West Bend Electric Wok

Need a recipe?  I used Cooksmarts Guide To Stir-Frying  https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/electric-wok/

Made with chicken, garlic,celery, frozen: peppers, onions, broccoli and cauliflower and used the basic sauce.  Just follow the chart.  Next time I will reduce the rice vinegar and use all fresh vegetables instead of some frozen.  This one was my least favorite of this months stir-fries and will need some more "tweaking."  Where the frozen Asian smaller sized vegetables in the earlier post of fried rice worked well, these ones didn't work well in this one.  I look forward to trying the 3 other stir-fry sauces on the chart and more of the combo's.

Happy Woking!

Keurig Recap

When I went to Walmart to buy the Solo refill pod to use in my Keurig machine, they didn't have any on the shelf.  Instead they had a new choice for me, Brew & Save.  I used the purple refillable pod to make Ginko, Mulberry and Spearmint teas.  I used a glass measuring cup with a pour spout under the stream and poured it into individual glass jars and labeled them.  Use pot holders to move the jars and put on the lids.

The mint leaves I grew in my garden, dried them then used a Vita-Mix, a high powered blender to turn into a

powder.  I used 1 teaspoon in a paper filter in the purple reusable filter of this fine tea.  It turned out great, plus I ran the machine for 3 times with 10 oz. of water from the same 1 teaspoon of powdered mint tea.  For the other two teas, I placed the dried leaves to the fill line in the purple pod without a paper filter with great results.  Of course you can also use fresh herbs and fresh tea leaves or coffee grounds in the purple pod.  I usually drink my teas unsweetened but you can add Stevia leaves or powder or a sweetener of your choice to the pod to try or just stir your sweetner into your single serving mug.  Note do not use Stevia until after childbearing years are over.  

Now I have a ready made tea supply for a few days.  Sometimes the lids will completely seal when I reuse the glass jars then I can put them in the pantry for a few days.  The ones that don't seal or are not made to seal, I place in the fridge.  I am pleased with the Brew & Save products.  To learn how to use, grow, dry or the nutrient or medicinal value of teas see these pinterest listings:

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/herbal-remedies/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/herbs-spices-tea-general/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/anti-inflammatory/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/mulberry-grow-eat/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/ginko-tree-grow-use/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/mint-grow-and-use/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/keurig/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/jiaogulan-gynostemma-pentaphyllum/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/stevia-grow-and-use/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/spearmint-grow-use/

If you don't have a local source for a refillable, reuseable filter you can find one here:

http://gotclicks2.com/rAWBf8nzg

https://www.tripleclicks.com/16585161/detail?item=459241

Teas/ stevia:

http://gotclicks2.com/sZdFtFylS

Yonanas 902 Ice Cream Treat Maker

     Next month for our August blog we will be covering the Yonanas 902 Ice Cream Treat Maker and yes it can also be bid on at the penny auction as early as today.  I bought mine at a thrift store and was very pleased with it.  I used banana and raspberry for my first trial.  Next time I'll double it and put a couple of  ice cream dishes of it in the freezer for later.  It is easy to put together, use, disassemble and clean.  If you expect it to taste like your favorite ice cream, no it will not.  This makes a frozen treat that has the texture, body and creamy feel of ice cream but without the dairy!  So great news for anyone needing to cut calories or avoid dairy and sugar.  And since you make it, you know what's in it.  If you put quality in, quality will come out.  You can even go organic if you wish.
      I like to shop at Aldi for fresh fruit, as no one beats their prices in my area.  They have newly expanded into some health and organic products, so I will be stocking up on their organic pineapple and bananas on my next visit.  You can also buy frozen fruit to use that can fit in the shaft or buy fresh and peel/cut to the shape you need before freezing it.

https://storelocator.aldi.us/Presentation/AldiSued/en-us/Start

To bid or buy in the penny auction:
http://www.tripleclicks.com/16585161/pbgw

Keurig Recap

I've enjoyed being the proud owner of my Keurig Home Brewer.  For 2 months I've tried all different kinds of things in this machine.  Wait a second while I take a sip of my fresh cup of Hot Spiced Cider on this cool, rainy morning.  Yes, just right.  My next thing to try with my Keurig is a Solofill refillable filter cup.  This way I can put most anything in it, my favorite brand of coffee,  loose leaf tea, tea bag, etc.  Just fill it (about 1/2 way, leaving room for expansion) and place it in the same spot you insert the K-cup pod.  Not able to find one in your area?  No problem, you can find it here.  Just scroll down to the Coffee Lovers Collection.

 https://www.tripleclicks.com/ECA/ECAMyStore?id=27648

I grow at least 7 different kinds of tea in my garden, plus spices.  So I will have plenty of chances to try out the Solofill refillable filter cup in my machine.

For more information on all things Keurig or to grow your own tea,  refer to my June 2016  blogg articles and the pinterest link for herbs, tea  and 100 pins on the Keurig Brewer.

Farberware Electric Wok


     I bought this appliance about 26 years ago, at a second hand store in excellent condition.  My favorite recipe from their cookbook is American Stew.  I've used this on buffet lines for warming dinner rolls or just used like an electric skillet.  It looks great and top priority for me was it was stainless steel.  When I had a chance to pick up another one at a garage sale, I nabbed it too.  For large gatherings the food can be kept warm and easily served  from these.  The food can also be mounded high because of the deep lid.  During a 14 day, widespread, electricity power loss in a 100% electric home, due to 3 ice storms within a few days, this appliance was very useful.  I just plugged it into the cord from the gas generator running outside.

