FoodB

Jenn and I took it really easy this last week as a kind of post-wedding hangover. Most of our meals were either 30 minute meals or take-out. This week it looks like it's up to me to cook because another expansion pack for the Sims came out and Jenn is in pet creating heaven for the next few meals.

Since we are coming up on the holidays we are looking to experiment with some recipes that we may serve for some holiday parties we are either going to host or plan on attending. I am hoping to make a pumpkin cheesecake for a Halloween party on Saturday (the last cheesecake I made was a big hit) and planning on making one for Thanksgiving. After making the squash soup we were thinking we would try making a pumpkin soup for a Christmas party we may throw. Jenn is thinking about making a goose for the same party and is probably going to use a recipe her aunt used to make goose some time ago. She raves about that meal her aunt made so I am looking forward to it because I have never had goose and it sounds good. She has some other ideas she is mulling around as well but is keeping them to herself for now.

Here is a kick-ass stir fry that Jenn whipped up last week. This is one of those recipes where the prep takes more time than the actual cooking so be warned you knife-aphobes.

Stir Fry

2 cups Cooked Rice
2 New York Steaks
1 Zucchini
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Orange Bell Pepper
1 Yellow Bell Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Red Onion
3 Baby Bok Choy
1 can Water Chestnuts
1 small bunch Sweet Peas or Snow Peas
Dash of Japanese Chili Powder
1 Tspn Sesame oil
Sesame Seeds

Steak Marinade
1/2 cup Soy Sauce
1/4 cup Mirin Rice Wine
2 Tbsp Sugar
2 cloves Minced Garlic

Directions:

1. Cook rice according to your rice cooker.


2. Cut the fat off of steak and cut into 1-inch thick cubes and marinade Steak for at least a 1/2 an hour.


3. Wash all the vegetables. Slice the zucchinis into silver dollars sized wedges. Cut the bell peppers thinly into strips. Dice or slice the red onion depending how much onion flavor you want. Cut the bottom of the Baby Bok Choy off. Drain the water chestnuts and set aside. Cut off the little ends on the pea pods.


4. Add the sesame oil to a wok (Electric or Manual).


5. Throw the bell peppers in the wok for about 2 minutes. Add the onions and cook both for another 5 minutes or until you get your desired tenderness.


6. Throw in the zucchini's water chestnuts and pea pods and cook for another two minutes.


7. Add the bok choy and cook for another minute.


8. Add a dash of chili powder onto the mixture and toss in some soy sauce if desired.


9. Remove veggies into a separate bowl.


10. Put the steak cubes into the wok and add some of the marinade. Cook until desired doneness. Remove steak from wok.


11. In a bowl, dish out rice, veggies and meat, sprinkling with sesame seeds.

This dish would also be good by substituting the rice with cooked udon noodles. You can buy pre-made noodles in the store that you cook in hot water for about 3 minutes. Once they are done drain them and add them to the wok once the meat is done for about 10 seconds to stir in some of the marinade and other flavors.

I have another 2 posts brewing for the next few days so this should be a good posting week for me.