Tips

4 Tips to Add Flavor to Any Dish

October 9, 2019 By Eleanor Hoh 2 Comments

SPICE RUBS…

I ADORE dry spice rubs, how did Chef Patty Ruiz know? She brought me a gift of her three handcrafted spices: Harissa Dry Spice Rub, Zaatar Spice Blend and Chinese Five Spice Blend. If you’re in Miami, she also gives cooking instructions and can create a magical event for you, her styling is out of this world.

The Mad Table’s Zaatar spice rub, wow, so perfect for this Rack of Lamb, umm…

Dry spice rubs are so versatile, they are my favorite way to season meats for grilling and sprinkle on omelets, soups, stews, whatever you’d like.

Choose from her 16 spice blends at The Mad Table!
Don’t you love her packaging!

Spin it!

Here’s something to help you get those flavors into your food…I came across this tin lazy Suzan and I love it! I keep it right on my dining table so it’s handy. It’s a little bulky but does the job. Keeps my spice rubs, etc. for adding flavor to any dish.

Check my **Instagram Highlights/Cooking Tips @wokstar** for short video, see some spin action and see other goodies! Instagram is where you’ll get the latest updates on **Tips, Food Finds and beyond!**

MUSHROOMS…

Wok Stars, you already know about Earthy Delights’ Shiitake or Oyster Mushrooms that come in your Wok Star Kit. Mushrooms are so versatile, they can go in a stir fry, soup, stew, risotto. And so handy cause they never spoil. Check instructions on packet how to rehydrate them.

Recently, I’ve been using Shimeji Mushrooms which have changed my life. Since I started making Buddha Bowl soups, I throw a bunch of Shimeji and Enokis in right at the end. They cook really fast whether you add to soup or stir fry.

Click to see how you make this yummy Classic Wok Steamed Chicken with Mushrooms!

Chili Threads!

Earthy Delight first introduced me to these wonderful Chili Threads and now I am hooked and they don’t stock it, phooey. You can find at Asian markets as well. Top on any dish and you’ll be considered a gourmet chef! Keep them in dark area, away from heat or they lose their flavor.

They add **STYLE, HEIGHT, VISUAL INTEREST** and a slight hit of **spiciness.**

Crispy Shallots/Red Onions

Crispy shallots or red onions give so much flavor and kick as a topping. Don’t sprinkle till right before eating cause they tend to get soft. For soups, I put them in a small sauce plate to savor separately.

You can find them at Asian markets also, check the labels, you don’t want any MSG or chemicals. The less ingredients, the better. Mine only listed soybean oil and shallots or red onions, yum.

Note: this post contains Amazon affiliate links or partner links.

Cook Like a Wok Star for SuperBowl

January 30, 2015 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

I’m no Superbowl junkie but I’ve put together a list of delighful wok dishes so you’ll stand out from the crowd! They’re not your usual wings or dips but will definitely make you a Rock Star in their eyes.
To start off the pregames and warm up, my Rainbow Lettuce Wrap is an “Asian taco”, I serve this as an appetizer in my cooking classes. It’s always a BIG HIT and will WOW your guests cause it’s so colorful and scrumptious.
Pairs beautifully with Zonin prosecco or with ice cold Tiger Beer, both light and bubbly!

I use a crispy Romaine Leaf. Slather sweet Hoisin Sauce on leaf, fill with ground turkey and a “rainbow of colors” of multi colored mini sweet peppers, crunchy jicama and chayote, topped with toasted pumpkin seeds.

I call it a “Party Dish,”make this infront of guests and you’ll be hero worshipped. PERFECT appetizer for entertaining at home, savor during Game Day or show off at Tailgate for upcoming Super Bowl Miami.

It’s FAST to pull together. It’s a colorful and beautiful presentation with flavors and textures that explode in every bite.

Make in small batches so it’s fresh and warm. It’s addictive!

WokStar-Zonin-appetizer-wines-fijiwater — Rainbow Lettuce Wrap – the perfect Superbowl appetizer!

WokStar-Rainbow-appetizer-recipe — Feel free to swap out with any crunchy veggies or nuts you love, that’s my whole philosophy of what I teach anyway.

The beauty of my wok and stove setup is that you can cook anywhere, see some amazing places Wok Stars have set up below! I hope many Wok Stars will take their handy portable kitchen and Cook Like a Wok Star on your tailgate, at your friend’s house, outside by the patio, poolside, on a yacht, the list is endless! You can even make the dishes ahead and just warm up last minute.

Dr. Maritza loves to entertain by the patio or poolside!

Wok and stove setup on cart outside on balcony!

Stephanie woks up in Sierra Nevada mountains!

Here’s a list of Superbowl ideas that will be crowd favorites, enjoy and please share what you’re making in your wok this Superbowl weekend!

My signature Spicy BBQ Hoisin Ribs, these are no ordinary ribs, chunky and addictive.

Pineapple Fried Rice, one of the most popular dishes I get asked about.

Mexican Fried Rice, for my Hispanic friends.
Wok Frittata, cut into squares and snack all day long.

Colorful Veggie Stir Fry, great sub instead of a limp salad.

Curry Quinoa, a lighter fare than the rice and oh so yummy.
Beef Stir Fry, for meat lovers, delish filler inside warm tacos.
Easy Kimchi, goes well with spicy ribs, fried rice, beef stir fry, picadillo and frittata.

Make Rainbow Lettuce Wrap at your tailgate party and you’ll be the STAR!

Tips For Using Wok on a Gas Stove

December 3, 2014 By Eleanor Hoh 8 Comments

You want SIZZLE not FIZZLE! I think I coined a new phrase.

