You too can make won ton soup

Yes you can!

Look at it's wonderful simpleness, a little pocket of flavor heaven. The subtle teasing of fresh ginger on your tongue along with the crunchiness of the green onion lend a perfect match to the pork surrounded by a dip of sesame oil.

Since Spring has yet to arrive here in the frosty cold northeast, I figured why not make some delicious warming soup.  I made meat loaf last week out of veal, beef, and pork.  I saved 1/3 pound of each of the meats and froze them for this week.  I made tacos out of the beef and veal, and of course I made won ton soup out of the leftover ground pork.
Seems like a daunting task to make homemade won tons, but no, I only lost one won ton.  I don't mean lost as in not found, but the stuffing came bursting out of the wrapper, still edible by my son, who loves the filling more than the wrapper.

1. 1/3-1/2 pound ground lean pork
2. Fresh ginger-I used ginger in the tube, about 2 tablespoons, or use fresh grated.
3. 1 TBSP low sodium soy sauce
4. 1 1/2 tsp. salt
5. 1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
6. 1 tsp. sugar
7. 1 TBSP cornstarch
8. 1 TBSP sesame oil
9. Chopped extremely fine-3 TBSP green onions
10. Won ton wrappers
11. Chicken stock/broth-hot
12. Green onions and sesame oil for garnish

Get a nice big pot 3/4 filled with water, put in a little oil, and boil.
I made about 12 won tons for three people to have four each in their soup.  I kept the leftover pork filling locked away tightly in my lock and lock wonder container for more fresh soup tomorrow.
I think this whole thing will make 20-24 won tons-you can make them all ahead, and yes, freeze for later use.

Mix pork, ginger, soy sauce, salt, pepper, sugar, cornstarch, oil, and onions by hand until completely blended.
Lay out one won ton wrapper and wet the edges with water, place 1 Tablespoon of pork in center, and fold over, crimp with a fork.  When you have the amount you want, place in boiling water. The won tons will sink to the bottom of the pan, when they float, they are done, about 5 minutes. (DON'T cook won tons in chicken stock/broth.  Have a separate pot of hot chicken broth ready to go.
Here's what I did to FINISH this dish:  I placed 4 won tons into a bowl, poured chicken broth over the won tons, garnished with thin slices of green onions and drizzled a speck of sesame oil on top
Super delicious.

Are you asking yourself, "How the heck can I make won tons like the ones at the great fusion restaurant?" I just experimented with different techniques.  If you need any pointers, let me know and I can post a tutorial on how to make won tons.

UN stinking broccoli

When you make broccoli, it really smells up the joint, doesn't it?  I almost always use fresh broccoli crowns and steam them.
Well, I don't have to tell you that the waft of broccoli is not pleasant.

All you need is one or two pieces of bread, any kind will do.  You can use the ends or heels of the loaf if you want.

Whether you boil or steam or microwave (which I don't recommend because it burns the broccoli), place the bread on top of the broccoli while it cooks.

The bread absorbs with odor.  When done, toss bread away, unless you want two soggy pieces of bread that smell like broccoli for a sandwich.

Great Thai meal that's easy on fat and calories

Visiting Siam restaurant in Lambertville, NJ is an unbelievable culinary experience for the palate.

They have some of the best Thai food I've ever had.  The outside looks like a really old store from the 1940's that was left for dead.  It seats only 50 people.  The decorations on the wall are sparse and unusual, and haven't changed at all for years.

The menus are yellowed from age, and stained.

The wait staff is great and very friendly.
You don't need reservations, but it wouldn't hurt on Friday and Saturday nights. It is a BYOB which is great because ordering wine in a restaurant is one of the most marked up items on the menu.

Everything we (husband, daughter, friends, sisters) ordered from the pork fried rice to the homemade coconut ice cream was fabulous.

I really wanted to duplicate some of the items from there and cook them at my home.  I figured out the cucumber salad, the pork satay, and the simple white rice recipes.  I nailed it.  It's like sitting at Siam at our own homey table.

