Beef with Ginger & Broccoli

Prep Time : 10 min

Cook Time : 10 min

Marinating time : 15 min
Total Time : 25 min
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients
For marinating the beef:
1 pound beef flank steak thinly sliced (between ⅛ and ¼ inch thick)
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine
½ teaspoon kosher salt (a little less if using fine salt)
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon oil any neutral oil will do

For the stir fry sauce:
½ cup soy sauce light sodium*
½ cup water
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

For the rest of the dish:
1 pound broccoli cut into florets
1 tablespoon garlic minced (about 2 cloves)
1 tablespoon ginger peeled and minced (about an inch knob)
Oil as needed for cooking
Toasted sesame seed (optional for garnish)

Instructions

1. Marinate the beef:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced flank steak, water, shaoxing rice wine, salt and baking soda. Mix well until the beef has absorbed most of the liquids.
2. Next, add the cornstarch and mix until the beef is well coated. Finish the marinade by adding oil. Mix until evenly combined. Set the beef aside to marinate for about 10 to 15 minutes as you prepare the rest of the ingredients. You can also let the beef marinate overnight.
2. Prepare the sauce:
1. In a bowl, add all the ingredients for the sauce (soy sauce, water, sugar, cornstarch, and sesame oil). Mix until no more cornstarch clumps are visible. Set aside until needed.
3. Make the beef and broccoli:
1. While the beef is marinating, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and boil them for 30 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on your preferred tenderness. The cook time will also depend on how big the broccoli florets are. Once cooked, drain the broccoli and set aside.
2. In a wok or sauté pan over medium high heat, add enough oil to coat the bottom. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated beef and cook until the beef is just cooked. Cook in small batches if necessary and make sure to separate the beef so that each piece is evenly cooked. Remove from the wok/pan and set aside.
3. Remove excess oil and keep about 2 tablespoons of oil in the pan. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant, about 15 seconds.
4. Give the prepared stir fry sauce a good stir and add it to the sauteed garlic and ginger. Bring the sauce to a simmer while stirring frequently. Once the sauce has thickened and looks glossy, add the beef and the broccoli. Stir and toss everything together until the beef and the broccoli are well coated in sauce.
5. Transfer the beef and broccoli onto a serving plate and garnish with sesame seeds if you wish. Enjoy it while it's hot!

Cantonese Beef Hor Fun

Ingredients (for 2)

200 g beef (striploin)

2 tsp (10g) light soya sauce

1 tsp (5g) sesame oil

2 tsp (10g) shao xing wine

1 tsp (5g) corn starch

225g kuey teow (1/2 packet)

2 tsp (10g) dark soya sauce

1 tsp (5g) light soya sauce

2 cloves garlic

1 shallot

2 tsp (10g) oil

1/4 carrot, slices

bunch of baby kai lan

fish cake (optional)

300-400ml hot water

2 tsp (10g) shao xing wine

1 tsp (5g) light soya sauce

1 tsp (5g) chicken stock granules

7-15g corn starch mixed with same amount of water

2 eggs

Method

1. Brush mixing bowl with 10g oil, insert butterfly & heat 6 min/Varoma/Reverse Spoon.
2. Whilst bowl is heating, separately marinade beef and kuey teow with the grouped ingredients.
3. Add kuey teow into MB, cook 4 min/Varoma/Reverse Spoon. When done, remove butterfly & pour into plate.
4. Add beef slices, cook 4 min/Varoma/Reverse Spoon. If beef is thick, may need extra 2 mins to cook. Pour on top of kuey teow.
5. Chop garlic & shallot 5 sec/speed 4. Add oil & saute 3 min/120C/Speed 1.
6. Add in chopped vegetables, fish case if using, water & seasoning. Cook 4 min/Varoma/Reverse Spoon.
7. Remove MC, extend cooking time to 1:30 min/Varoma/Reverse Spoon, add in corn starch slurry, then add in eggs.
8. Pour broth over beef and kuey teow.

