Well hello friends of the Hive realm!
I know I know. A few of you have been wondering if I'm dead. I assure you I am alive and kicking.
As soon as November hits these parts, people start gathering. The restaurant where I work has fewer numbers then summer, but there are more groups arriving at the same time and staying later.
We, as usual go to bed long after midnight, around 2 or 3 am while the neighbour upstairs does something loud shortly after. Pounding stomping and clunking above, means after four hours of this, we try to get some more sleep before running off to work.
Marc and I now only have one day off together. The schedules have changed and we are working an extra shift every other week. One week I work five and the next Marc works five shifts.
So you wonder why it's a big deal to work five days a week. That is normal right?
Believe it or not, most employees at this restaurant only work 3 or less days a week and have no other job. It is a real workout if you work through the shift without a break. I like it though. It's my gym. I need to keep active now that I just turned 61. This is probably why people wonder if I'm dead if I don't appear for a while. I never get sick, even though I'm around many that have the flu, one after the other.
When times are like this, the food needs to be simple. What is more simple then a stir fry with the random items in the fridge.
I happened to buy quite a bit of broccoIi and need green vegetables. They have been a decent price lately. Of course they are imported as nothing is growing in these cold parts. I gathered all of it and chopped it up.
Often times I peel the stems and slice them to add to the stir fry but this time I am saving them for soup later, if I get around to it.
I'm not a fan of overcooked broccoli. Blanching them until they are bright and fairly tender, means they can be added at the end without overcooking.
I just boil the water add the broccoli. After four or five minutes they are drained, cooled and put aside. Of course this step could be omitted. The broccoli could just be added to the stir fry items and cooked with them. I feel that I have more control this way.
You may be asking, "where's the meat of this vegan dish?" Well aside from the broccoli meat, we will add oyster mushrooms which provide a nice meaty texture. I don't eat meat but I do like some texture in my food.
For some added fun I have a block of tofu. There are many folks in the world that would not put the words "fun" and "tofu" in the same sentence. Tofu is something that has to be understood.
I sometimes marinate some frozen firm tofu to absorb extra flavor, but this time, I just cut it into small cubes. For me this dish was all about the broccoli at first, until the other items decided to join the stir fry party.
The cubes were tossed in cornstarch. Sometimes I just make a slurry to add later. It depends how I feel at the time. This works out fine.
The amounts are approximate. It depends on personal taste, how much of, or if, certain items go in.
Broccoli stir fry
The florets of four stalks of broccoli
150 grams oyster mushrooms
2 cups chopped onion
5 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger
4 chili peppers or to taste
1 cup almonds
1 cup cilantro including stems
Pepper (black or white)
3 tablespoons cornstarch
Juice of one orange
Juice of one lime
1/2 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons agave nec1 tablespoon sesame oil
Oil for frying
Toasting the almonds first is what I did but they could just be added along with the stir fry items. I like to have a toasted crunch to them.
Add onions to a medium hot pan and cook until translucent.
Add ginger and garlic.
Add hot peppers and cilantro.
Add cornstarch coated tofu and toss around until golden.
Add juice and other liquids stirring gently.
Add mushrooms and stir gently. I kept them whole for an extra chewy texture.
I turned the stove to simmer until the mushrooms were cooked and all of the items were incorporated together.
A few minutes before it was finished I added the broccoli. This was then turned off and left to sit until it was time for dinner. Marc was at work so this was done to be reheated later. We have dinner at 1 or 2 am.
I blanched the broccoli just to tenderize it slightly. When the whole thing was reheated, it was cooked to my liking.
The combination of broccoli,oyster mushrooms, tofu and almonds gave four different textures to enjoy in one mouthful.
I was surprised at how much this made. I was sure this would be lunch the next day.
The huge bowl was demolished even with the rice on the side. It was almost disappointing.
This was kind of like a Chinatown late night supper that we would have in the old days. Certain other things would have been added. MSG!!!!
This was good without it.
Today is Christmas day, when I am finally finishing this post started four days ago.
After working Christmas eve with a busy crowd, I looked forward to this day off. But! I have to run to the other side of town to see Marc's old folks. Their dog is dead so I have nobody to hang out with. I know that makes me sound like a jerk but it is quite boring. Anyway I have to do what I have to do.
In the meantime I wish you all a happy and wonderful day and to those who celebrate Christmas, all the best and Merry Christmas.
Lots of love and hugs to my Hive friends.
Photos taken with a Nikon D7500