Kenji's Halal cart-style chicken w/ rice and white sauce

 Kenji's Halal cart-style chicken

Ingredients

For the chicken:

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seed

3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)

1/4 cup light olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat (6 to 8 thighs)

1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil

For the rice:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1 1/2 cups long-grain or Basmati rice

2 1/2 cups chicken broth

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the sauce:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

To serve:

1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded

1 large tomato, cut into wedges

Fluffy pocketless pita bread, brushed in butter, lightly toasted, and cut into 1 × 3-inch strips

Harissa-style hot sauce, for serving

Directions

For the chicken: Combine the lemon juice, oregano, coriander, garlic, and olive oil in a blender. Blend until smooth. Season the marinade to taste with kosher salt and black pepper. Place the chicken in a 1-gallon zipper-lock bag and add half of the marinade (reserve the remaining marinade in the refrigerator). Turn the chicken to coat, seal the bag, and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours, turning occasionally to redistribute the marinade (see Note).

Remove the chicken from the bag and pat it dry with paper towels. Season with kosher salt and pepper, going heavy on the pepper. Heat the oil in a 12-inch heavy-bottomed cast iron or stainless-steel skillet over medium-high heat until it is lightly smoking. Add the chicken pieces and cook without disturbing until they are lightly browned on the first side, about 4 minutes. Using tongs, flip the chicken. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the chicken is cooked through and the center of each thigh registers 165°F. on an instant-read thermometer, about 6 minutes longer. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and allow to cool for 5 minutes.

Using a chef’s knife, roughly chop the chicken into 1/2- to 1/4-inch chunks. Transfer to a medium bowl, add the remaining marinade, cover loosely with plastic, and refrigerate while you cook the rice and prepare the sauce.

For the rice: Melt the butter over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Add the turmeric and cumin and cook until fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute. Add the rice and stir to coat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the rice is lightly toasted, about 4 minutes. Add the chicken broth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Raise the heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes without disturbing. Remove from the heat and allow to rest until the water is completely absorbed and the rice is tender, about 15 minutes.

For the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, parsley, and 2 teaspoons black pepper. Whisk to combine. Season to taste with salt.

To serve: Return the entire contents of the chicken bowl (chicken, marinade, and all juices) to the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. To serve, divide the rice, lettuce, tomato, and toasted pita bread evenly among four to six plates. Pile the chicken on top of the rice. Top with the white sauce and hot sauce. Serve immediately, passing extra sauce at the table.

Do not marinate the chicken longer than 4 hours or it’ll get a mushy texture. If you must delay cooking the chicken for any reason, remove it from the marinade, pat it dry with paper towels, and refrigerate until ready to cook.

*I used whole milk Greek yogurt instead of mayo for the white sauce and it was really good. Just a thought.

*I added allspice, cumin, and turmeric to the chicken. I remember reading other users thinking the sauce was too sweet. Used 1/2 cup Duke's mayo, 1/4 cup toum, heaping spoonful sour cream, pinch of sugar, black pepper, lemon juice, and parsley.

*Check out Ethan Chlebowskis version. Came to say this! My method is straight from Ethan - For the chicken spice - use 5 whole clove, a teaspoon of cumin and around 10 whole black peppercorn along with everything else (I omit the coriander on occasion). Get as many of the spices in their whole form and use a mortar and pestle to grind it all down along with the garlic. For the cooking of the chicken use a cast iron skillet as you can chop the chicken up in the pan with the spatula after it has browned. This will additionally coat the entire piece of chicken with the pan seasoning, sticking much more flavor to it and gives that “street char” look to it. Phenomenal is the result every time

San Francisco-Style Vietnamese American Garlic Noodles

 INGREDIENTS

Yield:

4 servings

4tablespoons unsalted butter

20medium garlic cloves, minced or smashed in a mortar and pestle

4teaspoons oyster sauce

2teaspoons light soy sauce or shoyu

2teaspoons fish sauce

1pound dry spaghetti

1ounce grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano (heaping ¼ cup)

A small handful of thinly sliced scallions (optional)

PREPARATION

Step 1

Melt the butter in a wok or saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes. Add the oyster sauce, soy sauce and fish sauce, and stir to combine. Remove from the heat.

