Many things can be made from oriental chili oil, such as Dim Sum Dipping Sauce (mix 1/8 tsp a with 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce. Dim Sum Yum-Yum!). Used properly, it sparks up any Asian dish or noodle in a snap. It’s only about $3 for a good-sized jar and goes a long, long way. Here is a super-fast recipe using this subtle, delicious oil. Try it once and you will want to make it often.
Things You’ll Need:
* A small sauce pan and 1 cup boiling water.
* Genuine Oriental Chili Oil from a local Oriental foods store (with peanuts added if you can find it. My triple-fav brand is from Green Foods (but label and top are bright red).
* A few ounces of flavored rice noodles or sticks. Any kind will do, but this recipe utilizes the little 200-calorie flavored packets from “Thai Kitchen”, which are sold in just about all supermarkets.
* A few whole shrimp, or cut-up pieces of leftover meat or fish works great. Just a half a handful. A few vegetables would work also. Cut or snip into pieces about the size of almonds.
Bring 1 cup water to a boil in small saucepan.
Open your Thai Kitchen single-serving package. Add your rice noodle packets to the water (one is spice, one is another oil). Stir. Add your noodles. Boil for 3 minutes. Stir a few times. When done, remove from heat. (If using some other kind of noodle, you will probably need to drain it, but not Thai Kitchen packets)
Stir in your cut-up additions. Stir and heat all for a minute. Add the secret ingredient – chunky, wonderful chili oil! Until you learn your personal spice and temperature preference, take it easy. Try mixing in only about as much as would cover your pinkie nail (I like at least a thumbnail’s worth myself). Pour into serving bowl. Enjoy your inexpensive moment in Asia! Che che (xie xie = thank you).
Tips:
*A few peanuts or cashews on top (when served) are great. Lime-flavored even better.
*A lime wedge makes a nice condiment and/or decoration.
*This wonderful, quick dish bumps the metabolism, tastes great, and has only about 250 calories all in. And costs less per serving than most energy bars!
*Chili oil must not be handled by children. I hate to think what would happen if it got in anyone’s eyes, for example. The chili flavor is indescribably interesting, and all its heat is somehow underneath it, but it’s still chilies in there. Try not to touch it “straight” with your bare hands.
Richard E. Walker is a freelance writer, and editor of http://easyduzzit.com, an online magazine featuring internet business and lifestyle features for both men and women. His EasyDuzzit,com is a helpful resource for anyone doing business on the internet and dealing with the many changes now occurring throughout both our online-workplace and our online-society.
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