Scallion Pancakes with Ginger Dipping Sauce

Whenever I go to Oriental store, I always buy scallions because they are usually a bargain at three big bunches for a buck. I use them in just about any dish like omelettes, fried rice, soup, sauces and many more. There is one good Chinese resto that we frequent where I always order their delish scallion pancakes. So I thought I should try making them since I've got tons of scallions in my chiller all the time.

There are a lot of recipes you can find in the net though, but I chose this recipe of Ming Tsai because I find it easier to make. Ming Tsai is also one of my fave chefs from Food TV Network who also owns Blue Ginger resto in the Boston suburb of Wellesley, MA where we've been several times already.

SCALLION PANCAKES WITH GINGER DIPPING SAUCE

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup sliced scallions
1 Tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 cup canola oil
salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup ginger dipping sauce, recipe to follow

DIRECTIONS

1. In a bowl, sift flour. Slowly add water in a steady stream while mixing with a wooden spoon. Keep adding water until a ball is formed. With the same procedure one can use a food processor with a metal blade. Let ball of dough relax for about 30 minutes and cover with damp cloth.
2. On a floured surface, roll out dough into a thin rectangle. Brush an oil mixture, cover with scallion and season with salt and pepper.
3. Carefully roll dough like a spone cake. Cut into 4 pieces. Take one piece and twist 3 times. Make a spiral out of this and roll again and flatten to achieve a 5 to 6 inch pancake.
4. In a hot non-stick pan, coat with canola oil and pan sear both sides until golden brown. Cut into wedges and serve immediately with dipping sauce.

GINGER DIPPING SAUCE
1/4 cup thin soy sauce
1/4 cup Chinese chinkiang vinegar (I used regular white vinegar)
1/4 cup sliced scallions
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon sugar
Combine all ingredients

Yield - Makes 4 servings

What's the Right Car For You?

It is usually daunting to choose the best car to buy, considering the numerous brands available in the market today. It is always best to compare the features and weigh options, rather than plunge into buying the first brand that caught your interest. If you haven't owned a car and want to buy one for the first time; or maybe you are replacing your old one with a new brand, TheCarConnection.com is the best place to be. The Car Connection can help you make an informed decision as they give helpful and reliable reviews on different brands of cars.

TheCarConnection.com offers very informative opinions and observations from the experts who have researched and actually driven these cars themselves, to come up with the insights that may differ from other reviews. The editors at TheCarConnection.com study, assemble and summarize available reviews and then provide conclusive review. Then a bottom line summary is provided based on reviewers' likes and dislikes of the features of the cars.

The reviewers liked Lexus RX for its smooth and controlled ride; the ownership experience; new remote touch controller has cutting-edge feel; and big boost to EPA city fuel-economy numbers. While the lexus are liked for their spacious back seat (for a convertible); cargo space; acceleration with 350C; good ride quality; and competitive price. Features to consider in buying chevrolet camaro are its standout styling; great V-6, six speed manual powertrain; powerful V-8 SS edition; and balanced, nimble handing. If you are gearing towards buying ford flex, the reviewers liked them for their against-the-grain styling; wealth of features and frist and second row seating comfort.

Overall, based on such appealing reviews, I don't see why any person who would like to buy new cars would still have a hard time making a decision.

My Fitness Goal

I started going to the gym two weeks ago and I'd say it felt great to finally take charge of my health again. I want to get in better shape and get as much stamina as I can to keep up with my very active toddler. Even if I have my own treadmill; weights; and yoga accessories at home, actually enough to create my own home gyms, I still feel I will be more productive if I'm with friends with the same fitness goals like I have.

Anyway, I enjoyed my first stint in the Zumba class. Zumba is a fusion of Latin and International music that creates a dynamic, exciting, and effective fitness system. Since I love to dance ballroom, Zumba does not feel like I'm exercising at all. It feels more like I'm partying, so I'm enjoying every minute of it.

In my 5'4" frame, my goal is to get back into my comfortable weight of between 120 and 125 lbs. Right now my weight is see-sawing between 130 and 135, so I need to get rid of 10 unwanted lbs. How ironic that I have to write this goal in my food blog that shows how much I love to eat and enjoy good food, lol. So wish me lots of luck!

Wordless Wednesday - Boiled Lobster

BOILED LOBSTER

This is boiled lobster I got from Poor Boy's Gourmet resto in Bar Harbor, Maine where we spent the long Memorial Day weekend. Lobster is the main star of the seafood cuisine in Maine and there are so many ways lobsters are prepared. But I love the ordinary boiled lobster the most because I can taste the natural sweetness of the meat, oh so yummy! We came home with two big live lobsters that we made into lobster rolls.