Step 2

Meanwhile, bring 1½ inches of water to a boil in a 12-​inch skillet or sauté pan over high heat. (Alternatively, heat up just enough water to cover the spaghetti in a large Dutch oven or saucepan.) Add the pasta, stir a few times to make sure it’s not clumping, and cook, stirring occasionally, until just shy of al dente (about 2 minutes short of the recommended cook time on the package).

Step 3

Using tongs, transfer the cooked pasta to the garlic sauce, along with whatever water clings to it. (Reserve the pasta water in the skillet.) Increase the heat to high, add the cheese to the wok, and stir with a wooden spatula or spoon and toss vigorously until the sauce is creamy and emulsified, about 30 seconds. If the sauce looks too watery, let it keep reducing. If it looks greasy, splash some more cooking water into it and let it re-​emulsify. Stir in the scallions (if using), and serve immediately.

SEAFOOD & SAUSAGE GUMBO - Hollie Phượng-Hồng

 RECIPE FOR SEAFOOD & SAUSAGE GUMBO:

Hollie Phượng-Hồng

Savoie’s roux (dark or light)

Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning

Homemade turkey neck stock

Gumbo filé (optional)

Frozen cut okras

Onions, chopped

Green onions, chopped

Celery, chopped

Louisiana crawfish tails

Shrimp, peeled

Richard’s Andouille sausage, cut in halves lengthwise and sliced into 1/4” thick pieces.

Crabmeat

Scallops

Butter or cooking oil

Quantity of ingredients used will depend on your number of servings, so use accordingly.

Follow instructions on the roux jar to add the amount of roux into your stock pot. Since the roux is thick, you may want to dissolve it with some hot water or hot stock before adding it into the stock pot. That way, there is no lumps.

Season with the Creole seasoning. Bring the stock to light boil. Add the celeries, onions, and okras. People add green bell peppers, too but since I don’t like to eat them, I don’t put them in my gumbo.

In a skillet, add some butter or cooking oil (personal preference, I used butter). Sauté the crawfish tails. Add them to the pot.

In the same skillet, add some butter and sauté the sausage. Add the sausage to the pot. Cook on simmering low heat.

Add some gumbo file (about a tsp) if you want to thicken it more. But I find that to thicken your gumbo, add lots of okras. That’ll do it.

Taste your gumbo and see if more seasoning is needed. Let it cook on low heat until all the veggies are soften and the seasoning is sipping through. Add shrimp, crabmeat, and scallops just 5 minutes before serving. I sometimes add oysters, too if I can get some good ones. Basically, add your favorite seafood. Add the green onions and serve with white rice.

10 Ways To Save Your Relationship From Dying Out

 By Terry Gaspard

For years, I marveled at couples who appeared to connect on a deep level while I struggled to save my second marriage from the brink of divorce.

In hindsight, my husband and I lost the spark and emotional closeness needed to sustain a healthy marriage due to a lack of attention. However, when I turned to the experts, I was able to reconnect with my husband and regain the love we had early on — before ghosts from our past relationships cast a dark shadow over our marriage.

One of the main things I have learned about marriage is to make it a priority and to focus more on my husband’s attributes rather than his flaws. Additionally, I am convinced that making a commitment to love each other in spite of our differences is crucial to long-lasting love.

Another important principle that has helped strengthen my marriage is putting some rituals in place that are non-sexual but keep the passion between us alive.

Author Zach Brittle, a certified Gottman therapist, informs us that “Rituals also help ensure that your relationship is unique.” He posits that some couples might question the value of this but that making an agreement to uphold a ritual can inject fun into your marriage even if one or both partners don’t really feel in the mood to connect due to their busy schedules.

For instance, sharing a six-minute kiss when we reunite each day has increased my emotional and physical intimacy with my spouse. Since my husband is more physically affectionate than I am, this satisfies his love language of physical touch and helps us stay close.

