Asian

Lomo Saltado

1 1/2 pounds sirloin tips, trimmed, cut into 3-inch pieces and sliced against the grain into 1/2-inch strips
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
5 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
3 tablespoons grapeseed or other neutral oil, divided
1 large red onion, halved and cut into ½-inch half rings
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño chili, stemmed and sliced into thin rounds
1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved

In a medium bowl, combine the steak, cumin, 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce. Marinate at room temperature for 10 minutes. Pat the meat dry and transfer to a plate.

In a 12-inch skillet over high, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil until smoking. Add half of the meat in a single layer and cook, turning once, until well browned on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil and the remaining meat.

In the same pan over medium-high, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil until shimmering. Add the onion and cook until just starting to soften, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and remaining soy sauce, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any browned bits.

Cook for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in the garlic and jalapeño and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, the meat and any accumulated juices to the pan. Cook until the meat is just warmed through, 30 seconds. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Don’t cook the beef without patting it dry. Marinating in soy sauce adds flavor, but also moisture. Drying the beef helps ensure that the slices sear nicely, rather than steam. Also, cook in two batches; crowding the pan inhibits browning.

Orange Chili Pork

1 pork tenderloin,trimmed and sliced into thin slices
6-8 baby bok choy or shanghai choy
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, minced

Sauce:
1/4 cup soy sauce
3/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 tsp orange zest
2 tsp sesame oil
1-2 tsp chili garlic sauce, sambal oelek or siracha (1 tsp. for moderate spice or 2 tsp. for spicy-lovers. Can omit if you don’t want heat)
1 Tbsp cornstarch

Garnish:
Toasted sesame seeds
1-2 green onions, sliced
Small red pepper, thinly sliced

Remove silverskin and trim any fat from pork tenderloin and cut into thin slices. Set aside. (*Tip: to easily remove silver-skin, make a slice into it with a sharp knife and them use a paper towel to pull it off. Repeat until it’s all removed). Remove ends from bok choy and wash. Chop, if desired or leave in whole stalks. Set aside.

Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in frying pan over medium-high heat. Add pork and cook until no pink remains. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for another minute. Add sauce and bring to a boil. Scatter bok choy over top and continue cooking, tossing, until bok choy is tender, but still a nice, bright green. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, red pepper slices (if usinand sliced green onions.

Serve as is, or over rice.

Sheet Pan Thai Chicken Salad with Red Curry Butternut Squash

For the roasted butternut squash and chicken:
1 medium butternut squash, cut into 1/4-inch chunks (feel free to substitute sweet potato or any other kind of winter squash like kabocha, acorn, etc.)
2 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts
About half of a 4-ounce can of Thai red curry paste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons melted butter
About 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper to sprinkle over the squash and the chicken

For the salad:
1 handful torn mint
1 handful torn cilantro
Baby kale and baby mesclun greens
1 small red onion, sliced very thinly
Juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
1 garlic clove, minced
1/3 cup neutral oil, such as vegetable, canola, or light olive oil
Salt, to taste

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spread the butternut squash on the pan, leaving space for 2 chicken breasts in the center.
Mix 2 ounces of Thai red curry paste with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Spoon a little less than half over the chicken breasts and spread evenly all over the chicken. Pour the rest over the butternut squash and toss to coat.
Roast the butternut squash for 30 min. Turn the heat down to 350 degrees F. Place the marinated chicken breasts on the pan with the squash and continue to roast for 35 min (the internal temperature should read 165F).
When the cooking time is almost complete, assemble the salad. Toss some torn mint, cilantro, and your preferred salad mix into a bowl with 1 small thinly sliced red onion.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the juice of 1 lime, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 minced garlic clove, and ? cup mild-flavored oil until it’s emulsified into a salad dressing. Season with salt to taste.
Shred the chicken, and toss it with butternut squash, greens, and dressing for a warm Thai chicken salad.
You can also simply enjoy the butternut squash and chicken with some hearty sauteed fall greens like kale or collards on the side!

