Xián Dàn - Salted Duck Egg

During my last trip to wonderland, I planned to pick up some Century Duck Eggs for a friend in need.  You must be careful when picking up eggs in a Chinese supermarket, because right next to those creamy black and amber delights are other types of duck eggs; some intriguing and others with questionable ethics.  If you pluck the eggs on the far right, you will end up with duck fetus eggs, or balut.  I understand it's a cultural thing and a delicacy, but I draw the line there.  I couldn't ethically bring myself to eating an almost hatched egg.  I read that some like them up to the maturity where they have a light duvet.  It's probably delicious, but it's not for me although I consider myself adventurous.  I'd eat a grilled scorpion or toasted grasshoppers any day, but not that.
The other type of egg you can find there is the salted duck egg.  I've seen that in a few different recipes and felt so curious I picked up a 6 pack and decided to offer them along with the Century eggs.
The salted duck egg is one that has been placed in a brine (saturated salt water solution) for about 1 month as a preservation method.  The eggs must then be cooked before eaten.  These are usually eaten hard boiled an then mixed into congee (something I should probably get around to making).  Sometimes the raw yolk is used as a dressing or stir fry sauce, with the raw white discarded.
I was supposed to be offering these, but as I waited for the gift retrieval day, every time I opened my fridge, these eggs would scream "Please taste me!!!!!!!"
As I have a hard time giving into temptation, I decided to sample one or 2 of these little delights.
12 minutes in the steamer and they were done.  They would be a perfect topping to my evening Japchae and Kimchi plan.

Once the eggs are cooked, peel them and please do not just take a bite.  The outer white part is extremely salty and having a mouthful of just the white would be more of a punishment than a discovery.  The inner white part furthest from the shell is pleasantly edible with an interesting texture completely different from "normal" egg whites.

The best way is to use it completely (white and yolk) crumbled on a soup or stir fry as I did with my Japchae.  If you want to get a pure sample, scoop out the yolk which should have an amazing oily spreadable texture and place this nectar directly into your mouth.

Your eyelids will flutter with a pleasant sting, and you will be baptized into yet another intriguing Asian egg eating circle.

Quinoa Crusted Spinach Artichoke Quiche

 A bite of late summer in early spring.. canned and dried food can do wonders for psychological vitality...

Serves 3-4

Ingredients

1/2 cup sautéed spinach and fennel

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 onion, sliced into moons

1 can artichoke hearts, drained and halved

2 cloves garlic, sliced

1 handful sundried tomatoes, chopped

1 handful parmesan

1 handful grated gruyère

4 eggs, beaten

1 cup milk

3/4 cup cream

pinch nutmeg

lots freshly ground black pepper

pinch fleur de sel

pinch piment d'espelette

1/2 cup quinoa, soaked 1 hour, rinsed and drained

Directions

1.  Heat the olive oil in a wok or pan and add the sliced onions.  Cook until translucent, then add the artichoke halves, face down.

2.  Let the artichokes color a bit, then add a bit of fleur de sel, ground pepper, and garlic slices.  Heat through, then set aside.

3.  Make the "appareil" by beating together the eggs with the milk and cream.  Do this until frothy.  The frothier your appareil, the fluffier your quiche will be.  Add in the nutmeg, some fleur de sel, a generous hand of ground black pepper, and a pinch of piment d'espelette.

4.  Butter a baking dish well on the bottom and sides.  Place the quinoa so it covers the bottom of the dish.  Add the sautéed spinach with fennel, then the parmesan, followed by the artichoke mixture, sundried tomatoes, and grated gruyere cheese.  Finish by pouring the appareil or egg mixture over it all.

5.  Cook at 180°C 350°F for 35-45 minutes or until the top starts to become golden.

6.  Let cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.  This is admittedly the most difficult part.

The fruits of your labor will be mush appreciated and the new season will prepare your soul for the emergence of the Wood element...

This quiche is much easier to scoop once it has cooled.  The quinoa somewhat solidifies and forms a pleasantly nutty crust that ins nicely contrasted with the tang of the sundried tomatoes.

