Futsu In Green Curry Sauce

Recipe & Pic from Edible East Bay

This recipe really highlight's Futsu's fudgy texture and sweet nutty flavor! Try serving over some steamed jasmine rice to make a full meal.

1 medium winter squash (approximately 2 pounds)
6 tablespoons butter
Salt
2 stalks lemongrass (Cut away and compost the tough green portions and bruise the more tender lower portion with the back of a knife before slicing thinly.)
½ medium-sized onion, chopped
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, minced
3 green apples, peeled and diced
Zest of 2 limes
2 tablespoons green curry paste
2 cans coconut milk
½ cup cream (optional)
1 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped (Reserve a few whole sprigs for garnish.)

Preheat oven to 350°.

Cut squash into 1-inch-thick half moons. If your squash has tender skin, you may not need to peel it.

Clarify 2 tablespoons butter and use it to coat the squash segments. Lay them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, salt lightly, and roast until the squash is soft and its skin is crisp.

Melt the remaining butter in a saucepan and sauté onion, ginger, lemongrass, and apple until soft. Allow to cool and then pureé in a blender or food processor along with the lime zest, curry paste, coconut milk, cream, and cilantro. Just before serving, gently heat the curry sauce while arranging the roasted squash slices onto plates. Spoon the sauce over top and serve garnished with cilantro sprigs and slices of lime.

Classic Potstickers

Recipe & Pic from Two Red Bowls

The little Napa Cabbage heads in your box this week are the perfect size for these delicious dumplings. Make a big batch and freeze, and you'll have a tasty, quick to prepare meal on hand for any occasion!

1/2 lb (8 oz) ground pork (ground chicken or turkey would also work well here)
1 1/2 cup shredded napa cabbage
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 Tbsp sugar (optional)
1 to 1 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
1/2 Tbsp Shaoxing rice wine
1/2 Tbsp grated ginger
1 stalk green onion, minced
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp cornstarch

1 package gyoza rounds/wrappers

Sprinkle salt over the rinsed cabbage and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cabbage wilts and releases water. (Otherwise, the water is released while cooking and can result in soggy dumplings.) Squeeze and drain the cabbage well, then mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl.

Lay out the rounds and the filling. Place about a tablespoon of filling into a round, then gently fold in half. Pleat one side of the fold if desired, or simply seal however you like. Place the finished dumpling on a tray and cover with a towel while you fold the rest.

When you’re ready to cook, heat oil in a large wok or saucepan over medium heat until a drop of water sizzles when it hits the pan. Place the dumplings in a single layer in the wok, leaving a little space between each. (If they touch, they’ll stick together.) Let sizzle, taking care not to burn, until the bottoms are golden brown and crisp, about 2 to 5 minutes. I like to leave the heat a little lower and let the dumplings cook more slowly, since it doesn’t matter if they take a bit longer to brown up, but it’s disappointing if they burn!

Once browned to your liking, pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of water into the pan and quickly cover, turning the heat to low. Let steam for 5-10 minutes or until dumplings are cooked through and water has evaporated. Feel free to remove one, leaving the rest covered, and test for doneness.

Serve with your favorite dumpling dipping sauce. I usually use a base of 2-3 Tbsp black (Chinese) vinegar and 2 Tbsp chili-garlic paste, often with a touch of sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil.

Creamy Coconut, Celery, & Kale Soup With Ginger

Recipe & Pic From The First Mess

Looks like we're getting a bit more heat early this week, but we'll finally be seeing some rain on Weds & Thurs so this seems like a great opportunity to break out the soup kettle!

1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds

1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds

2 teaspoons coconut oil

1 large shallot, chopped (about ¾ cup diced shallot)

1 small bunch of celery, chopped (about 4 cups chopped celery)

1 medium apple, peeled, cored and chopped

3 inches fresh ginger, peeled and chopped (roughly 2 tablespoons)

6 cups vegetable stock

sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste

4 cups chopped and packed greens (I used kale and a bit of chard)

1 14-ounce can full fat coconut milk

2 tablespoons lime juice

Heat a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the cumin and coriander seeds to the pot and toast in the dry pot until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove the spices from the pot and grind them to a powder. Set aside.

Drop the coconut oil into the pot and let it melt/heat up for 30 seconds. Add the shallots to the pot and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the celery, and apple to the pot and stir. Add the ginger, ground cumin and coriander to the pot and stir to distribute the spices among the vegetables.