Red Curry Chicken with Pineapple

1 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces (or start with about 2 cups of leftover cooked and cubed chicken )
1 medium carrot cut into matchsticks
1 medium red pepper cored and cut into matchsticks
1/2 small onion cut into thin slices
1/4 tsp minced fresh ginger
1 heaping Tbsp red curry paste
14 oz can full fat coconut milk – about 1 3/4 cups
1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp fish sauce or soy sauce, for vegetarian
1/3 cup canned bamboo shoots cut into matchsticks
1/3 cup canned pineapple chunks each chunk cut into 2 or 3 pieces
2 cups baby spinach or other greens such as chopped baby bok choy leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish: Chopped basil or cilantro leaves and lime quarters, for juicing over finished dish

Start your rice cooking.

(Skip if you are starting with pre-cooked chicken) Heat 1/2 Tbsp oil in a skillet over medium heat. When hot, add uncooked chicken pieces and cook, stirring, until cooked through.

Meanwhile, prepare your vegetables and bamboo shoots, cutting all into matchsticks of equal length (about 2-inches long). Assemble your other ingredients.

When the chicken is cooked, remove to a bowl and set aside.

Heat remaining 1/2 Tbsp oil in skillet and raise heat to medium high. Add carrots first, and cook, stirring, for a minute or two.

Add red peppers and onion and cook, stirring, until onion is softened, but carrots and red peppers are just tender crisp.

Add the ginger, red curry paste and a tablespoon of the cream from the top of the coconut milk to the skillet and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

Add the rest of the can of coconut milk, the lime juice, brown sugar and fish sauce.

Return the cooked chicken to the pan (or add cooked chicken, if you are starting with pre-cooked chicken).

Add the bamboo shoots and pineapple. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer on medium-low heat, until chicken is heated through and carrots are softened a bit more, about 3-5 minutes.

*Note: Thai curries have a sauce that’s very soup-like, so the sauce won’t be thick. The curry is typically served in bowls, to be spooned over hot rice.

Taste sauce and season with a bit of salt and pepper, as needed. You can also add a bit more curry paste at this point, if you feel it needs more.

Remove skillet from heat. Scatter spinach (or other chopped greens) overtop. Let stand 30 seconds, then stir in to curry until greens have wilted.

Serve with jasmine or basmati rice, garnished with chopped basil or cilantro and lime wedges for drizzling.

Orange Chicken

1 1/2 lbs boneless chicken breast cut into small chunks (about 3 large breasts)
2 tsp oil

Sauce:
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice (or use 1/4 cup more orange juice, if you don’t have lemons on hand)
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 1/2 Tbsp finely diced orange peel DIVIDED (*see note below)
3/4 cup brown sugar packed
1 tsp minced fresh ginger (or 1/4 tsp. powdered ginger)
1 Tbsp Asian Chili Garlic Sauce (or more, to taste)

To thicken sauce: (mix the add in increments at end, as needed)
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 Tbsp water

Start rice cooking.

* Using a vegetable peeler, peel a couple of thin strips from the side of the orange. (Using a vegetable peeler allows you to just take the peel and none of the bitter pith). Finely dice peel (about 1/8-inch squareuntil you have about 1 1/2 Tbsp. Add 1 Tbsp. of the diced orange peel to your sauce. Reserve the remaining 1/2 Tbsp. to stir fry with your chicken.

Prepare sauce by combining sauce ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk well to combine. Set aside.

Heat oil in skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken and reserved diced orange peel and cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through. If using additional vegetables, add them after chicken is partially cooked. Add sauce. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer while your rice/veg cooks (5-10 minutes).

In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water. Add about half of it to simmering sauce and cook, stirring regularly, until sauce thickens. If not thick enough, add more, as needed, until sauce is as thick as you’d like. Serve over rice.

If you’d like to try velveting your chicken, combine the following ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour over cut, raw chicken chunks. Stir, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2 egg whites
2 Tbsp. veg oil
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. rice vinegar
1 tsp. salt

After 30 minutes, drain. Heat 4 inches of water to boiling in a medium/large saucepan. Once boiling, add drained chicken chunks and cook until opaque, about 1 minute. Remove to a plate, then proceed with recipe.

