Date Night Recipes (Asian Menu)
Glass Noodle Salad
makes 4 servings
Ingredients
Vinaigrette
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons peanut or canola oil
2 tablespoons sriracha
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon ginger paste (or grated fresh ginger)
1 teaspoon honey
Salad
4 ounces uncooked cellophane noodles
1 red bell pepper, sliced very thinly
1 orange bell pepper, sliced very thinly
1 large carrot, peeled and sliced very thinly
1 cup red cabbage, sliced very thinly
4 scallions, sliced very thinly
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Directions
Prepare noodles by placing them in a large bowl or stockpot and cover with very hot water (not boiling) for about 15 minutes until softened; drain well and cut into smaller lengths if desired.
In a mixing bowl, combine all the vinaigrette ingredients together; set aside until needed.
In a large serving bowl, combine the softened noodles, bell peppers, carrots, cabbage, scallions, and cilantro.
Whisk vinaigrette well and pour over salad; tossing well to coat everything.
Mongolian Beef
makes 4 servings
Ingredients
1 pound flank steak
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon peanut or canola oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ginger paste (or grated fresh ginger)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup peanut or canola oil
2 chopped scallions for garnish
Directions
Before you begin, have all your ingredients measured out and ready to go.
Prepare the flank steak by cutting it across the grain into 1/4-inch slices, then dredge it in the cornstarch, mixing well to make sure all the beef is coated; set aside until needed.
In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine 1 tablespoon oil, minced garlic, and ginger paste; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Immediately add the water and dark and increase the heat to medium; bring to a boil and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens (about 3 minutes).
Remove sauce from heat.
In a large pan with tall sides, heat 1 cup oil over medium heat until the oil shimmers.
Add beef to the oil in batches so as not to crowd the pan; cook beef strips, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes, then remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.
Repeat step 7 until all the beef is cooked; discard oil.
To finish, return all the beef to the pan and add the reserved sauce; heat over medium until heated through. Garnish with chopped scallions.
Sweet and Spicy Garlic Shrimp
makes 4 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon peanut or canola oil
1 pound shrimp, peeled, and deveined (21/25 size)
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons ginger paste (or finely grated ginger)
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more!)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons Sriracha
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 chopped scallions for garnish
Directions
Before you begin, have all your ingredients measured out and ready to go.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil until it shimmers, then cook shrimp for 1 minute per side; remove to a plate.
In the same skillet over medium heat, heat sesame oil, minced garlic, ginger paste, and crushed red pepper flakes, stirring constantly, until fragrant. This should take a minute or so.
Immediately add the water, dark brown sugar, sriracha, and soy sauce; stir well to combine.
Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens (about 3 minutes).
Return shrimp to skillet and toss well until heated through. Garnish with chopped scallions.
Ginger Milk Pudding
makes 2 servings (4 oz)
Ingredients
1 cup whole milk"
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
4 teaspoons freshly grated and pressed ginger juice
Directions
Stir ginger juice well and pour an equal amount into each serving bowl.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine milk and sugar; heat, stirring often, until temp reaches 170-175F.
Re-stir ginger juice immediately before pouring equal amounts of heated milk into each bowl.
Rest until set, about 10 minutes. Serve warm or chill for firmer texture.
*Note: lactose-free milk will work, but non-dairy milks will not.