Somen Since its So Cold!

Tonight we are having beef & broccoli with Japanese somen noodles. I also added some bamboo shoots for added color and texture. It hit the spot perfectly on such a cold night in Chicago.

Somen are thin, round, white noodles made from wheat flour and is similar to vermicelli. Strands of somen are generally found dried and often packaged in band tied bundles. It’s often served cold but is also added to soups. But for tonight, I decided it would compliment my beef & broccoli stir fry wonderfully… and it did!

Beef & Broccoli Somen Recipe:
1 lb beef chuck, sliced thin
2 tablespoons cornstarch
oil for browning beef
1-2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 small onion, sliced
1 cup beef broth
1 lb fresh broccoli florets or frozen chopped broccoli
1 cup bamboo shoots
1/4 cup soy sauce
1-2 tablespoons oyster sauce
garlic powder & black pepper to taste
small handful of somen noodles
water for boiling noodles
sesame oil (optional)
1. Toss sliced beef in the cornstarch and set aside.
2. In wide shallow pan, heat cooking oil and brown beef.
3. Add minced garlic and sliced onion.
4. When beef is completely browned, deglaze the pan with beef broth, soy sauce and oyster sauce. Stir to get all the brown bits from the bottom.
5. Season liquid to taste with garlic powder and black pepper.
6. Add broccoli and bamboo shoots; let simmer for about 10 minutes until cooked through.
7. Cook somen noodles in boiling water for 5-7 minutes; remove and drain.
8. Toss noodles in stir fry and add a few drops of sesame oil for added flavor/aroma.

Somen Since its So Cold!

Tonight we are having beef & broccoli with Japanese somen noodles. I also added some bamboo shoots for added color and texture. It hit the spot perfectly on such a cold night in Chicago.

Somen are thin, round, white noodles made from wheat flour and is similar to vermicelli. Strands of somen are generally found dried and often packaged in band tied bundles. It’s often served cold but is also added to soups. But for tonight, I decided it would compliment my beef & broccoli stir fry wonderfully… and it did!

Beef & Broccoli Somen Recipe:
1 lb beef chuck, sliced thin
2 tablespoons cornstarch
oil for browning beef
1-2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 small onion, sliced
1 cup beef broth
1 lb fresh broccoli florets or frozen chopped broccoli
1 cup bamboo shoots
1/4 cup soy sauce
1-2 tablespoons oyster sauce
garlic powder & black pepper to taste
small handful of somen noodles
water for boiling noodles
sesame oil (optional)
1. Toss sliced beef in the cornstarch and set aside.
2. In wide shallow pan, heat cooking oil and brown beef.
3. Add minced garlic and sliced onion.
4. When beef is completely browned, deglaze the pan with beef broth, soy sauce and oyster sauce. Stir to get all the brown bits from the bottom.
5. Season liquid to taste with garlic powder and black pepper.
6. Add broccoli and bamboo shoots; let simmer for about 10 minutes until cooked through.
7. Cook somen noodles in boiling water for 5-7 minutes; remove and drain.
8. Toss noodles in stir fry and add a few drops of sesame oil for added flavor/aroma.

FOODIE FREEBIE FRIDAY

My motto for the 2009 year is ‘Attitude of Gratitude,’ in an effort to focus and be thankful for all the blessings I have in life rather than things I don’t have. One of those blessings includes the readers of my blog, who inspire, motivate and encourage me to continue with my culinary adventures. To give back to my readers, I created a weekly giveaway where I feature a food related item that a reader receives as a token of my appreciation for their readership.

Every Monday, be sure to check my blog to find out what freebies I’m featuring. I’ll be posing a question related to the freebie that readers can answer by leaving a comment throughout the week. On Friday, the winner will be randomly chosen by Random.Org’s Interger Generator based on the number of their comment. That lucky person who wrote the chosen comment will then be sent the foodie freebie… it’s that simple!

As for the type of foodie freebies I feature, these are items I personally like and/or use, many of which are products from Chicago based companies. Here’s a listing of previous freebies I’ve given away and the lucky readers who’ve received them.

Check back every Monday to find out what freebie
I have in store so you can have a chance to win!


A New Journey Awaits

With so many friends and family encouraging me to apply my culinary passion in different ways, I’ve decided to use this blog to capture how food enhances my life through my kitchen and dining experiences.

In this blog, I will be sharing recipes of dishes I’ve made, pictures of restaurant creations I’ve enjoyed, and information I’ve learned from food related events I participate in. Stay tuned, because this journey will definitely be a delicious one!

A New Journey Awaits

With so many friends and family encouraging me to apply my culinary passion in different ways, I’ve decided to use this blog to capture how food enhances my life through my kitchen and dining experiences.

In this blog, I will be sharing recipes of dishes I’ve made, pictures of restaurant creations I’ve enjoyed, and information I’ve learned from food related events I participate in. Stay tuned, because this journey will definitely be a delicious one!

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD TOURS

Here are the Chicago Neighborhood Tours I’ve hosted… and I hope you get a chance to visit these spots someday and taste what Chicago has to offer!

I’m an avid supporter of Chicago Businesses and have brought in friends to these special establishments to share some great food finds!

MENUS – DINNER WITH GUESTS

Here are some dinner menus perfect for guests that are featured in my blog, along with recipe links:

MENUS – HOLIDAYS

Here are some holiday menus featured in my blog, along with recipe links:

TASTY TOOLS

As an avid cook, I’m guilty for taking the tools of the trade for granted. Check out the various recipes using these “Tasty Tools!” or join in on this month’s Tasty Tools Blogging Event!

ETHNIC – FRENCH

Here are some French & French inspired recipes featured in my blog: