Polly's Lionhead Harissa Stew

This is a modified Chinese Lionhead stew with Harissa paste.   It actually turned out quite tasty.
Prepare the pork meat balls first - Mix the following ingredients.
Wash and Cut NAPPA Cabbage about 6 Cups full
Pre-Hydrate SHIITAKE Mushrooms - Qty 6 in a Hot boiling water in a bowl - set aside
Drain Firm or extra firm Organic TOFU.  Cut them into 1 inch cubes, approx. - set aside
Get rice vermicelli ready.   Cut into desired length with Kitchen scissors.  You can use Yam Noodle also (as shown in picture.)  Set aside

In a Large soup pot, with some EVOO 1 - 2 tsp,  fry them till dark brown.  Turn the heat low and transfer to a plate, set aside.
1 lb ground meat balls
1 can or fresh chestnuts, chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1 large egg
2 TB fresh gingers, chopped
1/4 Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper
For Soup:
2 TB Organic soy sauce.
8 C Chicken Stock or half half chicken stock and water.

 

When meatballs are nice and brown, Add stock.  Add liquid from SHIITAKE mushrooms and mushrooms.  If you would like, you can add large cut DAIKON as well.  (DAIKON - Japanese white long radish)

 Taste the soup.  Add salt and Blk pepper or white pepper.  Add 2 TB Organic soy sauce.
Add vermicelli. 2 minutes.

 Add Nappa Cabbage.   Stir.  
2 minutes

 Add TOFU last.

 ADD homemade HARISSA paste

 http://rockdavinci.blogspot.com/2012/04/pollys-harissa.html

 Cook to reduce liquid.

Serve!

Repurposing COCSTO's Roasted Chicken

Here is how I repurpose Costco's Roasted Chicken.   It's cheap, It's cooked, but I don't like its taste - too salty, and it's kind of stinky.
Whole fresh chicken is very good, but sometimes, I just don't have the time to go through the whole regiment of cleaning the sink, chicken, utensils, and you have a better choice chicken, etc.   It's actually no more or less time than what I am doing it here, but this is how I repurpose the Costco's roasted chicken.
So, first, get a large pot that would hold the chicken plus water.   Fill the pot with fresh clean water.   Set aside on the stove.
Take the roasted chicken out of the COSTCO chicken package and remove the truss thread/rubber band; chop off the tail, if you would like.   Then, place the chicken in a large clean bowl.  Run the Filtered tap water to rinse the chicken.
Add the chicken into the pot.  Bring the water to a boil.
In the meantime to bring the water to boil, fill the large clean bowl with fresh Filtered water.  Set aside.
Then, let the boiling water to boil for a couple of minutes, and then, dump the water that came to boil with the chicken - dump  just the water.
Fill the pot with the fresh Filtered water.  Bring it to boil.
Then, immediately place a lid and bring the heat to simmer (no bubbling of water).
Cook for 10 minutes.
Without opening the lid, Turn Off the heat.
When the pot is warm to the touch.
Open the lid, remove the chicken to a clean cutting board.
Remove the skins.  Remove the meat.  Cut into portion size that you will using it for.  Vacuum seal the meat for storage, for example.
Use as needed.

Quick Spinach Ravioli and Mushroom Risotto Dinner

When I am really pinched in time and tired, I can't think much what to cook.  I would grab the first readily edible item found in the refrigerator and stuff them into my mouth, then, "worry"... aaahh Yak!
I have mushrooms, arborio rice, Organic spinach ravioli I bought at COSTO.  Cool.
And voila!   I noticed when my health is back to 'normal' level, I can squeeze some more energy out even at the end of the day to do a bit more for myself.  I wish everyone a healthy year for 2015!
Ingredients:
Organic Tomato sauce with Basils in jar.
Organic Spinach Ravioli

For Risotto:
You need to know the Risotto preparation method to cook the following ingredients.
1 Cup Arborio rice, rinsed
1/2 C to 1 C white wine - dry vermouth
1 - 2 C Water, add as needed.
Onions, chopped
1/4 C Butter
1/4 C EVOO
2 C Mushrooms, washed, dried, and sliced
Salt and fresh ground black peppers to taste

Stir fry sliced mushrooms in 1-1/2 TB butter and 1-1/2 EVOO.  Set Aside
Stir fry chopped onions till transluscent, but not browned.
Prepare Arborio rice to make Risotto following the regular Risotto method.
Add Mushrooms into the prepared rice.

Heat Organic Spinach Ravioli in a pot with the tomato sauce.  Taste and add any spices to your taste.
Serve Risotto topped with Parmesan Reggiano cheese, if you wish.