I've had too much coke, there's an awful aftertaste in my mouth, and my left eye keeps twitching.
Think the two cans last night did me in.
From the Kitchen of Mama Wong - Part 6
Sea Cucumber with Pork and Mushrooms
Mmmm.. Sea cucumbers! This disgusting little sea slug is filled with goodness, and for the ladies - they've no calories! I've been in love with them since my first bite, and if you're afraid of eating badly prepared ones, give me a call.
Ingredients -
Sea Cucumber (1kg)
Dried Mushrooms (preferably the Japanese ones, about half a bag)
Ginger (about 2cm)
Garlic and Shallots (2 cloves each)
Pork Belly (三辰肉, sliced to cubes of about 2cm)
Fatt Choy (grab a bunch)
All set? Fire up.
Mario Would Be Proud
Before we start, my first experience with dried mushrooms is worth a mention. I've been hungry again and thought of making some instant noodles (couldn't cook that well then so anything goes). There was nothing to go with the noodles so I decided to cook me some mushrooms! I took a bunch out of the packet and threw them into hot water so I could hasten the process. Big mistake.
Back to reality, and you'd want to soak the mushrooms for at least 2 hours in tap water. Throw in a little sugar. Once that's done, give the mushrooms a little squeeze to get out the water and nip off a little of their base before setting them aside.
Set aside the water as well. You won't regret it.
Tip: You can set aside the base for soup! Just wrap em in a cooking bag and toss em in.
My Sister Thinks It's Hair
Fatt Choy is like algae. It is, actually. Soak these in water and wait for them to soften. They will be useful in the last step of the recipe.
Squish
I can't stress this enough - clean the sea cucumbers. You need to scrape the stomach walls off the inside. if not it'll be a disgusting bitter aftertaste for you.
Once that's done, slice up some ginger (only about 1/2 of the total though - you'll need the rest for the next step) and fire up the wok. Heat up some oil and fry the ginger till you get that nice ginger smell in your kitchen. Throw in the sea cucumber after and play around. Next add a sprinkle of 花雕酒 (Hua Diao Wine) and cook till the wine becomes essence.
Once that's done remove everything and run it under a cold tap. Set aside and heat up the wok again.
The Rest of the Bunch
Oil, garlic, shallots, ginger till fragrant, and then throw in the pork. Cook that a little and then add in the mushrooms to the mix. A dash of oyster sauce (about 1 tablespoon) and dark soy sauce (about 2 tablespoons) to add some color, and then into a good pot.
Remember the water you saved when soaking the mushroom? The one with the sugar? Pour it into the pot with the mushrooms and pork, and then bring to a boil before stewing it for about an hour and a half till the mushrooms turn mush. Throw in a small cube of rock sugar while you're at it.
Once that's achieved, add in the sea cucumber and continue stewing for 30 more minutes. 20 minutes after the sea cucumber goes in, throw in the fatt choy.
Be sure to give it a stir once in awhile so they don't stick to the bottom of the pot.
Enjoy.
The Second
When the last girlfriend and I started out we agreed to let it be a very spontaneous relationship - two free spirits coming together to fill the voids in each others' lives. There was to be no fuss, no extra obligation, no counting of days, and if at any time we don't feel the same way the other would understand why it had to end.
I guess I'm not as "of-the-moment" as I thought I'd be. I enjoyed spending every day with her, calling her several times a day, appreciating the mornings we get to wake up together, treasuring the sense of belonging we gave each other; I enjoyed being a part of her life.
Being in a relationship wasn't as easy as I thought it'd be too. When you choose to spend time - to love - a person, you are taking in every single thing that the person stands for; feeling every smile, wiping every tear, hearing every thought, and cherishing every moment. You are taking them into yourself, and giving all of yourself to them.
I don't think another person's emotions should ever be taken lightly. If there is ever another person who can accept me into her life, I know that she will be of my wildest dreams - sending me soaring into the clouds and living a life most wonderful. I will live every day with that person as if it's the last, making sure she knows I am hers for keeps.
Today is the second of February, when we used to celebrate our monthly anniversaries.
I guess I'm not as "of-the-moment" as I thought I'd be. I enjoyed spending every day with her, calling her several times a day, appreciating the mornings we get to wake up together, treasuring the sense of belonging we gave each other; I enjoyed being a part of her life.
Being in a relationship wasn't as easy as I thought it'd be too. When you choose to spend time - to love - a person, you are taking in every single thing that the person stands for; feeling every smile, wiping every tear, hearing every thought, and cherishing every moment. You are taking them into yourself, and giving all of yourself to them.
I don't think another person's emotions should ever be taken lightly. If there is ever another person who can accept me into her life, I know that she will be of my wildest dreams - sending me soaring into the clouds and living a life most wonderful. I will live every day with that person as if it's the last, making sure she knows I am hers for keeps.
Today is the second of February, when we used to celebrate our monthly anniversaries.