Kung Pao Chicken (or Pork or Shrimp)

Marinade:
1 Tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp rice wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes (about 2 medium)

Sauce:
3 Tbsp Chinese black vinegar or substitute good-quality balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp sesame oil
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp cornstarch

For Stir fry:
2 Tbsp peanut or vegetable oil
6-8 fresh small, thin red chili peppers, whole (Thai)
1/4 – 1/2 tsp dried crushed chili flakes
3 green onions white and green parts separated, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
Black or yellow sesame seeds for garnish

In a medium bowl, stir together the marinade ingredients. Add chicken cubes and toss to coat. Let sit on the counter while you prepare the sauce.

In a small bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and stir well until smooth. Set aside.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add fresh red peppers and cook, stirring, until they start to brown in spots. Add red pepper flakes, white part of green onion, garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring, until onion softens, about 45-60 seconds. Add chicken and cook, stirring regularly, until chicken is just cooked through and no longer pink. Stir sauce and then add to the hot skillet. Cook, stirring, until sauce thickens. Add peanuts and 1/2 of the green part of the green onion. Stir to combine.

The red peppers aren’t intended to be eaten, as they are extremely hot, even after cooking. Their role is to infuse the heat in to the dish only. You can eat around them or simply discard before serving.

Serve over noodles or rice, if you like, with vegetables on the side. Garnish with remaining green onion and sesame seeds.

Chicken Coconut Curry

2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
2 Tbsp vegetable oil or coconut oil
1/2 red or yellow onion thinly sliced
1 Tbsp ginger paste or 2 tsp minced fresh
1 tsp minced garlic
1 large tomato diced or small can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp coriander
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp tomato paste optional
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup water
2/3 cup stirred coconut milk *see notes
Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

Start rice cooking, if using.

In a small bowl, stir together the turmeric, garam masala, cumin, coriander and red pepper flakes. Set aside.

In a large pot (preferably with a lid), heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring until golden brown. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring for one minute. Add your spice mix and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds more. Add the diced tomatoes and cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Add the cut up chicken to the pot, along with a sprinkling of salt. Mix well. Let cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.

Add 1/2 cup water to the pot, cover with a lid (or a sheet of aluminum foil), reduce heat slightly and let cook 20-25 minutes, until chicken is cooked and tender.

Remove lid. Add coconut milk and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes more. Taste and add salt as needed. You can also add more of spices if you feel it needs it.

Recipe Notes
A small 5.5oz/160ml can of coconut milk is perfect for this curry, but if you are starting with a larger can, be sure to stir after opening the can, to stir the cream into the milk, then measure out the amount you need. Leftover coconut milk can be frozen.

Cauliflower Curry

1 onion, chopped
3 small plum tomatoes
3 large garlic cloves
One 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 head of cauliflower (1 1/2 pounds), cut into florets
1 long Indian green chile or Thai bird chile, sliced, plus more for serving
Kosher salt
Pepper

Steamed basmati rice, plain yogurt, and lime pickle, for serving

In a food processor, pulse the onion, tomatoes, garlic, and ginger until a paste forms. In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil. Add the onion paste, and cook over moderately high heat, stirring often, until the paste is thickened, about 10 minutes.

Add the garam masala and turmeric, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the cauliflower, chile, and 2 cups of water. Season generously with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over moderately low heat until the cauliflower is just tender, about 10 minutes.

Serve with rice, yogurt, lime pickle, and sliced chiles.

