~ gua bao (taiwanese pork belly buns) ~

with the weather being so hot and nasty... i haven't had the appetite to eat a full entree.. rather.. i've been eating small appetizers/snacks for dinner..

in flushing, queens NY.. there is a little hole in the wall that sell duck gua bao buns for $1 where they stuff the light fluffy bun with peking duck.. hoisin sauce and scallions.. but since i have a love for the pig.. i decided to make mine with pork belly... *drooool*

the fluffy white bun with the tender pork and the salty peanuts with the briney mustard greens.. who can ask for anything more?! they are soo good that before you know it.. you've eaten 10 of them!

recipe (yields 10 buns)

ingredients:
braising liquid for the pork belly ~
* 4 cups of water
* 1 cup of soy sauce
* 3 teaspoons of five spice powder (this is a must ingredient)
* 1 stick of cinnamon
* 2 tbs of sugar
* 4 garlic cloves
* 1 knob of ginger... skin peeled
* 1 tbs of whole peppercorns
* 1/2 lb of pork belly cut into strips .. the butcher can do this for you

bun topping ~
* 1 package of buns (can be found in the freezer aisle)
* 1 package of pickled mustard greens (can be found in the dried food aisles with the dried mung beans and grains) .. minced
* 4 tbs of red skinned peanuts
* 2 tbs of sugar
* hoisin sauce
* cilantro leaves

hardware:
* pot for braising the meat
* food processor
* steamer to steam the buns

steps:
1) braise the pork
        > put all of the braising ingredients and pork belly into the pot
           note: make sure the braising liquid covers the meat.. if not.. add more water and soy sauce
        > bring to a boil and reduce the heat down to medium low
        > cook for about an hour until the pork is tender... if you stick a chop stick in the meat there is no resistance
        > take the pork out and leave it to rest

2) steam the buns
        > take the package of buns out from the freezer and lay the buns so it is only 1 layer
        > steam for 15-20 mins or until soft

3) peanut sugar topping
        > put peanuts and sugar into a food processor
        > pulse until the peanuts and sugar are small enough that it has the consistency of raw sugar
           note: if you dont have a food processor.. you can also crush the peanuts in a zippy bag with the bottom of a skillet or a tenderizer mallet

4) assemble
        > cut the cooled pork into thin slices
        > place slices in between the bun
        > top the pork with some minced pickled mustard greens
        > add a dollop of hoisin sauce
        > sprinkle on some peanut sugar
        > lay a couple of cilantro leaves

5) devour.. mmmmmm

cheers!

~ T.E.A. breakfast sandwich ~

i absolutely love breakfast and lately.. i've been craiving the breakfast croissant sandwich my mom would make me... buttery costco croissant with a slice of ham and a slice of muenster cheese ...thrown into the toaster oven until the cheese was nice and stringy/melty with the croissant slightly toasted.... *droool*

now with my dairy allergy .. rather casein allergy.. i can't really have the croissant or the cheese... sad face.. i've instead made a healthier breakfast sandwich...

instead of a croissant.. i've used organic healthy whole grain bread bought from the local farmers market.. for the ham i've substituted for herbed turkey.. that is all natural and does not contain casein (yes... deli meats contain casein which studies state correlates to cancer growth).. organic egg..

with just the egg, turkey and bread.. that makes for a rather dry sandwich... so i needed something that was creamy and spreadable... and voila! i used organic avocado!! brilliant i must say so myself... with a ripe haas avocado.. there are so many applications to this lovely fruit... by smearing it on both of my toast.. it acted as a "glue" to keeping my egg and turkey in place..

this sandwich has become one of my go to breakfast options as it is very filling... packed with protein... barely any fat and full of nutrients for you to get the day started

recipe (yields 1 serving)

ingredients:
* 2 slices of organic whole grain bread (or any sliced bread you have on hand)
* 1 organic egg
* 1/2 organic ripe avocado
* 2-3 slices of your favorite turkey

hardware:
* sautee pan
* toaster/oven

steps:
1) toast your bread
2) cook your egg as you like them (i like my fried.. with a bit of a running yolk)
        > IMPORTANT: do not forget to season your egg! i like to put salt.. pepper.. garlic powder..
3) cook your turkey.. you dont have to do this step but i find that it tastes better with the turkey warm and the edges a bit crispy.. gives it texture
4) slide your avocado into strips and mash it up.. then smear it onto 1 side of each slice of bread
5) assemble... toast with avocado smear.. egg.. turkey toast with avocado smear
        > if you must have mayo in your sandwiches.. it is really easy to make an avocado mayo spread..
        > simply mix your avocado smear with a tablespoon of mayo and there you have it.. avocado mayo
6) serve with your favorite breakfast beverage.. eat and enjoy!

cheers!