Sprouted Moong Sabzi - How to Sprout

For a few months now, I've been wanting to actively produce some bean sprouts and then use them in a normal daal recipe.  I've accidentally sprouted some kala chana before by letting it soak too long, and I loved the texture of it.  I figured I could do it with any whole bean or lentil and be equally amazed.  The thing is, you need to plan ahead.  You can't just decide at noon that you want to have some sprouted daal for dinner.  You need to have that urge a few days beforehand.  I knew a week ahead that I was going to be hosting an Indian dinner party, so I had plenty of time to wait for my little moons to develop.  

I like mine to be just barely sprouted.  It's actually quite easy.. Even if you accidentally do it wrong, like leaving the beans underwater for over 24 hours, they will still sprout.

How to sprout

Wash the beans well under running water, then leave them to soak for a few hours or overnight.  After the soaking time, drain and place in a transparent recipient and cover.  You basically want them to not dry out (hence the cover) and not be completely in the dark (hence the transparent recipient).  After 1 day, you will see little white tails staring to emerge from the bean's navel.  You can rinse to re-wet and leave them for another day for a slightly larger sprout, or'longer for longer and longer sprouts.

I soaked'mone for 24 hours and let them hang out drained for another 24 hours.  They were perfect, with the bean just starting to split to let life spring from it.  It was beautiful and filled my heart full of joy.  

And then there was life...

I was then able to use them in this amazing sabzi recipe, inspired by VegrecipesofIndia.

Serves 6-8 as a side

Ingedients

2 cups sprouted moong (1 cup dry)

1 1/2 Tbsp oil

6 cloves garlic, grated

1/2 inch ginger, grated

1 green chile, sliced

1 red onion, chopped

Pinch hing (asafoetida)

1/4 tsp turmeric

1 tomato, chopped

1/2 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp chile powder

1 1/2 tsp garam masala

2 cups water or whey

1 tsp sea salt or to taste

Chopped cilantro for garnish

Directions

1.  Heat the oil in a wok and add the ginger, garlic, and sliced chiles.  Cook about 1 minute.

2.  Add the hing and turmeric until it fizzes, then add the chopped onion.

3.  Cook until onion is translucent, then add the chopped tomato.  Cook until it softens.

4.  Add the spice powders and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring.

5.  Add the sprouted moong and stir to coat, keeping on high heat.

6.  Add the water or whey with the sea salt.  Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the moong are tender.  

The cooking time will depend on how sprouted they are.  The more they are blossomed, the less time they will take to cook and adjust the seasoning

I served with some Paneer Lababdar, Bhindi, and Garlic Naan, preceded by some Samosas and Punugulu with Green Chutney, and followed by some Coconut Burfi.

This meal was a dream come true.

As I made the paneer, I saved the whey and used every last drop of it in place of water in each of the dishes.  It adds an extra dimension to the dish you can't quite put your finger on.  The best part is that adding whey makes this a double whammy in terms of nutrition.  Sprouts contain more protein and less phytic acid than their harder bean predecessor, which means your body can absorb the nutrients more easily.  Sprouts are also considered easier to digest than normal beans.

The sprouted mung sabzi, the way I made it, was like a secret pleasure.

The sprout was so discreet that I felt I was the only one with the power, because I knew...

Soy Sauce Chicken and Fried Brown Rice

Since yesterday, the sun seems to be noticeably rising earlier and setting later, the birds have been happily chirping away into the late morning, and sour taste cravings are in the forefront.
Happy New Year, we have entered the year of the Goat!
As the Chinese New Year marks the beginning of seasonal Spring (not western calendar spring), the Goat is important to me.  I'm not sure what it symbolizes in Chinese astrology, but to me it symbolizes fraternal love.  Precisely, the love I have for my brother, and the reciprocal love he has for me.  Although my brother was born under the Rabbit and I myself under the Pig, the Goat has always been a heartwarming symbol for us (which my parents probably never will understand.)
So, as I probably won't be posting any goat recipes (unless that little buggar shares one with me), I'll be gorging on farmer's goat cheese all year while sharing my latest Sichuan Cuisine experiences.. which I am quite proud of as of yet.  The chicken has an almost roasted visual appeal, but a tender broth infused texture and flavor, which intrigued me when I ate it fresh off the stove, and again even more the next day!