Stir-fried Green Beans with Pork and Chilies

2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as peanut, sunflower or grapeseed, plus more if needed
1 pound ground pork
1 teaspoon kosher salt
8 ounces green beans, cut into 1/2-inch lengths
2 red chiles, seeded or not, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon coriander seeds, lightly cracked with a mortar and pestle or with the side of a knife
1/4 cup cilantro leaves and tender stems, chopped, plus more for serving
3 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar, plus more for serving
4 teaspoons soy sauce, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Cooked white rice or rice noodles, for serving
Sliced tomato, for serving (optional)

Heat a 12-inch skillet or wok over medium-high heat for 1 minute, then add the oil and let heat for another 30 seconds — it should be hot but not smoking. Stir in pork and 3/4 teaspoon salt, and cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until browned and crisp, 6 to 9 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Return pan to heat and add more oil if it looks dry. Stir in green beans, cook until they are crisp, tender and bright green, 1 to 3 minutes. Stir in chiles, ginger, garlic, coriander seeds and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute longer.

Return pork to skillet, along with chopped cilantro, vinegar, soy sauce and sugar. Stir briefly to combine, then scrape into a serving platter.

Sprinkle more vinegar and soy sauce on top to taste, then top with more chopped cilantro. Serve with rice, and sliced tomato, if you like.

Dry-Fried Beef Chow Ho Fun (Gon Chow Ngau Ho)

For the beef & marinade:
8 oz. flank steak (sliced into ? thick pieces)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda (optional)
1 teaspoon corn starch
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

For the rest of the dish:
12 oz. fresh ho fun flat rice noodles
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 scallions, split in half vertically and cut into 3-inch pieces
3 thin slices ginger
2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
2 tablespoons regular soy sauce
Pinch of sugar
salt and white pepper, to taste
4 to 6 ounces fresh mung bean sprouts

Combine the beef and marinade ingredients and let it marinate for about an hour. The little bit of baking soda tenderizes the meat.The longer you marinate the beef, the more tender it gets. This is totally optional.

A useful tip for slicing the beef is to freeze it until it gets firm but not solid which makes slicing the beef much easier!
Some rice noodles come as large sheets, while others are already cut. If you have the sheets, slice the rice noodles so they’re about 1 inch thick.

Heat your wok over high heat until smoking, and add 1½ tablespoons oil to coat the wok. Add the beef and sear until browned. As long as your wok is hot enough, the meat shouldn’t stick. Set aside. Add a 1½ tablespoons more vegetable oil to the wok. Then add the ginger first to infuse the oil with its rich flavor for about 15 seconds. Add the scallions.

Spread the noodles evenly in the wok and stir-fry the whole mix on high until it is mixed evenly, about 15 seconds. Add the Shaoxing wine around the rim of the wok.

Next, add the sesame oil, soy sauces, pinch of sugar and the beef. Stir fry, making sure your metal wok spatula scrapes the bottom of the wok and you lift the ho fun in an upward motion to mix well and coat them evenly with the soy sauce.

Add a bit of salt and white pepper to taste (taste the noodles before adding salt).

If the noodles were cold and refrigerated when you started, you may have to toss the noodles longer to heat them through properly. If the noodles are fresh, then less time will be required. Your heat should remain as high as possible at all times. Add the bean sprouts and stir-fry until the bean sprouts are just tender. Serve!

Saucy Beef Chow Ho Fun (Sup Chow Ngau Ho)

For the beef:
12 ounces sliced flank steak
1/4 teaspoon baking soda (optional)
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

For the rest of the dish:
1 pound fresh rice noodles
2 cups warm low sodium beef or chicken stock
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
Fresh ground white pepper to taste
3 tablespoons canola oil, divided
3 thin slices ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup (1½ ounces) fresh Chinese black mushrooms or Shiitake mushrooms
2 scallions, cut at an angle into 2-inch pieces (with the white and green parts separated)
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
2 cups (6 ounces) napa cabbage, cut crosswise into ½-inch wide long pieces
2 cups (5 ounces) fresh mung bean sprouts
Cornstarch slurry (2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water)

Cut the rice noodles into 1-1/2-inch wide pieces and set aside. They should be at room temperature.

In a wide shallow bowl, mix the beef, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon water, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, and 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch until the beef is well coated. The beef should absorb the water and soy sauce so there’s no liquid. Set aside for 30 minutes at room temperature.

In a bowl, combine the warmed stock or water, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil, and fresh ground white pepper to taste, and set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in your wok until it’s close to smoking. Add the beef to give it a quick sear for 30 seconds on each side. The beef should be cooked to about 80 percent doneness. Return the beef to the bowl, and set aside.

