Vietnamese Caramelized Shrimp

"The cuisine of South Vietnam has historically been influenced by the influx of southern Chinese immigrants, French colonists and other nationalities. Southerners prefer sweet flavors in many dishes." Wiki

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
1 shallot (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
1 small chili (chopped)
1 pound shrimp (peeled and deviened)
2 tablespoons fish sauce
pepper to taste
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon cilantro (chopped)

Directions:
1. Heat the sugar and water in a pan on medium-high heat until it caramelized and turns a dark brown.
2. Add the water and heat until the caramel dissolves.
3. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Heat the oil in a pan.
5. Add the shallot, garlic, ginger and chili and saute for 3-5 minutes.
6. Add the shrimp, 2 tablespoons of the caramel sauce, fish sauce and pepper and simmer until the shrimp is pink all over, about 2-4 minutes.
8. Remove from heat and stir in the sesame oil and cilantro.

Reference:
http://closetcooking.blogspot.com

Norwegian Meatballs - Kjottkaker

Side story: I was really tired and woke up late on Saturday but because of my dedication to this exploration I still make the best meatballs ever. Thanks to my hubby who went out to buy the ingredients needed.


Norwegian Meatballs - Kjottkaker

Trivia:"Kjøttkaker - meatballs: the Norwegian variety is simpler than the Swedish, and served in a brown sauce (sauce espagnol) rather than a cream-sauce. Potatoes, stewed peas or cabbage and carrots are served on the side. Many like to use a jam of lingonberries as a relish. " wikipedia

Meatballs:
4 slices white bread
3/4 cup hot skim milk
1 pound extra-lean ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Gravy:
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons beef bouillon base
2 1/2 cups boiling water
In a large bowl, soak bread in hot milk until absorbed. Add all remaining meatball ingredients; mix well. Shape into 1-inch balls.
Brown meatballs in a large nonstick skillet; add a little oil if necessary to keep from sticking. Drain; place meatballs in large casserole dish.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
To make gravy, melt butter in a medium saucepan. Stir in flour. Mix bouillon into boiling water; add to flour mixture. Cook and stir until thickened. Pour over meatballs.
Bake for 30 minutes. Serve over hot cooked rice or noodles.

Lastlt Serve with enthusiasm

Ref: international food

Italian Sausage and Tomato Soup

This soup is really spicy. My husband and I had a challenging dinner because of this.

"There are commonly three varieties sold as "Italian Sausage" in the US. They are labeled hot, mild and sweet. The varieties contain varying spice blends. Basil is added to the mild blend to produce the sweet variety." Wiki

Ingredients
4 slices bacon, diced
2 pounds Italian sausage, removed from casings and crumbled
2 cups finely chopped red onions
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 bay leaves
8 cups chopped, seeded tomatoes
6 cups chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Crusty bread, for serving

Directions
1. Cook the bacon in a medium pot over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Add the sausage and cook with the bacon until browned, about 5 minutes more. Add the onions and Essence and cook, stirring often, until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the crushed red pepper and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the bay leaves, tomatoes, and chicken stock and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 30 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Stir in the cilantro, ladle into warm soup bowls, and serve with crusty bread.

Reference: Foodnetwork

Stuffed Mushroom

I'm so proud of myself because I did it right. This side dish is really, really great! I love it.


Trivia:"Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty Italian cheese, suitable primarily for grating, made out of sheep milk (the Italian word pecora, from which the name derives, means sheep). Pecorino Romano was a staple in the diet for the legionaries of ancient Rome. Today, it is still made according to the original recipe and is one of Italy's oldest cheeses." wiki.

Ingredients
1/2 cup Italian-style dried bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
28 large (2 1/2-inch-diameter) white mushrooms, stemmed

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Stir the bread crumbs, Pecorino Romano, garlic, parsley, mint, salt and pepper, to taste, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium bowl to blend.
3. Drizzle a heavy large baking sheet with about 1 tablespoon olive oil, to coat. Spoon the filling into the mushroom cavities and arrange on the baking sheet, cavity side up. Drizzle remaining oil over the filling in each mushroom. Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is heated through and golden on top, about 25 minutes.
4. Serve with pride.

reference:Foodnetwork

Hungarian Food for Hungry People

Our trip for this week is to eat something different. Food from Hungary seems interesting eventhough we don't like spicy food but we want to give it a try.


Trivia:
"Hungarian food is often spicy, as hot paprika is commonly used. Hungarian cuisine is the spiciest cuisine native to Europe. The combination of paprika, lard and red onions is typical of Hungarian cuisine, and the use of the thick sour cream called tejföl." (wikipedia.org)

5 tbsp. oil
2 lbs. white potatoes; peeled, boiled and sliced
1 1/2 tsp salt; divided
1/4 cup flour
1 tbsp paprika
1 lb white fish fillets
1 tomato, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and onion; sliced
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup milk
8 slices smoked bacon

1. Preheat oven to 350 deg Farenheit
2. Spread 2 tbsp oil in 2-quarter casserole dish, layer in potatoes.
3. Sprinkle with halp the salt and remaining oil

4. Mix flour, paprika and remaining salt in a bowl; dredge fish.
5. Layer fish over potatoes.
6. Layer tomato, bell peppers and onion on fish

7. Combine sour cream with milk; pour over casserole. Top with bacon
8. Cover and bake 1 hour. Uncover and bake for 10 more min or until bacon is crisp

Lastly, serve with excitement..