Adapted from ChinaSichuanFood

Soy Sauce Chicken
Serves 4
Ingredients
Marinade:
4 chicken legs
1 inch piece ginger, grated
1 green onion, cut
2 Tbsp soy sauce

Rub the soy sauce all over the chicken, then add the grated ginger and green onion.  Marinate for 2 hours in the fridge.

Simmer:
2 inch piece ginger, sliced
2 bay leaves
5 star anis
3 dried red chiles
1 green onion, cut
1 cinnamon stick
white part of 1 leek, sliced

3 Tbsp light soy sauce
1 Tbsp dark soy sauce
1 Tbsp Shao Xing wine
1 Tbsp sesame oil
1 1/2 cups water
1 tsp sugar
Garnish:
chopped cilantro
Directions
1.  Place all the "simmer" ingredients in a pot or deep pan and bring to a simmer.  Let simmer for 5-7 minutes.

2.  Slide in the marinated chicken.  Bring to a boil, then cook covered and simmer for 20 minutes, flipping the chicken once.
3.  Turn up the heat a bit, flip chicken again, and cook, uncovered for another 5-10 minutes until done (you can tell by poking it.. if the juices run clear, it's done).

My own personal creation
Fried Brown Rice
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 cup shredded cabbage
1/2 cup seaweed (rehydrated)
1/2 cup wood ear mushrooms (rehydrated)
2 carrots, peeled and grated
1/2 cup sliced leeks
1 green chile, seeded and sliced
2 eggs, beaten

1 cup cooked brown rice
2 garlic cloves, sliced
2 Tbsp oil
3 Tbsp Soy Sauce Chicken Simmer Broth (once chicken is done cooking)
1 Tbsp black vinegar
Directions
1.  Heat half the oil in a wok and add the carrots and leeks.  Cook until fragrant, then add the chile and cabbage.  Make sure not to overcrowd the wok, pushing the "done" ingredients to the side to make room for the new ingredients in the center.
2.  When the cabbage starts to become tender, make room in the center and add the beaten eggs.  Let cook without touching for about 2 minutes, then stir into pieces.
3.  Make room in the center and add the rehydrated wood ear mushrooms and seaweed.  Heat through.
4.  Make room in the center again, add the rest of the oil, wait a few seconds, then add the cooked brown rice.  I used brown basmati rice.  I have a hard time using any other type of rice.  I don't know why, but it just doesn't seem "right."  Cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring only the rice, then stir everything together.
5.  Add the soy sauce broth and vinegar and stir fry another 30 seconds.

Serve hot, without the broth, garnished with some chopped cilantro.

This would have been excellent with some Goat.

Paneer Lababdar

I made this extraordinary dish a few days ago, and had prepared a wonderful monologue concerning its richness and heartwarming goodness, the way it makes me feel inside, and the way it makes my eyes glitter.
But I wrote all that with my Bearded Dragon, Abby, on my shoulder.. and as I went to pour my tea for a few seconds, Abby had jumped onto the desk and played around with my monologue.  She deleted and saved during the 2 seconds I left her alone on the desk.
Unfortunately, I cannot rewrite the moments of joy I was feeling during my previous writing of this recipe, but I can share it.
I can say how wonderful it was, this Punjabi paneer recipe.  So wonderful, in fact, that it was asked of me that I make it again this weekend for an Indian dinner party I'll be hosting.
Maybe I'll come back and edit this with my newly replenished feelings toward the cuisine process of this dish...