Tips

1. Cut beef as thin as possible so it remains tender & pink.
2. If beef slices are thick, cooking time will be extended.
3. More starch = thicker sauce.

Tau Foo Fah (Thermomix)

Ingredients

150g soy bean (soaked for at least 4 hours beforehand)
700g water

2 pandan leaves (knotted)

2 Tbsp corn flour

1/4 tsp GDL

Method:

1. Add soya beans & 150g water into bowl & blend 30s/speed 8.
2. Pour the mixture into a filter cloth & clean the bowl.
3. Remove the bubbles from the soya milk & pour into the TM bowl.
4. Add 500g water & knotted pandan leaves and cook for 20min/98C/Speed 2.
5. Meanwhile, add 50g water, corn flour and GDL & mix well.
6. Pour the cooked soya bean milk from a good height into the corn flour mixture & remove the bubbles.
7. Cover it & let it solidify for 1 or 2 hours & it'll be ready to serve with your preferred syrup.

Chicken Porridge with Salted Egg

Difficulty: easy

Preparation time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Serving size: 6 portion

Ingredients
200 g chicken breast fillets, skinless, cut into pieces (4-5 cm)
10 g light soy sauce
1 - 2 tsp sesame oil, toasted, adjust to taste
200 g rice, rinsed and drained
1600 g water
2 century eggs, washed

2 salted duck eggs, cooked, shell removed and cut into cubes
2 tsp chicken stock paste 
or 2 tsp chicken stock powder
2 tsp salt
1 pinch ground white pepper
10 g fresh ginger root, finely shredded
2 sprigs fresh coriander, leaves only, finely chopped, to garnish
2 spring onions, finely chopped, to garnish

Preparation

1. Place chicken, light soy sauce and sesame oil into mixing bowl, chop 5 sec/speed 5. Transfer into a bowl and set aside.
2. Place rice and water into mixing bowl, set Varoma dish into position, add eggs to it. Close Varoma lid and cook 16 min/100°C/speed 3. Remove Varoma and place eggs in cold water before removing egg shell, cut eggs into cubes (5 mm). Alternatively, see note.
3. Add reserved minced chicken, reserved century eggs, salted eggs, chicken stock paste, salt, white pepper powder and ginger, cook 5 min/100°C/Reverse/speed 1. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and spring onions before serve.

Note:

• Instead of steaming the eggs in the Varoma dish, the eggs could just be cooked separately by submerging in water & cooking over medium heat for 10-12 minutes.

Sizzling Yee Mee (Thermomix)

Ingredients

3 garlic cloves 

20 g fresh ginger
30 g cooking oil
1500 g water
20 dried shiitake mushrooms rinsed & soaked
400 g chicken pieces
100 g dark soy sauce
20 g sesame oil
100 g oyster sauce
5 dried chilli, cut roughly
2 chicken stock cubes
100 g cornflour
120 g sawi
230 g yee mee
2 eggs

Method

1. Place garlic cloves and ginger in mixing bowl. Chop. 5 sec/speed 6.
2. Add cooking oil. Sauté. 3 min/120°C/speed 1.
3. Add water and mushrooms. Sauté. 10 min/120°C/reverse/speed 1.
4. Add chicken, soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, dried chillies and chicken stock. Cook. 20 min/120°C/reverse/speed spoon. Meanwhile, mix cornflour and water in a small bowl.
5. Add reserved cornflour mixture. Mix. 3 min/Varoma/reverse/speed spoon.
6. Heat up sizzling pan over stove. Pour over yee mee & sawi. Add egg. Cook 3 minutes. Serve hot.