Keeping emotional love alive in marriage, according to relationship expert Dr. Gary Chapman, makes life more enjoyable and is a powerful vehicle for communicating marital love. How do you restore the spark that once existed with your spouse? In many cases, physical touch that is non-sexual can spark passion even when it doesn’t lead to sexual intimacy.

Keeping emotional love alive in marriage, according to relationship expert Dr. Gary Chapman, makes life more enjoyable and is a powerful vehicle for communicating marital love. How do you restore the spark that once existed with your spouse? In many cases, physical touch that is non-sexual can spark passion even when it doesn’t lead to sexual intimacy.

Being more sensual in your communication with your partner includes talking about how attracted to them you are, how attractive you think he or she is, and what you look forward to during your time alone later in the day. Saying something like “I love it when we cuddle on the sofa and have plenty of touching” can enhance your emotional intimacy.

Here are 10 non-sexual ways to save your relationship from dying out:

1. “Turn towards” your spouse rather than turning away or against them

According to Dr. John Gottman, a tendency to turn toward your partner when they make a bid for connection means you are good at listening and showing empathy. It’s the foundation of love and intimacy in a marriage. “Turning Away” (ignoring) and “Turning Against” (being defensive or shutting down) breed disconnection and resentment.

2. Nurture fondness and admiration

Remind yourself of your partner’s positive qualities — even as you accept that they have flaws. Express your positive feelings and/or compliments out loud several times each day.

3. Search for common ground when you have a disagreement and decide that it’s more important to foster goodwill than to be “right”

Ask yourself: would I rather be “right” or be happy? Listen to your spouse’s side of the story and strive to understand his or her perspective.

4. Be vulnerable

Real intimacy requires that you be authentic even if it feels scary. The next time you are tempted to shut down or be defensive explore the emotions coming up for you and share them with your spouse. Accept that he or she may not be able to respond in a way that is nurturing in that moment and try to let go of your expectations for a loving response (it may come later).

5. Establish an open-ended dialog regarding concerns

Don’t be surprised if some of your discussions are heated — especially around hot-button issues such as money, chores, vacations, in-laws, etc. The key to a successful marriage is knowing when to let “hot-button” issues go and being able to take a break when you feel flooded.

6. Repair your relationship after conflicts arise

Don’t put aside resentments that can destroy your relationship. Experiencing conflict is inevitable and couples who strive to avoid it are at risk of developing stagnant relationships. John Gottman discovered in his 40 years of research that 69% of conflicts don’t get resolved but can be managed successfully. Learning ways to get back on track after a disagreement will boost your passion and strengthen your marriage.

7. Spend time with your partner in new ways

For instance, changing the topic to something unrelated; using humor to diffuse tension, or offering your partner signs of appreciation such as “I love it when you massage my neck.” It doesn’t need to be more than a few minutes, but it is worth it in the investment of your relationship.

8. Take an annual vacation together without your children or relatives

If you have a tight budget, try camping or plan a weekend getaway at a resort near your home.

9. Practice physical reconnecting

When you give an intimate kiss, it is not just the meeting of your lips. It usually involves touching with some other part of your bodies, i.e., hand on cheek, hand on hair, and embrace, etc. Having an additional point of physical contact during a kiss with your partner creates a deeper sense of intimacy.

10. Increase physical affection

Hold hands with your partner, give them a massage, and demonstrate your love through touch. According to author Dr. Kory Floyd, physical contact releases feel-good hormones. Holding hands, hugging, and touching can release oxytocin (the bonding hormone) that reduces pain and causes a calming sensation. Physical affection also reduces stress hormones— lowering daily levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

The best way to keep your marriage fulfilling and passionate is to establish rituals to enhance your profound love and intimacy as a couple.

A good marriage requires vulnerability to thrive. Responding positively to your partner’s bids for connection will help you bring out the best in one another.

