Sunday, September 5, 2010

CHINESE FOOD or JAPANESE FOOD


Actually, I don't know if you'd consider this Chinese food or Japanese food because I thought of cooking this after a trip to Benihana's with my sister and we sat there wondering if we could do it. Turns out... we could! And it's not as difficult as you might think and my sister and I have our Friday evening cook-outs and have been mastering our skills at this.



It's best to have all of your items ready to go before you start cooking so read through this before you begin cooking.


FILET MIGNON OR RIB-EYE STEAK, CHICKEN, SHRIMP
(YOUR CHOICE - ONE, TWO OR ALL)
ONE LARGE ONION
GREEN ONION (SHALLOTS)
MUSHROOMS
SQUASH
ZUCCHINI
BEAN SPROUTS
SESAME SEED OIL
ONE OR TWO EGGS
PEAS & CARROTS (ABOUT 1/2 CUP)


We start with the stir-fry veggies. We use mushrooms, squash, zuchini (I can never remember how to spell it), onion and bean sprouts. You can add or subtract whatever you like. Perhaps you'd like some broccoli. Add it! Chop up your veggies and dump them in a skillet with a little oil and butter. I use regular cooking oil and just a little sesame seed oil. TIP: Sesame seed oil is what give it the unique Asian food taste but a little goes a long way. It can be an overwhelming taste if you use too much.



Filet mignon is, of course, the best and most tender but also the most expensive. I would suggest rib-eye as an option. Other meats may be less expensive but they have a tendency to be a little tough, they don't cook as quickly and you're likely to be disappointed unless you've pre-tenderized. Again, use a little oil, sesame seed oil and butter for flavor. Also, season with pepper, garlic power and your choice of salt.

For the shrimp, the trick is the butter and garlic. Saute your shrimp in butter, a little oil and sprinkle with garlic powder.


Now for the fried rice. Prepare your rice and don't overcook it. It should still be moist because when you fry it, it will loose some moisture. Have your shallots, peas and carrots and eggs ready. With a little oil, sesame seed oil and butter, saute your green onion and peas and carrots. Break your eggs into the skillet and mix in the onion, peas and carrots. When just about done, dump in your rice. Mix together and add soy sauce. The soy sauce gives it color and flavor. Don't be shy about tasting as you cook. Add some pepper, garlic power and salt or more soy sauce.

If it's a little dry, add a little water for steam. You can also add a little cooking oil and sesame see oil BUT remember, sesame seed oil is strong and a little goes a long way. Use too much and you might not like the results.

I hope I didn't leave anything out.

CHICKEN FETTUCCINE


I never really thought about making Chicken Fettuccine but I found an easy way to make it and will be making it more often. The market I love to go to is WinCo. They should have one everywhere. The deli department sells chicken fajita strips by the pound, all ready cooked. $4.99 a pound. So, I buy a pound. I also buy a jar of Mushroom Alfredo sauce and fettuccine noodles. It only takes a little while to boil the noodle. I heat the Alfredo sauce in a pan and cut the strips into chunks and drop them in the sauce. A short while later and Wholla! Chicken Fettuccine.

I doubt that it takes fifteen minutes to make and it's quite yummy!