September 26, 2017

Crispy Gau Gee

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Crispy Gau Gee

September 26: National Dumpling Day

In a past post on Chop Suey Day (August 29), we mentioned that Islander’s first family home in Hawaii when she was a baby was an apartment in Aiea, Oahu, located in a strip mall. She and her ‘ohana had lived above a Chinese restaurant named Waimalu Chop Suey. Chop suey was a fad food back in the day so the restaurant needed to re-brand itself to stay relevant. Waimalu Chop Suey is now famous for its giant, crispy pork-filled dumplings and calls itself the “House of Gau Gee”.

Now we make mini gau gee on the mainland to satisfy Islander’s Chinese and local food cravings. The size is smaller than the big ones at Waimalu Chop Suey to ensure that the pork filling is cooked all the way through. We fold them in the easy and traditional rectangle shape, but the dumplings can be turned into won tons as well.

These delightful dumplings make delicious appetizers and noodle toppers (gau gee mein) and are perfect pouches for observing National Dumpling Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Foodland)

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground pork
  • ¼ pound shrimp, fresh, raw, peeled, deveined and chopped fine
  • ¼ cup green onions, sliced thinly
  • 1 can (4 ounces) water chestnuts, drained and chopped fine
  • 1-inch piece ginger, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • won ton wrappers

Directions

In a large bowl, mix the ground pork with the shrimp and green onions.

Add the water chestnuts, ginger, garlic, oyster sauce and soy sauce.

Mix well. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend (optional). Separate the won ton wrappers. Place a tablespoon of the pork mixture and stretch it across the middle of a wrapper. Dip finger in water and moisten along the edges. Fold over in half and press to seal. This may be done assembly-style.

Place between sheets of waxed paper. Freeze for 30 minutes to hold its shape (optional). Deep fry in hot oil at 350 degrees F until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sauce (sweet and sour, duck, chili or hot mustard).

Notes

 Search our blog for more Chinese and dumpling recipes.

 

September 22, 2017

Fried Grits Cake

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Fried Grits Cake

September 22: National Grits for Breakfast Day

Having lived in Oklahoma and now in Texas, we have found grits to be on many restaurants’ breakfast menus. Grits are corn that has been ground into a coarse meal and boiled. They are very popular in the South and Southwest of the United States, having originated from the Native Americans who ate maize-types of porridges. We would eat grits for breakfast instead of oatmeal as a change but they were kind of bland and boring to us. But when fried into cakes, grits are great!!! Serve as a side dish with eggs and bacon or sausage for a Southern-style morning meal on National Grits for Breakfast Day.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cooked grits (including water)
  • 4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • flour
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
  • oil for frying

Directions

Cook grits according to the package instructions, reducing the water by about ½ cup. When done, stir in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Line an 8×8-inch square pan with foil, leaving a little overhang for the “handles”. Grease the foil with butter or cooking spray. Pour in the cooked grits and spread evenly. The grits should be no thicker than ½ inch. Cool completely (may be refrigerated) to solidify.

Lift the foil from its handles and place on cutting board. Slice the solidified grits into squares (may use circle or cookie cutters for different shapes). Dredge a piece into flour that has been seasoned with salt and pepper. Then dip into the beaten egg and back into the flour. Press lightly into the panko, shaking off excess.

Fry in hot oil on one side until brown and crispy. Carefully flip to brown and crisp the other side of the grits cake. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot for breakfast.

 

 

September 17, 2017

Apple Dumplings

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Apple Dumplings

September 17: National Apple Dumpling Day

When we lived in Illinois, we would visit the apple orchard at Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park, and attend some of the fall events there. When we lived in San Antonio, Texas, we took fall road trips with our friends to Lost Maples in Vanderpool then stopped by Love Creek Orchards Cider Mill and Country Store in Medina for a snack. We enjoyed eating desserts at these places made with fall’s quintessential fruit—the apple.

We have several apple recipes on our blog, but here is an easy glazed dumpling dessert we made especially for National Apple Dumpling Day. Apple dumplings are like mini apple pies but when apples are encased in rich puff pastry and served warm à la mode with vanilla ice cream, they become a fancier fall treat!

Celebrate National Apple Dumpling Day, three National Apple Months (September, October and November) and the autumn season with apple dumplings.

Recipe

(Adapted from Food Network)

For the apple dumplings

  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons raisins
  • 2 tablespoons pecan chips
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 lemon, zest and juice
  • 4 small apples (we used Granny Smith)
  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • 2 teaspoons butter (divided into 4 pieces)
  • 1 egg + 1 tablespoon water (for the egg wash), beaten

Directions

In a bowl, combine the sugar, raisins, pecan chips and ground cinnamon. Stir in the lemon zest and juice. Mix till moistened.

Peel, core and slice the apples in half. Unfold the thawed puff pasty onto a lightly floured surface. Roll to about 12 inches square. Cut in quarters (6×6 inches). Place the apples on each square.

Spoon filling into the middle. Place butter pieces on top of the filling. Take the corners of the puff pastry square and fold towards the middle to seal the dumplings. Place them seal-side down on a lightly greased baking pan.

appledumplingssteps3

Brush with egg wash. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes. The pastry should puff up more, turn golden brown and soften the apples inside. Transfer to a wire rack.

For the glaze

  • 1/3 cup confectioner’s sugar
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Directions

In a small pan, combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, water and butter. Simmer over medium low heat, stirring until the butter has melted and the liquid is slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Brush over the apple dumplings. Serve in individual dessert plates with vanilla ice cream (optional).

Notes

  • Search our blog for more apple recipes.
 

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