Ginger Milk Curd

Ingredients

150-200 g ginger, fresh & peeled and cut into pieces
500 g full cream milk
20-40 g sugar

Method

1. Put ginger into TM bowl, grind at 5 sec/sp 10. Use a spatula to scrape ginger down . Grind again at 5 sec/sp10, scrape it down again, Then blend at 30 sec/sp 3. Transfer mashed ginger to a very fine-mesh strainer and press with spoon to squeeze out the juice. You should get at least 25g of ginger juice. Pour juice equally to 3 small bowls.
2. Put milk and sugar in the cleaned TM bowl, heat 6 min/75°C/sp 1. Immediately pour the warm milk from a high place equally into the 3 bowls of ginger juice. Don’t move the bowls, let it set for about 15 minutes or until it solidifies. Have it warm or refrigerate it. Enjoy!

Yong Chow Fried Rice (Thermomix)

Ingredients

300 g basmathi rice (weigh & rinse)

7 garlic cloves

50g butter

200g chicken (cubed)

50g carrots (cubed)

1 tsp white pepper

1 1/2 Tbsp salt

600g hot water

50g green vegetables

50g corn

50g white mushroom

2 eggs (scrambled beforehand)

2 sliced cili padi (optional)

Method

1. Add garlic & chop finely 5 sec/speed 7.
2. Add butter, chicken, salt & pepper, carrot & saute 5 min/120C/Reverse Spoon.
3. Pour in hot water, add in rinsed rice. Set rice cooking mode.
4. After about 10 mins of cooking, place in all veges & seafood. Measuring Cup on.
5. After finish, let it sit in bowl for 5-10 mins prior to serving.

Mushroom Chicken Rice (Thermomix)

Ingredients

400g free range chicken, chopped into bite-sized pieces
40g dried shiitake mushrooms
250g white rice, washed
1100g water
10g old ginger, thinly sliced
25g sesame oil

Chicken marinate
25g light soy sauce
20g dark soy sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp white pepper powder

Rice marinate
1/2 tbsp. dark soy sauce
1/2 tsp white pepper powder
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp salt, adjusted to taste

Garnishing
2 stalks of spring onions, chopped
Sliced long red chilli for colour

Directions

1. Marinate chicken and rice with marinade in separate bowl for 30min.
2. Soak shiitake mushrooms until soft and cut into small pieces.
3. Place ginger and sesame oil in mixing bowl, sauté 3min/120°C/speed 1.
4. Add marinated chicken and cook 5min/120°C/Reverse/slow stir. Pour gravy into an empty bowl for later use. Set chicken aside.
5. Insert simmering basket into mixing bowl. Place water, marinated rice, chicken and mushrooms into simmering basket and cook 25min/100°C/speed 3.
6. Leave rice to rest in mixing bowl for 10min. Remove simmering basket with spatula, transfer rice and chicken into serving dish.
7. Pour some gravy over the chicken rice and mix well.
8. Garnish with some spring onions before serving.

Chicken Rice (Thermomix)

Difficulty : easy

Preparation time : 15 min
Total time : 1h 25 min
Serving size : 5 portions

Ingredients
500 g whole chicken legs (approx 2 legs), deboned
10 g light soy sauce
¼ tsp white pepper powder
3 eggs
1560 g water
2 tsp salt
50 g fresh ginger, peeled
10 g garlic cloves, peeled
300 g rice, washed
1 chicken stock cube
or 1 tsp chicken stock powder, homemade or store-bought
2 pandan leaves
50 g yellow onions
70 g potatoes, cut in cubes
70 g tomatoes, cut in wedges
120 g carrots, cut in cubes

