Hoisin Chicken Stir-Fry

It has really been a challenge for me to cook since I don't really have a place of my own right now. I am currently renting a room with privileges of using the kitchen and utilities. To make things simple, I try not to buy too much ingredients and think of quick and easy dishes to prepare. I do try to consider the family of my landlady when I cook too. They are a carnivorous lot who barely gets enough nutrients from vegetables and fruit. So, I try to sneak in a couple into my cooking. :D

So allow me to share with you this easy dish that I have put together with the available ingredients I have.

Ingredients:

1/4 kilo chicken fillet*, cut into strips
2 - 3 tbsp. Hoisin Sauce
1 tsp. soy sauce
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 tbsp. cooking oil (peanut oil, canola oil or corn oil)
2 tbsp. minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped white onions
1 16oz-bag of mixed vegetables*, thawed slightly
1 block of firm tofu, sliced into cubes and fried
2 tsps. toasted sesame seeds

Procedure:
Mix the chicken strips in the Hoisin sauce, soy sauce and 1/4 tsp of black pepper. Marinate for at least 2 hours.
In a hot wok, heat the oil and saute the garlic and onions until fragrant. Add the marinated chicken strips and reserve the marinade. Stir until the chicken is not any more pink in color. Add the marinade with 1/4 cup of water. Simmer for 2-3 minutes covered. Check if the chicken is tender and cooked through. Once done, throw in the vegetables. Stir and adjust the taste by either adding more hoisin, soy sauce or pepper. Once the vegetables are heated (not wilted). Turn off fire, stir in the fried tofu and top with the toasted sesame seed. Serve hot with steamed white rice.


Notes:
Breast fillets may be used. But if this is not available, thigh and leg fillets may be substituted.
The bag of mixed vegetables may depend on what is available in the fridge at the moment. Normally I have a bag of mixed stir-fry (carrots, brocolli, snap peas, cauliflower, zucchini) or mixed variety of broccolli, cauliflower, carrots with a few slices of bell pepper. If there are fresh vegetables at hand, these may be used. Just prepare and slice up the fresh vegetables into even sized pieces for even cooking.

Bongo Room Brunch

I was busy archiving my photos that I have taken on my recent US trip. I decided to add this as an entry because everyone enjoyed the moment.



It was our last day in Downtown Chicago when my brother, mom, I and J decided to spend it together shopping. But before we headed to the stores my brother brought us to the Bongo Room along Wabash. As you enter the restaurant, it had a perky feeling and ambiance accompanied by lively staff.

They had an array of breakfast dishes that would make your mouth water. I decided to get the Crab Lobster Eggs Benedict with a glass of grapefruit. My brother, I and J got the same dish while mom ordered the Ham and Eggs Benedict. They had fresh brewed coffee. As we wait, I peeked at the neighboring table. Seeing how each bite brought smiles and luster in their eyes made me wish that the food we ordered be there ASAP. Looking at servers bringing the food in for other customers made me hungrier.

True enough, after 10 minutes, I got my plate of eggs benedict topped with crab lobster hollandaise sauce over a crusty bread. It was accompanied by a side dish of potato and bacon. The sauce wasn't overly powering nor rich that you would loose interest with the second eggs benedict. It complimented the dish perfectly that you would want more. My brother and I surely did wanted to get my share when they ate theirs in a whiff.



While we were busy enjoying our meals, my brother saw a family order a mouth watering plate of fresh fruit with ice cream. So he calls the server and adds Strawberry Mango French Toast topped with Vanilla Ice Cream. He also added Banana Pancakes with Chocolate-Cream Sauce topped with Oreo Cookie (I am not sure if this is the correct title). One thing I loved about this place is you could request for a smaller serving. The photo below is only 1/3 of the actual regular serving.



It tasted heavenly and wonderful no less but my tummy couldn't handle the amount of food anymore. A great way to welcome the day of shopping.