Pan Fried Asparagus – Perfect Every Time

Asparagus

Delicious Asparagus!

If you want a an Asparagus recipe that is simple and delicious, it doesn’t get any easier than this.  It’s the very foundation for many other recipes out there but it doesn’t need to be anymore complicated.  A simple blanch and sear from a light pan fry, with olive oil, salt and pepper, is all you need to achieve perfection.  Asparagus  cooked like this not only tastes incredible but goes great with just about any main course.

When I eat Asparagus, I don’t want to sink my teeth into a limp noodle.  I want a vibrant vegetable with a light crisp that melts in my mouth like butter.  Asparagus that is cooked like that doesn’t just seduce my pallet with flavor, it gives my body the nutrition it needs because it isn’t cooked until it’s dead.  Always try to leave some life in your cooked vegetables.  Not only will your body thank you, your taste buds will as well because the flavor will be preserved with the nutrients.  Your Asparagus will be delicious and cooked perfect every time.

Asparagus Ingredients:

1 bunch Asparagus
1 qt Boiling Water (Blanching)
2 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Follow the instructions in the video to tutorial for this Pan Fried Asparagus recipe and I’ll show you how easy it is to make.

Eastern Chicken Chow Mein

Chicken Chow MeinWinner Winner Chicken Chow Mein Dinner!

Cash in on this Chicken Chow Mein dinner Fo’ Show!  It’s got everything you want in this recipe; vegetables, chicken, rice and Crispy noodles.  Yep, that’s what I’m talking about.  Now, if you’re wondering why I’m referencing “Eastern” Chicken Chow Mein for this recipe and you missed my other post about “Western” Chow Mein, you can CLICK RIGHT HERE to read up on the differences between the two and how Lo Mein fits in with all the confusion.  Otherwise, let’s move on shall we.

Traditionally, Chicken Chow Mein is serve with a ton a vegetables over rice, topped with crispy noodles.  If that’s what you are looking for, then you came to the right place.  This recipe has all of that, and I’m happy to say that and more.  But this Chicken Chow Mein recipe doesn’t necessarily have to have chicken in it at all if you prefer a substitutions.  Tofu is an excellent source of protein and it’s used in Chinese cooking constantly.  So if you’re leaning that way, don’t be shy because this recipe is great with Tofu too.  Personally I even prefer using shrimp when I’ve got it.  Nothing like some wild Browns!

Chicken Chow Mein Ingredients:

2 cups of rice
2 cups Crispy Noodles
4 boneless Chicken thighs (chicken breast,shrimp or tofu)

2 Celery Stocks
1 cup Shitake Mushrooms
1 cup Bean Sprouts
1 can Water chestnuts
1 hand full String Peas
1/2 chopped Onion

3 cups Chicken stock
1/3 cup corn starch
1/4 cup Soy Sauce
2 tsp Sesame Oil
1 tsp fresh chopped Ginger
1 tbsp sugar (optional)
peanut oil for cooking

  • Cook the Chicken thoroughly, salt and pepper to taste
  • Mix 2 cups of Chicken stock with soy and sugar on low heat in a seperate pan
  • Mix 1 cup of Chicken stock with corn starch in a seperate bowl
  • Stir fry all the vegetables, add chicken, then stock with soy and bring to a boil
  • Add Chicken stock with Corn starch
  • Add Sesame Oil and Ginger and serve

For an added bonus, I like to top off this recipe with a shake of Tempura Dipping sauce, made by Kikkoman.  I hope you enjoy this Eastern Chicken Chow Mein recipe as much as I do.

Cooking an Artichoke

Grooming an Artichoke!

Preparing an Artichoke is no big deal.  You just need a sharp knife, and I mean Chef sharp!  An Artichoke is a very tough budding flower from an extraordinary plant so you have to bust through the meaty exterior to get to that wholesome tender center.  Not to mention that the leaves have thorns at their tips.  So, the first thing you want to do, after you get your seasoned water boiling, is cut through the base and sever the stem, and then expose all of the pedals by cutting the leaf tips.  This Allows the seasoned boiling water to penetrate through the entire Artichoke when it’s fully submerged, thus tenderizing the heart and making the leaves eatable.  Boil for approximately 8 minutes then serve an Artichoke with melted butter and mayonnaise.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip or Spread

Artichoke Recipe Favorites

My Favorite ways to eat an Artichoke usually involves the hearts.  And, because I’m lazy, I’ll just break down and by a jar of pickled or marinated Artichoke hearts and incorporate them into my recipes.

Here’s a few, with links if you want to look into making a few these your selves.  Broccoli and Cheese Dip with Marinated Artichoke Hearts,  Spinach and Artichoke Dip or Spread and one I haven’t added yet is Roasted Artichoke Hearts on my Alfredo Sauce Pizza.  So that’s just a free tip!

Artichoke Ingredients:

1 Artichoke
1 tbsp salt
2 tsp lemon juice
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup mayonnaise
Add enough water to a pot to fully submerge an Artichoke while it’s boiling.