Tofu Stir-fry Noodle with Peanut Sauce

When I first saw this recipe I was rather skeptical with the combination of using spaghetti with tofu & peanut sauce :P Looks quite a fusion dish to me :D I never try stir frying spaghetti in an oriental way and I must say it taste not too bad, at least my kids given thumbs up to this noodle dish :D

Ingredient

• 2 blocks firm tofu, pat dry and cut into cubes
• 1 yellow capsicum, sliced
• 200gm sliced cabbage
• 1 stalk spring onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 150gm spaghetti, cooked according to package

peanut sauce : mix well

• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 3 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 tbsp light soy sauce

Method

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a non-stick pan. Pan fry tofu until golden brown. Drain and set aside.
2. Using the same pan, add in another tbsp of oil. Saute garlic till fragrant.
3. Add in cabbage and yellow capsicum and stir fry till cabbage is softened.
4. Add in fried tofu, cooked spaghetti and sauce mixture and toss evenly and simmer for 1-2 mins. Stir in spring onion. Serve immediately.

Recipe source : Martha Stewart

This post is linked to the event, Little Thumbs up organised by Doreen from my little favourite DIY and Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids, hosted by Mich of Piece of Cakeat this post.

三鲜锅贴 Pan-fried Dumplings

Talking about fussiness on food again, my boy simply adore this kind of chinese dumplings and my little girl simply reject this! My boy was almost jumping with joy when I served this dumplings for his lunch :D Actually '三鲜' (san1 xian1) refers to meat, prawns & chives. As my hubby dislikes the taste of prawn, I've substitute it with dried shitake mushroom :D It taste wholesome when it is hot, chewy dumpling skin with crispy bottom! 

combination of cold dough & hot dough gives an extremely chewy dumpling skin!

 after resting for 20mins, knead again till smooth...it looks really smooth! hehehe

Recipe source : 'Dumplings' by Lee Ngan Woon

Dumpling Skin

Ingredient (20 dumplings)

• 250gm plain flour
• 100ml boiling water
• 75ml cold water
• 1/4 tsp salt

Method

1. Divide flour into 2 equal portions. Add in boiling water and salt into 1 portion and cold water into the 2nd portion. Roughly knead into a dough. 
2. Combine the cold dough and hot dough together and knead for 5 mins until well combined. Cover with damp cloth and rest for 20mins.
3. On a clean working surface, knead the rested dough briefly till smooth. Divide dough into 20 equal portions, approx 18-20gm each. Lightly cover the cut dough with a damp cloth.
4. Lightly dust the working surface and rolling pin with flour. Flatten a small dough and roll out into a round disc, approx 7-8cm in diameter.
5. Spoon appropriate fillings onto the dumpling skin and pleat to seal the edge. 

The dumpling skin is very easy to handle as it does not tear easily and very resilient  for pleating.

Meat Fillings

Ingredient

• 350gm minced pork
• 6 chinese mushroom, softened and diced finely
• 50gm chinese green/yellow chive, finely chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp ginger juice
• 1 tsp corn flour
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp water (liquid reserved from soaked mushroom)

Method

1. Combine all ingredient into a mixing bowl.
2. Add in seasoning and mix well. Mix till sticky stage formed. Chill in fridge for at least 30mins before using.

12 dumplings fit nicely in HCP! ^.^ If you look carefully, the dumplings actually puffed up slightly after cooking :D

Ready to cook! (to be cooked in HCP in 2 batches)

• Prepare 2/3 cup hot water, mix with 1/2 tsp sesame oil and 1/2 tsp white vinegar.
• Heat 1.5 tbsp oil in HCP, arrange 12 dumplings, bottom sides down, onto the heated oil. Cook on medium heat till base is lightly brown. Briefly shift the pan in between to enable the heat to distribute evenly.
• Pour in about 1/2 of the mixed liquid into the pan. (Caution : it will be sizzling hot) Cover and lock the pan immediately after pouring in the liquid.
• Lower heat and cook for 5-7mins.
• Open pan lid, you will see that most of the liquid has evaporated and the base of the dumpling is golden brown and the dumpling skin has turned translucent. Continue to cook for 1-2 mins (with lid open) if the base is not brown enough.
• Remove dumplings from pan and serve hot with dark vinegar & shredded ginger.

I am linking this to Cook Your Books #5 hosted by Joyce from Kitchen Flavours.