                                                         

                                                                  

Here is one way to use this appliance.  To make Nasi Goreng Fried Rice you will need a special paste.  I recommend World Foods.  It's gluten free, trans fat free, dairy free and no GMO ingredients.  Just follow the recipe on the back of the label for Indonesian Nasi Goreng.  I will list the changes/additions and substitutions I used.

http://mybrands.com/Brands/World-Foods/World-Foods-Paste,-Indonesian-Fried-Rice,-(Nasi-Go

This is where I bought mine from.  You may need to allow extra shipping time.  Mine took about 2 months to arrive because it was on back order.  It was worth the wait.  This is the best chili  paste brand I've ever used, worldwide.

   The changes I made to the recipe were:

Turn knob to 175 degrees to make the omelet with garlic salt and pepper. 

 Raise to 250 degrees to cook the 3 cups of frozen stir fry vegetables adding 1/4 cup water, 2 cups pre-cooked turkey breast, put on lid. 

 After 5 minutes I used 3 cups cold pre-cooked rice layered over the eggs and vegetables, put lid back on for 3-5 more minutes while the rice steams.

  

Stir it all up and serve. 

This makes 2-4 servings.  The peppers are at medium heat level.  If you don't like spicy, try cutting back on the paste by up to half.  I used this while on the 21 Day Fix diet or for regular meals.

  

It works good for food prep also.

Tips for this appliance:  don't turn the heat too high.  Follow the recipe on the label.  What is written above is the changes I made to it.  Or just make what is on the label as it is good too.  I prefer vegetables in mine.  This would also be a good way to use up leftover chicken or holiday turkey.  We enjoy this year round.  Try different kinds of meats.  The sky is the limit, use your imagination.

For more basic food prep or anything 21 Day Fix minded see:

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/meal-prep/

                                                                                                                                                                      https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-1200-calorie-plan-ideas/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-2100-2300-calories/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-1800-2099-calories/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-1500-1799-calories/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-salads-ideas/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-breakfast-ideas/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-snack-ideas/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-desserts-ideas/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-supperdinner-ideas/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-lunches/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-crockpot-meals/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-meal-prep/

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/21-day-fix-soups/

     I'm still trying to win this wok at a penny auction.  My first attempt did not win, but I will try at least one more time.  I've seen it offered at least 4 times already this month.  I'm sure it will still be offered through out the rest of the month.  The features better than the West Bend Wok are:  easy to see through lid, venting lid, better plug, better temperature control range and dishwasher safe.

https://www.tripleclicks.com/16585161/detail?item=458972

     I enjoyed using the Cooksmarts Guide To Stir-Frying chart from my Pinterest listing and ordered a modified chart of it this morning.  Since I will be using it a lot, I'll hang it on the fridge or inside the pantry door for easy use.  There is a option of a free download or you can buy the chart.  The chart I ordered does not have the combo list on it that my Pinterest listing has.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/cooksmarts/works/14111352-cook-smarts-guide-to-stir-frying

Let's Get Started!  Need a recipe?  I'll be using a stir-fry chart from my Pinterest listing,  Cooksmarts Guide To Stir-Frying.  What I like about this chart is you can use whatever is now in your house.  I quickly found this one under the combo listing:  Salmon and Green Bean Curry Stir Fry to work with and no trip to the store was neccessary.  The green beans,  green onion tops and fresh ginger came from my garden.
https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/electric-wok/

       
         Salmon and Green Bean Curry Stir Fry


 Other pins you might be interested in are:  Recipes Asian, One Pot, Stir Fry, Electric Wok, and how to grow green onions, ginger and green beans, found at:

https://www.pinterest.com/tcknighthoodent/

WOW! This recipe is fantastic!  I used to live in Asia and this dish tastes like the Thai spicy food I loved.  I was looking for a great salmon recipe and now I've found one, Thank You Pinterest and Cooksmarts!  This was my first attempt at this dish, and I will be remaking it often.  Remember to use wooden, chopsticks or non-stick utensils to cook with.

I followed the basic recipe but made these changes:

To use the electric wok, use the # 4 setting on the fish/meat then turn down to 3 - 3 1/2.  This makes 6     servings. To add some fiber in the rice I used 3 parts jasmine/long grain rice to 1 part brown rice, long grain. In a later blog we will cover how to use the rice cooker/steamer.
10 oz. Pampa, glass jar of mushrooms (save liquid) from dollar store.
3 cups fresh green beans, cut
1/2 tablespoon fresh ginger
1 lb. package Sea Queen frozen wild caught pink salmon fillets, skinless and boneless (from Aldie's).
        It's easier to get out of the package, cube and cook when still partially frozen.
1/2 tsp.garlic salt
Mae Ploy Yellow Curry Paste from Asian market (Thai product).
1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon (Better Than Bouillon) with the mushroom liquid (Walmart).
Topped with green onion tops, sliced.
Added a few tablespoons water in skillet as needed.


Happy Woking!

Check back before the end of next week to learn how to use this West Bend Electric Wok.  If your wok brand is different, the same basic instructions should work for yours also.  I bought this used wok for my son,  to use while he attended a university that offered a Guys Dorm kitchen for their use.  This used appliance came with chop sticks, a steaming rack and a draining rack and a cookbook.  A rare find for it to still  have all these pieces for when it was offered for resale.