Xinjiang Lamb and Chile Barbeque

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The region located next to Mongolia, called Xinjiang, is noted for its barbecue lamb, or mutton, even though lamb is rarely eaten in other parts of China. In fact, the Mongolian tribes were the ones who introduced lamb to the rest of China. It’s easy to visualize this simple barbecue being prepared by the nomads on the steppes of Xinjiang. Note: This recipe requires advance preparation.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup lemon juice, fresh preferred

  • 2 tablespoons Asian red chile oil (available in Asian markets)

  • 2 tablespoons rice wine or dry sherry

  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 teaspoons crushed Sichuan peppercorns

  • ½ teaspoon minced ginger

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 to 1 ½- pounds lamb, cut in 2-inch cubes

  • 8 jalapeños, cut in half lengthwise

  • 4 sesame seed buns

  • Chopped green onions, including some of the greens

  • Chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

In a non-reactive bowl, combine the lemon juice, chile oil, wine, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, peppercorns, ginger, and salt and blend well. Add the lamb and jalapenos and marinate them in the refrigerator overnight or for 2 hours at room temperature.

Drain the mixture and reserve the marinade. Thread the meat on skewers, alternating with the jalapeño halves. Place the skewers under a broiler or grill over a medium-hot fire until medium-rare, about 15 minutes. Baste occasionally with the marinade.

Serve the lamb and chiles in the buns topped with the chopped onions and cilantro.

Hunan Strange Chicken Salad

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This cold chicken salad is not really strange–just delicious! It gets its name from the sauce which is salty, sweet, sour and hot, all in one dish. In the Chinese province of Hunan where the summers are hot, a cool yet pungent entree is always welcome. This is a great way to recycle left-over chicken. Note: This recipe requires advance preparation.

Ingredients

For the Dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce

  • 1 ½ tablespoon peanut oil

  • 1 tablespoon sesame paste (available in Asian markets) or smooth peanut butter

  • 1 tablespoon Chinese red chile oil (available in Asian markets)

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 2 teaspoons ground Sichuan peppercorns

  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil

  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger

  • ½ teaspoon crushed red chile flakes

For the Salad:

  • 8 ounces cooked chicken, chopped

  • 2 green onions, chopped including some of the greens

  • 1 cucumber, ½ cubed and ½ sliced

  • Shredded lettuce

  • Garnish: 1/4 cup roasted peanuts

  • Crushed red chile flakes

  • Chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the dressing and mix well. Allow the dressing to sit for a couple of hours to blend the flavors.

Toss the chicken, green onions, and cubed cucumber in the dressing. Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

To serve: Make a bed of the lettuce on individual serving plates. Arrange the sliced cucumbers on the lettuce, top with the chicken salad and garnish with the peanuts, chile flakes, and cilantro.

Green Chile Artichoke Hearts and Pasta

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The heat of the green chile compliments the flavor of the artichoke hearts in this pasta dish that combines the flavors of the Southwest with those of Italy. Serve with a crisp garden salad and garlic toast for a light meatless meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound linguine

  • 1 6-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts

  • 1/4 cup chopped onion

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 3 green New Mexico chiles, roasted, peeled, stems and seeds removed, chopped

  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil

  • ½ cup ricotta cheese

  • 1/4 cup pine nuts

  • 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata black olives, sliced (optional)

  • Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese

  • Garnish: Chopped fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

Cook the pasta in boiling water salted until done but still firm, al dente. Drain and keep warm.

Drain the artichokes, reserving the liquid, and coarsely chop.

Heat the olive oil in a heavy sauce pan, add the onions and saute until the onions are soft, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the reserved artichoke liquid, chiles, chopped artichokes, and basil. Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for an additional 5 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in the ricotta cheese. Toss the pasta in the sauce to coat, top with the nuts, olives, and grated cheese. Garnish with the parsley and serve.

Sumatran Pork Satay

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Indonesian satays (or sates) are grilled, skewered bite-sized pieces of meat that are eaten as a appetizer or part of the meal itself. They contain meat only and are served with a sauce on the side. When serving a marinade as a sauce that has been used with raw meat, it is essential that it be boiled and simmered for 15 to 20 minutes to kill any bacteria. Or, reserve some of the mixture to be used as a sauce and not use it as the marinade.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped onions

  • 4 Thai chiles, or substitute serrano chiles, stems removed

  • 1 tablespoon chopped ginger

  • 1 clove garlic

  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, fresh preferred

  • 2 teaspoons grated lime peel

  • ½½ teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • 1 ½ cups coconut milk

  • 1 ½ pounds pork loin, cut in 1-inch cubes

Instructions

Place the chiles, onion, ginger, and garlic in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth, adding water if necessary to make a paste.

Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan, add the paste and saute the mixture for a couple of minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, except the beef, and simmer until the sauce starts to thicken, about 15 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool.

Place the pork cubes in a heavy plastic bag and add the sauce. Marinate the pork, at room temperature, for an hour. Remove the pork and put the marinade in a saucepan.

Bring the marinade to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Thread the pork cubes on skewers and grill or broil the satays until done, about 8 minutes. Cut one cube to check for doneness.

To serve, place the satays on a platter, brush with the sauce and serve the remaining sauce on the side for dipping.

 

New Mexican Carne Adovada

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This simple but tasty dish evolved from the need to preserve meat without refrigeration since chile acts as an antioxidant and prevents the meat from spoiling.

Ingredients

garlic, mexican oregano, water, pork, red chile

Instructions