Sweet & Sour Pork

Yes, this week is pork week... pork has got to be my favorite meat... so versatile, different cut and seasoning can make completely different dishes... all of them tasty...

Cheesy Pretzel Dogs

I am addicted to Auntie Anne's Cheesy Pretzel Dogs but 2 for $6 is too expensive (that's promotion price too) so I looked up some pretzel recipes and made my own.  The pretzels are not as soft as Auntie Anne's but they were yummy nonetheless :)

Pork & Green Peppers with Black Bean Garlic Sauce

Another quick and easy meal. 

Ingredients:
4-6 oz pork, cut into bite size
1 green pepper, cut into bite size
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 tbsp of Black Bean Garlic Sauce (can find at any Asian grocery store)

Directions:
1. Heat oil in wok, add chopped garlic, add Black Bean Garlic Sauce.
2. Add pork and cook until medium rare, add green peppers.
3. Cook until medium and place the meat and peppers in a shallow plate.
4. Boil water and steam #3 for 15 minutes.

Mario Cooks!

Mario Batali is one of my favorite chefs so when I saw his an app for iPhone, I got it.  I mean, who else can teach me how to cook Italian food better than him.  The app was only $5 and there were 60 recipes, technique videos, how to stock an Italian pantry, etc.  Just the fact that he pronouces the dishes in Italian sounds like a good deal to me (more reasons for me to love my iPhone!!)  I am not suggesting you need to go buy the app, I am just giving my opinion.

Tomato Shrimp

Clearing out my fridge in preparation of my trip.  I have some leftover shrimp from making wonton the other day... a quick and easy (and tasty way) is to cook it with tomatoes...

Traditional Cheesecake

My mom's favorite - this recipe is actually from a friend of hers.  She makes me bake one of these almost every week and literally eats the whole thing herself when she visits... She doesn't even share (and her the weight gain is not proportionate - life is unfair)... even though all I want is a tiny little piece... (she gives me a piece in the end... a really tiny piece...)

Potato Bites

love love love potatoes... it's definitely one of my top comfort food... almost as bad as devil eggs for me :)

Ma Po Tofu

Super easy, quick and probably very healthy :)

Ingredients:

3-4 oz pork

1 box soft tofu 

garlic

green onions

1 tbsp Guilin chili sauce

dash of soy sauce and sugar

Directions:
1.  Thinly slice pork, marinate with a dash @ of sugar, salt, pepper, MSG, and 1 tbsp @ of soy sauce, cooking wine, sesame oil.
2.  Cut tofu into big cubes.
3.  Finely chopped garlic and green onions.
4.  Heat oil in wok, add garlic and Guilin chili sauce.  Add a dash of sugar (optional).
5.  Add pork when you can smell the chili. 
6.  Add tofu when pork is about done.
7.  Gently stir and taste.  Add a dash of soy sauce (optional).
8.  Add green onions.  Gently stir and ready to serve.  Best with rice.