Add the vegetable stock to the pot and stir. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the vegetables and broth to a boil and then simmer, stirring here and there, until the zucchini is very tender, about 10 minutes.

Add the chopped greens and coconut milk to the pot and stir to mix. Keep simmering and stirring until the greens have wilted and are bright green. Remove the vegetables and stock from the heat.

Purée the soup with a stick blender or in batches using an upright blender. Return the puréed soup to the pot and bring it to a boil. Stir the fresh lime juice into the soup and adjust any other seasoning. Serve the soup hot with any garnishes you like.

Recipe: Thai Winter Squash Curry

2021 Week 24 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic From Little Spice Jar

A flavorful and warming dish that will welcome any variety of winter squash that you might have on hand! Serve with basmati rice topped with crushed nuts, cilantro, and lime wedges.

1 tablespoons coconut oil (or any oil really)

1 large shallot, chopped (or onions or leeks)

2-2 ½ cups diced winter squash (about 1.5 pounds)

1 tablespoon grated ginger

2-3 tablespoons red curry paste

½ tablespoon yellow curry powder

1 (15 ounce) can coconut milk

¾ cup vegetables or chicken broth

2 teaspoons fish sauce (omit for vegans/vegetarians)

2 teaspoons sugar

Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the shallots and saute them for 5-6 minutes or until they just begin to get golden. Add the squash and grated ginger, stir to coat with the oil.

Add the red curry paste, yellow curry powder and stir until all the squash is nicely coated. Continue to cook the curry paste for 2-3 minutes or until it's fragrant. Add the broth, coconut milk, fish sauce, and sugar. Let the sauce come to a simmer before covering. Lower the heat and allow the squash to cook all the way through, about 12-18 minutes. You'll know it's done when you can easily pierce the squash with the tip of a knife.

Recipe: Ginger & Collard Fried Rice

2021 Week 23 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from Soul: A Chef’s Culinary Evolution in 150 Recipes

Try adding some soul food flavor to a classic Asian dish with Collards! The greens are shallow-braised rather than being fully immersed in liquid, and the rice soaks up all of that nutrient-packed pot liquor!

1 bunch young collard greens (1⁄2 pound)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 extra-large chicken egg

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 shallot, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, smashed and very thinly sliced

1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated (about 2 teaspoons)

3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon mirin

2 cups cooked white rice

1 teaspoon sesame oil

4 scallions, thinly sliced

1 jalapeño chile, very thinly sliced

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

1 lime, cut into 8 wedges

Red pepper flakes (optional)

Fill a sink with cold water. Place a cutting board nearby. Stack 4 collard green leaves on top of each other. Remove the stems with a sharp knife, and trim 2 inches from the bottoms of each stem. Cut the stems into 1⁄8-inch pieces. Cut the leaves into 2-inch squares. Repeat with remaining leaves. Rinse the leaves and stems in cold water. Drain.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a medium sauté pan or skillet over medium. Break the egg into the pan, and cook 4 minutes, gently shaking the pan occasionally to ensure the egg does not stick. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Turn the egg, and cook 2 more minutes. Transfer to a plate, and keep warm.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in the sauté pan over medium. Add the shallot, garlic, and ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallot is translucent. Add the collard leaves and stems to the pan; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Stir in the vinegar. Stir in the soy sauce and mirin. Stir in the rice, and cover. Simmer until the rice is heated through, about 2 minutes. Uncover and drizzle with sesame oil. Remove from heat, and let stand 2 minutes.

Transfer the fried rice to a serving bowl. Cut the fried egg into 1⁄8-inch-thick strips. Top the rice evenly with the egg strips. Garnish with the scallions, jalapeño slices, sesame seeds, lime wedges, and red pepper flakes, if desired.

Recipe: Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup

2021 Week 20 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic From Dishing Up The Dirt

Sweet, creamy, and comforting, this soup with surely warm you up this week! Try adding a smidge of red curry paste for a bit of extra flavor and serve with some good crusty bread for dipping!

1 1/2 pounds carrots (about 6 large carrots) cut into 1 inch pieces (no need to peel)

1 large yellow onion, peeled and quartered

2 large cloves of garlic, peels left on

2 teaspoons fresh thyme

salt and pepper

olive oil

4 cups low-sodium vegetable stock

2 tablespoons minced ginger

1/2 cup full fat coconut milk (blended before measuring)

Preheat the oven to 400F.

