Happiness Is...

So, I finally tried the Sichuan Pepper Pickles that we picked up in Flushing a few weeks ago. What took me so long?!?! I plopped a little over a tablespoon into my skillet and sautéed a few slices of beef in it (about a handful--enough for 1 person...I know...way to measure). When the beef was just about cooked, which didn't take very long, I added some two small cucumbers (cut into chunky strips) and stir fried everything together. I added a few leaves of Thai basil from my window garden just before serving.

Yummmmmm...

From what I can tell, it has hot chilis, ground sichuan peppercorns, some sort of sliced green beans, salted soy beans, peanuts, and a few other things. Amazing stuff--I didn't need to add anything else, and this was one heck of a happy-making meal.

Roast Pork Stir Fry

Thanks to Tony and Tommy for pointing out that you can buy roast pork from a Chinese market. For years I have admired the glistening tea-smoked ducks, roast chickens, and other meats hanging in the windows in Chinatown, but for some reason I never actually bought anything until last fall. Whenever I get roast pork--my absolute favorite--I use it to make an easy stir fry or pop it in a nooodle soup.

I had a little left today, and for Sunday brunch I concocted a wonderful noodle dish from:

about 1/2 cup chunks of roast pork
1 medium-sized head of young bok choy, roughly chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 handful or so rice vermicelli
1 tsp. dark soy sauce
chili paste to taste
1/2 tsp. sichuan peppercorns
1 tbsp. light soy sauce

--In one pot, heat roast pork over a low flame.

--Meanwhile, in another pot, boil enough water for the vermicelli.

--When pork is sizzling and fat has rendered (it shouldn't be very fatty), add chili paste, dark soy sauce, and peppercorns.

--Add vermicelli to water and turn heat off. Noodles should take about 3 minutes to cook.

--Meanwhile, add light soy sauce and bok choy and cover, stirring occasionally, until leaves turn bright green (1 or 2) minutes. Drain noodles and add to pork/choy mixture and toss until thoroughly mixed.

Enjoy!