The good news is that there are some things you can do to restore the spark that you once had as a couple. In fact, Dr. John Gottman explains: “Couples who 'know each other intimately [and] are well-versed in each other’s likes, dislikes, personality quirks, hopes, and dreams' are couples who make it.”

Even if you are not an affectionate person, increasing physical affection and emotional attunement can help you to sustain a deep, meaningful bond.

And That Happened (How to Thwart an Amygdala Hijack)

 Retired actor Michael J. Fox has been an activist for Parkinson’s Disease research since being diagnosed in 1991.

In his new documentary, Still, Michael reveals his experiences learning to live with this incurable disease. As his disease has progressed, Michael’s worsened condition makes even walking a challenge.
 
An early scene in the documentary shows him on a sidewalk in New York City with his aide. When a pedestrian wishes him, “Good morning, Mr. Fox!” he responds, “Hello,” then stumbles and falls.
 
Immediately, he says to himself, “And that happened.” He then jokingly proclaims to the pedestrian, “Look at that! I fell for you!”
 
Instead of expressing disgust, frustration, or embarrassment, Michael’s emotionally intelligent response cued him to keep perspective and persevere.
 
The challenge with emotional intelligence is that we are rarely intelligent when we feel emotional.
 
Coined by author Daniel Goleman, an “amygdala hijack” occurs when our brain’s emotion-producing amygdala gets activated by a potential threat, and we react emotionally, even irrationally.
 
In the grip of an amygdala hijack, our rational brain has no time to assess a situation and choose an appropriate response. 
 
Instead, our immediate, overwhelming reaction often causes an altercation… unless the other person stops their amygdala from being hijacked. 
 
How can we thwart an amygdala hijack? By self-regulating our emotions with rules.  

1. Self-Assess: notice what situations feel threatening 
2. Create a Rule: create a rule for that situation

 
We all self-regulate with rules. For example, most of us operate with this rule: “When someone is uncivil or offensive, don’t punch them in the face.”
 
Without rules, we are at the mercy of our emotions and the inevitable mess those emotions create. 
 
Here are some rules I have adopted (with age and wisdom):

• When someone tailgates me, move to the right, and let them pass.
• When someone rudely talks over me, stop talking (and don’t roll my eyes).
• When someone is negative, use “yes, and” (instead of “yes, but”).
• When someone sends me a disrespectful email or text, don’t immediately respond.

 
By referring to a rule instead of an emotion, I can de-escalate any threat my amygdala perceives and respond thoughtfully. 
 
And now I have a new rule: Whenever I misstep (literally or figuratively), say, ‘And that happened,’ and keep moving.

Vietnamese Nem Nuong bun

 越式豬肉條配檬或做米紙冷春捲

今日煮越南美食豬肉條，這個食譜好容易跟著做，可以話快靚正。
豬肉條可以用煎方式，亦或者用烤爐BBQ方式煮熟。
在 Live 時候倩揚用了檬配這個豬肉條。 而我加了幾張相 show 出豬肉條亦可以做米紙冷春捲。

越式豬肉條材料:
Vietnamese Pork Sausage Recipe
1 磅梅頭豬肉
1 磅鮮蝦
4 茶匙魚露
4 湯匙糖
1 茶匙鹽
1 茶匙黑胡椒粉
1 顆蒜頭
4 湯匙香茅
2 湯匙泰式叉燒粉 ( Roast red pork seasoning mix) 在多倫多中式超市有售

Meat

Pork shoulder to Shrimp - 1 to 1

Minced lemongrass

1 bulb garlic

pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoon fishsauce

Mix in blender thing

Package for color

Then put meat in a square plate and flatten to shape of nem nuong. Refridgerate to marinate.

Sauce.

water. Half bowl?

2 tablespoon sugar. Stir to dissolve sugar.

1 tablespoon fishsauce

1 tablespoon vinegar. (apple cider vinigar.

Bring to a boil

To fry the meat.

Heat cast iron pan.

Add oil and add meat in sausage shape.

