Curry Udon
Curry roux has saved me countless times, and I love using the cubes to quickly prepare a delicious Japanese-style curry. S&B Foods first introduced this convenient block form of curry roux in 1956, made from a solid mixture of fat, flour, and curry spices as the base flavor. Today, you can find a wide selection of instant Japanese curry roux in the Asian section of American supermarkets.
Hawaiian Steak
Our next ingredient in the Demystified series is soy sauce. Soy sauce has been an indispensable companion to countless dishes for centuries. Its rich umami taste and complex aroma make it a staple in Asian kitchens worldwide. This recipe is an homage to Houston's (Hillstone's) Hawaiian Steak, featuring succulent ribeyes bathed in a tantalizing blend of regular soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and mirin, resulting in a symphony of sweet and savory notes.
Pea Shoot Salad with Fish Sauce Dressing
In the second installment of Demystified: Fish Sauce, we’re going to use it in a salad dressing over pea shoots. This season, pea shoots are at their prime, harvested before the peas fully develop, offering a delicate flavor and texture. You can easily find them at Asian markets or local farmer's markets.
Jamaican Chicken Curry
This recipe was inspired by Raiz Phillips’ beautiful book, West Winds: Recipes, History, and Tales from Jamaica. If you want more of an insightful look into the perspective of the Jamaican diaspora, I highly recommend reading Phillips’ book.
Steamed Black Pepper Fish with Celery
My husband recently found out he needed to lower his cholesterol so I’ve been trying to recreate healthier versions of our favorite foods. This is a lighter version of the Chinese takeout classic, black pepper beef with celery, using fish.