Turn the heat to medium, and add 1 tablespoon oil to the wok, along with the ginger. Let it caramelize for about 20 seconds. Next, stir in the garlic and immediately add the Chinese black mushrooms and the white portions of the scallions.

Turn the heat to high, and stir-fry for 15 seconds. Add 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine and the napa cabbage.

Stir-fry for another 15 seconds, and add the sauce mixture you prepared earlier. Once the sauce starts to simmer and boil, add the fresh ho fun rice noodles, folding them into the sauce so the noodles don’t break apart. Reduce the heat to a simmer if needed, and after 30 seconds (or when the rice noodles are heated through), add the mung bean sprouts and the beef.

Fold in the beef and mung bean sprouts until everything is coated and heated through. Add the green portions of the scallions.

Drizzle in half of the cornstarch slurry while stirring, and cook for 20 seconds. Check the thickness of the sauce. Add more slurry until the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon.

The sauce consistency and quantity is all per your personal preference. You can adjust the recipe by increasing the amount of stock, seasonings, and/or cornstarch slurry.

The sauce should be allowed to cook for at least 20 seconds after adding the last of the cornstarch slurry to ensure the starch gets cooked. Serve your Beef Chow Ho Fun Noodles with your favorite chili oil!

Chile-Rubbed Flank Steak over Polenta

One 1 3/4-pound flank steak 4 garlic cloves, minced
3 Thai bird chiles, minced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 1/2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
1 cup white polenta or stone-ground white cornmeal (5 1/2 ounces)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup mascarpone
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Aged balsamic vinegar, for serving

In a large, shallow dish, coat the flank steak with the garlic and chiles. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and set aside at room temperature for 2 hours.

In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil over high heat. Gradually whisk in the polenta and bring to a simmer. Cook over moderately low heat, whisking often, until the polenta is thick and no longer gritty, about 45 minutes.

Grilled Flank Steak with Soy-Chile Glaze

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup lightly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 1/4 pounds flank steak
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Thinly sliced scallions and lime wedges

Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. In a small saucepan, heat the oil. Add the garlic and ginger and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the garlic begins to turn golden. Add the soy sauce, sugar and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, until syrupy, about 3 minutes; let cool.

Season the steak with salt and pepper. Grill the steak for 10 minutes for medium-rare meat, turning once; during the last minute, brush all but 2 tablespoons of the glaze over the steak. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let stand for 5 minutes.

Miso-Sesame Steak Marinade

3 tablespoons red miso
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon chili-garlic sauce
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
2 medium garlic cloves, finely grated
1 1/2 pounds skirt steak, trimmed and cut crosswise into 5- to 6-inch pieces, patted dry
2 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
5 teaspoons grapeseed or other neutral oil, divided

In a medium bowl, whisk together the miso, soy sauce, chili-garlic sauce, sugar, sesame oil, ginger and garlic. Measure 2 teaspoons of the mixture into a small bowl and set aside. Add the steak to the remaining mixture, turn to coat and marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, to the reserved 2 teaspoons, stir in the vinegar and 3 teaspoons of the grapeseed oil, then set aside.

Remove the steak from the bowl an pat dry with paper towels. In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons grapeseed oil until barely smoking. Add half the steak in a single layer and cook without disturbing until well browned and the center of the thickest piece reaches 125°F for medium-rare, another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a platter, then repeat with the remaining steak, using the fat in the pan. Tent with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.

Stir any accumulated juices on the platter into the reserved miso mixture. Cut the steak against the grain on the bias into thin slices and return to the platter. Serve with the miso sauce.

