Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Egg Rolls

Egg rolls make a great snack, appetizer, or addition to a meal. This recipe makes the thicker egg roll that is popular in western Chinese restaurants. Cantonese Spring Rolls and Mini Spring Rolls are a lighter, more authentic Chinese roll.

What you need-

1 package egg roll wrappers (4 1/2" by 5 1/2")

For Filling:

1 pound fresh pork (or barbecued pork)
1 medium onion (sliced)
2 stalks celery, cut diagonally
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
6 water chestnuts (fresh if possible), sliced
1/2 pound suey choy (Napa Cabbage), sliced thinly, 1 inch lengthwise
2 green onions, diced
1 pound fresh bean sprouts

For Pork Seasoning:

1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon oyster sauce
salt and pepper to taste
a bit (less than 1 teaspoon) cornstarch
Gravy:
4 tbsp. water
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. oyster sauce
salt, pepper, accent (if desired) to taste
2 tbsp. cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp. cold water
2 tbsp. oil for stir-frying
2 to 4 cups oil for deep-frying

Egg Rolls

How to make-

Mix seasoning ingredients together. Cut the pork into thin strips, add the seasonings and marinate the pork for between 10 and 15 minutes. While the pork is marinating, prepare the vegetables, and the gravy mixture.

Heat the wok over medium-high to high heat. Add the oil for stir-frying. When the oil is ready, add the celery and onion and stir-fry.

Taste and add salt and sugar if desired. Remove it from gas and add the pork to the wok and cook until well done. Clean the wok and stir-fry separately the mushrooms, water chestnuts, and bean sprouts. Check the seasoning while stir-frying the bean sprouts and add salt and/or sugar as desired. Stir-fry the suey choy, covering and cooking for approximately 1 minute, again adding salt and/or sugar if desired. Combine all the ingredients and drain some of the juice from the vegetables out.

Egg Rolls

Add the gravy, pushing the vegetables up against the sides of the wok to form a well in the middle for the gravy, and stir to thicken. Mix thoroughly. Add green onion. Set the filling aside to allow to cool before wrapping.

Mix the cornstarch and water, slowly adding the water to the cornstarch until you have a "glue" which will be used to seal the wrappers.

To wrap, lay the egg roll wrapper out with the short (4 1/2") side directly in front of you. This will be the dry side. The two long sides will be called sides 1 and 3, and the other short side directly across from you will be called side 2. Place filling in the middle of the wrapper, spreading it out but not getting too close to the edges. Using cornstarch/water glue along edges 1, 2, and 3.Ensure all sides are sealed.

When oil is ready, slide each egg roll carefully into the wok one at a time. Deep-fry until they are golden brown, then drain on deep-fry rack or paper towels. Keep on a tray lined with fresh paper towels until needed. The Egg rolls should not be stacked.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Barbecued corn

Grilled Corn on the Cob is a classic barbecue favorite. It seems you can hardly call your meal a real barbecue with out corn on the cob! Spruce up your standard barbecued corn. To make this corn on the cob recipe vegan, just be sure to use a vegan margarine.


What you need-

6 ears corn

1/2 stick butter or margarine

1 tablespoon barbecue spice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Barbecued corn



Way to make-

Husk corn and remove its silk. Place cleaned ears on a double-thick sheet of aluminum foil in a shallow pan.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the barbecue spice, salt and pepper and brush it over the corn. Bake in a 300-degree oven 25 minutes, turning often and basting with butter mixture.

If you are about to cook outdoors, wrap buttered ears in foil. Place on grill, turning often, and cook 15 to 25 minutes.

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