Tag Archives: wok

Stir-fried watercress with mushrooms and peanuts

Posted on March 14, 2013 by

This is a simple, fast, and tasty dish. Watercress (豆瓣菜, dòubàn cài) is a tasty herb that grows in standing water. The leaves and smallish stems have a pleasant peppery taste, and are rumored to have medicinal properties… although sources … Continue reading →

Posted in Mushrooms, Recipes, Stir-fry, Vegan, Vegetables, watercress | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stir-fried spinach with shrimp paste and Thai peppers

Posted on January 14, 2013 by

Here’s another easy and comforting recipe. I served it alongside a braised pork dish, and the spiciness of the spinach contrasted quite well with the natural sweetness of the pork. Begin with lots of fresh spinach, about a half-pound per … Continue reading →

Posted in Recipes, Spinach, Stir-fry, Vegetables, Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Laghman noodles (拌面)

Posted on December 13, 2012 by

Learning how this Chinese dish got it’s name is almost like taking a course in west Asian culture, history, and geopolitics. It’s known as Laghman noodles in English, after Laghman Province in Afghanistan where it has its roots. Laghman Province … Continue reading →

Posted in Lamb, Meat, Noodles, Recipes, Tomatoes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Burmese egg curry

Posted on September 29, 2012 by

Burma shares borders with China, India, Thailand, so you can just imagine what a culinary crossroads it is. Burma is also a former British colony, but this recipe cleaves vigorously to local roots. Frying the boiled eggs before adding them to … Continue reading →

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Spicy walnut shrimp

Posted on September 15, 2012 by

Chinese cooks love combining varying textures to interesting effect. There’s a Cantonese dish recommended by Ken Hom that combines sugar-glazed walnuts with shrimp. This dish is inspired by Ken Hom but is my own recipe; it skews towards a spicier … Continue reading →

Posted in Fish and seafood, Recipes, Shrimp, Stir-fry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chicken with onions, black beans, and Chinese broccoli

Posted on September 14, 2012 by

I ate Chinese broccoli (芥兰, jiè lán) twice on my last trip to China, and each time it was served exactly the same way: as a side dish, laid out with the stems all shaved and parallel with one other, … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicken, Gai lan, Meat, Recipes, Stir-fry, Vegetables | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beef with walnuts

Posted on August 9, 2012 by

Here we are in the middle of summer, but for some reason the weather turned inexplicably cool today. It was overcast all day long, with clouds had that interesting depth that suggests stories. Perfect weather for a savory home-cooked meal. … Continue reading →

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Broccoli with pork, shallots, and black bean chili sauce

Posted on July 9, 2012 by

Western broccoli isn’t a staple in China. In fact, I’ve only seen people eating broccoli once in Beijing, and it was a table of Scandinavians at Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant where western tourists were the rule. Still, broccoli is too … Continue reading →

Posted in Broccoli, Meat, Pork, Recipes, Vegetables | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment