Spicy Chinese Green Beans

Recipe modified from Dinner Then Dessert.

Was a bit too spicy, but I added too much crushed red pepper.  Also used a lot more of cuisinart-ed garlic than was called for, and also added ginger because had a lot leftover from the pork buns. Maybe a bit much, but it was ok.  Also, Eric likes them crunchy, so I don't cook that long. Forgot the green onions, but oh well, maybe next time.

 

Ingredients:

-avocado oil

-1 lb green beans, trimmed

-2 tsp chili garlic paste

-2 green onions thinly sliced - white parts only (didn't use)

-1 Tbsp garlic -ginger 

-2 Tbsp soy sauce

-1 Tbsp rice vinegar

-1 tsp sugar (Used honey instead)

-1/4 cup water

-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

 

Directions:

1. Add garlic, ginger, onions, chili-garlic paste, oil to pan and cook for 30 sec

2. Add in green beans

3. Add in soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, water, and chili flakes

4. Cook until liquids are cooked off, sort of

5. Garnish with sesame seeds - forgot to do

*Asian

*Sides

Easy Chinese Pork Buns

The main credit is to Kirbiecravings' 5 minute homemade Chinese buns.  I was craving the Chinese pork buns, but didn't have a bamboo steamer and didn't feel like buying one.  Found this recipe and it was awesome.  I forgot the sliced green onions, which would have added some good crunch. 

Pork recipe taken from Myrecipes.com

Recipe good for 2 nights or 4 servings.  Also served with green beans.

Ingredients for pork:

-1 lb pork

-Five-spice powder

-3 Tbsp hoisin sauce (could have tried a little less)

-2 Tbsp rice vinegar

-1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce

-1 1/2 tsp honey

-1 tsp minced fresh ginger

-1 tsp minced garlic

-1/4 tsp salt

-1 cup of sliced green onions (FORGOT THIS)

Directions for pork:

1. Rub five spice powder evenly over pork.  

2. Cook per directions on package of pork

---Place on roasting pan

---Cook for 22 min at 425 F

---Check internal temp goal 145?

---Let pork stand for 15 min

4. Cut pork crosswise into thin slices and then cut slices into thin strips

5. Add rest of ingredients (hoisin, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, salt) to pork

6. Cover and refrigerate

7. Divide into 2 servings and microwave when ready

8. Add green onions on top

Ingredients for 4 buns

-1 cup all-purpose flour

-1 tsp baking powder 

-1/4 cup evaporated milk (condensed milk too thick and sweet)

-3/4 cup skim milk

Directions for buns:

1. Whisk all ingredients into a small bowl until batter smooth

2. Line 4 small plates with parchment paper

3. Pour batter onto plates = about 95 g of batter per plate

4. Microwave for 1 minute

*NOTE: If using condensed milk, can use 1/8 cup (half of a 1/4 cup) and fill the rest with water or milk, just to thin it out more.  Not sure which to use as evaporated milk has "chemicals" and condensed milk just has sugar and milk

*Asian

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse

Modified from kitchencents

I didn't have powdered sugar, so used granulated sugar and corn starch cuisinart-ed.

Also, could have used less sugar, maybe 1/4 cup next time. Would even try using the monk fruit next time.

Original recipe with 1/4 cup of cocoa powder, but I divided into cocoa powder and PB2.

Ingredients

-1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

-2 Tbsp cocoa powder

-2 Tbsp PB2 powder

-1/2 cup powdered sugar (= 1/2 cup granulated sugar + 1 1/2 tsp corn starch)

-1/4 tsp vanilla extract (orig called for almond extract)

Directions:

1. Chill large mixing bowl

2. Cuisinart granulated sugar + corn starch (if you don't have powdered sugar) for 30 s or until fine

3. Add cocoa powder and PB2 powder and pulse a few times

4. Whip cream with mixer until frothy and slightly thickened

5. Add sugar mixture (mix manually before turning on mixer)

6. Mix until stiff peaks form

7. Can eat straight or I put a few dollops in the candy mold in the freezer

Eric liked it, but he also c/o milky after taste

EAT a lactaid beforehand!

*Dessert