Spicy Veggie and Hummus Spring Rolls ala ~DKBB~

Spicy Veggie and Hummus Spring Rolls ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from www.chefsbliss.com)

 
Spring Rolls
8 rice papers
½ c. hummus* (store-bought or homemade)
1 tsp. sriracha sauce
1 Tbsp. lime juice
¼ c. shredded carrots
½ cucumber, julienned
½ red pepper, julienned
¼ c. fresh spinach leaves
Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
Bibb or butter lettuce leaves 

• Mix hummus, sriracha sauce, and lime juice to make a spicy, tangy spread (add more sriracha to increase the heat if desired).
• Prepare the veggies.
• Fill a large shallow dish with warm water and dip each rice paper into the water for 5-10 seconds until it softens.
• Lay the rice paper out on a flat surface; place a few spoonfuls of the spicy hummus in the center, followed by the cucumber, red pepper, avocado, carrots, and a leaf or two of cilantro (if using).
• Fold the side inward, then roll lightly into a cylinder.
• Repeat this process for each sheet of rice paper.
• Serve with large leaves of bibb or butter lettuce to wrap around the spring roll and with dipping sauce.

Dipping Sauce
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
½ tsp. sesame oil
¼ to ½ tsp. chili crisp
 
Mix all ingredients together, whisking well. Set aside.
 
This recipe can be cut in half for 4 spring rolls.

* My homemade hummus recipe can be found here.

Spicy Crab and Cucumber Spring Rolls ala ~DKBB~

Spicy Crab and Cucumber Spring Rolls ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from www.chefsbliss.com)

 

Spring Rolls
8 rice papers
½ lb. crab meat (fresh or imitation)
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. sriracha sauce (or to taste)
½ cucumber, julienned
½ red pepper, julienned
1 avocado, thinly sliced
Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
¼ c. shredded carrots

Bibb or butter lettuce leaves

• In a bowl, mix the crab meat (if desired, chop it up a bit to make the pieces small) with mayonnaise and sriracha sauce until the crab meat is well-coated. Add sriracha to increase heat as desired.
• Prepare the vegetables as directed and set each out in a bowl for assembly.
• Fill a large shallow dish with warm water and dip each rice paper into the water for 5-10 seconds until it softens.
• Lay the rice paper out on a flat surface; place a few spoonfuls of the spicy crab mixture in the center, followed by the cucumber, red pepper, avocado, carrots, and a leaf or two leaves of cilantro.
• Fold the side inward, then roll lightly into a cylinder.
• Repeat this process for each sheet of rice paper.
• Serve with large leaves of Bibb or butter lettuce to wrap around the spring roll and with dipping sauce.

Dipping Sauce
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1 tsp. honey (you could use hot honey if you’d prefer)
1 Tbsp. warm water
½ tsp. sriracha

• Mix all ingredients together, whisking well. Set aside.

This recipe can be cut in half for 4 spring rolls.

Vietnamese Shaking Beef ala ~DKBB~

Vietnamese Shaking Beef (Bo Luc Lac) ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from www.delightfulplate.com) 

For the beef:
12 oz. beef (I use stew meat or cube steak)
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. sugar
Black pepper
Cooking oil (sesame oil, fire oil, canola…but not olive)
1small red onion, thinly sliced
3 stalks scallions, white parts cut into 1-inch pieces, green parts cut into ½-inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
1½ Tbsp. butter
 
For the soy sauce mixture:
2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
2 tsp. dark soy sauce (or hoisin sauce)
2 tsp. (low sodium) soy sauce
½ Tbsp. fish sauce
1 tsp. oyster sauce
1½ tsp. sugar
Small amount of cornstarch to thicken
 
For the salad:
2-3 soft lettuce leaves, chopped (butter lettuce works well)
1-2 cups microgreens
2 small or medium ripe tomatoes 

• Trim and cut the beef into 1-inch cubes; marinate with ½ tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. sugar, plenty of black pepper, and 1-2 tsp. oil of choice. Set aside and allow to come to room temperature.
• In a bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients; taste and adjust per your taste; add cornstarch if thicker sauce is desired.
• In a wok or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat, add oil and beef cubes; sear for 30-45 seconds, flip and sear for another 30-45 seconds.
• Add onion slices and stir-fry beef and onion 30 seconds; add minced garlic and white parts of scallions; stir-fry until garlic is fragrant.
• Add sauce mixture, shake wok to coat beef; then add butter and cook until butter completely melts and everything is combined.
• Toss in the green scallion parts before serving.

