Char Siu Chicken

I loved my Char Siu (Canonize BBQ Pork) but I wanted to do something different. Maybe a bit healthier. So I applied the same sauce, but with chicken. And the result was stunning. The marinade is everything. It’s the same that I used with the pork shoulder. 1/2 Tbsp onion powder1/2 Tbsp garlic powder1/4 Tbsp salt1/2 tsp five-spice powder1/4 Tbsp pepper,1.5 Tbsp brown sugar, I used agave1.5 Tbsp soy sauce,1 Tbsp dark soy sauce, I used coconut aminos1 Tbsp oyster sauce,1 Tbsp oil, I used avocado oil1/2 Tbsp sesame oil1 Tbsp cooking wine,1 Tbsp Honey,Red fermented bean curd / red food color (optional) I used two tablespoons of beet root powder. Fortunately, all the ingredients above always are in out pantry and fridge. Stir well, add the chicken (we did a pound...

Smoky Tofu Shakshuka

So VERY good! Adapted from Epicurious 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil1 small onion, finely chopped¾ tsp. salt, divided 1 red bell pepper2 garlic cloves, minced1 tsp. smoked sweet paprika½ tsp. ground cuminPinch ground nutmeg or allspice1 can diced tomatoes2 tsp. harissa1 tsp. agaveFreshly ground black pepper1 block firm tofu Heat 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add 1 small onion, finely chopped and the chopped pepper, and ½ tsp. salt and cook for about 12 minutes, until the onion has softened. Add 2 garlic cloves, minced, 1 tsp. smoked sweet paprika, ½ tsp. ground cumin, and pinch ground nutmeg or allspice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. Stir in one can diced tomatoes, 2 tsp. rose, apricot, or regular harissa, 1 tsp. sugar, another ¼ tsp....

Black Beans and Quinoa

This was a VERY easy meal to make and was entirely satisfying. My goal for upcoming meals is to lean veggie forward. 1 Cup Quinoa (Thoroughly washed/soaked/strained)1 Can Black Beans (drained/rinsed)3 Tablespoon Olive Oil1 Onion – chopped1 Red Bell Pepper – chopped into small pieces2 Tablespoon Garlic – finely chopped1 can (or slightly less) of crushed tomatoes1 Teaspoon Dry Oregano1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin2 Teaspoon Paprika1/2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper or to taste (optional)1 1/2 cups Frozen Corn kernels (you can use fresh corn)1+1/4 Cup / 300ml Vegetable Broth (Low Sodium)Add Salt to Taste (I have added total 1 Tsp of Pink Himalayan Salt. Please note I have used low sodium broth and beans) Cook the quinoa per...

Air-Fried Char Siu

This is something I love to order when I’m in a Cantonese BBQ place, but I’ve never cooked because of the LONG roast time. But I came across an air-fryer version, and I made a few revisions, and it came out as good as anything I’ve had before. The two big changes I made, I used pork shoulder and I used beet powder for the coloring. This meal is not complex, but it does require a long marinade. One night is fine, but in this case I went 48 hours. Slice up your pork. Shoulder or boneless Boston but is fine. Traditionally this is neck meat, but you’re not getting that at Food Lion. You want steaks, about 3/4″ thick, well marbled. Try to keep it even, so they cook through at the same time. Save the trimmings for other things. The...

Air Fried Potato Chips (with a side of Buffalo Wings).

This is something I’ve never tried, but I always wanted to. Making my own potato chips. Using my trusty mandolin, I sliced up two potatoes, about 2mm thick, I think. I put these in a cool water bath to help reduced the starch, changing the water twice. After that, I placed the slices into semi-boiling water for 3 minutes, with a little salt. These were drained and transferred to a kitchen towel and dried. The result went into a bowl with some avocado oil (about a tablespoon) and some steak seasoning and a bit of my dry rub. This was tossed well and went into my air-fryer rotisserie drum. The tumbled at 400° for about half an hour. Maybe a bit more. These were set aside and I did the chicken. In a bowl Mix 1 tablespoon of flour with 1 tablespoon of corn...