On a large rimmed baking sheet toss the carrots, onion, garlic and thyme with a little olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and place in the oven and roast until the veggies are golden brown and tender, about 35-45 minutes. Toss halfway through cooking.

Let the veggies slightly cool and then remove the garlic from its skin. Place half of the veggies in a blender with 2 cups of the broth, the ginger and coconut milk. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour the pureed soup into a large pot and keep warm on medium-low heat. Add the remaining veggies and broth to the blender and puree until smooth. Pour into the soup pot, stir well and keep warm until ready to serve. Taste for seasonings and adjust as needed.

Recipe: Lo Mein With Pac Choi & Green Onions

2021 Week 17 Newsletter

Recipe adapted from The Woks Of Life

Another tried and true noodle dish that is also ultra flexible! Feel free to throw in additional sautéed veggies or mushrooms and extra protein of your choice (shrimp, pork, chicken, tofu, Chinese sausage, etc). 

~Rae

1 lb fresh Chinese white noodles or Lo Mein Noodle

2 tbs sesame oil

4 tbs soy sauce

2 tbs oyster sauce

2 tbs rice wine

1 tbs grated ginger

½ tbs garlic, minced

pinch of sugar

1 tbs peanut oil

3 green onions, split at the thick parts and cut into 2in lengths

1 cup roughly chopped pac choi

Boil water in a large pot for the noodles. If using the lo mein egg noodles, you can skip this step, as those noodles do not require any pre-cooking. But if using fresh white noodles, you will have to boil them. Just cook until al dente, drain, and rinse in cold water. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, rice wine, and oyster sauce.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok over high heat and add the garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the scallions. Stir-fry for 30 seconds and add pac choi to the wok and cook until the greens are just wilted. Then add your noodles and the green parts of the scallions. Make sure that before you add them, they’re somewhat loose and not all clumped together (you can rinse them in warm water to loosen them up before adding them to the wok).

Pour your sauce mixture over the noodles and stir-fry until the color of the noodles are uniform. A folding or scoop-and-lift motion works well for that. Once everything is well-combined, dish out the noodles and serve.

Recipe: Spicy Sichuan Noodles With Pac Choi

2021 Week 16 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from Wild Greens & Sardines

This recipe is pretty much a meatless version of Dan Dan noodles (traditionally ground pork is the star attraction) but the sauce is so rich, creamy, and highly flavored that you won't for a minute feel like you are sacrificing deliciousness in favor of incorporating more veggies into your meal. You can purchase chili oil at the grocery store but if you have the time and inclination I highly recommend making your own (recipe included below)- you will be shocked at how many dishes it will find its way into!

~Rae

noodles
8-10 ounces dried or fresh ramen noodles (I usually use buckwheat soba noodles)
Bring a pot of salted water to a bowl. Drop in the pasta and cook until just al dente. Drop into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain.
For the Tofu-Mushroom
1 tablespoon oil
4 ounces firm tofu, finely chopped
4 ounces mushrooms, any variety, chopped (I often use rehydrated dried shiitake mushrooms because that is usually what I have on hand in the pantry)
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
1 inch of ginger minced

1-2 heads of pac choi, chopped
1 teaspoon Shaoxing rice wine, Saki or dry Sherry
2 teaspoons soy sauce or tamari
Salt to taste
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a bit of oil and saute the pac choi until tender and wilted, set aside. Add the tofu and mushrooms and sauté until nicely browned. Add the garlic and ginger, and a little more oil if needed, and sauté another minute. Add the rice wine and soy and stir to combine. Fold the cooked pac choi into the mix and salt to taste.
For the Sauce
1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
4 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
2 teaspoons Chinese black vinegar
2 to 4 tablespoons Sichuan chile oil plus some flakes, depending on desired heat level (recipe below)
2 tablespoons tahini
Splash of pasta cooking water
Combine the Sichuan peppercorns, soy sauce, black vinegar, Sichuan chile oil and tahini in a bowl. Whisk to combine. Add a tablespoon or two of pasta cooking water, just to loosen up the sauce a bit.
Toppings
Thinly sliced scallions
Roasted, chopped peanuts
Ground Sichuan peppercorns

To Assemble
Spoon a few tablespoons of sauce in the bottom of each bowl. Layer half of the noodles on top. Spoon the tofu-mushroom mixture on top. Add thinly sliced scallions, chopped roasted peanuts and a pinch of Sichuan peppercorns. Add a little more sauce on top. Enjoy!

