Taiwanese steamed eggplant with garlic and chilies (suan rong qie zi)

Trim the top and ends off of 2 Japanese eggplant and cut in half lengthwise (here, ½ large eggplant, cut into half lengthwise and then into ½ inch slices). Separately, combine 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 chopped scallion, 3-4 red chilies (I used 1, cut on a diagonal), and 2 Tbsp soy sauce, and set… Continue reading Taiwanese steamed eggplant with garlic and chilies (suan rong qie zi)

Taiwanese okra with garlic, chilies, and fermented black beans (dou chi chao qui kui)

Rinse 1 Tbsp Chinese fermented black beans a few times, drain, and set aside. Heat 2 Tbsp neutral oil in a high walled skillet, then add 2 minced garlic cloves and 2 red chilies (sliced on a diagonal) until fragrant. Add ½ lb okra (cleaned and trimmed, but left whole) with a dash of salt… Continue reading Taiwanese okra with garlic, chilies, and fermented black beans (dou chi chao qui kui)

Taiwanese dry tofu with edamame (dou gan chao mao dou ten)

Boil shelled edamame (fresh or frozen) until tender (about 3 mins), drain, and set aside. Separately, heat 2 Tbsp neutral oil in a large wok, then add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp microplaned ginger. When fragrant, add ½ lb dry tofu (tofu-gan) cut into ½ inch cubes. Sauté until lightly browned, then add… Continue reading Taiwanese dry tofu with edamame (dou gan chao mao dou ten)

Hakka soy-glazed black pepper chicken

Four ingredients (chicken, dark soy, black pepper, and cilantro) create a delicious meal. Combine 2 Tbsp dark soy and 1 Tbsp black pepper in a wide sauté pan. Place 2 lbs (about 6-7 pieces of skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, trimmed off excess fat) of chicken thighs in the pan, making sure to get the sauce… Continue reading Hakka soy-glazed black pepper chicken

Southern Chinese buddhist vegetarian noodles

I made this dish for Kai, who loves cellophane noodles. Boil sweet potato noodles (aka cellophane noodles, or dang myun) until tender, then drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside. Heat oil in a large wok, then saute minced garlic and sliced onion until wilted. Add mungbean sprouts, Chinese long beans (here, green beans… Continue reading Southern Chinese buddhist vegetarian noodles

Shanghai Lion’s Head (Chinese pork meatballs with bok choy)

Combine the following:  1 ¼ lb minced pork, 2 chopped scallions, 1 minced garlic clove, 30 water chestnuts (diced), 1 tsp microplaned ginger, 1 Tbsp each soy sauce and cooking sherry, and 1 large egg (beaten).  Slowly add enough cornstarch, 1 Tbsp at a time (and up to 3 Tbsp) to bind the meatball mixture.… Continue reading Shanghai Lion’s Head (Chinese pork meatballs with bok choy)