Mu Shu Pork

Ingredients

4 teaspoons cornstarch, divided 8 teaspoons soy sauce, divided 5 teaspoons dry sherry, divided 8 ounces boneless lean pork, cut into matchstick pieces 3 dried mushrooms 2 dried wood ears 1 tablespoon water 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sesame oil 7 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger 1/2 cup sliced bamboo shoots (1/2 of 8-ounce can), cut into matchstick pieces 1 small carrot, shredded 1/2 cup chicken broth 2 cups bean sprouts (about 4 ounces) 2 green onions with tops, cut into 1-1/2-inch slivers 1/2 cup hoisin sauce 16 Mandarin Pancakes (recipe follows) 1. For marinade, combine 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 teaspoons soy sauce and 2 teaspoons sherry in large bowl. Add meat; stir to coat. Let stand 30 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, place dried mushrooms and wood ears in small bowl; cover with hot water. Let stand 30 minutes; drain. Squeeze out excess water. Cut off and discard mushroom stems; cut caps into thin slices. 3. Pinch out hard nobs from center of wood ears; discard. Cut wood ears into thin strips. 4. For sauce, combine remaining 3 teaspoons cornstarch, 6 teaspoons soy sauce and 3 teaspoons sherry in small bowl. Add water, sugar and sesame oil; mix well. 5. Heat 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil in small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 of eggs, tilting skillet to cover bottom. Cook eggs just until set. Loosen edges and turn omelet over; cook 5 seconds. Remove omelet from skillet. Repeat with another 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil and remaining eggs. 6. When omelets are cool, cut in half. Stack halves; cut crosswise into thin strips. 7. Heat remaining 6 teaspoons vegetable oil in wok or large skillet over high heat. Stir in ginger. Add meat; stir-fry until meat is no longer pink in center, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms, wood ears, bamboo shoots, carrot and chicken broth; stir-fry 2 minutes. Add bean sprouts and onions; stir-fry 1 minute. 8. Stir cornstarch mixture; add to wok. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce bubbles and thickens. Stir in omelet strips. 9. To serve, spread about 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce onto each pancake. Spoon about 3 tablespoons pork mixture down center. Fold over bottom; roll up. Mandarin Pancakes Makes about 20 pancakes   Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup boiling water 2 tablespoons sesame oil     1. Place flour in bowl; make well in center. Pour in boiling water. 2. Stir flour mixture with wooden spoon until dough looks like lumpy meal. 3. Press dough into ball. On lightly floured surface, knead dough until smooth and satiny, about 5 minutes. Cover with clean towel and let rest 30 minutes. 4. Roll dough into 10-inch long log. Cut into 1-inch pieces; cover with plastic wrap. 5. Cut each piece of dough in half, keeping remaining dough pieces covered. Roll each half into ball; flatten slightly. On lightly floured surface, roll each dough piece into 3-inch circle; brush with small amount of sesame oil. Stack two dough circles together, oil-side in. 6. Roll the pair of dough circles together into 6- to 7-inch circle with rolling pin; cover and set aside. Repeat with remaining dough, keeping remaining dough pieces covered. 7. Heat nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Cook pancakes, one pair at a time, turning every 30 seconds, until cakes are flecked with brown and feel dry, 2 to 3 minutes. (Be careful not to overcook pancakes or they will become brittle.) 8. Remove pancakes from pan. Separate each pancake into two pancakes while still hot. Stack pancakes on plate; keep covered while cooking remaining pancakes. Fold pancakes into quarters and arrange in serving basket. Serve immediately.   Note   Pancakes can be prepared ahead and refrigerated or frozen in resealable plastic bags.   Note   To reheat, wrap pancakes in clean towel (thaw completely, if using frozen). Steam over simmering water 5 minutes.

Mandarin Orange Chicken

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1/4 pound each) 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper   Nonstick cooking spray 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (about 1 small) 1/2 cup orange juice 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger 1 teaspoon sugar 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1/4 cup cold water 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin orange segments, drained 2 to 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro 2 cups hot cooked rice   Additional fresh cilantro (optional) 1. Pound chicken slightly between 2 pieces of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thickness using flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin. Broil chicken 6 inches from heat source 7 to 8 minutes on each side or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Or, grill chicken on covered grill over medium-hot coals 10 minutes on each side or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 2. Spray medium nonstick saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Add onion; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until tender. Add orange juice, ginger and sugar. Heat to a boil. 3. Combine cornstarch and water in small bowl; add to juice mixture, stirring until thickened. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in orange segments and cilantro. Serve chicken over rice; top with sauce. Garnish as desired.

Chicken and Vegetables with Mustard Sauce

Ingredients 1 tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1-1/2 teaspoons dry mustard 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts 4 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 small red bell pepper, cut into short thin strips 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery 1 small onion, cut into thin wedges 3 cups hot cooked Chinese egg noodles (3 ounces uncooked)     1. Combine sugar, cornstarch and mustard in small bowl. Blend soy sauce, water and vinegar into cornstarch mixture until smooth. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. 2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in wok or large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and garlic; stir-fry 3 minutes or until chicken is cooked though. Remove and reserve. 3. Add remaining 2 teaspoons oil to wok. Add bell pepper, celery and onion; stir-fry 3 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. 4. Stir soy sauce mixture; add to wok. Cook and stir 30 seconds or until sauce boils and thickens. 5. Return chicken with any accumulated juices to wok; heat through. Serve over Chinese noodles. Garnish with celery leaves, if desired.

Barbecued Pork

Ingredients 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons dry red wine 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon honey 2 teaspoons red food coloring (optional) 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 green onion with top, cut in half 1 clove garlic, minced 2 whole pork tenderloins (about 12 ounces each), trimmed   Green onions (optional)

1. Combine soy sauce, wine, sugar, honey, food coloring, cinnamon, onion and garlic in large bowl. Add meat; turn to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight, turning meat occasionally. 2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Drain meat, reserving marinade. Place meat on wire rack over baking pan. Bake 45 minutes or until no longer pink in center, turning and basting frequently with reserved marinade. 3. Remove meat from oven; cool. Cut into diagonal slices. Garnish with green onions, if desired.