Preparation

1. Place a large bowl on mixing bowl lid, weigh in whole chicken legs and light soy sauce. Add white pepper powder and mix. Marinate for 30 minutes in a cool place or in the refrigerator.
2. Place eggs, 260 g water and 1 tsp salt in mixing bowl, mix 6 sec/speed 4. Pour egg mixture to 4 heat-resistant bowls, that fit on Varoma tray and set aside. Clean mixing bowl.
3. Place fresh ginger and garlic in mixing bowl, chop Turbo/1 sec/1 time. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
4. Insert simmering basket. Place washed rice in simmering basket, add 1300 g water, reserved chopped ginger and garlic, salt, chicken stock cube, pandan leaves and mix well with spatula.
5. Place marinated chicken legs into Varoma dish making sure some holes remain unobstructed. Insert Varoma tray with egg mixture into Varoma dish. Place Varoma into position, cook 20 min/Varoma/speed 3. Remove Varoma and set aside. Remove simmering basket with spatula. Keep rice warm until it is ready to serve. Set Varoma tray with steamed egg aside.
6. Add yellow onions, potatoes, tomatoes and carrots to mixing bowl. Place Varoma dish with chicken back into position, close Varoma lid and continue to cook 15 min/Varoma/speed 1.
7. Remove Varoma. Cut chicken into pieces and transfer to a serving plate. Transfer soup to a bowl and serve hot with rice, steamed egg and chicken.

Hints & Tips

1. Stainless steel bowls work best for steaming. If ceramic bowls are used, extend steaming time up to 5 minutes in step 5.
2. Adjust the chicken marinade to your personal taste, e.g. by replacing 10 g soy sauce with 10 g chicken stock powder or 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp sesame oil and 1 tbsp Chinese rice wine (Shaoxing Hua Tiao).

Crispy Fried Pumpkin with Salted Egg Yolk

For the salted egg yolks:
1 cup sea salt
4 cups water
2 teaspoons Szechuan peppercorns (optional)
1 star anise (optional)
2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (Chinese cooking wine)
12 eggs

Method:

1. Add the salt and water to a small saucepan and add the star anise and peppercorns, if using. Bring to a boil and stir until the salt dissolves. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. Once cool, stir in the Shaoxing.
2. Rinse and dry the eggs, then place them carefully in a jar with a lid. 
3. Pour the cool solution over the eggs, making sure it covers them completely. In order to prevent the eggs from floating, you'll want to weigh them down. Linda at Malaysian Chinese Kitchen suggests using a ziptop bag filled halfway with water. You'll squish this baggie between the jar opening and the lid so that the eggs stay submerged.
4. Seal the jar, then put it in a room temperature spot for 4 to 5 weeks. After 4 weeks, crack open an egg and let the whites (which will be cloudy) fall away. If the yolk is bright yellow-orange and firm to the touch, your eggs yolks are ready to use. You can rinse and dry the eggs and keep them in the fridge for 1 month.

For the fried pumpkin:
250 grams sugar pumpkin, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 egg, lightly beaten
6 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons neutral oil, plus more for frying
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 Thai bird's eye chile, minced
2 sprigs curry leaves (about 10)
5 salted egg yolks (from above), mashed with a fork

Method:

1. Toss the sliced pumpkin with the sugar, salt, and pepper. Add the beaten egg and stir so that the pumpkin slices are coated. 
2. Pour the cornstarch into a shallow bowl or onto a plate. Working with a couple of pieces of pumpkin at a time, transfer them to the plate and evenly coat in a thin layer of cornstarch. Repeat until all of the pumpkin is coated. 
3. Heat an inch or two of cooking oil in a frying pan with high sides. Working in batches so that you don't crowd the pan, fry the cornstarch-coated pumpkin until crisp and golden brown. Set on paper towels to drain. 
4. When you've finished making the pumpkin, start the salted egg yolk sauce. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat, then add the garlic, chile, and curry leaves and stir until fragrant, a few minutes. Add the mashed salted egg yolks and the 3 remaining tablespoons of cooking oil. When the egg yolks start to sizzle and foam, reduce the heat to low, add the fried pumpkin, and stir to coat evenly. Remove from the heat and serve warm.

