Sunday, February 10, 2008

Do You Punsit?!


A very dear friend made a double recipe of a Vietnamese dish called Punsit. It is so delicious and she was generous and gave me half! I have her permission to share this with you and hope you enjoy! (The following is NOT double)

1 bags rice sticks (she used SunLuck - Maifun)
Put water in large bowl and let the rice sticks sit in it for 2-3 minutes, drain and let sit.

Pour some grapeseed oil in a wok or curved side fry pan. Heat, add 1 Tbs minced fresh garlic and 1/2 - 3/4 large onion, chopped. Stir over medium heat until they start to soften. Add COOKED meat... chicken, pork or beef, however much you'd prefer, and simmer for a short time. Add 1/2 head of finely cut cabbage, 2 large carrots, shredded, & 2 cups of water. Cover and let simmer and soften. (Don't let it get dry) Add the rice sticks and 1/4 - 1/3 cup each, lemon juice and soy sauce. Stir, taste, add more if needed. Simmer until water cooks out. Serve with extra lemon and/or soy sauce if desired.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Chinese New Year!




Happy New Year! That's what my two little grandkids were yelling tonight! Their mom fixed a delicious dinner of wondeerful Asian foods. Both sets of grandparents there and we all had a great time. Of course, everything goes with coca-cola!! :) Here's the recipe for one of the dishes...
STIR FRY CASHEW CHICKEN
1 tsp cornstarch
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 Tb cornstarch
1 Tb soy sauce
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in small pieces
2 - 3 Tb canola oil
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
2 carrots, cut in thin slanting slices
1/2 small onion, sliced
1 1/2 cup broccoli, cut small (optional)
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
1 cup roasted cashews

Mix 1 tsp cornstach with chicken broth and set aside. Combine 1 Tb cornstach, soy sauce & chicken. Mix well and set aside.
Place work or large fry pan on high heat. When hot, add oil and heat til hot. Add chicken mixture and stir fry until chicken is done. Remove from wok and set aside.
Add vegetables and half the chicken broth mixture. Stir fry for about 2 minutes, then add the rest of the chicken broth. Cover and cook until vegetables are tender/crisp. Careful you don't boil vegetables dry!
Return chicken and chicken broth mixture to pan. Stir until liquid boils and thickens and chicken has been reheated. Serve over rice and garnish with cashews.
Best to have all ingredients ready BEFORE you start cooking!