"Some Daughters Come by Plane"

Ok, this cookbook is absolutely awesome. At the CCAI FL reunion, these were for sale - a fundraiser for the Wilson's in their pursuit of adoption funds. I bought one for us to try out first, and now I am considering buying them for gifts, too (maybe, maybe not, for those who are reading this and we exchange gifts... I'd rather it be a surprise - if I decide to do it ;-)


Anyway, I haven't had a chance to update this week-busy and on my way to Atlanta for work (for Gracie, of course). But, I will say that I do try to make dinner for hubby when he gets home, and we tried two yummy recipes out of this book this week.

Ok, I will go ahead and tell you, the Pasta Figoli, p.96, is SOOO good. It's much better than Olive Garden's, so I will have to agree with the author of the recipe. And, the Dutch Pork Chops were excellent, as well. Both of which I have never attempted before, so I was quite proud of myself (I can follow directions pretty well most of the time)

So, if you want to follow Kelly's journey, and are interested in an addition to your cookbook collection, click here!

Moon Cake Recipe

Chinese Mooncakes- Home Style


Ingredients:
1/2 cup salted butter
1/4 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 can red bean paste or 1 cup jam

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugar and 1 egg yolk. Stir until creamy and combine completely.
2. Add the flour and mix thoroughly. Form the dough into one large ball and wrap it in aluminum foil. Put this in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3. Unwrap the chilled dough and, with clean hands, form small ballls in the palms of your hand. These are the moon cakes.
4. Make a hole with your thumb gently in the center of each mooncake and fill with about half a teaspoon of your favorite jam or red bean paste.
5. Brush each cake with the other beaten egg yolk.
6. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake the mooncakes for about 20 minutes or just until the outside edges are slightly brown. Makes about 24 moon cakes.

Enjoy!

Good Luck Dumplings

Good Luck Dumplings
Ingredients:
1lb. pork, beef, or tofu, drained of excess liquid
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 clove minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 cup chopped green onions
1-2 packages of wonton wrappers, defrosted to room temperature (find in the frozen food section of grocery stores)
Vegetables of your choice (Chinese cabbage, bean sprouts)
1. In a large bowl, combine all dumpling ingrediants except wonton wrappers, and mix thoroughly.
2. Wrap about 1 1/2 tablespoons filling in wonton wrapper. With fingertips, lightly wet edges with water. Firmly pinch edges. Repeat until all filling has been used.
3. Place dumplings in slightly salted boiling water, and cook gently for about 10 minutes. Drain, then run cold water over cooked dumplings to avoid sticking.
*If adding vegetables, make sure to blanch then and drain them of excess liquid before combining.
For Soup:
1 pot of chicken broth, boiling
Chopped green onions as desired for garnish
1. Add dumplings to boiling chicken broth and cook until done.
2. Garnish with green onions and serve.

Enjoy!

Congee Recipe

http://www.blessedkids.com/index_files/congee_recipe.htm

Ground Turkey with Vegetables and Black Bean Sauce

Many adopted Chinese children are accustomed to eating congee. This recipe was a favorite of our little Lauren's during her early months with us. -Adele

Serves a family of four.

Ingredients: Ground turkey, rice, carrots, mushrooms, Chinese Napa Vegetable (or Chinese bok choy), ginger, green onion, black bean garlic sauce, bouillon cube (chicken or beef). The black bean garlic sauce can be found in most Chinese grocery stores. I use Lee Kum Kee brand, but any brand will be fine.
Steps:
(1) Cook 1 and 1/2 cups of rice with 5 cups of water. After the water boils, turn the heat to low. Let it cook slowly for about 15 to 20 minutes.
(2) Fry 1/2 pound ground turkey in the pan until it is cooked.
(3) Heat 10 cups of water with one Bouillon cube (chicken or beef). Mince a little piece of fresh ginger into fine pieces and add to the soup. When the water boils, add the cooked ground turkey.
(4) Add 3/4 tablespoon of the black bean garlic sauce to the soup. If only adults are eating the soup, you can add a full tablespoon.
(4) Cut some carrots into small pieces. Add them to the soup.
(5) Add the cooked rice to the soup. At this point, the soup can be called "congee.” Let the congee cook for 5 minutes before adding other vegetables.
(5) Cut some fresh mushrooms into small pieces. Add them to the congee. Let the congee cook for 3 minutes before adding other vegetables.
(6) Cut the Chinese Napa Vegetable or Chinese bok choy into small pieces. Add them to the congee. Cook for another 5 minutes.
(7) Add salt as needed , or any other spices as you like. Add chopped green onions and cook the congee for 2 minutes.
(8) Serve the congee while it is hot!
Happy Congee-Cooking! -Adele