See other WW participants HERE

Kitchen Surface Cleaning Tips

I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, more than I spend in other parts of the house. It is also the place that I clean thoroughly every single day. The rest of the house I just do spot cleaning unless we have company coming. I am critical mostly in the kitchen sink area, counters and stove area as there may be an invisible enemy called bacteria crawling and ready to strike that may cause some illnesses. I'm glad to have replaced our kitchen sink with one of those undermount stainless steel sinks similar to zero radius sinks, mainly because it is easier to clean and also because of its functionality and sleek looks.

SURFACE CLEANING TIPS:

Use a mixture of one teaspoon liquid chlorine bleach per quart of water. The bleach solution can provide some added protection against bacteria on surfaces. Flood the surface with the bleach solution and allow it to stand for several minutes, then rinse and air dry or pat dry with fresh paper towels.

Wordless Wednesday - Oysters on Half Shells

OYSTERS ON HALF SHELLS

After our stroll in NH over the weekend, we found this seafood place in Peabody, MA called Seawitch Restaurant. They've got a very nice ambiance, very courteous servers, and of course decently priced sumptuous food. I was lucky to get a shot of this succulent oysters dish before they were gobbled up. Eaten with freshly squeezed lemon and marinara sauce, yummy!

See other WW participants HERE

Pork Spareribs in Tamarind Soup

This is one of my favorite Filipino dishes that my Brit hb also learned to love. In our national language this dish is called Sinigang na Buto-buto. In my mom's traditional way of cooking it, she would use the unripe tamarind that she would boil and squeeze the juice out of as the base of the sour soup. Until now she still uses the same traditional way even if instant tamarind soup powder has already been invented. But since living in US I never tried using the good old tamarind but rather I use tamarind soup powder in different flavor - regular, spicy and with taro.

PORK SPARERIBS IN TAMARIND SOUP

INGREDIENTS
2 lbs pork spareribs
4 pieces taro root, peeled and cubed
1 medium piece Daikon , julienned
1/2 lb green beans
2 cups spinach
1 onion, sliced
1 tomato, sliced
8 cups water
1 pouch Tamarind Soup Mix

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pour 8 cups of water into a pot; add meat, onion and tomato. Bring to a boil and then simmer till the meat is tender. Dissolve the tamarind soup powder in a bowl and then pour into the meat mixture.
2. Add the vegetables and continue cooking until tender.
3. Serve with steamed white rice.

The Power of Omega-3

Since using the internet heavily while taking online courses, I noticed that my eyesight deteriorated quite rapidly. I started using prescription reading glasses that increase grade every year. With this changes in my eyesight I became conscious about the right food to eat like food rich in antioxidants such as Vitamins A and C; foods like leafy, green vegetables and fish. Fish is a great source of essential omega-3 fatty acids that are important to the health of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision. While good nutrition is critical to maintaining and preserving eye health, we don't however get the proper nutrition through diet alone.

That is why we need supplements like Omax3, the Omega 3 health supplements that contain highly purified fish oil omega 3 fatty acids. Omax3 contains over 91% pure omega 3s unlike other over-the-counter supplements which contain quite impure fish oil or contain unnecessary oils. One serving of Omax delivers 1500 mg of pure omega-3s which have been clinically observed to help balance diet, enhance mood and cognition, and promote optimal heart, joint and immune health. Omega-3s have also been proven essential to pregnant women and infants, since omega-3 deficiency can lead to visual or nervous system complications. Omax3 is safe, effective and affordable.

Kiwifruit

The kiwifruit is a small fruit approximately 3 inches long and weighing about four ounces. Its green flesh is almost creamy in consistency with an invigorating taste reminiscent of strawberries, melons and bananas, yet with its own unique sweet flavor. Packed with more vitamin C than an equivalent amount of orange, the bright green flesh of the kiwifruit speckled with tiny black seeds adds a dramatic tropical flair to any fruit salad. California kiwifruit is available November through May, while the New Zealand crop hits the market June through October making fresh kiwis available year round.

Kiwi is a very versatile fruit that you can enjoy in many ways. Here are a few quick serving ideas:

• It can be eaten as is by peeling and slicing with a pairing knife.

• Add kiwifruit to tossed green salads.

• Serve sliced kiwifruit and strawberries, fruits whose flavors are naturally complementary, topped with yogurt.

• Mix sliced kiwifruit, orange and pineapple together to make chutney that can be served as an accompaniment to chicken or fish.

• Blend kiwifruit and cantaloupe in a food processor to make a chilled soup. For a creamier consistency, blend yogurt in with the fruit mixture.

• Kiwifruit have a wonderful flavor and appearance for use in fruit tarts.