Borrowed from VegRecipesofIndia

Serves 4-5 as a side

Ingredients

to blend:
1 can high quality tomato pulp

15 cashews

1 inch chunk ginger, chopped

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 green cardamom pod

2 cloves
for the curry:

1 Tbsp butter

1 Indian bay leaf (tej pata)

1 small red onion, chopped

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp ground coriander

1/4 tsp chile powder

1 cup water

2 slit green chiles or 1 sliced Moroccan chile

200g (1/2 lb) paneer, cubed

1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi)

1/4 tsp garam masala

2 Tbsp heavy cream
1/2 tsp fleur de sel

Garnish:

Chopped cilantro

Julienned ginger
Directions
1.  Make the spice paste.  Simmer the "to blend" ingredients together in a saucepan for about 7-8 minutes.  Let cool, then blend into a smooth paste.  Set aside.
2.  Heat the butter in a wok with the bay leaf and chopped onion.  Cook until onion is tender, then add the spice paste along with the cumin, coriander, and chile powder.
3.  Cook, stirring until the paste becomes clumpy, about 6-8 minutes.
4.  Add water and stir to loosen the sauce, then add green chiles.  Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to a simmer.
5.  Add the paneer cubes, fenugreek, and garam masala.  Heat through, then stir in the cream.  Taste and season with fleur de sel if needed.  Just a touch will do.

Serve garnished with julienned ginger and chopped cilantro.  I didn't have any cilantro but I sure will next time...

I served mine alongside some Green Ki Dal, Cabbage Sambharo, and some basmati rice.
Conclusion:
Omg I can't wait to cook some Bhindi again..
It's going to be a perfect pairing with this paneer!

Grilled Prime Rib with Aïoli Crusted Lobster

Europeans assume that the only specialty the US has is hamburgers, and when they say hamburgers, they are thinking McD's.  They assume that any meal Americans eat other than burgers is an import (Italian, Mexican, Japanese...). While it is true that the US is a melting pot of cultures, and thus, cuisine, there are a few dishes that are typically American and are rarely seen in other countries.

Surf and Turf is one of them.  The association of a superbe cut of beef with some shrimp, crab, or lobster is unheard of on this side of the pond.  Surf and Turf over here consists of  scallops and leeks. The Surf element is usually some type of shellfish and the Turf element some type of vegetable grown in the ground (as opposed to picked off its plant.). While the Euro style is delicious, nothing screams Vegas the way some excellent prime rib and lobster or king crab does.

Mmm king crab.  Found rarely and always frozen here.

Another diffence I've noticed about France is that shrimp, crab, or lobster is always eaten cold and usually with mayonaise.  Aside from the peel and eat shrimp, I haven't been able to adapt to the cold crustacean business.

No wonder they never thought to pair it with a lovely côte de boeuf!  They don't really imagine hot lobster tail at all.
The advantage of being an expat is being able to create fusion between the two cultures.  In the south of France, they have this garlic emulsion called aïoli that they eat with their cold seafood and steamed vegetables.  I took it to the fusion level and brushed it onto my lobster before roasting it, making it beautifully crusty.  I did a similar version of this a few months ago with rouille.

To balance it out, I made a side of garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed fennel with spinach. 

Since I have mega issues cooking for 1 or 2, this happily feeds 4.

Rusted Aïoli

5 cloves garlic, smashed

Pinch fleur de sel

1 egg yolk

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp Rouille spices (chile powder, paprika, saffron)

1 tsp minneola (tangelo) juice

Few grinds black pepper

Make this first.  You can do it ahead of time. (Metal)
1.  In a mortar and pestle, grind the garlic into a paste with the fleur de sel.  You don't want any bits and pieces.  You want a smooth paste.
2.  Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the egg yolk and the minneola juice.  Whisk well.  There will be a chemical reaction happening between the acid and the egg.
3.  Very slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking, just a little at a time.  You want to create a mayonnaise-like emulsion.  I completely suck at doing this, but I don't really care because I'm going to brush it on some lobster and roast it.. not dip cold crab into it!

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

4 medium potatoes, scrubbed and steamed (pressure cook 15 minutes)

2 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp minneola juice

1 Tbsp aïoli

Pinch fleur de sel

Few grinds black pepper

Handful freshly chopped parsley

1/2 cup milk

The mashed potatoes can be done ahead of time and reheated stovetop during the roasting waiting time. (Earth)
1.  While still hot, peel the potatoes.  Why not peel them before and avoid burning your fingers?  Well, because they lose much of their taste and nutrients when you do it that way.  Potatoes don't have many nutrients to begin with, so who cares about that.. they taste better this way, trust me.
2.  Put them in a pot off heat and mash them with a fork along with the butter, minneola juice and aïoli.
3.  At this point if you feel like using a whisk, go right ahead, but I just kept my fork and was quite happy with the result.  On low heat, add in the milk a bit at a time until they reach desired consistency.
note if making ahead:  don't use all the milk beforehand for you might need it when you reheat stovetop.
4.  Whisk in the parsley, fleur de sel, and black pepper.  Taste and make sure they are garlicky enough.  If not, add more aïoli!

