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Kabocha Pumpkin Fried Rice
Kabocha Pumpkin Fried Rice
This Japanese-style fried rice uses one of my favorite ingredients: kabocha pumpkin. This pumpkin has the flavor between a butternut squash and a sweet potato. The skin is edible and adds a slight sweetness to the fried rice.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 cups kabocha pumpkin diced
- 5 strips bacon diced
- 1/4 cup shallots sliced
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 3 green onions chopped
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat up 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat. Pour in the eggs.
- Scramble and remove from the wok.
- Add in the other tbsp of vegetable oil. Stir fry the kabocha pumpkin for 3 minutes.
- Add in the diced bacon. Cook for 7 minutes until crispy.
- Add in the shallots and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Break up the clumps of cooked rice and stir into the wok. Fry for 3 minutes.
- Pour in the soy sauce. Stir in the scrambled eggs. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the green onions. Season with black pepper to taste.
Catfish Cakes
Catfish Cakes
Catfish cakes are a great alternative to crab cakes; costing a fraction of the price. These fish cakes can be eaten as an appetizer or as a main course; served with either tartar sauce or remoulade, and lemon wedges. Not a fan of catfish? You can substitute tilapia, cod, haddock, or any other firm fleshed whitefish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb catfish nuggets
- 1/4 cup white onion finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup saltine or ritz crackers crushed
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp creole mustard
- 2 tsp creole seasoning
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Simmer the catfish nuggets until they are cooked through. Drain and let cool.
- Mash the catfish with a fork. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Form into 1/3 cup fish cakes. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before frying.
- Heat up 1/4” deep of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Place the fish cakes in the pan.
- Fry the fish cakes for 5 minutes a side until golden brown and crispy. Drain grease on paper towels.
New Orleans-Style Yakamein
New Orleans-Style Yakamein
Yakamein is a staple of New Orleans. Introduced by immigrants, this beef noodle soup is a fusion of Chinese and Cajun cuisine. While you can find Yakamein at high end restaurants, it is typically eaten as a street food at festivals and parades in a styrofoam cup. To the locals, this soup is known as “Ol Sober”, being the perfect hangover food.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chuck roast cut into 1/2” cubes
- 3 tbsp creole seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper diced
- 2 quarts beef stock
- 2/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- hot sauce to taste
- 1 lb spaghetti noodles cooked al dente
- hard boiled eggs cut in half
- green onions chopped
Instructions
- Heat up 1 tbsp of olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Season the chuck with 1 tbsp of creole seasoning and sauté for 10 minutes. Remove from the pot.
- Add the other tbsp of olive oil and sauté the onions, celery, and bell pepper for 10 minutes.
- Return the beef to the pot.
- Pour in the beef stock, soy sauce, hot sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and the remaining creole seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
- Strain the broth of the meat and vegetables.
Assembly
- Place a quarter of the cooked spaghetti noodles in the bottom of a large soup bowl. Scoop a quarter of the beef and place on top of the noodles.
- Ladle the broth over the noodles and beef.
- Top with 2 hard boiled egg halves and chopped green onions. Serve with extra hot sauce if desired.
Croissant, Bagel, and English Muffin French Toast
Serve the French toast with a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup.