Thursday, March 25, 2010

2nd hand Stir-fry cookbook!!

While I was NOB I didn't do much shopping. I did however get to go to Thrifttown with my sister and her granddaughter. While I was there I picked Sunset Magazine's 1989 edition of their Stir-Fry Cookbook for ninety nine cents American!
Somewhere in Mérida, I managed to find Chinese 5 spice powder. I don't really know why I bought it, it isn't like I can't make my own. Maybe it's the same thrill that a hunter wildlife photographer gets when he sees a rare tiger in his sights viewfinder. I am sure that I justified it somehow. Unfortunately, about the only thing that I know how to make with 5-spice is char sui or Chinese Barbecued Pork. The cookbook that I bought had a recipe for a pork stir-fry with 5 spice, here is my version. I never would have thought to put potatoes in a Chinese dish, but then again Indian cooking uses lots of potatoes, so why not? I really liked the anise taste with the pork and potatoes, who woulda thought it?
While I was thumbing through the book, the photo of Sweet and Sour Carrots caught Husband's eye. Okay, he saw it upside down and exclaimed "what the heck is that?" because it looked like orange muntant shrimp from across the table and upside down. I had carrots so I made it too. It is now my new favorite way to cook carrots.
Speaking of mutant vegetables, the cabbage that I had bought a month ago was still in the crisper drawer. I cut off the ugly parts which left about a pound or so of cabbage that desperately needing eating. Right next to the carrot recipe was one for Spicy Cabbage. It called for Napa cabbage but the last time I saw anything resembling Napa cabbage at the supermarket here, it was in even worse shape than the poor abandoned cabbage that I salvaged from the fridge.
I am really excited, so far I've made 3 really easy and tasty dishes from this cookbook. I am on a roll!

11 comments:

  1. That's great and for only 99¢ US!

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  2. Hi Jackie,yes, it totally was a great score. What I like about these earlier editions of cookbooks is that they don't assume you can just run to Safeway and buy some exotic jujube extract but also give you alternatives.
    regards,
    Theresa

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  3. Great buy! The sweet and sour carrots sound fantastic.

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  4. Hi Vicks, thanks for the comment. What's with the bingo link?
    regards,
    Theresa

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  5. Nice to meet your blog!!!
    Love your logo (the main picture on your home page)!!
    See you soon... ;)
    Ciao from Rome, Italy

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  6. Hi Zia Elle, the header is from the mercado in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. I went and looked at you blog. The photos make me wish that I could read Italian! I can figure some of it out because I do read Spanish. Eggs, sugar and flour?
    regards,
    Theresa

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  7. Hi, I currently have your lemon chicken recipe in my slow cooker. If you like the pork/star anise flavour, try this recipe http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=782551 I cooked it last weekend, it is DIVINE and not too fatty because you boil the pork for a short while first. Happy cookin'.

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  8. Hi Sticky rice! I forgot all about that lemon chicken, I ended up making it in the pressure cooker instead of the slow cooker like the original recipe, but it was really good. I need to make it again! I checked out your recipe it looks good too! I do like that 5 spice flavor on pork, it's a great combo.
    regards,
    Theresa

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  9. i posted two foodie posts on my blog. partly to ans the age old question, “what do i do with a giant head of cauliflower.” i have two great recipes that I made and photographed, and of coarse, commented on. the best part is that one can eat the veggies and not feel like a cow, chomping on curd. over and over.

    i promised i would do these recipes months ago, and now, here they are !!!

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  10. Thanks for the heads up,Marie, I will check them out!
    regards,
    Theresa

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  11. http://bestwishesmarie.blogspot.com/2010/07/305-365-grilling-cook-book-giveaway.html

    cookbook giveaway. spread the word, please.

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