Sautéed Fennel and Spinach

200g (about 1/2lb) fresh spinach, washed and dried

1 fennel bulb, sliced into moons

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp aïoli

Pinch fleur de sel

Few grinds black pepper

2 Tbsp minneola juice

Get your veggie fix (Wood and Metal).
1.  Heat half the oil in a wok and add the sliced fennel until softened, then set aside.  I did this step ahead and the rest during the roasting waiting time.
2.  Heat the other half of the oil in the same wok and wilt the spinach.  You may want to do this in batches so it doesn't steam.
3.  Add the fennel back in along with the minneola juice, fleur de sel, and black pepper.
4.  Remove from heat and stir in the aïoli.

Prime Rib

450g (1 lb) côte de boeuf about 1 1/2 inch thick

Fleur de sel

Cracked black pepper

Drizzle olive oil
pinch chopped parsley

Prep your prime rib. (Fire)
1.  Rub some fleur de sel and black pepper onto each side of your lovely Côte, then massage a drizzle of olive oil onto it.  That's it fir the prepping.  Make sure it is out of the fridge for at least 10 minutes before cooking.
2.  Heat your griddle pan or BBQ on high.  Cook for 2 1/2 minutes on each side, then transfer to a 190°C 375°F oven (griddle pan and all) for another 8 minutes for medium rare.
3.  Let rest for 2-3 minutes before cutting.

Roasted Lobster

2 small North American lobsters, defrosted and halved

Squeeze of minneola (tangelo) juice

Freshly chopped parsley

2 Tbsp aïoli

Get your crust on your lobsters. (Water)
1.  Make sure you drain any liquid from the defrosted lobsters.  I don't do live lobster.  Can't kill it.  I don't mind so much with oysters or mussels, but things that walk and can look at me and scream are too hard for me to kill.  Yes, I'm a softie..
2.  Squeeze some of the minneola juice onto each half, then brush the aïoli on.  Top with fresh parsley.  As I cut my lobsters in half, I noticed one was male and one was female.  Guess who saved all the lobster roe for herself?  Teehee!
3.  Roast at 190°C 375°C for 10 minutes.  If you time this right, the lobster is the last thing you serve, so your prime rib has already rested and your sides are already served.  Get it? Yes, be efficient.

I even managed to make this balanced with the Elements.

Gujarati Cabbage Sambharo

It has been well over a week since I've last cooked and quite some time I've been eating heavy French food several evenings in a row.  At first it's nice to be pampered and invited.. but in the end, it's torture to not be able to help out in the kitchen or completely create the menu.. or even add a touch of ginger or chile!  This type of abstinence makes me naturally inclined to my own version of "home-style" food.

Lucky for me, my family "home-style" is transcontinental, so I have a plethora of choices and cravings depending on the time of day, season, or weekly events.

Since I was able to sneak a peek of Cambodian/Chinese food at my all-time favorite place, the Angkor, I was craving Ba's (grandma) food.

The first thing I did upon arriving was to soak some green and red lentils while I returned the rental car.

Then I naturally started grating carrots and cabbage, letting my Ba's energy flow through me as I remember feeling when eating her food.  It usually included cabbage and peas with black mustard seeds, or sometimes potatoes and cauliflower in a similar seasoning.  Of course, all of this was accompanied by an okra main dish with a daal side, some fresh rotis with ghee, and some tainted yellow rice once you thought you were finished.

I don't know if I love to eat this way because of my genetics or because of the fond warm memory it awakens within me, but what I do know is that it is the best way to replenish my depleted nutrients after a week-long out-of-the-kitchen business trip.