Sichuan Chile Oil
1/4 cup red pepper flakes, such as Korean chile flakes (Gochugaru)
2 teaspoons toasted and ground Sichuan peppercorn
3/4 cup oil, such as grape seed
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
1 tablespoon whole Sichuan peppercorns
3 bay leaves
2-3 slices ginger

Place the red chile flakes and ground Sichuan peppercorn in a heatproof bowl. Set aside.

Heat the oil with the cinnamon stick, star anise, whole Sichuan peppercorns, bay leaves and ginger in a pot over medium-high heat. Turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Place a fine mesh strainer over the bowl with the chile flakes. Carefully pour the hot oil all over the chile flakes. Be careful, it will bubble up. Allow the oil to cool completely and allow the oil to infuse for at least 24 hours before using. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for maximum shelf life.

Coconut Milk Collards

2021 Week 14 Newsletter

Recipe and Pic from Food 52

Love silky texture of braised collards but want to try something new? This recipe is creamy, flavorful and the perfect companion to simple beans and rice. 

1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 pound collard greens, stems removed, cut into ribbons
3/4 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup vegetable broth, plus more as needed
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons tamari, to taste
1 pinch salt, plus more to taste
1 pinch red chile flakes, to taste

Melt the coconut oil over medium-high heat in a large wok or skillet. Add the onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, or until it's clear and soft. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring frequently, for another minute.

Add the collard greens to the pan. Stir frequently for a minute or two, until the collards are just wilting (if it helps to wilt the greens, you can cover the wok or skillet for a moment).

Add the coconut milk, vegetable broth, lime juice, and 1 tablespoon of tamari to the wok or skillet and stir everything well. When the mixture is simmering, reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, or until the greens are totally tender. If the simmering liquid starts to dry up, add a few splashes of vegetable broth as you go along.

Season the greens to taste with extra tamari, if desired, as well as salt and red chile flakes. Serve.

Recipe: Crispy Tofu & Broccoli With Sesame Peanut Pesto

2021 Week 14 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from Alexandra Cooks

Crispy or charred Broccoli is just so addictive! This wonderfully light yet flavorful dish is perfect on its own or served with your favorite cooked grain. Some julienned Basil would punch up the flavor even more! Try substituting caramelized storage onions for the green onions for a bit of extra sweetness. 

1 block (12- to 15-oz) firm or extra-firm tofu

1 pound broccoli

3 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari

1 tablespoon cornstarch

FOR THE PESTO:

1 tablespoon toasted (or not) sesame seeds

1/4 cup peanuts, roasted (salted are fine)

1.5 tsp minced fresh ginger

1 small garlic clove

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons sesame oil

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1/4 teaspoon sugar or other sweetener

TO FINISH:

3 scallions, thinly sliced

chili-garlic or other hot sauce

Prepare the tofu: Drain the tofu, and place it on a few paper towels; place a few more towels over it. Place a heavy object—like a big frying pan—over the tofu, and let it rest for 10 minutes (and up to 30 , if you have the time) to press out the excess liquid. (I like to do this on a cooling rack set over a pan, see photos below).

Heat the oven to 400ºF. Line one rimmed sheet pan with parchment (for the tofu); leave another one bare (for the broccoli).

Prepare the broccoli: Trim and chop the broccoli into florets. Don’t discard the stems (they are so good!): peel off the tough outer skin and knots, then cut the stems into 1/2-inch rounds. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the oil over the bare sheet pan, swirl it to coat, scatter the broccoli over top, drizzle with another tablespoon of oil, season generously with salt and pepper, and toss to coat with your hands. Spread into an even layer.

Remove the tofu from the towels, and cut into 1-inch cubes. In a large bowl, gently toss the tofu with the remaining tablespoon of oil, the soy sauce, and the cornstarch until evenly coated. Spread out on the parchment-line sheet pan.

Cook the tofu and broccoli: Place both sheet pans in the oven and roast for 20 minutes, then toss the pieces around for even coloring and roast another 10 minutes. At this point, the tofu is usually done, which is to say golden at the edges and lightly crisp. Remove the pan from the oven. If necessary, roast the broccoli for another 10 minutes to get an extra char on it.

Meanwhile make the pesto: Pulse all of the ingredients together in a food processor until ground. Adjust the flavors to taste. If the sauce is super thick, you can thin it with some water.