Plating:
Place lettuce on bottom, cover with sliced tomatoes and a layer of microgreens; top all with the beef/sauce mixture.

Gochujang Grilled Pork Chops ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from www.theendlessmeal.com)

 

¼ cup rice wine vinegar
1 to 2 Tbsp. gochujang
1 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. oil (vegetable or canola)
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 to 4 pork chops 

• In a medium-sized bowl whisk the first five ingredients.
• Place pork chops in resealable bag and pour in marinade; seal bag and squish around a bit so the pork chops are well covered.
• Refrigerate for 1 to 12 hours, turning now and again to make sure all is well covered.
• Grill the pork chops.
• Pour marinade into small pan over high heat and boil for 2-3 minutes until thickened (like a runny BBQ sauce); serve with chops.
• Optional (we fell on this accidentally): Serve with roasted red pepper hummus – goes together amazingly well.

You can increase the amounts (double or more) of this recipe and use it for pork tenderloin as well.

Chinese Braised Daikon Radish ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from www.omnivorescookbook.com)

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

2 green onions, chopped
1 tsp. ginger
1lb. ground meat (beef, pork, chicken, or turkey)
2 tsp. Doubanjiang, or Gojuchang, paste
2 lb. Daikon radish (sliced and quartered)
2 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock or water)
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. Chinese 5-spice powder
¼ to ½ tsp. red pepper flakes to taste
¼ tsp. fine sea salt, or to taste

• Heat a medium-size Dutch oven (or heavy-duty pot) over medium heat until hot; add oil; add green onions and ginger; cook for 1 minute to release flavor.
• Add ground meat; cook until no pink remains; add doubanjiang or gojuchang and mix in well so the meat is evenly coated, then add the radish; cook and stir to mix well.
• Add the wine, chicken stock, soy sauce, sugar, 5-spice, and pepper flakes; cook over medium high heat until it comes to a boil; reduce heat to medium low and simmer 15-20 minutes, or until radish is tender; add salt to taste.

Serve with steamed rich or by itself.

Daikon Radish with Chicken ala ~DKBB~

Daikon Radish with Chicken ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from zoukncook)

1 medium daikon radish
4 boneless chicken thighs
½ tsp. chili flakes
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1-2 minced garlic clove (the hotter the garlic, the better)
1 tsp. sesame oil
Chopped green onions (optional)

Sauce:
1 cup chicken stock
1½ Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. sake
1½ tsp. sugar
¼ tsp. rice vinegar
¼ to ½ tsp. white pepper

• Peel daikon and cut into ½-inch half-moons.
• Cut chicken into ½- to 1-inch pieces.
• Heat oil in large sauce pan OR wok; add daikon and chicken and sauté over high heat; stir in minced garlic, chili flakes, and white pepper.
• Add in all ingredients for the cooking sauce; cook all over medium heat, constantly skimming off fat (if needed).
• When sauce has nearly evaporated, sprinkle with sesame oil; remove from heat and serve over rice.
• Garnish with green onion, if desired.

Bacon & Brown Sugar Arkansas Green Beans ala ~DKBB~

Bacon & Brown Sugar Arkansas Green Beans ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from thewanderlustkitchen.com)

 

Original photo
 from thewanderlustkitchen

1 lb. fresh green beans, snapped -OR- 1 lb. frozen cut green beans

4 to 6 slices of bacon, diced

1 to cloves garlic, minced

¼ c. packed brown sugar

¼ c. salted butter, melted

3 to 4 tsp. soy sauce

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Place beans in large sauce pan; add enough water to cover beans; bring water to boil; reduce heat and cover; simmer for 5 minutes.
• Drain the beans and place them in a 1 to 2 qt. casserole dish or glass baking pan.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat; add the cut-up bacon and cook until almost crisp (or until as done as you prefer); remove bacon from pan and drain grease from bacon; add bacon to the beans in the baking dish.
• In a small bowl, stir together the garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, and melted butter; drizzle this mixture evenly over the beans and bacon.
• Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, then gently stir making sure all the beans are coated with the sauce and continue baking for another 15 minutes.

