Foodie Corner – 2017 – Post #3 – Chinese Food Starter Kit

My motto used to be “If it didn’t get done in the microwave, it didn’t get done.” I’ve since learned to use my electric oven and its four-burner cooktop. But …

Foodie Corner – 2017 – Post #3 – Chinese Food Starter Kit

Is there a fast way to do Chinese food for just yourself?

My two cents, but please share yours:

Yes. It’s all about the sauce (the starter kit).

Take 2/3c broth (such as low-sodium chicken broth) and add to it 1/3c of equal parts low-sodium soy sauce, vinegar (rice wine vinegar or cider vinegar work well), and good quality dry sherry (never “cooking” sherry).

To this mixture, add 1T hoisin sauce, 1t ground ginger, 1t garlic powder, 1t onion powder, 1/2t ground lemongrass (or 1t lemon juice), and 1t peanut oil.

Pour the mixture over bite-size pieces of precooked meat and veggies (such as beef and broccoli). Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Use this starter kit for salads and stir fries. For a thicker sauce (for true beef and broccoli over rice for example), add 1T cornstarch to the kit just before cooking in a skillet.

Play with this Chinese food starter kit, try inventing kits for other ethnic cuisines, have fun, and make this recipe your own. Enjoy.