Monday, March 7, 2016

SWEET RED BEAN

 Ingredients (Serves 4)
  • 1 cup of red beans, soaked for 10-11 hours and rinsed 
  • ¼ cup dried lotus seeds, soaked for 10-11 hours and rinsed 
  • ¼ cup of dried shredded stick (tapioca forms), soaked for 10-11 hours and rinsed 
  • 1 can (14 oz/400 ml) of coconut milk 
  • 3 cups of water 
  • 2 cups of half and half 
  • 1 cup of sugar 
  • 1 teaspoon of salt 
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla
Procedures

  1. Pour 3 cups of water in a pot and add red beans and lotus seeds. Slow cook for 35-40 minutes (covering with lid). 
  2. Add half and half and shredded stick. Boil for about 14 minutes (medium heat). 
  3. Add coconut milk, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 3-4 minutes. 
  4. Add vanilla and taste.

Friday, March 4, 2016

STEAMED JICAMA ROOT ROLLS

Ingredients (Serves 4) 
  • 1 pre-packed (12 oz/340 g) salad roll wrapper 
  • ½ lb of peeled shrimp 
  • 4 Chinese sausages 
  • 4 large eggs, beat well, fried, and cut into long, skinny slices 
  • 1 jicama root (about 2 lbs), peeled, shredded, and steamed for 10 min. (medium heat) 
  • 1 bulb of green lettuce, washed 
  • 2 cups of fresh mint leaves 
  • ½ cup of roasted peanut, crushed 
  • ½ cup of hoisin sauce 
  • ¼ cup of white vinegar 
  • ¼ cup of water 
  • 2 tablespoons of peanut butter 
  • 2 teaspoons of chili garlic sauce 
  • 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil 
  • 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 
  • 3 shallots, finely chopped
Procedures
  1. Heat a little bit of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add shrimp and stir them about 2-3 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a dish to cool down. Then, crush them. 
  2. Put Chinese sausages in a small pan and add a little water. Cover the lid and cook them for 12-13 minutes over medium heat. Take them out and let them cool down. Then, thinly slice them. 
  3. Dip one salad roll wrapper in a big bowl of warm water. Then, take the wrapper out and spread it on a large dish and add green leaf, mint, steamed jicama root, long, skinny sliced fried egg, shrimp, Chinese sausages, and crushed peanuts on top of the wrapper. Roll it the same way you roll a spring roll, except you do not need to use the egg to seal it. Water alone will do the job.
Dipping Sauce

Heat the oil in a small saucepot over medium heat and add garlic and shallot. Then, stir it about 1-2 minutes and add hoisin sauce, peanut butter, vinegar, water, and chili garlic sauce. Bring to a boil and taste. Dip the rolls into the sauce to enjoy.