Fried Q-Tofu

We found this pre-cooked fried tofu at a vegetarian grocery store in Richmond, BC.  The texture was not like the traditional tofu but much firmer, just like cheese. The package says "Fried" but actually it's not. You need to stir-fry them.

Vegetarian Bacon

This is one of our favorite meat alternatives - Chinese style bacon (flavor) and  made from soy, beans and gluten.  I usually slice them and stir-fry with oil, little bit of garlic, vegetarian mushroom sauce. I'm now gathering all the recipes and will post them soon.

Preparing Soy Curls

Soy Curls are dehydrated soy protein made out of whole soy beans that are slowly cooked until they are soft.  I love this product because it has a meat texture without too much flavor so I can prepare it with my own seasoning.  You'll find cooking instruction on the package. It's so easy to prepare.   

Place Soy Curls in a bowl and cover with warm water. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes to re-hydrate. You may see some bubbles but don't even bother. 

Drain excess water (squeeze if needed)

Salt, Vegetarian seasoning and Black Peper 

You can buy a similar vegetarian seasoning at any vegetarian/vegan supermarket

Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan

Add Soy Curls in the pan and season with salt, vegetarian seasoning and black pepper

Keep stir frying until Soy Curls are crisp and brown

Add to stir fried vegetables, noodles, rice. You can use them as just meat.

Stir Fried Soy Curl Black Pepper Sauce

I picked cabbage, eggplant and zucchini. It's fun to experiment with your own choice of vegetable. I love to visit local produce stores. All the colorful veggies make me so happy!

Cut eggplant, zucchini and cabbage into small bite size pieces

Heat 2 tbs of the oil in fry pan or skillet on medium-high heat. Add garlic & ginger mix. 

Add all the vegetables in the pan. Stir fry until the vegetables are tender-crisp. (7-8 minutes or so)

OPTIONAL: Soy Curls 

Add prepared soy curls to the stir fried vegetables

Add pre-mixed black pepper sauce to the pan. Stirring constantly, bring to boil on medium-high heat. 

Add more sauce if needed

Serve with rice or mix with pasta noodle.

Enjoy it !!

Black Pepper Sauce Pre-Mix

This is a pre-mixed black pepper sauce for any stir fried vegetables and noodles. You make the pre-mixed sauce before beginning to fry vegetables so that you can adjust the flavor to your liking. On top of that, the pre-mixed sauce makes your cooking much easier!!!

Soy Source, Sugar, Black Pepper Sauce Paste, Sesame Oil and Water

You can find this type of  black pepper sauce at any Chinese supermarket. 

Looks like black berry jam 

Combine Black Pepper Paste (3 tbs), Soy Source (1/2 tbs), Sugar (2 tbs), Water (4 tbs) and few drops of Sesame Oil and mix well. Feel free to experiment with your own preference. I always add a little bit of extra sugar to the mixture.

Garlic & Ginger Mix for Stir Fries

These are the most important and popular ingredients for the Asian cooking. It's always a good idea to chop them when you cook. This simple mixture will add rich flavor and fresh aroma to your fried rice and stir fries. 

Garlic and Ginger 

Peel and chop, chop, chop and chop. 

Chop both garlic and ginger in small pieces 

Mix and ready to use

Grass Jelly Dessert

This is a very unique, easy and delicious South East Asian dessert. Don't be freaked out by the ingredients that you have never seen in your life. Trust me, you will love it. So let's get started.

This is the grass jelly. You will find several different brands at any Chinese or Vietnamese super market. Any brand works for me. The jelly has slight bitter taste and a little bit of iodine lavender flavor.

Slash and cut the grass jelly in a bowl. Don't even bother the shape, just slash into small pieces.

Coconut sugar. This is the key to this dessert. Coconut sugar is produced from the sweet juice of coconut palm sugar blossoms. Coconut sugar has twice the iron, four times the magnesium and ten times  the amount of zinc when compared to brown sugar.

Bring 2.5 cups of water to a boil. Place coconut sugar into the water. Simmer for 15 minutes until coconut sugar is completely dissolved. Put the mixture in the refrigerator to chill.

Coconut milk 

Place slashed grass jelly in a cup, glass or bowl. Pour chilled coconut sugar and coconut milk. It's good idea to put some ice cubes. Hope you enjoy it !!

Easy Simple Broccoli

This is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to enjoy broccoli. People say simple is the best, I guess they are absolutely right. Here we go!

All you need is broccoli, salt and vegetable oil

Add salt (2 tbs) and vegetable oil (1/4 cup) into boiling water

Add pre-cut broccoli and keep boiling approximately 2 to 2.5 minutes

Tip: don't over cook!!

Drain 

Enjoy!! 

Hope you like it!!