To finish: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli and tofu, and toss with some of the sauce. Garnish with the scallions. Serve  extra sauce and hot sauce, if using, on the side.

Recipe: Magic Paste Quick Kimchi

From 2021 Week 11 Newsletter

I always end up sharing this recipe from chef Bill Kim every year because I am such a huge fan-girl! I wasn't too crazy about Kimchi until I tried his incredible flavor combination and simple method. With this recipe you can turn just about anything into Kimchi and if you're not adding your Joi Choi to a stirfry or salad this week, consider using it here!  I love kimchi in fried rice, topping a rice bowl with other roasted veggies, added to soups, dressings, or even dumplings. It's a punch of spicy umami flavor that will enhance so many dishes in interesting ways. (Pic is from the amazing food blog Wild Greens & Sardines where I first encountered Magic Paste) 

~Rae

1-inch piece of ginger, grated
5 cloves of garlic, grated
2 tablespoons fennel seed, ground to a powder
1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
1/4 cup fish sauce (more to taste)
1/4 cup Korean chile flakes

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Stir until well combined.

1 bunch Joi Choi, Bok Choy, or 1 head Napa Cabbage chopped into roughly 2-inch squares
3 cups water
1/3 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup thinly sliced white onion (optional)
1 batch Magic Paste

Place cabbage in a large, heat-proof bowl. Bring water to a bowl, stir in the salt and stir until it dissolves. Pour the salted water over the cabbage and let sit for 15 minutes. Drain the cabbage in a colander, rinse thoroughly with cold water and then drain well.

Combine the cabbage, onion, and magic paste in a mixing bowl. Toss until well combined. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve (preferably the same day).

Recipe: Carrot Ginger Dressing

From 2021 Week 11 Newsletter

Recipe & Pic from Cookie & Kate

After the better part of a summer spent eating salads it's time to mix things up with some creative dressings! This recipe is smooth, creamy, and would pair well with other recipes with Asian flavors (you might even consider trying it with your Joi Choi). The trick is to blend it REALLY WELL to avoid chunks!

⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil

⅓ cup rice vinegar

2 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped (about ⅔ cup)

2 tablespoons peeled and roughly chopped fresh ginger

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon honey

1 ½ teaspoons toasted sesame oil

¼ teaspoon salt, more to taste

In a blender, combine all of the salad dressing ingredients as listed. Bend until completely smooth. Taste, and add additional salt if the dressing doesn’t make your eyes light up. If it’s too sour (it should have some zing to it), blend in a bit more honey.

Serve over greens and any other ingredients you’d like. Recipe keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for 1 to 2 weeks.

Recipe: Bang Bang Chicken & Noodle Salad With Snap Peas

Pic from Rae’s kitchen

2021 Week 5 Newsletter

Rae’s Favorite!

If you aren't already familiar with it, Bang Bang Chicken is a delicious and refreshing Sichuan dish consisting of shredded poached chicken and julienned cucumber tossed with a sweet, spicy, and tangy dressing. In this recipe I add in some Chinese egg noodles to make it a meal and sub in snap peas for the cucumber. In my opinion it is a pretty flexible recipe so feel free to experiment with adding in any sweet crunchy veggie, chopped greens, or other protein of your choice- it's really the sauce that makes it perfect each time! (Thanks to The Woks Of Life for the original sauce ingredients) 

~Rae

2 tbs light soy sauce

4 tsp Chinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar)

2 tbs sugar

1½ tbs sesame oil

1 tbs chili oil (or to taste)

2 tbs toasted sesame seeds

1 tsp ground Sichuan peppercorn (optional)

 ½ tsp salt

2 tbs finely chopped scallions

About ½ a package dried Chinese egg noodles or Soba noodles

2 tbs chopped cilantro

½ lb chicken breast

1 bag sugar snap peas sliced thin on the diagonal (you can also leave them whole if you prefer) 

First poach your chicken: Place the meat in a small pot, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, a few peppercorns, a handful of stems from your cilantro, and a slice or two of ginger. Pour in just enough water to cover, bring to a simmer, and cook for about 5min. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, with the lid on, for about 20 min. Remove from water and let cool then shred. 

To make the sauce: Combine soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, chili oil, salt, and sichuan peppercorn (if using). Set aside.

Cook noodles according to package instructions and plunge into cold water to chill. 

