.

12.Reserve remaining peanut sauce for additional meals or if you want to add more to this meal.Infact this peanut sauce goes well with spring rolls and egg rolls too.