7 December 2008

Cooking Sesame Chicken and Spicy Asian Style Pasta Salad for Barbara

Spicy Asian Style Pasta Salad
Many of you already know Barbara of Winos and Foodies . You would also know that for the last two years she has hosted A Taste of Yellow to raise awareness for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and cancer. Sadly Barbara's cancer has returned, and she is currently undergoing another round of chemotherapy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Barbara. Two of her very good friends Bron of Bron Marshall and Ilva of Lucullian Delights, have organized a secret blog event in Barbara's honor so that we might all give her a "big virtual hug." Since we are foodies it is nice to post a recipe that Barbara might enjoy right now. I am told that Barbara has been craving fresh Asian and Moroccan flavors , so, I have created a little bit of Asia in these two dishes. If you were here Barbara I would give you a great big "bear hug" as would all your friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check out Bron and Ilva's sites. The virtual hug is growing to epic proportions with all the sincere and thoughtful hugs from her blogging friends around the world!!!!




adapted from Bon Appétit

1/2 pound linguine, broken in half
4 tablespoons oriental sesame oil
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 red bell peppers, seeded, thinly sliced(or mixture of red, yellow, orange and green)3 cups snow peas or sugar snap peas
1 large red onion, thinly sliced (or 3 spring onions, thinly sliced)1 tsp fresh ginger, chopped finely
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 handfuls bean sprouts3/4 cup honey-roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped ( used regular peanuts)1/2 cup chopped fresh basil ( or omit)

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain very well. Transfer to large bowl.

Whisk 3 tablespoons sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, vinegar and cayenne pepper in small bowl to blend. Season with salt. Mix half of dressing into pasta. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, peas , onion, ginger and garlic and sauté until just beginning to wilt, about 2 minutes. Add vegetables to pasta. Mix in peanuts, basil (if using) and enough dressing to coat. Serve, passing any remaining dressing separately.

This recipe comes from Giz at Equal Opportunity Kitchen . The recipe calls for a deep fry but I just sauteed the chicken and then added the sauce due to my unfounded fear of frying!!! You can find her original recipe here .

**Sesame Chicken**

3 pieces of chicken breast or 1/2 chicken - cut to bite size pieces
1 tablespoon of light soy sauce
1 tablespoon of cooking wine
1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil
1 teaspoon of sugar
2 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon rice flour
Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce:

3 tablespoon of sweet chili sauce
2 tablespoons of tomato sauce
1- 2 tablespoons of honey
1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
2 tablespoons of light soy sauce
1/4 cup of water
some toasted sesame seeds

Marinate chicken with soy sauce, wine, sugar, sesame oil, salt and pepper and set it aside for at least an hour. Just before frying, whisk the 2 types of flour together and mix it into the chicken.

Prepare oil for frying. Fry chicken until golden brown, dish out and drain the oil in paper towels. Remove all the oil from the pan.

Mix all the sauce ingredients together and pour it back into the pan. Bring it up to a boil and let the sauce thicken a bit.

Add in the chicken and toss it gently until the chicken are evenly coated with the sauce. Sprinkle the sesame seeds to the chicken. Serve with warm rice.Note : You can use bone in chicken, chicken thighs, chicken wings or even pork ribs for this dish.

Much love and Hugs to you Barbara


X O XO

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison. Best Blogger Tips

31 comments:

  1. This is a very thoughtful and kind gesture for a great cause. And a great dish to include as that photo looks delicious! I was about to say "I'd bet some peanuts or cashews would go great with that," but I see you've already included them, so I'm a happy camper

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  2. Oh that is too bad. I remember when my uncle was going through treatments he craved asian food too- salty things. Weird. Sending Barbara well wishes!

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  3. How thoughtful of you! That salad looks delightful!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  4. Gorgeous wonderful sun and colors in sky & water.
    The chicken so perfect with just gorgeous color too!
    A grand hug indeed!

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  5. What a beautiful post for your friend! My prayers to her as well :)

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  6. A lovely, supportive hope and I hope that Barbara goes into remission again soon!

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  7. Our thoughts and prayers go to Barbara and it's very thoughtful of you sis to join the others and prepare a recipe and a post for Barbara.

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  8. Val, you've created such a beautiful post and dish - your words shine with warmth! Sending prayers for Barbara...

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  9. I love the "You Won't Be Single For Long" label. This looks like a perfect meal to enjoy on a weeknight, then take to work for lunch the next day.

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  10. You are so sweet and supportive! Our thoughts go out to Barbara.

    The recipes look great too. I'm sure she would love them.

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  11. Why am I not surprised that you will join a campaign like that! Great food and a beautiful gesture!

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  12. Thank you for joining us with such a yummy hug.

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  13. I am so sad to heard about Barbara, I read one of her last post and I touching.You are great Vall,lovely recipe for a lovely gesture

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  14. Such a sweet hug to send to Barbara. The dish looks fresh and tasty :)

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  15. That looks delicious! My thoughts and prayers go out to Barbara!

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  16. You are so thoughtful and Barbara for sure deserves every bite of this! Lovely Val!

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  17. I have no doubt in my mind that Barbara would love your dishes. They're both fabulous and you did an exceptional job of the sesame chicken.

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  18. This is a great post. This is so nice of you.

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  19. This is such a thoughtful blog event. The pasta salad looks SO good and I definitely would have made the same modifications. What is an Asian meal without ginger and what is ANY dish without garlic? :)

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  20. Thank you so much for joining in!

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  21. What a great thing to do for a friend!!! This is a great event Val and your dishes would be most welcome!

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  22. a dish like this would brighten anyone's day! what a terrific tribute to your friend--i'm sure she appreciates it immensely. :)

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  23. these both sound wonderful - and what a great way to honor Barbara!

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  24. ... and that's why you are an Angel! :D. Great dish and a fantastic idea to brighten up Barbara's day.

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  25. Val and a big virtual hug right back at you. This is wonderful recipe and I'm tickled pink it is a recipe of the lovely Giz'. Thank you and thank you for your kind words.

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  26. This salad looks and sounds fantastic!

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  27. This sounds like a really tasty pasta salad!

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  28. What a wonderful "hug" to a wonderful woman! Am I too late to participate?

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  29. Beautiful sentiment and lovely dinner for Barbara. You are a great friend.

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  30. I love your recipe, and I'm sure Barbara did too :)

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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