214. Thursday photo challenge - Happy

A celebration always involves feasting on a roast suckling pig!

The crackling is served - the meat and bones are used for soup

This is my entry to  the Thursday photo challenge - Happy

167. Savoury tofu

Room reflected inside a lacquer bowl

Some people don't like tofu but I think this dish might change their view.  It is like eating a savoury custard.  And it healthy, cheap and easy to make.  What more do you want?  Try it.

Ingredients:

A.

A package silken tofu (I used the kind in a plastic tube)


B.

Some minced ginger and scallions
A bit of soy sauce
A bit of sesame oil
A bit of sugar
Some cracked pepper
A bit of hot sauce (optional)


C.  Garnish

Chopped cilantro and toasted sesame seeds

Method:

1. Put the sauce ingredients "B" in a microwave-safe bowl and mix everything together.
2. Cut the plastic tofu package according to the directions and squeeze the tofu out of the tube. Slice it in pieces about an inch thick and put it in a microwave-safe plate. If you are using tofu in a box, use a piece of dental floss to divide the square into thirds, vertically and horizontally.
3. Put the plate in the microwave and cook for 20 or 30 seconds,  Cooking time varies according to the  microwave.  The tofu should be hot.
4. Put the bowl with the sauce in the microwave and cook for 20 seconds.
5. Pour the sauce over the tofu and garnish with chopped cilantro. Sprinkle some sesame seeds too.
6. Serve this dish with some hot rice.

Note:  For a Asian-Italian version, use garlic, oregano or basil, tomato sauce, olive oil and Italian parsley

Foodie Friday

Weekend reflections #75

091. Y is for Yang Chow Fried Rice

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Yang Chow fried rice is the ubiquitous dish served in Chinese restaurants.

The ingredients are:

• cooked rice (room temp is best)
• barbecued pork / 'cha siu' (叉烧) or ham
• shrimps
• green onions, chopped
•  2 or 3 eggs slightly stirred
• Frozen peas - I like to use mixed frozen vegetables as the carrots and corn gives the dish colour
• oil, salt and pepper to taste

It is very easy to make.  Just fry some ham and shrimps with the green onions.  Set aside. Cook scrambled eggs and set aside.
Add more oil to the pan and fry the rice and the frozen vegetables.  Stir fry till everything is hot.  Add the eggs, cooked meat and salt and pepper.  Toss everything together till it is mixed up. That's it.  Enjoy!

Rule of thumb:  One cup of cooked rice per serving plus another cup or two for seconds. As for the other ingredients - they should be in equal amounts, say half a cup of each.  It just depends on what you like and the amount of ingredients you have on hand.. 

ABC Wednesday - Y