Fried Tofu with Salted Egg

PREPARATION TIME: 15 Minutes

COOK TIME: 20 Minutes

Ingredients

1 pack of soft tofu

2-3 salted eggs.
3 Tbsp corn starch flour
1 Tbsp custard powder
Salt, pepper, cooking oil
Small spring onion

Method:

1. Cut tofu into small square pieces
2. Clean spring onion and slice into small short pieces
3. Boil salted eggs, peel away its outer layer and take the egg yolks
4. Grind egg yolks thoroughly
5. Mix corn starch flour and custard powder together. Roll tofu pieces with this mixture and then fry them until they become crispy and golden brown.
6. Pick up fried tofu pieces into a plate
7. Pour some cooking oil into the pan, put ground egg yolks in and stir regularly, then season with salt.
8. Put fried tofu in and stir so that egg yolks can stick to each tofu piece. Pick up tofu pieces into a plate
9. Put sliced spring onion into the pan, stir until it smells. Put onion on tofu, sprinkle with pepper. Serve.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

INGREDIENTS

1 kampong chicken head and feet removed, cavity emptied and cleaned
4 cloves garlic slightly bruised
2 slices ginger
just enough water to cover chicken in a tight-fitting pot (approximatly 2-3 litres up)
1 stalk of spring onion
3 lettuce leaves thinly shredded
Chicken Rice
100 grams chicken skin* patted dry with paper towel
1 1/2 cup long-grain white rice
1 1/2 cup chicken broth

* Suggestion: Buy a few chicken thighs, remove the skin for making chicken rice, and freeze the skinless drumsticks to make Chinese chicken soup.
(A) Aromatics for chicken rice
3 pandan leaves tied in a knot
4 cloves peeled garlic
2 slices ginger
1 - 2 tbsp chicken seasoning powder optional
(B) Chilli Sauce

5 finger-length red chilli de-seeded
2 chilli padi no need to de-seed, for the heat; to taste
8 cloves garlic peeled
3 slices ginger peeled
2 tbsp chicken broth
2 tsp chicken seasoning powder optional
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tsp sugar to taste
juice from 2 lime
(C) Ginger Sauce

50 grams peeled young ginger cut to small chunks for even blending
3 shallots peeled
2 tbsp high-quality sesame oil
1 tbsp peanut oil or chicken oil
2 tbsp chicken broth
2 tsp chicken seasoning powder optional; to taste
2 tsp sugar to taste
1/8 tsp salt to taste
(D) Drizzling Sauce
50ml chicken broth
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp light soy sauce
(E) Garnishes
sliced cucumber
sliced tomato
coriander and/or chopped spring onions

DIRECTIONS

Hainanese Chicken

Clean the chicken by rubbing coarse or kosher salt all over the skin and inside the cavity. Rinse the salt thoroughly with water.
Stuff chicken cavity loosely with 2 garlic, 2 ginger and 1 stalk of spring onion. If you are using a small chicken, use less stuffing to allow space and ventilation within the cavity.
In a good-fitting pot, add just enough water that will cover your chicken completely. Bring the water to a rapid boil.
When water is boiling, add chicken gently using a sturdy spider strainer into the pot and cover with lid. Turn off the heat. Let the chicken seep in the hot water. After 15 minutes, carefully take out the chicken, while emptying the liquid deposited inside the cavity. Submerge the chicken in a large bowl of ice water for a few minutes to cool it down. Bring the stock in the pot back to a rapid boil, and repeat process for another 3 more times. To test if chicken is cooked, insert a chopstick or fork into the thigh; if the liquid is clear, the chicken is cooked.
Carve and debone the cooked chicken to serving slices. Reserve chicken broth.
Chicken Rice
Heat a dry wok and add chicken skin. Fry until most of the fat is rendered from the chicken skin, and the wok is greasy. Add garlic and ginger; fry until aromatic. Add rice and stir fry until everything is well combined.
Transfer contents to rice cooker, measure 1 1/4 cup of chicken stock, and add (A). Set rice cooker to "COOK" and "KEEP WARM" until serving.
Chilli Sauce

Blend (B) to a smooth paste. Season to taste. Click here for more photos and detailed tips.
Ginger Sauce

Blend (C) to a smooth paste. Season to taste. Click here for more photos and detailed tips.
Chicken Soup

Just before serving, re-heat chicken broth. Transfer to serving bowls and top with shredded lettuce.
Drizzling Sauce

Combine (D) in a small bowl.
Serving

Serve each plate with one serving of chicken rice, one portion of chicken meat, along with side condiments of ginger & chilli sauce. Garnish with cucumber, tomato and coriander/spring onion. Spoon some drizzling sauce over the chicken. You can also serve the chicken and rice separately, if preferred.

