grilling

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.

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Why Grill and Stir Fry in one dinner?

July 3, 2014 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

Why Grill and Stir Fry in one Dinner? This simple weeknight dinner idea will make you a rock star! Grilling a batch of protein is a very efficient way to produce many meals and while your meat is grilling, you can fry up a medley of vegetables. This is one of my favorite weeknight dinners, simple and stress free and done in 1/2 an hour.

Grilled Pork Belly, rapini with shimeji mushrooms, Chinese Eggplant using Glazing Technique, grilled turnip.

GRILLING VS ROASTING

My preference is grilling rather than roasting. I like the texture better, meat is crispy outside and tender inside and colors come out so much brighter. Grilling uses same technique as stir frying, high heat seals in the flavors and retains the colors.

WokStar-EleanorHoh-grill-porkbelly — Grilled pork belly using a variety of World Spice Seasonings

MIX EAST AND WEST

It’s so easy to stir fry whatever vegetables I find in my fridge. Stir frying isn’t just for an Asian dinner, you can fry veggies to go with western style grilled meats, it’s nice to mix and match east and west! There are no boundaries when it comes to cooking and you’ll be surprised at how well this works, try it.

GRILLING IDEAS:

1. big joints of meat will last many meals!
2. salmon, pork shoulder (one of my favs), pork belly, leg of lamb, organic chicken thighs, skirt steak, tofu, etc.
3. cut in different ways: chunks for lunch, strips if I use in a stir fry and slices for dinner.
4. bring for lunch to work with a salad, you’ll be the envy of your colleagues.

BEST SEASONINGS FOR GRILLING MEAT?

I find dry spice rubs work best as wet marinades tend to make meat tough and chewy (same with stir frying meat.)

My current favorite spice rub!

Indian Garam Masala, Rooster Spice, Indonesian Ayam & Yucatan Rojo BBQ Rub from World Spice. (very fresh & flavorful)

STEP BY STEP

1) while broiler is heating up
2) rinse meat under cold water, pat very dry with paper towels (if wet, will render meat tough & chewy, same for a stir fry!)
3) slather avocado oil on meat
4) sprinkle celtic sea salt and spice rub to cover meat completely on both sides
5) zing under broiler on top rack close to the heat with door OPEN! Many didn’t know NOT to close the door, you’ll be steaming it and won’t have grilled results. Unless meat touches the grill rack, then move down one shelf

SIMPLE RULES TO GRILLING

1. You will smell the incredible aromas from meat grilling, usually in about 10 minutes.

2. When the first side gets nice and toasty with crispy edges, flip it over. Second side won’t take as long and also depends how thick the cut is. When golden and slightly crispy round edges, stick a fork or steel skewer in the thickest part to test if done. If there’s blood running, it’s still a bit rare so I switch the heat off and let it sit under the broiler. If you cook till there’s no blood, it’s overdone, cause meat continues cooking.

3. Stir fry your veggies while meat is grilling. See below for veggie combinations and how to do it!

4. Let the meat rest about 5 minutes before carving and digging in, ENJOY!

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Looking for more ideas…
4th of July, Spicy BBQ Hoisin Spare Ribs
Grilled Hoisin Pork Chop with 3 different veggie sides
Grilled salmon and stir fry bok choy
Grilled Swordfish with stir fry zucchini

Stir Fry Veggies, perfect with hoisin pork

October 19, 2013 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

Three different stir fried veggie side dishes with grilled hoisin pork bistec done in half an hour surprised me too, so I wanted to share!

Pork ‘Bistec’ is spare rib steaks with lovely marbling but thinner not chunky chops so they cook much faster, perfect for quick weeknight dinners. I really had a craving for hoisin and used same 3 seasonings for my signature Hoisin Spare Ribs, you can get how to make the marinade here.
While the hoisin pork bistecs were grilling, I prepared my veggies. I decided I didn’t want all my veggies in one dish. So, it was a matter of frying them separately which I do anyway so as not to lower the heat of the wok and cause veggies to sweat and become soupy (a very common mistake!)
Chinese eggplant & red bell pepper went together, then Shanghainese Bok Choy & scallions and last I blanched some ready chopped kale left from a soup I made.
When you can smell yummy grilled pork, it’s time to turn them over & grilled till sauce looked cooked and slightly crispy edges. Not too long cause chops are thin. Get your butcher to get these chops for you if you don’t see them, they’re the answer to quick, tasty dinners! I switched off grill and let them sit till I finished stir frying. They were perfectly done, tender & juicy. I hate ‘tenting’ which is covering your meat with foil to let it continue cooking, it never works for me, it’s too scientific.

Hubby and I shared one chop with a spare chop for our lunch, yippee. Another tip: always cook more to save time and effort! Enjoy.