Lazy Day Chinese Food On A Shoe String

One of my favourite meals; especially on those I can't be bothered to cook days is chop suey or chow mein. Neither of these dishes take very long to make or prepare and are so easy that even my children are perfectly capable of producing a delicious and nutritious meal in minutes.



The other advantage is of course that they are packed with flavour and are so versatile; allowing for last minute substitutions dependant on just how much energy you have available and what is lurking in the bottom of the fridge.



Essentially this dish is what is commonly referred to as 'a stir fry'. I have been a fan of the wok for at least twenty two years now and would highly recommend its use for dishes such as this because it allows for plenty of movement; which is of course necessary to prevent overcooking of the ingredients.



This evening; because I had forgotten to replace the omnipotent packet of egg noodles we substituted them with rice, which was every bit as tasty and some might prefer it this way, due to its ease of eating!

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Beef Steak Chop Suey (serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 1lb of good quality diced steak
• 1 leek, finely sliced lengthwise
• 2 medium carrots, sliced into thin julienne strips
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
• 1 small head fresh broccoli, separated into shall florets
• 1/4 greyhound cabbage or similar small cabbage
• 1 stick celery,finely sliced
• 1 small green pepper, finely sliced
• 2 tablespoons light oil, ie sunflower, sesame, etc

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients as described above.
2. Heat 1 tbs oil until very hot. Stir fry diced beef steak, moving continuously until browned and still tender. Remove from heat and keep back in heated bowl in warm oven.
3. Heat second tbsp oil in wok, until very hot. Stir fry all vegetables, moving continuously, until leeks are transparent. Return beef steak to wok and stir for a minute or so, to allow the flavours to mingle and ensure that it is piping hot before serving.
   
4. Season with a splash of soy sauce & a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper (optional).
5. Serve with egg noodles, boiled rice or egg fried rice and enjoy!

The primary ingredients can be swapped for chicken, or even fish. Personally though I do not fancy the idea of stir fried lamb. Onions are often used in place of the leeks and bean sprouts instead of the cabbage. I often add baby sweetcorn, mange-touts, red peppers, or mushrooms.
Which ever I choose to use, the result is always the same; somehow it seems to disappear almost as quickly as it was made!


optional extras: (according to taste)

• light soy sauce
• oyster sauce
• hoisin sauce
• plum sauce
• black bean sauce
• fresh ginger, thumb sized piece; crushed or finely chopped
• Chinese five spice powder
• crunchy peanut butter for a satay style dish.

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Egg Fried Rice (serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rice
• 4 cups boiling water
• 1 tbsp light oil
• 1 lrg egg
• light soy sauce to taste

Method:

1. Measure rice into microwave steamer.
2. Place boiling water over rice in microwave steamer, and stir.
3. Set timer to 11 min's ( 800w), place steamer onto microwave turntable and cook on high.
4. Allow rice to stand; unopened in steamer for up to five minutes, then drain and stir.
5. Set rice to one side until cold. Fork through the rice to separate any grains stuck together.
6. Meanwhile heat 1 tbsp oil in wok; until very hot.
7. Place rice into hot oil in wok and stir immediately. Rice should sizzle rapidly.
8. Turn rice with wooden spatula, moving around wok often.
9. When rice is heated through evenly, break egg directly onto rice and stir into it.
10. Stir continuously until egg coats rice and small pieces are seen between grains also.
11. Stir in light soy sauce, according to taste, although I would suggest that a couple of splashes is sufficient, as it is easy to over power the other flavours!

This recipe was given to my mother shortly after our return to Ireland thirty years ago this week. In those days we did not have many Chinese restaurants, and most of those were to be found in major cities; such as Dublin, Cork and Limerick.


In our desperation for something different from meat, potatoes and two veg, we contacted the owner of the take-away we had used while living in England. She was delighted that her cooking had made such an impact on us and gladly let us into her secret recipe; which we have been using ever since.


Quite frankly I have yet to encounter Egg Fried Rice which lives up to the recipe this lady used all those years ago.Why not give this one a try; it's far tastier than the one which comes out of a bottle and it's every bit as quick to prepare too!


Eat, drink (preferably a nice light white wine with this one) and be Merry!

Love,

Polly Px

Motherly Love or Masochism?

Earlier on today I posted a blog about PIN's, passwords & security, which, as usual led to a tiny rant about miscellaneous loosely associated trivia.

My current password, which I am about to change as a result of this post is the word 'masochist'. I don't really understand where it came from, maybe it's a freudian slip of some kind? As both of my children are too young to be familiar with the word; I reckon my pc is definately safe, for the time being at least.

For the past two days my survival has depended on random cups of tea, 'erbal teas with honey and plain water in small amounts. Whether I like it or not, I have decided that the password is definately applicable at the moment. I am anorexic; in the true medical sense of the word, I am lacking in appetite. I have been getting stomach cramps off and on and yesterday had to carry a paper bag with me wherever I went, just in case; including going to bed - how very romantic!

Meanwhile, I have continued to be the loving mother of two sprogs; both of whom are definately off colour at the moment. LB has had the upset stomach; accompanied by the dreaded squits and poor BB suffered blunt force trauma to his rib cage earlier in the week.

Just in case anyone is considering reporting me to the cops, I should explain that he tripped and fell heavily onto his school bag, in the middle of the road while running for the school bus. Having a generous and sensible grandmother, the afore said bag is robustly constructed, very full and contains a metal retractable handle in its frame. Guess which part of the bag he fell onto?

I could digress here and rant on about the cost of medical care here in the Emerald Isle, but then nobody would ever hear about why on earth I equate motherly love with masochism, would they?

The whole thing about being an adoring mother and partner is that despite personal incapacitation things miraculously get done around the house regardless. Were I still single I would no doubt have migrated back to BJK's where I would have luxurated in the secure knowledge that the kids were safe and my house neglected.If I were childless I would have retired to my bed and died for a few days...

Considering that neither of these options is possible, I accomplished certain tasks in order to die slowly and quietly later in the day, instead. First of all there's the annoying issue of who's going to do the laundry, if I don't?

Secondly, it is finally getting cold; which means that ashes need to be emptied from the stove and fuel brought in. BB is obviously in no fit state to carry anything heavier than a cup of cold (- in case he drops it!) water and LB is as weak as a kitten. Poor DG is out of the house for longer than he is in it; which means we'd freeze to death if we had to wait for him to do it.Unfortunately that certain somebody turned out to be me!

To complete the cycle Spagetti ala Carbonara was whisked up yesterday evening, followed by a colourful version of Beef Steak Stir Fry with Noodles and Five Spice Sauce; both of which were enjoyed by all three of my boys tonight!

To add insult to injury I quietly excused myself; not to be tortured by my own body refusing to show any interest in what I was craving for! I decided to spend some time with my pc instead. At the end of the hall I tortured myself some more; by reading Pioneer Woman Cooks!

Please tell me; someone; anyone that there is a cure! I love my food and I love to cook. I love to eat what I cook! Obviously I also LOVE my family; but please let there be an end to this selfless form of motherly love called MASOCHISM!

Right then, I'm off now, for a quick warming cuddle on the sofa before bed; I probably won't sleep as I haven't been able to take the magic pills tonight, but at least we will all be as snug as bugs in a rug!

Night, night!

Polly Px Polly Peirce