Ming Tsais Traditional Spicy Sambal Recipes

PORK AND GINGER POT STICKERS

Steps:

• Sprinkle cabbage with the 1/2 tablespoon of salt and let stand for 30 minutes. Place the cabbage on a clean dishtowel or cheesecloth and squeeze out any water. The dryer the cabbage the better. In a large bowl thoroughly mix the cabbage with all of the other ingredients, except the chicken stock. Cook a tester to check the seasoning.;
• GUEST CHEF: MING'S MOM (IRIS LEE TSAI) .
• In a stainless steel bowl mix flour and salt. Slowly add hot water to flour in 1/4 cup increments. Mix with chopsticks until a ball is formed and the dough is not too hot to handle. On a floured surface, knead dough until it becomes a smooth, elastic ball. Place back in bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rest for at least 1 hour. Working on a floured surface with floured hands, roll out dough to form a long 'noodle', 1-inch in diameter. Cut 1/2-inch pieces and turn them over so the cut sides are facing up. Flatten with your palm and roll out thin using a rolling pin. The dumpling wrapper should end up about 3 inches in diameter.
• MAKING THE DUMPLINGS: Place a small mound of filling in the middle of the wrapper. (Be very careful not to touch the edges with the filling as this will impede proper sealing of the dumplings. Nothing is worse than dumplings breaking during cooking.) Fold the wrapper in half to form a half moon shape. Starting on one end fold/pinch the wrapper tightly together. Proceed with this fold/pinch method until the dumpling is completely sealed. There will be approximately 10 to 14 folds per dumpling. Rest the dumplings with the folded edges straight up.
• COOKING THE DUMPLINGS: In a hot saute pan coated well with oil, place pot stickers flat side down and cook until the bottom is browned. Have pan cover ready and add 1 cup of chicken stock, cover immediately. Be careful, the liquid will splatter! The stock will steam the pot stickers. Check them in 5 minutes as more stock may be needed. The trick here is that once the dumplings are firm and fully cooked the stock will evaporate and the bottoms will crisp-up again.
• Combine all and serve in a small bowl.
• PLATING: Serve pot stickers on a large platter lined with lettuce with a bowl of dipping sauce on the side.

TOFU AND SPINACH SALAD SPICY MISO DRESSING

Steps:

• In a blender cup, add vinegar, soy sauce, miso, sambal oelek, sugar and gari. Blend until smooth. Slowly drizzle in both oils. Check for seasoning. Pour dressing into a bowl and fold in scallions. Toss the spinach with the dressing.
• Plating: Place a ring mold in the center of a plate. Make a napoleon by alternating layers of tofu and spinach. Remove ring and drizzle with more dressing. Garnish with gari and sesame seeds.

HOISIN MARINATED CHICKEN WITH NAPA SLAW

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together and marinate chicken, covered and refrigerated at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. On a hot grill, season chicken and cook through, about 8 minutes a side. Be careful not to burn the skin.
• SLAW: In a bowl, whisk together fish sauce, vinegar, chile flakes, basil and sugar. Toss together the vegetables together and add to vinaigrette. Toss well and check for seasoning. This should rest for 10 minutes before serving.

CRAZY CHICKEN - RICE NOODLE STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Fill up a large bowl with warm water. Add the noodles and soak them until they are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• While the noodles are soaking, you can combine the fish sauce, lime juice, sugar and sambal - in a small bowl. Stir until dissolved.
• Heat up a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the pan.
• Add the shallots and stir-fry until brown - about 1 minute.
• Add the chicken and stir-fry, breaking up the meat, until cooked through - about 3 minutes or so.
• Add the noodles and sauce mixture and heat through, stirring.
• Add the scallions and basil ribbons and give them a toss.
• Garnish (opt.) with the lime wedges and basil sprigs and serve immediately.

DIM SUM DIPPER

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the sambal, vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix and use or store.
• Serve as a dipping sauce for Ming Tsai's pork pot stickers and cranberry-crab rangoon .