Add noodles, chicken, sesame seeds, sliced sugar snap peas, chopped cilantro, and scallions to a large bowl and toss gently to combine. (Try sautéing your pac choi with some garlic and oyster sauce and serving it as a side to this salad!)

Recipe: Collard Wontons

Pic From Two Red Bowls

2021 Week 1 Newsletter

From Two Red Bowls

These are a huge hit in my household (especially with my 5yr old who normally won't eat anything green)! I use one package of wonton wrappers and fry up any leftover filling in little patties to eat as a snack. Try the wontons in the broth recommended in the recipe or serve them with dipping sauce as a side dish to noodles with stir-fried Pac Choi!

~Rae

for the wontons:

½ pound collard greens, roughly chopped

1 pound ground pork

¼ cup thinly sliced scallions (2 to 3 scallions)

1 tablespoon finely grated ginger root

3 tablespoons Shaoxing rice wine, dry sherry, or sake

2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon white pepper 70 to 80 wonton wrappers

(15 to 16 ounces, or about 1⅓ packages; keep unused wrappers covered in plastic wrap, sealed

in a Ziploc bag, and frozen for later use)

for the broth:

4 cups water

4 cups chicken broth

1 to 2 teaspoons soy sauce, for serving

½ teaspoon sesame oil, for serving

¼ cup thinly sliced scallions (2 to 3 scallions), for serving

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the greens and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer until the greens are bright green and beginning to turn tender, but still have some bite, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and add to a food processor. Pulse until finely shredded.

In a large bowl, combine the greens, pork, scallions, ginger, rice wine, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar (if using), salt, and white pepper. Using chopsticks or a wooden spoon, stir vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and the filling forms a thick paste.

Prepare a small bowl of water for sealing the wrappers. For each wrapper, place 1 teaspoon of filling in the center. Dab a bit of water on one edge and fold the wrapper in half, taking care to seal the wrapper well around the filling. Dab water on one corner of the folded seam and bring the two folded corners together to form a small bundle. Place on a tray and repeat. You should end up with 70 to 80 wontons. To save them for later, freeze on the tray, then place in a Ziploc bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When you’re ready to cook the wontons, in a large pot, bring the water and chicken broth to a boil. Add about 20 wontons, stirring gently to ensure they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Cook until the water comes back to a boil and the wontons float to the surface, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the wontons to plate. Repeat with the remaining wontons until they’re all cooked, or freeze a portion of the uncooked wontons for later. To cook from frozen, use the same method, but boil for 4 to 6 minutes, until the wontons float.

To serve, divide the wontons among several small bowls and ladle a bit of the cooking broth over each bowl. Drizzle lightly with soy sauce and a few drops of sesame oil, and top with scallions. Enjoy immediately.

Recipe: Boiled Daikon

Image from The Woks Of Life

from The Woks Of Life

1 pound daikon radish(about 450 g)

1 slice ginger

1 cup water or stock (235 ml)

1 tablespoon oyster sauce (16 g)

½ teaspoon salt (about 2 g, or to taste)

¼ teaspoon sugar (about 1 g)

¼ teaspoon ground white pepper

1 scallion (chopped)

1/4 teaspoon sesame oil

Cut the daikon into half-inch thick, bite-sized pieces. In a pot, add 1 slice ginger, 1 cup water or stock (235ml), 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (16 g), ½ teaspoon salt (2 g), ¼ teaspoon sugar (1 g), ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper (a large pinch), and stir to combine. Add the daikon.

Cover and bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 20 minutes until the daikon is fork tender, stirring occasionally.

Right before serving, add in the chopped scallion, and a few drops of sesame oil (optional). Mix well and serve!

Recipe: Hot & Sour Soup With Cabbage, Mushrooms, & Rice

from The Kitchn

This is a farm favorite at One Leaf! It is simple and delicious and will help clear up the cold weather blues! Add some tofu or chicken to include more protein. 

1 tablespoon canola oil

4 ounces cremini or shiitake mushroom caps, thinly sliced

1 to 3 jalapeno peppers, finely diced

6 cloves garlic, minced

3-inch piece ginger, grated (or 1 tablespoon ginger puree)

1 to 3 limes, zested and juiced

8 cups chicken broth (or turkey or vegetable)

1/2 cup jasmine rice

2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari, if gluten-free), plus more to serve

1/2 small head savoy cabbage, cut in half and shaved thin

Chili garlic sauce or kimchi, to serve

the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes without stirring. Stir the mushrooms after 5 minutes and cook for 5 more minutes, or until well-browned. Add the diced peppers, garlic, and ginger and cook for about 5 minutes, or until fragrant and slightly softened.