Honey-Roasted Chicken ala ~DKBB~

Honey-Roasted Chicken ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe by Simpson Wong)

1 cup salt

½ cup sugar

1 gallon water

1 whole chicken (around 4½ pounds), giblets removed

1 cup honey

¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce

¼ cup teriyaki sauce

8 garlic cloves, finely minced

¼ cup white-wine vinegar

2 Tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes

3 Tbsp. corn starch

2 Tbsp. water

• Stir salt, sugar, and ½ gallon water together in large pot (big enough to hold the chicken) over low heat until salt and sugar completed dissolve; add ½ gallon cold water; submerge chicken in liquid and refrigerate overnight, or a minimum of 2 to 3 hours.
• Preheat oven (or Traeger) to 350° F when you are ready to cook the chicken.
• Whisk honey, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, minced garlic, white-wine vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes together in small bowl.
• Place a piece of aluminum foil (large enough to complete enclose the chicken) on a work surface; top this with a equivalent-sized piece of parchment paper.
• Remove the chicken from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels, then place it in the middle of the parchment paper; gather the sides of the foil and parchment paper around the chicken and place the bird into an appropriately sized roasting pan, leaving the top of the bird exposed.
• Pour the honey mixture over the top of the bird, then wrap the chicken tightly with the parchment paper and enclose that with the foil.
• Roast for 1 hour and 20 minutes; remove roasting pan from heat and fold back the foil and parchment paper.
• Pour (or remove) the pan drippings into a sauce pan, leaving chicken in the parchment paper/foil in roasting pan.
• Whisk cornstarch and water together in a small bowl; slowly stir cornstarch mixture into pan drippings while heating over medium heat; boil until sauce thickens.
• Baste chicken with some of the thickened sauce and return roasting pan to oven/Traeger; bake uncovered until skin is deeply golden brown (30 to 40 minutes), basting periodically.
• Serve with remaining pan sauce.

Banh Mi Tacos ala ~DKBB~

Chicken Banh Mi Tacos ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from loveandrisotto.com)

Tacos

4-6 Tortillas

1 cup roasted or rotisserie chicken, shredded or diced

¼ cup cilantro, chopped

4 to 6 jalapenos, chopped or sliced

1 cucumber, diced

1 onion, diced

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

Sauce

3 Tbsp. mayonnaise (I prefer Kraft Olive Oil & Cracked Pepper mayo)

1½ tsp. low-sodium soy sauce

½ tsp. white vinegar

¼ tsp. minced garlic

¼ tsp. minced ginger

¼ tsp. lemon juice

¼ tsp. sugar

• Mix all sauce ingredients together and whisk thoroughly; add the sauce to every taco.
• Assemble tacos with ingredients you prefer (all or some).

Lime, Soy, and Maple Drizzle for Pork Chops ala ~CHB~

Lime, Soy, and Maple Drizzle for Pork Chops ala ~CHB~

(original recipe in October 2016 edition of Cooking Light)

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1 garlic clove, minced

2 Tbsp. lime juice (fresh, if you’ve got it)

2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

1½ Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 Tbsp. of balsamic vinegar (a hot one works good)

Dash of crushed red pepper

1 tsp. water

½ tsp. cornstarch

2 pork chops

• Melt butter in small, heavy saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned (about 30 seconds).
• Add lime juice, maple syrup, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper; stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
• Stir together water and cornstarch in small bowl; add to sauce.
• Cook, stirring often, until sauce thickens (about 2 minutes).
• Grill pork chops, basting the chops with some of the sauce.
• Drizzle remaining sauce over chops to serve.

Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Chicken ala ~DKBB~

Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Chicken ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from Katerina @ diethood.com)

Photo from diethood.com

4 boneless chicken breasts or thighs

6 garlic cloves, minced

⅓ cup honey

½ cup ketchup (use low sodium ketchup if you have it)

½ cup low sodium soy sauce

½ to 1 tsp. dried oregano

2 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

½ tbsp. toasted sesame seeds (optional)

• Arrange chicken in bottom of slow cooker.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine garlic, honey, ketchup, soy sauce, oregano, and parsley; whisk until thoroughly combined.
• Pour sauce over chicken; cover slow cooker with lid and cook on LOW 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH 4 to 5 hours.

Serve over a bed of jasmine rice, covering all with the sauce. Add toasted sesame seeds if desired.