Sweet Potato Bebinca

2 to 3 medium to large sweet potatoes (1 1/4 pounds total)
6 tablespoons/85 grams unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the pan
6 large eggs
1 cup/200 grams grated jaggery, muscovado, panela or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup/60 milliliters maple syrup
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 (13.5-ounce/400-milliliter) can full-fat coconut milk
1 cup/130 grams all-purpose flour

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Rinse the sweet potatoes to remove any dirt, pat them dry with paper towels and poke several holes in them with a fork. Put the potatoes in a baking dish or on baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Roast until completely tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Cool completely before handling. Peel the sweet potatoes, discard the skins, and purée the flesh in a food processor. Measure out 1 2/3 cups/400 grams and set aside, saving the rest for another purpose. (The sweet potatoes may be roasted one day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.)

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Line the bottom of a 9-inch round baking pan with 2-inch sides with parchment paper and grease lightly with butter. Put the pan on a baking sheet. In a large bowl, whisk together the cooled sweet potato purée, melted butter, eggs, sugar, maple syrup, nutmeg, turmeric and salt until smooth. Add the coconut milk and flour and whisk until the mixture is smooth, with no visible streaks of flour.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and put the pan, still on the baking sheet, in the oven. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through. The pudding should be firm to the touch in the center and light golden brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Wrap the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate to set for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.

Once the bebinca has set, run a sharp knife around the sides of the pan, flip the pan onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and tap gently to release. Peel the parchment off the top. Invert onto a serving dish, and peel off the second sheet of parchment paper.

To serve, use a sharp serrated knife to cut the chilled bebinca into wedges. Store the leftover bebinca, wrapped in plastic wrap, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Roasted Cauliflower, Paneer, and Lentil Salad

For the salad:
1/2 cup green lentils
1/2 cup black lentils
1 small head cauliflower (about 1 pound)
1 10-ounce block paneer, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups total)
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 scallions, green and white parts, thinly sliced

For the cilantro-oil dressing:
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup tightly packed, fresh cilantro leaves
1 Serrano chile, seeded, if desired
Juice of 1 lime, about 1/4 cup
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Rinse the lentils in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water and pick out any stones or imperfect beans. Transfer to a medium saucepan and add enough water to cover by about 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, turn the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until tender but not mushy, 25 to 60 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on how old the lentils are, so check them every 5 minutes after the first half hour. When they have reached desired doneness, drain through a fine-mesh strainer and set on a clean kitchen towel to absorb any remaining liquid.

While the lentils are cooking, roast the cauliflower and paneer: Cut the cauliflower into bite-size florets and transfer to a roasting or sheet pan. Add the paneer. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with the olive oil, mixing to coat evenly. Roast, stirring occasionally, until the florets and paneer are crispy on the outside and feel tender when pierced with a skewer or knife, 20 to 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the dressing: Combine all the ingredients in a blender and pulse at medium-high speed until smooth and paste-like.

When the cauliflower and paneer are done, transfer to a large bowl and gently stir in the drained lentils and scallions. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Drizzle with 1/2 to 1/3 cup of the dressing, to taste, and serve warm or at room temperature. (Store the leftover salad and dressing in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to four days. Shake the dressing before using.)

Crying Tiger

For the marinade
4 pieces sirloin
3 teaspoons honey
3 tablespoons soy sauce
Black pepper

For the sauce
2 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons tamarind paste
Juice of a lime
2 tablespoons palm sugar
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 prik chee fah pepper
1 (½-inch) piece fresh ginger, grated
1 stalk lemongrass
A few Thai basil leaves
1 bunch cilantro
1 Thai scallion , chopped

For the toasted rice
1 cup Thai rice

For the marinade, mix the soy sauce and honey.
Marinate the beef for 2 hours in the sauce at room temperature. Cover the dish with plastic wrap.

Meanwhile, prepare the sauce:

Squeeze the lime. Press the garlic, cut the pepper into thin slices.

Mix water, sugar, and lemon juice. Add nuoc mam, soy sauce and tamarind paste.

Chop the garlic, chili, basil, cilantro and lemongrass. Grate the fresh ginger. Mix all the sauce and let stand for at least 20 minutes at room temperature.

In a non-stick pan, dry roast the rice over medium heat. Stir constantly so it does not burn.

Remove from heat and let cool.

Mix the rice in a food processor to obtain a very fine powder.
Pan-roast the beef a few minutes per side. Ideally, the meat should be just seared. Cut into strips. Lay on a bed of salad.