Serves 3-4 as a side

Ingredients

2 Tbsp oil

1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds

2 tsp mustard seeds

1/4 tsp turmeric

pinch hing (asafoetida)

2 carrots, peeled and grated

1-2 green chiles, seeded and sliced

1/2 cup frozen peas

1 small red onion, sliced into moons (optional)

2 cups shredded cabbage

pinch fleur de sel

Directions

1.  Heat the oil in a wok and add the cumin and mustard seeds.  Cook until they sputter a bit.

2.  Add the hing and turmeric.  It should fizz and be sensually pleasing.

3.  Add the carrots and chiles and stir-fry for about 40-60 seconds.

4.  Add the peas and onion slices and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring.

5.  Make space into the center of the wok and add the shredded cabbage.  Spread so that it doesn't cook in a pile, but evenly.

6.  Cook, stirring for another minute or 2.

Serve as a side in a "Welcome Home" thali.

I served mine alongside some Green Ki Dal and some basmati rice.  

If I had had the time, I would have made some Rotis.. because nothing screams GUJU GIRL like rotis.

Wow I'm realizing I haven't done that in quite some time.  I think I'll be taking advantage of this rainy weekend and abundant leftovers to do something productive with my fingers..

Chicken Hearts with Cabbage Fried Rice

So, I stumbled upon some chicken hearts the other day at my local supermarket while waiting in line for just salad and green onions.  The person before and after me had them in their basket, and I must have said out loud "wow I be that's insanely delicious..." which is not unusual for me to say to myself out loud.
Lucky for me, the person behind me actually answered my self comment.  He was either Vietnamese, Cambodian, or Laos (I still don't have it down pat) but with his wife, they seemed to know exactly what they were talking about.  He saved my spot in line while I quickly ran over to the meat section to buy the absolute last saturday night chicken hearts in the aisle.  He then explained to me in detail (to the utter exhaustion of the cashier) how to prepare them, that they are not tough, but rather tender, and are best grilled or pan fried and paired with shallots.
Be still my hearts.. and rock my world.
The best part is that they are very healthy.  Any heart is good for the heart, and they are almost dirt cheap (for meat).  My ginger chile garlic concoctions of late have quickly and efficiently kicked my cold out of my body, and now this is perfect to strengthen that important little muscle trapped in my cage soon to find itself in a straight jacket all next week, dying to breathe again. 

Serves 2

Chicken Hearts

150-200g (around 1/2 lb) chicken hearts, quartered lengthwise and rinsed

4 small or 2 normal shallots, sliced crosswise

1 Tbsp oil

Marinade:

2 cloves garlic, grated

1 tsp ginger, grated

1 tsp soy sauce or tamari

1 tsp black vinegar

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp red pepper flakes

Cabbage Fried Rice

2 Tbsp oil

2 carrots, peeled and grated

1 cup shredded cabbage

1 slit green chile

2 cloves garlic, diced

1 cup cooked rice

2 eggs

1 green onion, chopped

2 Tbsp soy sauce or tamari

1 tsp black vinegar

juice from 1/2 lemon

few cracks green pepper

Garnish:

Thai chile

chopped green onions

chopped cilantro

Sriracha sauce
few drops sesame oil

Directions

1.  Make the marinade for the chicken hearts by stirring all the ingredients together.  Place the sliced hearts into the marinade and refrigerate covered for at least 1 hour.  Do this either in the morning or as the first step before prepping all the other ingredients.

2.  Make the cabbage fried rice.  Heat the oil in a wok and add the carrots.  Cook stirring for 1-2 minutes, then add the cabbage and chile.  Cook, stirring until cabbage is tender, about 2-3 minutes, then add the garlic and cooked rice.  Heat through, stirring and making sure the rice is well coated.  When ready, push everything to the sides of the wok to make space for the eggs.  Crack the eggs into the center of the wok and let simmer and bubble.  Stir lightly in the center to break the yolks and spread out the egg.  When you can stir and the eggs break apart into pieces, stir in the rest from the side to make a homogenous mixture.

Stir fry for another 1-2 minutes, then add the green onions, lemon juice, soy sauce, vinegar, and pepper.  

3.  During the "off" time of the cabbage fried rice, cook the chicken hearts.  Heat the oil in a wok and add the shallots.  Cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes, then add the marinated chicken hearts.  Let cook for 2-3 minutes, then stir and let cook another 2-3 minutes.

