Blog

Ingredients

1 medium eggplant, cubed
1 teaspoon salt
16 ounces fresh Chinese wheat noodles
2 tablespoons sherry
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 tablespoons vegetarian fish sauce
2 cups sliced onion
3 tablespoons canola oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, julienned
4 tablespoons chopped, unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional)

Directions

Place the eggplant cubes into a colander. Add the salt and toss well. Let the eggplant drain for 15 minutes, then rinse it lightly with water. Let the eggplant drain again in the colander.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and boil them for about 5 minutes, until they are tender. Drain and rinse well with cold water. Let the noodles drain in a colander for at least 10 minutes.

Combine the sherry with the cornstarch in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.

In a saucepan combine the red wine vinegar, water, ginger, sugar, imitation fish sauce and onions. Bring the mixture to a boil, turn the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.

In a large skillet, preferably non-stick, heat 1 1/2 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant, and cook it for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and red pepper and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes more or until the eggplant softens. Add both the onion-vinegar mixture and the cornstarch-sherry mixture. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep the mixture warm.

In a large non-stick skillet heat the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. When the oil begins to smoke, add the noodles, then place two or three plates on top of them so that more surface area will brown. Let the noodles sit over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. When the noodles have developed a golden brow

Ingredients

3/4 cup red wine
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons dried oregano

Directions

In a nonreactive bowl, combine wine, olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano. Add desired meat, and cover. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour or overnight, turning meat occasionally.

Ingredients

3 cups mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a large bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and salt together until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Ingredients

3 cups uncooked jasmine rice
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups dried shiitake mushrooms
3 tablespoons oyster sauce, divided
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon red wine
3 links lop chong (Chinese-style sausage)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 pound fresh shrimp – peeled, deveined, and diced
1/4 pound cooked pork link sausage, diced
1 bunch green onions, diced
1 cup fresh water chestnuts, peeled and diced
1 1/2 cups frozen green peas

Directions

Place the jasmine rice and water in a medium saucepan. Cover and let stand at least 1 hour, until the water has been absorbed. Transfer to a steamer basket and fluff with a fork. Steam 20 minutes, or until tender.

Place the dried mushrooms in a bowl with enough hot water to cover. Soak 30 minutes or until tender. Drain, remove stems, and slice.

In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, sugar, and red wine. Place mushrooms in the bowl, and marinate at least 15 minutes.

In the steamer basket, steam the mushrooms and Chinese-style sausage 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and chop.

Heat the sesame oil in a large wok over high heat. Toss in the shrimp and cook 1 to 2 minutes, until nearly opaque. Stir in the mushrooms, Chinese-style sausage, pork sausage, green onion, and water chestnuts. Cook and stir about 2 minutes. Mix in the rice and remaining oyster sauce. Cook another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and toss in the peas. Serve when the peas are heated through.