Add the lime zest and broth and bring to a simmer. Add the rice, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is just barely soft. Add the shaved cabbage, lime juice, and soy sauce and simmer for another few minutes, or until cabbage is hot. Taste and add more lime juice, soy sauce, or other seasonings to taste.

Serve with extra soy sauce, lime wedges, and kimchi or chili garlic sauce.

Roasting squash before adding it to soups helps evaporate the water from the squash, making for a more flavorful soup.  If you're in a hurry, cubing and adding the squash directly into the soup is just fine.

Recipe: Roasted Apple & Squash Soup With Spiced Squash Seeds

from Edible Marin & Wine Country

1 (2-pound) Red Kuri squash

1 large sweet yellow onion, coarsely chopped

1 shallot, peeled and quartered

3 tart apples, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons melted butter

¼ cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

¾ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground mace

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Cut the squash in half using a large, thick knife or cleaver. Carefully push down on both ends of the blade, slowly, to cut the squash in half. Scoop out the seeds and reserve for the spiced seed garnish. Place the cut side of each squash on a cutting board. Cut each into wedges. Then carve off the peel of each wedge. Cut the peeled squash into 2-inch pieces.

Place the squash, onions, shallot, apples and ginger in an 11- by 17-inch baking dish and toss together with the oil, melted butter, maple syrup, thyme, ginger and spices. Make sure everything is well combined and coated in the oil and butter. Place in the oven and roast for about 50 minutes, or until a slight char appears on the onions and shallots. Mix the vegetables once during the roasting.

Transfer all of the roasted vegetables, including any drippings, into a large 4- to 6-quart pot, and add the water. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and carefully blend the mixture, using an immersion blender, until smooth and velvety. Taste the soup and season with additional salt, if needed.

Slowly blend in the heavy cream, if using.

Serve warm, garnished with the spiced squash seeds for a more extravagant meal.

Recipe: Purple Carrot Soup

from A Hedgehog In The Kitchen

1.5 lbs of purple carrots (peeled and sliced)
1 onion (peeled and sliced)
1 clove of garlic (peeled and sliced)
1 tsp of cumin powder
2 cups (40cl) of coconut milk
1 inch of ginger (peeled and grated)
A tbsp of fresh cilantro (chopped)
1 red chili pepper (powdered)
Salt and pepper to taste

Put the carrots, onion, garlic, cumin, cilantro and a teaspoon of coarse salt in a large pot.
Fill the pot with enough cold water to cover the mixture.
Heat on high heat for 30 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Pour the coconut milk.
Add the ginger and half a teaspoon of ground black pepper.
Mix with a hand blender.
Heat until it boils.
Serve with powdered red chili pepper and a sprig of fresh cilantro.

Recipe: Simple Eggplant Stirfry With Shishitos

from Farm Fresh To You

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 eggplant, cubed

1 teaspoon sesame oil

About 4oz shishito peppers, ends removed

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons ginger, peeled and chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

handful cashews or peanuts (optional)

Heat the sesame oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Saute the shishito peppers for 5 minutes, or until beginning to blister. Add the eggplant and cook for 5 minutes, or until beginning to soften.

Add the soy sauce, water, garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for 1 minute, stirring to incorporate.

Serve over brown rice and garnish with cashews or peanuts (optional). Top with more soy sauce if desired.

Recipe: Lentil, Cabbage, & Fennel Soup

From Honest Cooking


1 Cup Red Lentils
1 Cup Sliced Cabbage
1 Cup Sliced Fennel(including the stems and fronds)
1 Bay Leaf
2tsp Cumin Seeds
1in Ginger (crushed)
2tsp Ground Coriander
1tsp Turmeric
1/3 Cup canned diced Tomato
1 Green chili/jalapeño, chopped
2 Cups Water
Salt to taste
2Tbs Oil


Wash the lentils and keep aside. Prepare the veggies.
In a pot heat oil and the cumin seeds until it crackles. Add the cabbage and fennel,bay leaf and all the spices,tomato and jalapeños. Saute on medium until well mixed.Add the lentils and continue to stir for about a minute.

Add water and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover. Let it cook until the lentils are tender about (15-20 mins). Serve hot!