These 5 Habits Could Save Your Relationship

 The internet is flooded with relationship advice. Some good. Some bad. A lot of it incredibly simplistic. Or deeply theoretical. 

Or just not very easy to implement in our actual day-to-day lives.

Which is why when we recently came across a very “doable” idea from The Gottman Institute, an organization that’s spent decades studying romantic relationships, we were intrigued. Here’s what it is: 

Instead of thinking big picture and focusing on large sweeping changes, couples should work on building small, specific, and attainable “habits.”

So, rather than speak in platitudes or bombard you with okay (but unhelpful) advice like “treat your partner the way you want to be treated,” “know your past to shape your future,” or “stop keeping score in your relationship,” we asked Gottman Certified Therapist and bestselling author of, most recently, Love Is an Action Verb, Laura Silverstein, LCSW to break things down into actionable advice for couples.

“The fastest and easiest way to reach your relationship goals is to turn them into bite-sized habits that you can implement every single day,” said Silverstein. “Happy couples make a practice of inserting small moments of positivity into their relationship on a regular basis instead of feeling overwhelmed by trying to make changes in their personalities, values, or beliefs.” 

She told us which habits can create a powerful ripple effect in our relationships and how we can get better at practicing them.

But first, here’s how to get yourself in the best mindset for changing your habits:

1. Think about it as adding a new habit rather than fixing an old pattern.

“We know from motivational psychology that people respond better to being encouraged to do something positive versus to stop doing something negative,” said Silverstein. “Most people feel the desire to succeed when they see a clear, easy path to improvement. Criticism, on the other hand, often leads to defensiveness and discouragement.” 

2. Keep in mind that these habits are the antidote to “Roommate Syndrome.” 

A lot of dissatisfaction arises when couples “feel like companions or co-workers tackling to-do lists together instead of close intimate partners,” said Silverstein. Adding little “connection habits” into their daily routine can spark more personal feelings of being seen or significant. This can include something as simple as sending a mid-morning text that mentions specifics about the other person’s separate day or having a five-minute conversation discussing any interesting or stressful events that came up for them.

3. Keep it short and sweet.

For the most part, this strategy actually works best when you choose a ritual that “doesn’t take so much time and energy that you cannot sustain it long-term. Consistency will be easier when you commit to activities that take five minutes or less,” said Silverstein.

4. Expect things to get harder in heated moments.

Obviously, all tips or habits are easier to sustain when things are going smoothly. “The place most couples fall out of routine is when they are annoyed at each other,” said Silverstein. “It might be hard to authentically thank your partner for making an amazing dinner when there’s tension around something they did (or forgot to do) yesterday.”

When tensions arise, you can notice that you’re flooded. Take a walk. Seek out whatever works for you to get a little calmer. But then, still try to bring some lightness to your interaction with your partner. “It’s kind of like continuing your running routine when it’s raining out,” said Silverstein. “If you can offer your partner warmth and tenderness even when they’re being a knucklehead, this is your ticket to combatting Roommate Syndrome.”

With these things in mind, here are the specific habits to try out in your relationship:

DAILY (Choose one to start with):

1. “Pause for a solid moment to connect before starting your hectic day. This can be a mini-makeout session by the front door, a lingering hug, or a sleepy forehead kiss when one of you is still in bed.” 

2. “Send a text in the middle of the day that is flirty, appreciative, or encouraging. These should be void of reminders or logistical requests, keep those separate.”

3. “Ask each other one or two open-ended questions about how you feel, what is stressing you out, or what has your attention or interest lately.”

WEEKLY

4. “Set aside time for a 20-minute weekly check-in. Turn off all devices. This conversation is an opportunity to talk about how you actually are as well as to see if there are any differences that need to be discussed or difficult joint decisions to make. By blocking out time for this discussion, it is less likely to come out sideways in the form of a fight in the middle of tending to other obligations.”

MONTHLY

5. “Schedule date nights. Get in the habit of deciding what you want to do together and working as a team to set up all the logistics to make for a smooth, fun night.” 

