Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Wok With Me

Here's one for ya. How many of you have appliances that sit dormant for years upon years? How many times have you pulled something out and find (lord only knows) unrecognizable substances growing at the bottom of it? Just about every six months I go through my cupboards and yard out anything I haven't used in the last 2 years. My bff told me once "if you haven't used it in the last year, get rid of it". I tack on an extra year though because it seems it's about that time that things like my "juicer" or my "air popcorn maker" become useful. Plus I think once a year is a little much to ask, dontcha think Megs


My Wok is no exception as I can honestly say that it has been two years since I used it last. I'm not sure why I don't use it more often because it sure comes in handy when I'm doing large quantities of stir fry ingredients. I know some of you can relate to those pieces of food that spill over and end up wedged in-between the stove and the counter. Seriously if you want to send ol' Ang over the edge, just try and drop a slice of green onion through that tiny crack. I dare you! And that's putting it mildly.


I'm feeling worked up. Let's move on.


My inspiration for this next dish was triggered by a series of days on Foodbuzz for healthy beef dishes. Now as I'm sure most of you have noticed I haven't made any recipes containing beef on my blog, and more than likely I won't. I'm actually really picky about meat and beef is one that I could undoubtedly go without. We all have our thing right? 


Sorry, I'm all over the place today.


So it seems over the last few days there has been this trend of stir fry.  Some with meat, some without, but either way I felt desperately hungry for veggies and Asian flavors. My wok soon found itself useful and redeemed as I blew off the dust, and removed any mysterious crumbs. With that being, who wouldn't like a plate full of chicken, veggies, and fried noodles. I mean, "how bad can that be" ~ Ina Garten


Ha! I just had to say that.


Let's get cookin, or rather, Let's wok together!



Ginger chicken stir fry with
veggies and fried Japanese pasta


The process



Heat wok or large skillet to medium high heat

Cook chicken with ground ginger until no longer pink


Stir fry veggies

Prepare a fruit salad



Add bean spouts


Prepare pasta

Add pasta to chicken-veggie mixture


Ginger chicken stir fry with 
veggies and fried Japanese pasta

Ingredients

1 pound organic ground chicken
1/2 onion, sliced thin
2 small garlic cloves, minced
1 cup fresh broccoli florets
1/2 yellow pepper, cut in strips
1/2 zucchini, cut in strips
1 carrot, peeled and sliced in thin strips
2 cups Napa cabbage, chopped
1 1/2 cups bean sprouts
60z Package Japanese style pasta(chuka soba)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or to your heat level)
1 tsp pure sesame oil
canola oil
salt and pepper
toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

Heat a large wok or skillet on medium high with 2 tablespoons canola oil; Add ground chicken. Cook until chicken is almost done breaking up with a wooden spoon. Season with salt,  pepper and ground ginger. Remove from wok and set aside.

Add 2 more tablespoons of canola oil to wok along with onions. Cook just a few minutes and add garlic. Cook 1 minute longer and add the next 5 ingredients. Stir fry mixture for 5 minutes. Add soy sauce and red pepper flakes; Cook 1 minute longer. Add chicken back in along with bean sprouts. Cook 2-3 more minutes.

Meanwhile prepare Japanese pasta as directed on back of package. Drain, but do not rinse. 

Add cooked noodles and sesame oil to stir fry. Cook 3 minutes or until veggies are cooked to your liking. (I like my veggies a little on the tender/crisp side)

Place in serving bowl or platter and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. 








Serve with fruit salad.......



And eat with toaster tongs.





Enjoy!

15 comments:

  1. To be true, I have almost never used my wok and prefer my non-stick pan for everything ;). But you can make amazingly aromatic dishes with a wok, I know. Love your stir-fry pasta, Ang!

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  2. It's true about appliances...I sometimes ignore my wok for too long but funny is it does everything and more - from deep frying to steaming to boiling pasta! Great stir fry.

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  3. That looks really amazing! I definitely don't use my wok as much as I should that is for sure..I should more often. It is so much fun :-) I love the last picture by the way...so cute!

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  4. This looks delicious! I love using my wok too. Great recipe!

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  5. I love the tongs! Why are my children obsessed with chopsticks?!

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  6. I do make an exception for kitchen appliances and equipment there is no time limit for them cause I always think hmmm that might come in handy some day. Now clothes and especially my husbands clothes have a time limit. This looks scrumptious and my wok could definitely use some dusting off.

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  7. Don't get me started on the slow cooker that was given to me 4 years ago and has never been out of it's box. I can't get rid of kitchen supplies because the day I do I'll come across a Slow Cooker Cookbook. I wish itty bitty took more of an interest in the kitchen with me but he has his sights set on the end result and none of the clean up. I love your stir fry. If that wok ever makes it past the three year mark my address is.... Haha!

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  8. Well let me first say that your little helper is a absolute doll. So great that she was eating it. I'm slowly working on my little guy to branch out onto new foods!
    It's a good thing you did keep the wok around. This looks really delicious and I bet the leftovers were great to take to work the next day.
    Brandie

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  9. Oh your daughter is adorable, and how wonderful that she is helping her mama.. beautiful dish, love the recipe and the photos as always!!

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  10. Yummy! That recipe is amazing, and I love your daughter using the toaster tongs! Great job!

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  11. We go through phases with our cooking stuff so I am always hestitant to get rid of anything. Our wok used to be used almost daily but I don't think we've used it in over a year now. It's recipes like these that remind me to get it back out! Your stir fry looks delicious!

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  12. Your daughter is just too cute! Such a great little helper. :)
    This stir fry looks sooo good. Stir fry is one of my absolute favorites and now I'm craving it!

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  13. I'm so glad you were able to get some use out of your wok! I have many, many appliances that have slowly died a death of "never been used" in my kitchen :S

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  14. I love a great stir fry! I would keep the wok! We just started making stir fry again and wish we had one...perhaps a shopping trip is in order!

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  15. I must do something in my Wok as soon as I empty my frig of leftovers. I love stir fry veggies. So sweet to see Avery helping. She loves cooking too!!

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