Sunday, October 30, 2011

Miso Glazed Fluke

I have officially lost 40 lbs!!!! Yay me....now for the next 40. My healthy eating experiment has left me looking into a variety of  different foods. I have essentially stopped cooking out of boxes, cans and bags and have been cooking from scratch as much as possible. If I can make it my self. I do. I have also found that not only does my food taste better but I control exactly what I eat and can substitute healthy for unhealthy choices without sacrificing any flavor.

I am currently experimenting in Asia at the moment.




Miso Glazed Fluke

Ingredients


  4 fillet(s) flounder fillet(s)   
1 Tbsp miso   
1/2 Tbsp sugar   
2 Tbsp Green onion and soy sauce   
1 tsp ginger root   
1 tsp garlic clove(s)  
1 fl oz mirin    

Instructions

Reserve the Fluke and preheat the oven to broil (this can also be done on the grill, but as we know I am not allowed to use the grill due to an unfortunate explosive issue years ago). Slit the fish 4-5 times and stuff with thin slices of garlic and ginger root.  Mix all other ingredients in a blender and pour over the fish, let it marinate for 20 min.  Broil on high 6 minutes each side. Serve with sprinkle of green onion. I remove the skin from the fish as I am not a fish skin fan. But it can be left on.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Japchae

My Asian experiment took me to Korea today. I made Japchae. I will defiantly make this again. Its simple but delicious. It was not difficult to make despite the list of ingredients but i did leave out the mushrooms....not a huge shroom fan. I threw lotus root into mine instead.


Japchae

Recipe Ingredients:

  • 4 oz beef (flank steak of meat with less fat content)
  • 8 shiitake mushrooms or Chinese black mushrooms, or both (fresh or dried but soaked)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp sesame seed
  • 1 tbsp sesame seed oil
  • 2 carrots, cut into thin strips
  • 1 large onion, cut thinly
  • 1 bundle spinach (l/3 lb)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 12 oz dried vermicelli noodles made from sweet potato powder (dangmyeon 당면)
  • 5 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp chopped green onion
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

  • Soak the mushrooms for a few hours if you're using dried mushrooms. Squeeze out water from soaked mushrooms – cut off stems and cut into thin strips.
  • Cut beef into thin strips. Marinate beef and mushroom strips with soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, sesame seed, and sesame oil. Sprinkle with pinch of ground pepper and set aside. After about 10-15 min, stir fry beef and mushrooms in vegetable oil with pinch of salt and pepper.
  • In a separate pan, cook carrots and onion lightly with some oil and set aside.
  • Rinse spinach well. Blanch spinach in boiling water for about 2 min and then rinse in cold water. Squeeze excess water out, and season lightly with salt and sesame seed oil.
  • Whisk eggs, then add a pinch of salt. Fry into a thin layer. Let cool and cut into long, thin strips.
  • Soak noodles in cold water, and cut once in the middle. Cook in boiling water for about 3-4 min or until noodles become soft. Rinse in cold water and drain.
  • Stir fry carrots and onions individually using dash of salt. Remove from the pan. Stir fry noodles in the same pan lightly with some vegetable oil with sprinkle of salt.
  • Ok ... finally you can mix everything together. First, season the noodle using a splash of soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar and black pepper, then taste. Now add all the vegetable ingredients and egg strips. Taste again and add salt and sugar to your liking.
  • Put in a large plate, and sprinkle with some sesame seeds and green onion as a final touch. Can be served hot or cold -- actually it tastes kind of different in a good way when it is slightly cool.
I borrowed this recipe from:
http://asiansupper.com/recipe/japchae-korean-glass-noodles 

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Experimental Asian

My parents and I went to my favorite Asian market. The Assi Market is a huge shopping center outside of Landsdale Pa the size of a super walmart. Its great. I was able to nab some great finds. Lotus root, Forbidden Rice, crispy seaweed, salted seaweed and a wide variety of fish! Gotta love it. Todays menu reflects my finds.
I put some of my recipes into weight watchers online so some have their point values listed.



Forbidden Rice & Seaweed salad



Course: main meals
PointsPlus® Value:    2
Servings:  6
Preparation Time:  20 m

Ingredients


1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar   
2 tsp fresh lemon juice   
1 tsp sugar   
1/2 tsp ginger root   
1 1/2 tsp soy sauce   
3 tsp dark sesame oil   
  1 1/2 cup(s) salted seaweed stems  
  1/4 cup(s) carrot(s)   
  1/4 cup(s) English cucumber   
1/8 tsp black pepper   
1 item(s) sun-dried hot chile pepper(s)   
1 serving(s) Black Rice   

Instructions


Cook rice as directed, soak the salted seaweed for 2-3 hours to remove the salt. Drain and pat dry. Grate the ginger and slice the scallions and pepper into thin rings, cut cucumber, and carrots into think sticks. Toss vegetables and rice with remaining ingredients. serve. makes 6 servings

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Radish Salad



Course: main meals
PointsPlus® Value:    2
Servings:  3
Preparation Time:  5 min
Cooking Time:  0 min
Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Ingredients


  1 medium oriental radish(es), shredded and patted dry   
  1/8 cup(s) scallion(s)   
  1/2 Tbsp chopped red hot chili peppers, sliced thin   
1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil   
1/2 tsp table salt   
1 tsp sugar   

Instructions


shred the radish and toss with oil, sugar, chopped pepper, salt and scallions
serve

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Korean Short Ribs


Ingredients


2 pound(s) Beef, short ribs, trimmed, raw   
6 clove(s) garlic clove(s), minced (medium)   
  1 medium pear(s), skinned and diced   
  1/4 cup(s) scallion(s)   
4 Tbsp soy sauce   
3 Tbsp hoisin sauce   
2 Tbsp sugar   
1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil   
1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar   
1 1/2 tsp ginger root   
1 tsp black pepper   

Instructions

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine ribs with garlic, pear, green onions, soy sauce, sugar, hoisin, sesame oil, rice wine, sesame seeds, fresh ginger, and ground black pepper. Seal, and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.
Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Brush oil over grill pan. Place beef on pan. Cook, turning to brown evenly, for 3 to 6 minutes, or until done.

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Lotus Root and Bock Choy



Ingredients


  2 cup(s) bok choy   
  1 root(s) raw lotus root   
2 Tbsp soy sauce   
1 tbs Gochujang   
1 Tsp miso   
1 Tsp fresh lemon juice   

Instructions

mix sauces and pour over chopped lotus and Bok Choy. Stir fry until crisp but cooked.