A gas stove is ESSENTIAL for wok cooking because you need HIGH HEAT!
Electric stoves do NOT generate enough heat and because the round bottom cast iron wok shape only gets a small contact area, it won’t work!
However, now there’s an induction wok stove for those who are not able to use gas in their building!

Wok Stars, it’s a no brainer to use your wok on a gas stove, right? Well, I’ve got 3 tips below to help you succeed even more if you’ve got a residential gas stove and not my Iwatani portable butane gas stove which fits PERFECTLY with my 15″ cast iron wok.

Wok Stars, if you’re frustrated with your gas heat output, please take 2 photos like the ones below so I can help you figure it out!
1) take a photo from the front with your wok sitting on the gas burner you currently use
2) take a photo of your whole gas stove from above without wok so I can see the sizes of your burners and what kind of grid you have.

So, I asked two Wok Stars, Mary and Carla to take photos of their gas burners to illustrate their specific problems with their heat output and grid situation and below are my findings! Oh, notice how their cast iron woks have beautiful patina!

Mary's GE gas stove's grate allows her to set wok directly on the grate so heat is closer which is great! However, the bigger burner's flames are again wide apart and the smaller burner doesn't give out enough BTU and she's experiencing some soupiness in the bottom of her wok! So, Mary and many others end up buying my Iwatani portable butane gas stove. — Mary’s GE gas stove’s grate allows her to set wok directly on the grate so heat is closer which is great! However, the smaller burner doesn’t give out enough BTU and she’s experiencing some soupiness in the bottom of her wok!

This higher btu burner is wider so heat is not focused at base of Mary's wok where she needs it! — This higher btu burner is wider so heat is not focused at base of Mary’s wok where she needs it!

Viking Gas Stove with horizontal grate. Notice the middle burner is biggest with left burners at 12,000 btu and right burners at — Here’s Carla’s Viking Gas Stove with horizontal grate. Notice the middle burner is biggest with left front burner at 12,000 btu and right front burner at 6.000 btu.

This wok ring is too deep so Carla's wok is further away from the heat. To remedy this, I've suggested getting a shallower ring or a Viking wok attachment. — This wok ring is too deep so Carla’s wok is further away from the heat. To remedy this, I’ve suggested getting a shallower ring or a Viking wok attachment.

Lightweight, thin walled, round bottom cast iron wok sits on wok ring on top of Viking gas stove with horizontal iron grate. — Here’s Carla’s wok which sits on a wok ring on top of Viking gas stove with horizontal iron grate. We tried it without the grate but then the ring is not deep enough to balance the wok!

Viking manual with BTU output for burners. Carla was using the middle biggest burner which everyone automatically assumes bigger is better. However, the flames are leaping up sides of the wok and not focused at base where it's needed most! So, I always suggest using a smaller burner! However, Carla's right front is only 6,000 till Carla sent me manual and I see left front is 12,000! Twice as powerful than the left front burner, so that's what Carla should use! — Viking manual with BTU output for burners. Carla was using the middle biggest burner which everyone automatically assumes bigger is better. However, the flames are leaping up sides of the wok and not focused at base where it’s needed most! So, I suggest using a smaller burner! However, Carla’s right front burner is only 6,000 and I see left front is 12,000! Twice as powerful than the left front burner, so that’s what Carla should use!

COOKING TIPS FOR GAS STOVE OWNERS:
Residential gas stoves are typically 7,000 to 10,000 btu which is still a bit low for wok cooking.
If you have an electric flat glass cooktop or coil, you won’t be successful. I’ve laid out all the reasons why here.
1) USE SMALLER BURNER
You may get better results using a smaller (lower btu) burner on your stove because the higher btu burners have the gas jets spaced wider apart so the heat is on the sides of the wok and not focused at the bottom where you need the heat most.
2) SET WOK DIRECTLY ON GRID
You can set your wok directly on the metal grid of your gas stove. Depending on the type of grid, the wok may wobble a bit. That’s OK because when you stir fry you should be using your left hand in the wok mitt to steady the wok (lefties reverse it).
If the wobble bothers you, check with your stove manufacturer for a “wok attachment” especially designed to handle the wok.
Another alternative is to buy an inexpensive wok ring from your Asian market but it makes your wok further away from the flame. Best is to flip the ring so the wider diameter is at the top and the smaller at the bottom, this allows your wok to sit closer to the heat.
3) HIGH HEAT FOR OPTIMUM RESULTS
Remember, high heat is ESSENTIAL so the closer you are to the heat, the more success you will have with stir frying.

This Iwatani, 12,000 BTU portable gas burner is PERFECT for the 15 1/2 " cast iron wok. The heat is focused at the base where it's needed most. I leave it sitting on top of my electric coil burner all the time so it's convenient so I end up using it for cooking most everything. This helps to build patina faster. — This Iwatani, 12,000 BTU portable gas burner is PERFECT for the 15 1/2 ” cast iron wok. The heat is focused at the base where it’s needed most. I leave it sitting on top of my electric coil burner all the time so it’s convenient and I end up using it for cooking most everything. This helps to build patina faster.

If you’re like Mary and tried all the above and still getting soupy veggies and not enough sear with your meats, a simple solution is to purchase my Iwatani portable gas stove which is 12,000 btu! Yes, Mary is treating herself to one, once you get spoiled with this high heat, you cannot go back to using mediocre heat!
The stove comes in a handy briefcase so you’re completely mobile and can cook outdoors or take it camping, boating or visit friends to show off your wok skills! Click here for more details or to order your Iwatani Stove!