The best thing about doing this was I made all of the above items low fat.  That's the problem when you eat out, you have no idea at times how certain foods are prepared, of course, unless you ask.

The following meal will serve 2 adults and one child:
  Cucumber Salad:
1 regular cucumber, peeled and halved, seeds removed or seedless (English) cucumber.
3 to 4 teaspoons Splenda sweetener or regular sugar
Rice wine vinegar OR white vinegar
Water
2 tablespoons Texas onions or yellow onions, diced very fine.
1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed, and sliced

Peel and cut lengthwise cucumber.  Scoop out seeds with spoon, discard seeds. Cut cucumbers into bite size pieces.
Place cucumbers, onions, and jalapeño pepper in small bowl, add sugar, place enough vinegar to cover ingredients completely, and add 2 tablespoons water. Mix well and chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.  This salad tastes better the longer it chills and marinates the flavors.

  Pork Satay:
1/2 pound pork loin, fat trimmed, sliced 1/2 inch thick, about 3-4 inches long
Salt and Pepper
Vegetable oil
Optional: 1 can coconut milk

After slicing pork, sprinkle with salt and pepper and put coconut milk on it, marinade for several hours or overnight (this will soften and moisturize the pork)
If you don't have coconut milk, just sprinkle with salt and pepper and slather with vegetable oil.

Grill or bake methods
Grill:  Thread pork onto skewers, grill each side for 6-8 minutes
Bake: Place pork on baking sheet and cook in 350 degree oven for 12-16 minutes, broil for 3 minutes.

Serve with peanut sauce (The one pictured is very creamy and very spicy), even my 10 year old son likes it!

Last, but not least:
Rice:
1 cup long grain white rice (the cheap store brand is great, I use Shop Rite brand)
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil

Place water, salt, and oil into saucepan and bring to a boil.
Add rice, stir and bring to a boil again.
Cover and put on low setting for 16 minutes.
Stir and eat immediately.  If you don't, place pan in sink full of rice to stop cooking process.  Heat up later.

This rice does not need anything else.  It is smooth, creamy, and delicious!!!

This whole meal is so satisfying and wonderful, you will get raves, I guarantee it.

Note:  Make sure you measure water for rice EXACTLY, this is key for perfect rice.

Hangover helper-Asparagus?

Chinese research has revealed that asparagus works with the liver to break down enzymes, which in turn will speed up the healing process of alcohol deposits TWICE as fast as normal.

What does this mean?  Well, in case you had a speck too much to drink, eat some asparagus and you will feel more like yourself twice as fast.

Why not?  Well, it's best not to drink too much in the first place, but hey we are human and we do make mistakes.

Hangover helper-Asparagus?

Chinese research has revealed that asparagus works with the liver to break down enzymes, which in turn will speed up the healing process of alcohol deposits TWICE as fast as normal.

What does this mean?  Well, in case you had a speck too much to drink, eat some asparagus and you will feel more like yourself twice as fast.

Why not?  Well, it's best not to drink too much in the first place, but hey we are human and we do make mistakes.  

Really cheap and natural window cleaner

I was sick and tired of buying expensive cleaners, plus the smell wasn't that good considering the chemicals they contained.  So I made my own concoction and tried it out, before I would post about it because I wanted to make sure they worked.

Take 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap (I used Gain liquid soap), 2 cups tap water, and 1 cup white vinegar.  Put in a clean spray bottle, shake it up, use.

I used this on a variety of surfaces such as:  sliding glass doors, brushed stainless steel trash bin, tiled table tops, flat cook top, and the fake wood surfaces.

It worked great on everything and the smell was clean and fresh.  This stuff is so cheap, it's insane!  Especially compared to the brand name so called "great window cleaner" out there on the market.

It didn't leave streaks on the glass either, what a wonderful thing.

I have an obsession with clean windows and doors.  I think I have tried everything on the market, and they would ALL streak.

Try this out and let me know how it worked for you.