Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Power

Honey Ginger Cashew Pork

DSC_6307I read somewhere that honey and pork have great combative power for fatigue. I am finally off from the vertigo roller coaster ride but I still feel lethargic. I must eat something to help me get my energy back. Good thing that my appetite has also returned. I bet that in no time I will find those few pounds I lost during my sickness, even though I don’t want it back.

The superb combination of sweet honey and the saltiness of soy sauce plus cashew and celery’s crunchy texture definitely gives this dish a satisfying up-notch kick. The ingredients below are approximates, add more honey, ginger or soy sauce to suit your taste buds.

Ingredients for 4 people

  • 1 pound thick cut pork meat such as pork loin. For vegetarian dish- use 1 block firm tofu. Remove bone if it comes with it. Cut in 1x2 inch pieces. Desired thickness is about half inch.

  • 3 stalks of celery-Wash well and cut off the white end then cut on the  diagonal.DSC_6296

  • 1/2 cup cashew nuts (optional)

  • Honey 4 Tablespoons

  • Ginger roots-peel off skin and grate about 1/4 cupDSC_6275

  • Soy sauce 4 Tablespoons

  • Sake 4 Tablespoons

  • Sesame oil 1 Tablespoon

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

  • Corn starch or potato starch 1 teaspoon

  • 1/4 cup water

Direction

  1. Put honey in a microwave proof bowl and microwave for 10 seconds or so to liquefy. Add ginger, soy sauce and sake. Combine well.
  2. Put pork in a casserole dish, large bowl or a gallon zip lock bag and pour in HALF of honey mixture. Rub the mixture all over the meat and marinate for 30 minutes. Do not marinate for more than 1 hour – the meat will get tough.DSC_6278
  3. Heat sesame oil in a wok or large frying pan at medium heat, add pork and stir fry the meat till brown. 2-3 minutes. If you’re using tofu, stir gently.
  4. Add celery and cashews, cook at high heat for about 2 minutes.
  5. Lower the heat to medium then add the rest of honey mixture to the pan. Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes. Salt and pepper at this point.
  6. Dissolve cornstarch and water in small bowl then pour the mixture from the side of pan and combine to thicken. Adjust taste to your liking by adding soy sauce , salt and pepper. Serve with cooked rice.DSC_6339

For my husband’s birthday last Sunday, my son made cinnamon roll for breakfast with my husband’s help. It was so fantastic that I took many pictures! DSC_6255DSC_6254DSC_6252DSC_6258

I made him a mini Monte Blonc cake. The umbrella I found accidently in a drawer. Where did it come from? For what?DSC_6338

A neighbor brought him walnut chocolate cookies and dahlias from her garden.  Love the cookies, flower and her kind gesture.DSC_6346DSC_6348DSC_6352DSC_6350

My friends shared some organic Yakima, Washington greens beans and apples which she purchased from an internet site. DSC_6282

I made green beans tempura…so good!DSC_6305

 

A concerned friend brought a plateful of homemade cookies late last week. I was feeling much better by then so I ate a few right away. See, I told you I have a way to find lost pounds…Why couldn’t they stay lost forever?DSC_6233

This artificially tinted daisy was an interesting photo subject. I feel lucky to do things I love. DSC_6249

8 comments:

  1. I think I have put on those pounds you lost just looking at these yummy photos. I swear I can almost taste them just looking at them. I wish I really could. So glad you are feeling better Akemi.

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  2. Thank you Leanne. It was good to see you the other day.

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  3. Happy birthday to your husband! :)

    蜂蜜と豚肉ね、そうかーそれではたくさん食べよう!ちょっと疲れ気味なのでちょうどいいかも。モンブランすごい!!!自家製とは。さすが!明美さんが近所にいたら、是非お料理とBakingを教えてもらいたい。そして息子さんのCinnamon rollすごーーーーく美味しそう!実はかなり食べたいんだけど、これだけの量を作ったら、私絶対半分は食べちゃいそうで恐ろしい。Bakingはこれだから困ってしまう。欲張りの食いしん坊には厳しいです・・・(笑)。今日も素敵なお写真を見せてもらって楽しかったでーす!

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    1. なみちゃん、コメントありがとう。 うちの家族は炭水化物大好き人間の集まりなので、なかなかダイエットがむずかしいんですよ。なみちゃんとこの上品なお料理のポストを見習いたいわ。

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  4. I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling better..and your hubby did a great job as a guest blogger:-) I meant to tell him that when he dropped off the goodies from your garden and pear tree!

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  5. you lucky girl . your boys are amazing to bake those cinnamon rolls neatly :)

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    1. Thank you! I think they need more training. I must hand over some of your recipes to them to make more yummy treat (for me).

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