Chilli Sauce for Chicken Rice

Ingredients:
5 finger-length red chilli de-seeded
2 chilli padi (bird's eye chili) no need to de-seed, for the heat; omit or adjust to taste
8 cloves garlic peeled
3 slices ginger
2 Tbsp chicken stock
1-2 tsp chicken seasoning powder optional; handy when the chicken stock is not rich enough; to taste
1/8 tsp salt to taste
1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tsp sugar to taste
juice from 2 limes

Method:

1. In a food processor, blend everything to a smooth paste. Season to taste with sugar, salt or chicken seasoning powder, if needed. 

Keeps for about a week in the fridge.

Kuey Teow Soup

Ingredients:

2 packets fresh kuey teow
6 cups chicken stock
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 packets fishball
2 chicken breasts
sawi, separated by stalks & leaves & cut to 2 inch length
salt & pepper to taste
vegetable oil

Method:

1. Fry garlic in vegetable oil till fragrant & then add chicken stock. 
2. Once chicken stock is boiling, add chicken pieces, salt & white pepper. 
3. Remove chicken pieces once they are cooked, cool & then shred. 
4. Add fish ball & fried shallots into chicken soup on medium & add sawi stalks & shredded chicken. 
5. Lastly add sawi leaves. 
6. Serve with kuey teow noodles that have been blanched. 

Stir Fried Beef with Ginger & Spring Onion

Ingredients:

200g beef (tenderloin cut preferred) sliced thinly and diagonally (against the grain)
1 tsp baking soda
2 Tbsp cooking oil
5 slices ginger sliced
3 stalks spring onions (scallions) cut to 5 cm (2-inch) lengths
4 garlic cloves peeled and sliced thinly
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine

(A) Marinade
1 1/2 tsp light soy sauce
1/2 tsp dark soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp oyster sauce
1/2 Tbsp cornflour (corn starch)

Method:

1. Sprinkle and coat beef slices evenly with baking soda. Set aside for about 15 minutes and then rinse beef slices. Pat dry.
2. In a bowl, combine prepared beef slices with (A).
3. Heat oil. Saute ginger, garlic and bottom ends of the spring onions for about 30 seconds.
4. Add marinaded beef and spring onions. Stir fry on high heat briefly until the beef slices are no longer pink. Do not overcook the beef.
5. Drizzle Chinese wine along the sides of the wok and let the wine sizzle and evaporate. Serve with steamed rice.

Chinese Five Spice & Honey Roasted Chicken

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp sesame oil
1 large clove of fresh garlic, minced
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, crushed/grated
2 Tbsp organic soy sauce (or liquid aminos)
2 Tbsp honey
2 tsp Chinese five spice powder
6 chicken pieces (thighs or drumsticks)
Sesame seeds

Method:

1. Mix all the marinade ingredients together and add the chicken. Make sure the chicken is well coated.
2. Marinade for at least 1 hour (preferably overnight)
3. Bake chicken in a pre-heated oven at 180C (350F) until it's cooked through, and the skin is crispy (time will largely depend on your oven but it should be around 30 minutes each side)
4. Turn the chicken pieces over after 30 minutes and re-baste them with the honey and spice marinade.
5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds & serve with a vegetable stir-fry.

