Life In Da Burbs

My wife is a big fan of Mapo Tofu and Mapo Nasu. It's a simple chili tofu and eggplant dish that goes nicely over a hot steaming bowl of rice. Perfect for the chilly weather we are facing here in NJ/NY. So when I stopped at the local Asian Grocery last night to pick up some produce, I was pleasantly surprised to see some great asian eggplant, and very good soft tofu. The butcher had just ground up some nice pork belly so that was also a plus. Amendment to an earlier recipe - Mapo Tofu April 5, 2007 ***before adding the ground pork, add the doban jan, chili, and hoisin sauce and cook it for 1 minute on high heat. this will help bring all the flavors together and your ground pork will cook in it and absorb the flavors better. "Koto-Koto" The Japanese word "koto-koto" describes this video image. It's an onomatopoeia for something simmering in a thick sauce. The thick sauce is a result of corn starch being added in the final step of the dish.

Twelfth Annual Grand Tasting Thursday, November 15, 2007 at The Hyatt Regency Hotel 2 Exchange Place, Jersey City 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm tax deductible donation: $65 Our 12th Year is Bigger and Better! Our largest tasting yet in the largest location ever! This year the event takes place in The Hudson Ballroom and will feature over 400 wines, saké, beer and spirits from all over the world and food provided by a dozen of the area’s finest restaurants. Light Rail, Path, NY Waterways at the door. Sparrow wine ambassadors floating the event to answer any questions and assist in any way we can to make this a memorable event . Purchase tickets at Sparrow Wine & Liquor Company ...

Made some dinner tonight for the wife. She wanted lamb chops so I headed over to the nearest supermarket to pick up some goods. 2 hours later... Voila! Tonight's menu was Cauliflower Soup, a Mesculin Salad with Ginger Vinaigrette, and Lamb Chops with Mushrooms and Roasted Vegetables. Cauliflower Soup : Made with Cauliflower, Chicken Stock, Milk and Seasoning. And making good use with my Braun 200w Immersion Blender. Simmer cauliflower in chicken stock for 20 minutes. Hit it with the stick blender and add milk or cream. Season and ladle in bowl. Serve hot or cold. Mesculin Salad : Greens, Tomatoes and Mizkan Salad Dressing It is what it is. Easy breezy... Lamb Chops : Roasted Lamb Chops, Portabello Mushroom stuffed with Sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms French rack of lamb, score the fat cap, season and sear in high heat to seal in the juices. Coat with a layer of mustard and place in oven at 400 for 10 minutes. Remove for 5 minutes and throw it back in the oven for another 10 mintues. Thi...