Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4.5, 1/40 sec, ISO3200 “Chinese Dinner” Cedar Park, 2021
I braved the freezing weather to pick up a few dishes from Hunan Bistro, which is a Chinese restaurant we really like. Our favorite dish is Toothpick Lamb, but we also got mabo tofu, Sichuan eggplant, pork with tofu, and fried rice. For Lunar New Year, we usually travel down to San Antonio to celebrate at my cousin’s house, where she throws a huge party. But because of COVID-19, we’re spending a quiet dinner at home. Hopefully next year we’ll be able to travel to see more family… crossing fingers!
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1250 “Pot of Curry” Cedar Park, 2021
The cold weather continues, but so does the hot comfort food. Tonight’s dinner is classic Japanese curry over steamed rice (カレーライス)!
Each pot of curry is made a little differently, depending on ingredients we have on-hand, as well as how spicy we want it. Instead of just showing the finished product, here’s a general overview of the preparation… we don’t have exact measurements – we pretty much eyeball everything for this curry.
First, cook the veggies. This time, we started with garlic, then added onions, carrots, and a diced tomato.
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1000 “Veggies for Curry” Cedar Par, 2021
After the veggies are softened, add warm/hot water to a “good” level. We had some potatoes in the pantry, so we added some potato chunks. See, you gotta just go with the flow on this recipe. 😄 Cover and cook until the potatoes are just about done.
While it was simmering, we cooked some sliced pork in a pan. It’s pretty greasy, so cooking it before adding to the pot is important.
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1600 “Protein for Curry” Cedar Park, 2021
Next, we added the meat to the veggie stew, then covered and let it simmer for a little while longer until the potatoes were done.
After all that simmering the meat and veggies’ flavor has really come out. 😛
Now it’s time for the curry. Tonight, we used a mix of three different types. The total was about 9 pieces.
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO800 “Curry Blocks” Cedar Park, 2021
The final step is to spice it up (if desired). We used some Scotch Bonnet hot sauce (about a tablespoon) and dried chili powder (about a teaspoon).
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1250 “Pot of Curry” Cedar Park, 2021
Once all the curry is dissolved into the stew, it’s ready to eat! We like it over steamed rice, with boiled egg, and picked radish. Koa added cheese a la Coco Ichibanya.
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO2500 “カレーライス” Cedar Park, 2021
If you make Japanese curry, I’d love to know your technique! 🍛
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1250 “Hot Pot” Cedar Park, 2021
As the temperature outside starts to drop, it’s time to turn up the heat inside our stomachs! This hot pot was made using the Little Sheep brand hot pot mix, and included tofu, chicken, fish meatballs mushrooms, noodles, and greens. I ate so much and got so warm! We don’t have Chinese hot pot often, but I think we need to change that. 🌶🔥
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/75 sec, ISO3200 “Delicious Dinner” Cedar Park, 2021
Tonight we tried the Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp, and enjoyed it very much! It has a lot of flavor, but not a lot of heat, so it’s a nice sauce for those who don’t like things too fiery. The website sums it up nicely: ” Intensely flavorful yet not off-the-charts spicy, it’ll make your food taste bolder and the world around you seem a little bit brighter.”
We have lots of other sauces to try, and I have a feeling we’ll get to them pretty soon because we were gobbling up tonight’s Sichuan Chili Crisp with gusto. 😄
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