Wok Wednesdays | Hong Kong-Style Broccoli

WW wokking through Stir-Frying to the Sky's Edge
by Grace Young

This is the second recipe we have made that calls for Chinese broccoli. It truly has become a favorite of mine. If you have never had this wonderful vegetable, you really need to seek it out, and while you're at it, you'll want to get Grace's book, Stir-Frying to the Sky's Edge, so you can make the most delicious stir-fries. Ever.

 Mise en place.

Bowl 1: Ginger

Bowl 2: Chinese bacon

Bowl 3: Chinese broccoli (aka gai lan in Cantonese)

Bowl 4: Soy sauce, dry sherry

Bowl 5: Sugar, salt

Such a simple and tasty side dish to prepare. A quick sauté of the ginger until it is fragrant, toss in the bacon and stir until it releases its fat, add the broccoli - stems first - for about a minute or so, then the leaves, and stir-fry until just wilted. The soy sauce mixture, salt, and sugar are added, and tossed together for a short time until the broccoli is crisp tender. 

Voilà! A most delicious side to any meal; and the sauce that accumulated at the bottom of the serving bowl... tasted fabulous poured over my grilled salmon.  

We have been asked not to post the recipes here on our blog. If you would like the recipe, you will find it on page 190, of  Stir-Frying to the Sky's Edge, which you can purchase at your local bookstore or find it at your local library. I highly recommend purchasing the book - you won't be disappointed.  

Wok Wednesdays is an online cooking group. If you would like information about joining us, click here, or visit us on Facebook. Would love for you to wok along with us!

Wok Wednesdays | Cantonese-Style Stir-Fried Pork with Chinese Broccoli

WW wokking through Stir-Frying to the Sky's Edge
by Grace Young

Let me start off by saying, this was CRAZY good!!

Bowl 1: Ginger, garlic
Bowl 2: Pork, cornstarch, soy sauce, dry sherry, garlic, canola oil, oyster sauce, sesame oil, s&p
Bowl 3: Water chestnuts, bell pepper, snow peas, straw mushrooms
Bowl 4: Chicken broth, dark soy sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce
Bowl 5: Chicken broth, sesame oil, cornstarch
Bowl 6: Chinese broccoli

I have found a new favorite vegetable in Chinese broccoli (gai-lan or kai-lan is the Cantonese name for this vegetable). It looks more like giant spinach than it does western broccoli, that has little flower heads in the center. I loved the texture of the leaves, with the slight taste of "regular" broccoli.

If you make this dish, and are unable to find the Chinese broccoli, feel free to use regular broccoli, it will still be delicious. 

I had never heard of straw mushrooms before. They get their name from the way they are grown - on paddy rice straw. I thought I might have a hard time finding them. Not only did I easily find them at my Asian grocer, but I also saw them at my regular grocery store later that day.

They come labeled as peeled or unpeeled; I used the peeled mushrooms. I did a Google search as to what exactly you are to peel from a mushroom. It has nothing to do with peeling the skin like an apple say, but whether the "veil" has opened or not, exposing the gills. A closed cap is considered unpeeled, an open cap where you can see the gills, is peeled. I also read that the unpeeled are more nutritious and flavorful.

The flavor of this dish was beyond fabulous. Andy said to put this recipe on the A+ list - it's super good.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I made it. It's going to make a repeat appearance here for sure; and if I serve it to company, I'll plate it a little differently. I'll cut the stems and stir them in with the stir-fry and place the leaves in a circular pattern around the plate with the pork mixture in the middle.

We have been asked not to post the recipes here on our blog. If you would like the recipe, you will find it on page 77, of  Stir-Frying to the Sky's Edge, which you can purchase at your local bookstore or find it at your local library. I highly recommend purchasing the book - you won't be disappointed.  

This recipe is on Grace's website, along with several of the other delicious recipes we have prepared. 

Wok Wednesdays is an online cooking group. If you would like information about joining us, click here, or visit us on Facebook. Would love for you to wok along with us!