Dinner at Home - Recipe and Wines

Wednesday evening, homework, teachers conference, Lost, dinner at home.

An excellent recipe for an easy to assemble Asian dish and wines to contrast and compliment.

It is Wednesday night, homework hump day for Pierce. Need a quick dinner before going out for a teacher conference at his school and getting home in time to watch the new episode of Lost.

Diana whipped up this delicious dinner

Tofu / Pork and More Stir Fry

Recipe

• One Package of Shirtaki (tofu noodles - no carbs - no wheat)
• One Package of Firm Tofu
• One pound of Pork Loin
• Cup of chicken stock (or veg. stock)
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• Mirin
• Rice Wine Vinegar
• Hoisin Sauce
• Toasted Sesame Oil
• Gomasio

Drain the tofu and cut into small pieces about 1" long and thick, Heat peanut oil in wok, add tofu and sprinkle with tamari.  If you have time you could marinate the tofu in a little oil, tamari and mirin for 20 minutes first.  When the tofu begins to brown sprinkle it with gomasio (sesame seed & sea salt mixture) and reserve in a bowl.

Add more peanut oil to wok and cook the Pork until almost done - if still a little pink it is good as the pork will continue to cook while sitting and will cook some more when you add it to the pot later.  Reserve the pork with the Tofu.

In a small bowl mix the flour with about 1/4 cup of the stock.  Pour the rest of the stock in the wok, let it heat up and add the vegetables that you are using (all cut up to the size you want) put the lid of the wok on and let it simmer for a bit checking for doneness.  Don't over cook as there is still some cooking to be done.  Add the stock/flour mixture a bit at a time - and watch the sauce thicken, if you want it thicker add more of the mixture.  Add tamari, some mirin, rice wine vinegar, and some hoisin.  Play around with the flavors for your liking

Par boil the noodles as per instructions on package and add to stir fry - adjust seasonings and serve with hot sauce.

These Shirataki Noodles, available at Whole Foods are delicious.

Wines

Had two wines that go very well with Asian. A favorite Vouvray, a slightly sweet Chenin Blanc, from Domaine Pichot. Available at Wine Library for under $10.00.

"Domaine Pichot is an amalgamation of the properties of the father (Jean-Claude) ‘Coteau de la Biche’ and the son (Christophe) ‘Peu de la Moriette’, hence the different labels bearing the name Pichot. The estate is now run by Christophe. Pichot’s wines are well known for the brilliant quality of the stunning sweet wines, although their dry and demi-sec wines are also superb. They have an enormous capacity to age gracefully with careful cellaring conditions. These are remarkably good value wines that will also provide great satisfaction from a young age."  Web Site

Had just a little of the Vouvray left over from two nights ago so decided to open a new Reisling.

This was a 2003, the first 2003 I've tasted, by Fritz Windisch, Niersteiner Spiegelberg Riesling Kabinett. Also under $10.00. 2003 was not as great as 2001 but better than 2002. The wines are sweeter in 2003. This was certainly reflected in this wine that was sweeter than most Kabinetts which usually means not too sweet. The classifications of German wine are described well in this article. Wikipedia German Wines This wine is delicious, I understand 2004 is also a good year for German wines. Got this one on line from www.winebuyer.com. I enjoyed it very much.

It comes from Germany's largest wine region, "Rheinhessen, lies in a valley of gentle rolling hills. While vines are virtually a monoculture in the Rheingau or along the Mosel, they are but one of many crops that share the fertile soils of this region's vast farmlands. Steep vineyard sites are confined to small areas near Bingen and south of Mainz along the Rhein Terrasse. Varied soils and the favorable climate make it possible to grow many grape varieties, old and new. In fact, many of Germany's aromatic, early -ripening new crossings were bred in Rheinhessen by Professor Georg Scheu, after whom the Scheurebe grape is named (pronounced "shoy"). The region boasts the world's largest acreage planted with the ancient variety Silvaner and is the birthplace of Liebfraumilch, the soft, mellow white wine originally made from grapes grown in vineyards surrounding the Liebfrauenkirche, or Church of Our Lady, in Worms. Rheinhessen wines are often characterized as being soft, fragrant, medium-bodied and mild in acidity — pleasant, easy-to-drink wines. There are also wines of great class and elegance, with a depth and complexity second to none."