Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Mandarin, Bowling,

Went to the Mandarin as I told you and had a great lunch, as usual. Started with a bowl of hot and sour soup which was hotter than usual and delicious. Alex J. Cavenaugh tells me it's easy to make so maybe I should get off my duff and make it. Much to our surprise, the place was crowded. Turned out they had several large parties. I guess I chose the wrong day. The first time I went up I couldn't get near the Chinese food so I ended up getting sushi and some dumplings for starters. They also had some things that looked like Crab Rangoon which they called seafood casserole, I think. They were pretty good anyway.  I think I managed to sample all the things that were on special for the moon festival. There were a couple of dishes with lotus root, one was stir fried, the other was tempura. Both delicious. Of course I finished off with both Crème Caramel and some Moon Cake. Quite a few pieces actually. I guess you could now say my birthday celebrations are over.

Because they are pulling out all the tiling in our building, and because the noise is so really, really,
bad, we decided, instead of going home, to go bowling instead. My first game was good again, second ones not so good, but hopefully it helped use up some of those calories I consumed at the restaurant. Our bill, by the way, came to $16 as mine was free. The waiter took a photo of us, bit orange looking so I want to see if I can do anything with it before I post it. Looks a bit better, only problem was I was munching on a fortune cookie. They were so busy I didn't even get a little dessert with a candle in it. Our waiter asked if I wanted him to sing, I said no thank you. We could hardly understand what he said anyway, Happy Birthday would probably have been terrible. His name was Dracon which immediately made me think of our dear Father Dragon. Then we decided to go get some bananas as Matt had forgotten them this morning. Turned out to be very expensive bananas as there were a few other items I wanted to buy.

Supper was very light, home made tomato soup and crackers. Followed by pineapple spears and a few grapes. Pineapple was yummy.

I had to post a recipe for Hot and Sour Soup. As you can see, there are a lot of ingredients.

Hot and Sour Soup

About this recipe
"This is my family's very favorite soup! It tastes just like take-out! It's quick and easy. I have been making it for years. Have a cold? Forget that plain old chicken soup! ***IMPORTANT TIP*** I suggest making this soup a day or two ahead to let the vegetables and tofu marinate! Then just heat and serve. Enjoy!"

Ingredients

    • 6 cups chicken stock
    • 1/4 lb julienned lean pork or 1/4 lb chicken
    • 2 tablespoons garlic and red chile paste
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 3/4 teaspoon ground pepper
    • 4 eggs, beaten
    • 5 tablespoons cornstarch
    • 1 cup sliced shiitake mushroom
    • 1 (15 ounce) cans peeled straw mushrooms
    • 1/2 ounce dried black fungus ( soak in water for an hour before using)
    • 1 (7 ounce) cans sliced bamboo shoots
    • 1 (7 ounce) cans sliced water chestnuts
    • 1 (15 ounce) cans baby sweet corn cobs
    • 1/2 lb soft tofu, sliced into 1/4 inch cubes
    • 1/4 cup white vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • finely chopped scallion ( to garnish)

Directions

  1. Bring stock to a simmer, add soy sauce, pork, mushrooms& chile paste, simmer for 10 minutes.
  2. Add meat, pepper, vinegar, bamboo, baby corn, water chestnuts, fungus and tofu, simmer 10 min Mix cornstarch with 5 tbsp water and add.
  3. bring back to a simmer and pour the eggs in a very thin stream over the surface.
  4. Let stand for 10 seconds before gently stirring in the sesame oil.
  5. Serve with a garnish of chopped scallions.

Have a great day
 

22 comments:

  1. Hi Jo - sounds like you had a good birthday lunch despite the full restaurant. Bowling must have done some good .. and kept you away from the tiling noise. You may have lots of ingredients ... but the directions are simple for the soup ... let us know how it goes ... have a very happy year ahead - cheers Hilary

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    1. It was a great lunch although I did eat way too much. The bowling was fun and when we got back the tiling was all over. It will no doubt be starting again in a little while.

      Thanks Hilary.

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  2. Wow, great time you had. Very cool. You look less orange on this side.

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    1. Yes, I managed to make the colour better Ivy.

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  3. Sounds like you had a wonderful day. That is a nice picture, too.

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  4. I've never had hot and sour soup....I probably wouldn't care for the hot part. I love won ton soup though! Sounds like your birthday lunch was awesome!!!! So much food!

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    1. I simply love hot and sour. One of the friends who was with us prefers the wonton soup. It was a great meal JoJo.

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  5. Sorry it was busy but glad you had a good meal.
    I should send you our recipe for hot and sour. Only about half the ingredients.

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    1. We certainly had a good one.

      Thanks Alex, I would appreciate your recipe.

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  6. Cute picture of the two of you! Sounds like a yummy birthday lunch!

    betty

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  7. The question is: can Father Dragon sing?

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    1. Ah, I don't know the answer to that one Melissa.

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  8. Love hot and sour soup. Love soup in general. Hope your birthday was a great one. :)

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    1. I'm a bit the same, love soups David. It was great thanks David.

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  9. I think you look gorgeous. I'd never guessed you were eating a cookie. I'd have thought it was an ornery smirk.

    Happy Birthday, Jo!!

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  10. I love your photo, Jo, you look so beautiful! :) Both of you look great.

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  11. I love your photo and you both look great! Glad you enjoyed the Mandarin and your bowling

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