white pepper powder – Page 2

Spicy Tangy Fish with Pickled Greens

2025-10-11

Have you ever craved a dish that’s a whirlwind of flavors—tangy, spicy, and deeply savory all at once? If so, allow me to introduce you to your new favorite meal. This incredible poached fish dish, with its signature golden broth and tender, silky fish fillets, is a true masterpiece of flavors and textures. It might look and sound like something you could only order at a high-end restaurant, but I’m here to tell you a secret: you can absolutely make this showstopper at home. In just about an hour, you can transform a handful of ingredients into a complex, satisfying, and utterly addictive meal. The preparation is straightforward, focusing on building layers of flavor that come together in a spectacular finish. Get ready to impress your friends, your family, and most importantly, yourself! Before you start, let’s gather our ingredients. The key to this dish is balancing the sour, spicy, and savory notes, so getting the right components is important. But don’t worry, many of these have easy-to-find substitutes. For the Fish and Marinade: 1.5 lbs (about 700g) firm white fish fillets, such as cod, halibut, or tilapia (catfish also works beautifully) 1 egg white 1 tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine (or dry sherry) 1 tbsp cornstarch 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp white pepper 1 tbsp neutral oil (like canola or vegetable oil) For the Broth and Assembly: 1 cup Sichuan pickled mustard greens (Suan Cai). This is the star ingredient, found in vacuum packs at most Asian markets. Its unique tangy flavor is hard to replicate, but in a pinch, you could try well-rinsed sauerkraut, though the taste will be different. The head and bones from your fish (optional, but adds incredible depth to the broth) 3 cloves garlic, minced, divided 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced 2-3 pickled red chilies,…

Velvet Luffa and Earthy Shiitake Stir Fry

2025-09-29

If you are on the hunt for a weeknight meal that is ridiculously fast, wonderfully healthy, and bursting with a unique, savory flavor, you have come to the right place. This stir-fry is a beautiful example of how simple ingredients can create something truly special. It champions the delightful pairing of velvety luffa gourd and earthy shiitake mushrooms, all brought together in a classic, quick-fire stir-fry. In less time than it takes to decide on takeout, you can have this comforting and delicious dish on the table. The entire process takes about 10 minutes from start to finish, and the difficulty level is perfect for even the most novice of cooks. The flavor is clean, savory, and umami-rich, making it an instant favorite that pairs perfectly with a simple bowl of steamed rice. Get ready to add a new go-to recipe to your collection! Before you get started, let’s gather our ingredients. The list is short and sweet, which is part of this dish’s charm. Here is what you will need: For the main components: 10 dried shiitake mushrooms 1 long luffa gourd (also known as angled luffa or silk squash) For the aromatics: 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced 1 small red chili, thinly sliced (optional, for a hint of warmth) For the seasoning: 2 tablespoons peanut oil 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/4 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder or MSG (optional) A few notes on the ingredients: Dried shiitake mushrooms are highly recommended over fresh ones for this dish, as their flavor is much more intense and concentrated. You can find them in most Asian grocery stores or online. Luffa gourd is a wonderful vegetable with a spongy texture that becomes incredibly tender when cooked. If you cannot find it, zucchini is a great…

Savory Tomato Beef over Silken Tofu

2025-09-28

If you’re searching for a meal that hits all the right notes—quick, incredibly flavorful, and wonderfully light—then you’ve just found your new favorite recipe. This dish is an absolute game-changer for weeknight dinners. Imagine tender, savory ground beef and juicy tomatoes simmered into a rich, tangy sauce, all gently steamed over a bed of melt-in-your-mouth tofu. The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity and the steaming technique, which locks in moisture and flawlessly melds the flavors together without adding heavy oils. It’s a dish that takes about 30 minutes from start to finish and is so easy to prepare, making it perfect for both seasoned cooks and kitchen newcomers. The result is a comforting, nutritious meal that feels both wholesome and gourmet. To get started, let’s gather our ingredients. The list is short and features items that are easy to find, but I’ve also included some handy notes and substitutions to make your shopping trip a breeze. For the Dish: 1 large ripe tomato 100g (about 1/4 lb) lean ground beef (Ground pork or even ground chicken would also be delicious.) 150g (about 1/2 a standard block) silken or soft tofu (This is key! Look for tofu labeled “silken” or “soft.” Its delicate, custard-like texture is perfect for this dish. Medium-firm tofu can work in a pinch, but you’ll miss out on that signature creamy mouthfeel.) 1 scallion (also known as a green onion), for garnish For the Marinade and Sauce: A pinch of salt 2g (about 1/2 tsp) sugar (This helps balance the acidity of the tomato.) 1g (about 1/4 tsp) ground white pepper (White pepper has a more earthy, subtle heat than black pepper. If you only have black pepper, use it sparingly.) 1 tbsp light soy sauce (Sometimes just labeled “soy sauce” in Western supermarkets….