Day 21, Black Pepper Prawns Stir-fry

oil for frying
flour mixed with salt and pepper
500     grams    prawns, peeled and deveined
steamed rice

For the black pepper sauce:

50     grams   butter
1       tsp        garlic,minced/paste
1       tbs        ginger,sliced thinly
2       pieces   onions, sliced
1       tbs        thai sweet chili sauce
2       tbs        cracked black peppercorns
1       tsp        oyster sauce
1       tsp        ketchup manis
3       tbs        chicken or beef stock
1       pc        red bell pepper, sliced
1       tbs        cornflour mixed with 3  tbs water

BLACK PEPPER PRAWN STIR-FRY

Heat the oil in a wok over high heat.  In a bowl, dredge the prawns in flour mix(flour,salt and pepper).  Quick fry half the dredge prawns quickly for about a minute.  Repeat the process with the remaining prawns.  They should be half cooked at this stage.

For the sauce: Wipe the wok clean and return to the heat.  Add the butter and melt until foaming.  Saute the garlic, ginger and onions until aromatic (about 2-3minutes).  Then add the sweet chili sauce and cracked black pepper and simmer for a minute.

Add the sauces and chicken stock,then bring to a boil until the sauce has reduced a bit.  Combine the corn flour and water to make a thin paste and whisk into the boiling sauce and thicken.  Then add the prawns and bell pepper to the sauce mixture.  Simmer for  about a minute.

Place in a serving platter and garnish with wedge lemon and chopped parsley. Serve with steamed rice or you can eat it with a sliced bread.

Day 19,Simple Caesar Salad w/ lobster

Needing a light dinner.  Here´s what you can make in a jiffy.  Easy to make and fast.  All you need is listed below.

3     pieces    eggs

1-2  cloves   garlic,chopped

3     pieces    anchovy filets

2     cups      olive oil or rapeseed oil

salt and pepper to taste

1     teaspoon  lemon juice

1     piece/bundle  romaine lettuce,chopped

1     pack     cherry tomatoes, sliced in 2 

1     piece whole cooked lobster, split in 2

Combine the eggs, garlic,anchovy filets and olive oil in a blender.  Blend it on slow or minimum cycle.

Continue to blend until the mixture has the consistency of a light mayonnaise.  If it is too thin, add a bit more oil slowly into the mixture while blending.  Once the dressing is in the right consistency, you may add lemon juice and season to taste. Blend for a second and put it on a container.  You may use the rest of the dressing for later use.

In a bowl, have the chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes and pour about 2-3 tablespoons of the dressing.  Mix lightly until the dressing covers the lettuce.  You may season with salt and pepper according to your preference.  Serve it in a plate, you may add croutons and grated parmesan on top.  Serve the salad with the half lobster.  Optional items to serve with this salad is, grilled chicken fillet, prawns or just eat by itself.

SIMPLE CAESAR SALAD WITH HALF LOBSTER

Day 18, Rice Noodles with Prawns in oyster sauce

RICE NOODLES W/ PRAWNS IN OYSTER SAUCE

Was looking for something that is quick to make without too much fuss for a light dinner.And ended up with prawns in oyster sauce and wok vegetables.  Or you can use sauce or noodles that is in available your cupboard. Then you can start wokin'.

2  tablespoon oil
2  cloves garlic, minced
1  piece medium size onion, sliced
250 grams prawns,shelled and deveined
1/2 cup broccoli, sliced
1/4 cup cooked water chestnuts,sliced
slices of lotus flower(optional)
1/4 cup red bell pepper, sliced
1/8 cup oyster sauce
salt (optional)
ground pepper
300 grams flat rice noodles,blanched in boiled water until noodles are al dente)

Heat the oil in a wok, then saute the minced garlic and onions. Then add the prawns and cook it until the prawns turn pink. Try not to overcook the prawns. Pour over the oyster sauce and add the rest of ingredients except for the noodles. Simmer for a minute or two. You may add a bit of water if the sauce is too thick. Then add the flat rice noodles and mix. Or you may put the warm flat rice noodles in a bowl then top with the prawns in oyster sauce.