Simple as it may sound to add something like sending a considerate midday text, Gottman’s research has shown that little habits like these generate a certain energy and a fresh attitude between a couple that connects them to their interest and attraction. 

So, how do these habits help couples?

1. They make each person feel seen and appreciated.

“Many couples clash when it comes to the division of labor regarding household tasks,” said Silverstein. “Often both members of the couple feel they are doing more and believe that their partner doesn’t see how hard they are working or how much they do.”

A lot of that gets diffused when people are actually acknowledging each other in small ways. “Each person is likely to feel more appreciated when they receive a text saying, 'Thanks for cleaning the kitchen while I was sleeping, the counters were glistening,’” said Silverstein. “And if someone is beginning to feel resentment regarding a chore that is getting dropped, they can bring it up during the 20-minute check-in instead of expressing it through irritability or, worse, passive-aggression.”  

2. They keep you feeling the interest of your partner.

Another common clash between couples occurs around one partner feeling rejected or insecure about the other person losing interest or pulling away. This is where making a habit of being affectionate can be helpful.

And we know, routine is often pegged as a killer of intimacy. But reminding ourselves to do little things we actually enjoy, like giving our partner a 6-second kiss, is a way to reinforce that they’re “a romantic partner, not a platonic friend,” said Silverstein. “By inserting the tender affection of these rituals, you are reminding each other, 'You are my person. Our relationship is special, and we are a team.’”

3. They make your partner a priority.

Think of all the checkbox items we’re willing to do to make our careers and households run smoothly. So why not add a few surrounding our romantic lives? 

“Emotional disconnection occurs when couples' relationships move to the back burner. It is rarely anyone’s intention to make their partner feel de-prioritized, but it can happen when other responsibilities compete for time and attention,” said Silverstein. “When each of you commits to the five seconds it takes to send a heart emoji or kind word every single day, you have something concrete to counter-balance any negative self-talk that might lead you to doubt your partner’s feelings for you.”  

4. They help diminish the negative patterns you might otherwise fall into.

It’s obviously not possible to avoid conflict or negativity in any relationship. But what positive habits do is incrementally build a more cushioned “foundation of warmth and generosity” to fall back on when things inevitably come up. 

“You are then working to solve a joint problem with someone who likes you, thinks you're cute, and wants you to be happy,” said Silverstein. “This creates a dynamic where couples manage conflict as a team instead of fighting against each other as if they are enemies.”

Tea Eggs 茶葉蛋

 Tea Eggs 茶葉蛋

Hard-boiling: Place eggs in a pot and cover with cold water. Heat the eggs until the water comes to a roiling boil, then turn off the heat, place a lid on the pot, and let the eggs sit for 10 minutes. Then remove eggs from the hot water and place in a cold water bath.

Cracking: When the eggs are cool enough to handle (or in my case, I refrigerated them overnight), crack the eggs with the back of a spoon. One of the hits should be on the bottom end of the egg, since there is usually an air pocket located there.

Braising: for a pot of 30 eggs, add the following ingredients:

4 black tea bags

2 Tbsp oolong tea leaves (or 2 bags)

1/2 cup light soy sauce

1.5 Tbsp rock sugar

5-6 star anise

1 bag of braising spices （滷菜香料，sometimes available at 99 Ranch)

(Optional) a few tsp dark soy sauce, if you’re concerned about the color

(Optional) 5 spice powder (not sure if it made a difference)

Add water to (nearly?) cover the eggs. If the eggs aren’t covered, one technique I heard about was to place a cheesecloth atop the eggs to maintain color/flavor.

Then turn on the heat, boil for a few minutes, then turn off the heat and let eggs sit for at least 20 minutes. Repeat 2-3 more times, stirring in between heat cycles. (I’m attempting to keep the eggs tender while maximizing flavor and color absorption.) In my case, I did a heat cycle, went to the office for work, came back and did more heat cycles.

Let the eggs sit overnight in this bath. I removed the spice bag and some tea bags before doing this, since in my experience soaking the bags too long causes an off-smell.

