Archive for ‘Eat Cheap’

May 23, 2010

One Pan Bok Choy, Ham, Onions & Beans

I love my new camera. Perhaps, subconsciously, I purchased one that has the word, “tough” in the model name itself hoping that a 2 storey drop to the cement ground may not affect it. That is wishful thinking though.

Despite all my efforts (and Chris’) to eat the fridge empty of the items that my mother so graciously pushed onto me, I am still left with quite a bit. Last night, I had to do something about that baby bok choy that would surely spoil in the next few days. The trick is that today, their stalks look plump and green but tomorrow they might turn yellow and mushy, you never know.

I desperately browsed the Internet and piled through some favourite sites and found this recipe as the base of last night’s inspiration. I skipped the croutons though and opted for a more reasonable dose of carbohydrates.  My version also has a touch of Asian to it with the dark soy and bok choy. I highly recommend drizzling some sesame oil over top when you are finished making this one-pan.

One Pan Bok Choy, Ham, Onions & Beans
Yields 3 servings.

4 cups Shanghai bok choy, washed & trimmed
1 medium onion, sliced length wise
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 can red beans (14oz), drained & rinsed
2 ½ cups ham, cut into ½ inch cubes
4 tbsp dark soy
¼ cup chicken broth
3 tbsp mirin (optional)
3 tbsp light cooking oil
Salt
Pepper
Sesame oil (optional)

Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the garlic and stir until the garlic is showing browned edges. Add the onion and stir until the onions begin to brown and soften. Add the ham and toss with the onions and garlic until the ham is browned. Add the soy and toss mixture until coated.

Turn the heat down to medium high. Add the bok choy and toss with the ham mixture until the bok choy begins to turn a bright green. Add the chicken broth and mirin and continue to toss until the bok choy leaves are just wilted but the stalks are still bright green. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the beans and toss until warmed through. Remove from heat and serve in bowls as is or with rice.  Drizzle sesame oil over top for added flavour and aroma.

May 22, 2010

Saturday Afternoon Salad

I just returned from a business trip in Portland and reluctantly logged into my blog to look at my viewer ratings. Needless to say, they tanked last week since I didn’t post anything before I left town and during the week I was away. On hindsight, it may have been the better choice anyway since my general understanding is that people don’t care to read anything useless. You tell me.

I still have 4 whole heads of iceberg lettuce from the stash Mom gave me last week. Worse, it’s iceberg lettuce, my least favourite and I have internal conflicts if I attempt to waste it. I am relieved that we were able to whittle it down to 4 because it was 7 before! By the way, you will learn quickly that she gives me a lot of food, cooked or raw. It’s Mom’s continual sense that I don’t have enough at home. It drives me insane but I love her, she’s my rock in life and would hate to hurt her feelings by turning it down. Even rocks can get bent out of shape.

For this recipe I used leftover roasted pork loin however, other great options in this quick and easy salad would be to use any lean cold cut meat, hard boiled egg or chicken breast. Other vegetarian options would be to use garbanzo beans, walnuts, hazelnuts or navy beans.

Saturday Afternoon Salad
Yields 2 servings.

2 cups iceberg lettuce, washed & cut into ¼ inch strips
2 cups romaine lettuce, washed & cut into ¼ inch strips
1 roma tomato, halved & sliced thin into half rounds
¼ cup red onions, thinly sliced
¼ cup light feta, crumbled
1 cup cold roasted pork, cubed

Dressing
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt
Pepper

In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper together. Taste the dressing to make sure that it is seasoned well. Add the onions, tomato, both lettuces and feta. Toss gently until coated and serve.

As I finished lunch I thought about my trip to Portland. I haven’t been traveling as much this year but this trip was good and still allowed me to realize how I can still keep up with my fitness and health regardless. Nevertheless, I am happy to be back to normal at home and not having onion rings instead, which I guiltlessly consumed yesterday at the airport before catching my flight home.  I miss my own cooking… and the Parsons family dog that is staying with us for the time being. He is in bliss right now, judging by his current (photographed) state.

Oh! And if you haven’t noticed, I bought a new camera! No more grainy pictures requiring “artful” adjustments that just turn out to be bad photos.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.