Serve the chicken hearts with the cabbage fried rice garnished with a few droplets of sesame oil, chopped cilantro, and chopped green onions.  I added a Thai chile to my plate and a  drizzle of Sriracha for extra red hot heart thumping.

I cannot believe how tender these were.  If I had not cooked them myself, I would never have guessed they were organs.  I've tasted liver (other than fois gras) gizzards (other than confit) and kidneys (rognons) and they do taste very much like organs, which isn't something I go crazy for.  These are very soft and meaty without that extra gamey strange taste.  The best part is that any heart you eat will nourish your own...except any of that Hannibal nonsense.

Korean Spicy Grilled Squid -Ojingeo Tonggui

As the unexpected Stiletto evening became one with my mind, nothing could have satisfied my sea lust as this grilled squid has.
I've experimented with octopus with fabulous results, so this time I felt ready to announce to my fishmonger something a bit more exotic (compared to the experience I have with it).  I'm in great need of garlic and chile with this little cold I've been fighting since yesterday, so I decided to go Korean style with it.  I'll replicate this for guests any day.
It was perfect.
I'm sure it would be perfect with a "simpler" style of garlic, olive oil, lemon, parsley, and fleur de sel, but I wanted heat and pungency.. chile and ginger.
Yes.. is the word.

Inspired by Maangchi

Serves 1 as a main, 2-4 as an appetizer

Ingredients

2 small or 1 large squid (450g or 1 lb), cleaned and rinsed (I used shortfin red)

1-2 baby bok choy, halved

Basting sauce:

1 tsp sesame oil

1/2 tsp mustard

1 Tbsp light soy sauce
1 Tbsp dark soy sauce
juice from 1/2 lemon

2 small cloves garlic, grated

1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

1 tsp black vinegar

2 Tbsp Sriracha sauce or chile paste

Garnish:

1 Tbsp chopped green onions

1/4 tsp sesame seeds
Directions
1.  Make the basting sauce by stirring all the ingredients together.  Set aside.
2.  If your squid is small, no need to remove the skin (in my opinion).

 Slice into the long part as if to make rings, but don't cut all the way through.  Score the tentacles also.

2.  Griddle or plancha or bbq the bok choy on high, cut side down for about 1-2 minute, until charred, then turn over, baste a bit, and cook another 2-3 minutes.

3.  Place the squid, cut side up onto the hot hot griddle pan along with the tentacles.  Cook for 1 minute, then flip over and baste.

4.  Cook for another minute, then flip over and baste again, making sure the sauce gets into the neat little sensual crevices...

Serve hot.

Oh yes.. yes yes yes!!!!
Why why why have I never tried to make this before??
The best part of this is that it's remarkable quick to make.  I only had a griddle pan in the middle of freezing cold winter for 1 person, but this would be amazing on the plancha or bbq for a crowd and soo quick to cook so that everybody can enjoy a hot meal.
I've heard that "no" is powerful.. but nothing in this world is more breathtaking than a "YES!"

Black Vinegar and Garlic Dipping Sauce

After what felt to me like an eternity of abstinence, I regained my place as an artist in my workplace tonight.

I have to admit to having taken the shortcut route since I made the turkey and shiitake potstickers during the holidays and froze them for a day like today, but I was able to innovate with the dipping sauce.

Yield 3/4 cup

Ingredients

1 1/2 Tbsp light soy sauce

1 Tbsp sesame oil

1 Tbsp black vinegar

1 tsp ShaoXing wine

2 tsp grated garlic

1 tsp grated ginger

2 Tbsp chopped scallions

1 Thai chile, chopped

1 tsp white sesame seeds

Stir all the ingredients together and use as a glaze on some garlic steamed baby bok choy or as a dipping sauce for jiaozi.

That extra punch of garlic, ginger, and Thai chile is a perfect remedy for any "under-the-weather" weakness you may be feeling.  It's as much revigorating as it is healing.. and with the freezing cold happening right now.. it was just what was missing from my life to really hit the spot.

No, not that one.. the other one...