For the next day, test an egg and season the braising liquid as needed and run a heat cycle if you think it’s needed. Then reheat before serving.

Sheet Pan Chow Mein

This best selling cookbook author grew up in her Chinese mother’s kitchen. In 2011 she established Arthur St. Kitchen from her home in Sydney Australia, where she delivered home-made salads to locals on her bike! In 2015 the family moved to New York where her culinary career took off. This is her 4th well received cook book , and she keeps busy with a podcast, and contributing to numerous journals. She has a passion for plant based recipes, and tries to recreate her mother’s cooking in less traditional ways. Lauren James of Epicurious said ” We cannot publish a Hetty McKinnon recipe without it ending up as the most popular recipe of the week!” Almost any vegetables would work in this – great for cleaning out the remnants of your produce drawer.

1 bell pepper (any color), finely sliced

1 carrot, peeled and finely sliced diagonally

1 head of broccoli, cut into florets

Kosher salt

olive oil

9 oz. package dried thin egg noodles (or any other noodles on hand)

1 small can baby corn, drained

6 ounces asparagus, sugar snap peas, or snow peas, trimmed and cut into 1-2 inch segments

1 medium shallot or 3 scallions, thinly sliced

Handful of cilantro

2 Tbs. toasted sesame seeds to finish

1 Tbs. toasted sesame oil

Soy Seasoning:

1 Tbs. toasted sesame oil

3 Tbs. soy sauces, tamari, or coconut aminos

1 Tbs. vegetarian stir fry sauce, such as oyster or hoisin

1/4 tsp. ground white pepper

1 small clove garlic, grated or minced

Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a large baking sheet, toss the pepper, carrot, and broccoli with a splash of olive oil and season with salt Roast for 10 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften.

Meanwhile, make the noodles: Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the egg noodles, and cook according to the packet instructions, or al dente, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and cool under cold running water. Drain well again and pat dry with a clean tea towel.

Combine the soy seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.

Remove the baking sheet and push the vegetables to the side. Add the noodles, corn and asparagus. Drizzle the noodles with sesame oil, season with more salt, and toss well to coat. Return the tray to the oven and bake for another 15-18 minutes until noodles are crispy on top and bottom. Remove from oven, drizzle over soy seasoning and toss. Scatter shallot or scallions, sesame seeds and cilantro over and serve. Serves 4.

Note: Wanting to add some protein to this dinner, I sautéed some shrimp in a little oil and tossed them with the noodles. Perfect. 3 days later the leftovers were still delicious. Love the baby corn!

*

WHAT I USED (ADAPT BASED ON WHAT YOU HAVE ON HAND)

If you choose to use land protein, I would ‘velvet’ the meat first by slicing into thin slices and marinating with shaoxing wine, cornstarch, and soy sauce for ~15 minutes. And then cook the meat first and remove, and add it into the gravy later.

• 2 cloves garlic, minced⁠
• 2 scallion⁠s cut into 2-inched pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 baby bok choy, halved⁠
• 1 carrot, sliced diagonally⁠
• 1 king trumpet mushroom, cut into bite-sized pieces⁠
• 3 rolls of dried egg noodles, cooked, rinsed under cold water, and patted dry⁠
• 4 oz. shrimp⁠
• 1/4 lb squid, sliced⁠
• shaoxing wine⁠
• sauce: 2 cups of chicken bone broth, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, drop of sesame oil, a few dashes of white pepper powder, and a pinch of sugar⁠
• cornstarch slurry: 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp water⁠
• garnish: cilantro, toasted sesame seeds⁠
  

TO MAKE:

• Spread wonton noodles across your sheet pan, leaving some room for the bok choy. Toss bok choy with olive oil and salt. Bake together at 425F for ~15-18 minutes until noodles are crispy⁠
• Add oil to pan over medium heat and add in garlic, scallion whites, and carrots, mushrooms and cook until mushrooms are softened⁠
• Then add in the shrimp and squid along with a splash of shaoxing cooking wine and saute until the shrimp is mostly cooked⁠
• Add in the sauce, cover and let simmer until shrimp is cooked, salt to taste⁠
• Mix in scallions greens and cornstarch slurry (given it a stir to loosen any that might have settled)⁠
• Serve gravy over noodles and veggies⁠. Garnish with cilantro

* The vegetables I used, but feel free to use what you have for all or some. Chinese broccoli or other greens would be great here, or shredded cabbage. Thinly sliced mushrooms, too. Dried (or fresh) thin egg noodles will crisp up best for chow mein, but if you’re okay with it being less crisp, use whatever noodles you have on hand, including rice noodles, if wheat is an issue.