Slow-Cooker Asian Braised Beef Short Ribs

SERVES 4 TO 6

TO PREP 15 MINUTES 
TO COOK 9 to 10 HOURS ON LOW OR 6 to 7 HOURS ON HIGH
TO FINISH 10 MINUTES

Ingredients:
1/4 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup hoisin sauce
3 scallions, white parts minced, green parts sliced thin
4 teaspoons Asian chili-garlic sauce
1 tablespoon instant tapioca
5 pounds bone-in English-style short ribs, trimmed
Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Combine broth, hoisin, scallion whites, chili-garlic sauce, and tapioca in slow cooker. Season short ribs with salt and pepper and nestle into slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook until beef is tender, 9 to 10 hours on low or 6 to 7 hours on high.
3. Transfer short ribs to serving platter, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. Skim excess fat from surface of sauce. Pour sauce over short ribs and sprinkle with scallion greens. Serve with egg noodles or rice.

NIGHT TIME PREP
• Scallions can be prepared; refrigerate.
• Short ribs can be trimmed and seasoned; refrigerate.

Chinese Roast Chicken

Ingredients:

1 chicken, about 2 1/2 – 3 lbs
4 garlic, lightly pounded
1-inch piece ginger, peeled and sliced

Marinade:
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
1/2 teaspoon Chinese rose wine (or Shaoxing wine)
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 dashes white pepper

Skin Coating:
1 tablespoon Chinese rice vinegar (clear in color)
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon Chinese rose wine

Method:

1. Clean the chicken with water and pat dry inside and out. Truss the chicken. (I did only the legs part and not whole body.)
2. Mix the Marinade ingredients well in a small bowl and rub it generously on the skin of the chicken and also the cavity. Insert the garlic and ginger inside the cavity and then transfer it into a Ziploc bag. Pour the remaining Marinade into the bag and marinate the chicken overnight. You can turn the plastic bag to make sure that the chicken is evenly marinated.
3. The next morning, mix the Skin Coating ingredients well in a small bowl. Take the chicken out of the plastic bag, discard the garlic and ginger in the cavity and scald the chicken with hot boiling water by pouring the water all over the chicken (this will remove the Marinade on the chicken skin.) Air dry the chicken for about 30 minutes at room temperature or until the skin surface is no longer wet. You can turn on a fan. Rub the Skin Coating mixture evenly on the chicken skin. Continue to air dry for about 3 hours. Turn the chicken over to air dry both sides.
4. Heat up the oven to 400 Degrees F. Place the chicken in a roasting pan (at the lower rack) and roast for about 10-12 minutes on one side and then turn to the other side. (If the chicken browns too fast in the first 10 minutes, cover the chicken with a layer of aluminum foil and uncover it towards the end so the skin doesn’t get too dark too quickly.) Roast for about 45 minutes or an hour, or until the skin turn nicely brown or golden brown. Remove from the oven, let cool a little bit, cut up and serve immediately. Save the juice from the chicken and serve with steamed rice.

Honey Sesame Chicken

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes
Serving Size: 2

Ingredients:
1 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
Oil, for deep-frying
2 garlic, minced
Toasted sesame seeds, to garnish

Frying Batter:
1 egg white
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup water, ice cold
1 tablespoon oil
Pinch of salt

Honey Sesame Sauce:
1/3 cup pure honey
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt

Method:

1. Whisk all the "Frying Batter" ingredients together until smooth. Set aside. Drop in the chicken cubes, mix well until they are well coated. Set aside.
2. Mix all the ingredients of the "Garlic Sesame Sauce" together and set aside.
3. Heat up a saute pan and add about 2-inch of oil on medium to high heat. When the hot is fully heated, gently drop in the battered chicken cubes, one by one, making sure it is spread out to prevent sticking together. Continue to fry until the color changes to golden brown. Dish out and drain on paper towels.
4. Transfer 2 tablespoons of the frying oil in a wok or skillet, stir-fry the garlic until aromatic. Add in the Honey Sesame Sauce, and bring to a light simmer or until the sauce thickens. Drop in the chicken, stir-fry a few times to combine the sauce and chicken, add the sesame seeds, dish out and serve immediately with steamed white rice, or Chinese fried rice.