Pour the sauce on top of the beef and sprinkle with toasted rice.

Soto Ayam

4 chicken cutlets (or 4 boneless chicken legs)
6 cups water
2 cups coconut milk
2 stalks lemongrass , finely chopped
4 lime leaves
8 cloves garlic
3 shallots
1 large tomato, peeled, seeded and diced
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled
1 (4-inch piece) galangal, peeled
1 (4-inch piece) fresh turmeric, peeled
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon peppercorns
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
4 oz. rice vermicelli
3 scallions , thinly sliced
2 red chili peppers , sliced
3 hard boiled eggs , peeled and quartered
1 cup bean sprouts
Juice of 2 kaffir limes
1/4 bunch cilantro , chopped
1 cup cooked rice

In a Dutch oven, sauté the chicken in half the oil for 5 minutes.

Add water, coconut milk, half the lemongrass, the lime leaves, spring onions, half the garlic, tomato, celery, and salt.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce heat to medium-low.

Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked.
Remove the chicken from the broth and set aside.

Remove skin and bones from chicken and cut into strips. Set aside.

Prepare a spice paste: With a pestle and mortar or a food processor, grind the shallots, ginger, galangal, turmeric, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorns, the remaining lemongrass, garlic until obtaining a smooth paste.

Heat the remaining oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
Sauté the spice paste and hot pepper slices for 3 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Add broth and reserved kaffir lime juice. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. Set aside.

Cook the rice vermicelli according to the package directions. Drain.

Blanch bean sprouts in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain.

Place all the ingredients in large bowls.

Pour the broth into each bowl. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
Serve with rice.

Shan Noodles

Shan noodles can be served over a bed of rice noodles or served with broth.

1 lb chicken (or pork), chopped
8 oz. dried Shan noodles (rice noodles)
2 onions, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (1-inch) piece ginger, peeled and chopped
8 tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder (optional)
8 tablespoons peanuts, crushed
2 scallions, chopped (for garnishing)
6 tablespoons vegetable oil

Place the dried noodles in a large bowl of cold water.
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Turn off the heat, and place the dried rice noodles.

Heat oil in a large wok. Fry the onions, garlic and ginger for 6 to 8 minutes.

Add chili powder and continue to stir fry for minute.
Add the chopped chicken (or pork), tomatoes, tomato paste, and stir well. Add soy sauce and sugar and cook over a medium heat for 15 minutes until all tomatoes are crushed.

Put a handful of noodles into a bowl. Add 4 tablespoons of chicken curry, crushed peanuts and adjust with soy sauce to taste. Add a few spring onions. Serve immediately with pickled mustard greens (optional).

Ideas for Egg Lunches: Burmese Golden Curry

5 duck eggs (or large chicken eggs)
6 tablespoons peanut oil
3 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
2 onions, finely diced
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
3 thai chilis, thinly sliced (optional)
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 (1/2 inch) piece ginger, peeled and finely chopped
3 tomatoes, puréed in food processor
1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate
1/2 bunch cilantro , chopped
Salt

Place the duck eggs in a pot, cover them with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat. As soon as the water boils, remove the pot from the heat and let stand 12 minutes. Remove the eggs from the pot and peel them under cold water.

Heat the oil in a pan over medium/high heat. Add the shallots and fry for about 6 to 8 minutes or until light brown. Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towel and sprinkle with salt.
Add the duck eggs into the hot oil, then lower the heat. Fry them for 4 minutes, regularly turning them to brown them all around. Take them out of the pan and transfer them to a plate.
Add the onions, turmeric, paprika, chili, garlic and ginger to the pan and fry for a 5 minutes, then stir in the puréed tomatoes, tamarind concentrate, fish sauce and brown sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes to reduce.

Cut the eggs in half and carefully place them back into the pan. Pour some of the mixture over the eggs, making sure that they are coated generously and simmer for another 2 minutes.

Finish by sprinkling the fried shallots and roughly chopped cilantro on top of the eggs.