• 1 bell pepper (any color), finely sliced
• 1 carrot, peeled and finely sliced diagonally
• 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets, or bundle of broccolini, cut into 1- to 2-inch segments
• Kosher salt
• Olive oil or a neutral oil
• A 250-gram or 8.8-ounce package dried thin egg noodles
• 1 small can baby corn, drained
• 6 ounces asparagus, sugar snaps, or snow peas, trimmed and cut into 1- to 2-inch segments
• 1 medium shallot or 3 scallions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, to finish
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

SOY SEASONING

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos
• 1 tablespoon vegetarian stir-fry sauce, such as vegetarian oyster or hoisin sauce (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 small clove garlic, grated or minced

Heat oven to 425°F. On a large baking sheet, toss the pepper, carrot, and broccoli with a splash of olive oil and season with salt. Roast for 10 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften.

Meanwhile, make the noodles: Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the egg noodles, and cook according to the packet instructions, or al dente, about four to five minutes. Drain and cool under cold running water. Drain well again and pat dry with a clean tea towel.

Combine the soy seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.

Remove the baking sheet and push the vegetables to the side. Add the noodles, corn and asparagus. Drizzle the noodles with sesame oil, season with more salt and toss well to coat. Return the tray to the oven and bake for another 15 to 18 minutes, until the noodles are crispy on the top and bottom. We are looking for a combination of crispy and non-crispy noodles.

Remove the tray from the oven, drizzle over the soy seasoning and toss well. Scatter over the shallot and sesame seeds and serve.

*** Ominovore

8 oz (225 g) fresh Hong Kong pan fry noodles (or 6 oz / 170 g dried egg noodles)

Sauce

2 tablespoons vegetarian oyster sauce (or regular oyster sauce)

1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (Optional) (Footnote 1)

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon grated ginger

3 cloves garlic , minced

Roasting

1/2 lb white mushrooms , halved

3 carrots , peeled and sliced

1 small batch (6 oz / 170 g) broccolini , cut to bite size pieces

3 tablespoons peanut oil

1 small batch (8 oz / 225 g) asparagus , tough ends removed

1/2 cup green peas , thawed if using frozen

1 red bell pepper , sliced

4 green onions , cut to 2” (5 cm) pieces

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). 

Prepare the noodles

• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to instructions until al dente. I found it’s best to reduce cooking time by 1 minute. If using Hong Kong pan fried noodles, you only need to briefly boil the noodles, 30 seconds or so. Once done, drain the noodles. Rinse with cold tap water a few times to stop cooking. Drain very well by tossing the noodles with your hands. Then set aside.

Sauce

• Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl.

Roasting

• Add the mushroom, carrots and broccoli into a big bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of peanut oil. Toss to coat well and transfer to the lined baking sheet. Roast for 6 minutes until the vegetables just start to soften.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and move the vegetables to one side. Add the noodles into the big bowl you used earlier and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Toss to coat well and transfer to the sheet pan. Add the asparagus, green peas, bell pepper and green onions. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and toss to coat. Roast for 6 minutes or so, until the noodles just begin to turn golden.
• Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Drizzle the sauce over the noodles and toss everything together. Roast for another 6 minutes, until the vegetables have turned soft but are still crisp, and the noodles have lightly browned. Serve hot as a main or side dish.

Notes

1. Dark soy sauce adds a beautiful dark brown color to the dish with a light caramel color. You can skip it if you do not have it.