[CH] Tonights Dinner

RST G (synapse7@home.com)
Tue, 27 Jul 1999 22:04:33 -0400

This was tonights dinner. It was really good. Of course, here we would
up the amount of chiles in the chile paste but I lowered it a bit for
DH. It was still quite hot:

                     *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                      Spicy Sumatran Vegetable Stew

Recipe By     : Hot & Spicy & Southeast Asian by DeWitt/Wilan/Stock
Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Chiles                           Seafood

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      sm            eggplant -- coarsely chopped
                        salt
   6                    red serrano peppers or jalapeno chiles --
stem/seed/chop
   1      lg            onion -- chopped
   2      cloves        garlic -- minced
   3                    macadamia nuts -- or cashews
     2/3  tsp           shrimp paste -- or anchovy paste
   1      tsp           salt
   1      tsp           ground coriander
   4      tbsp          vegetable oil
     1/2  cup           cooked tiny shrimp -- or
     1/2  cup           dried baby shrimp -- reconstituted
     1/2  cup           bamboo shoots -- thinly sliced
     1/2  cup           green beans -- fresh chopped
   1                    red bell pepper (or yellow or orange) --
stem/seed/chop
   2                    zucchini squash -- chopped
   6      lg            cabbage leaves -- chopped *
   2      cups          chicken broth
   1                    tomato -- coarsely chopped
   1      stalk         lemongrass (just bottom white part) -- cut in 3
pc.
   2                    lime leaves -- or 1 bay leaf
   1      cup           coconut milk** -- or 1% milk w/extract
                        salt and sugar -- to taste

Sprinkle the eggplant with salt, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Squeeze
out the moisture, rinse the eggplant, and roll it up in paper towels to
absorb any excess moisture.

Place the chiles, onion, garlic, nuts, shrimp paste, salt and coriander
to the blender, add a little water, and puree until the mixture is
smooth.

Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet, add the chile-spice puree, and
cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat. Add the shrimp, and then the
bamboo shoots, green beans, red bell pepper, zucchini, eggplant and
cabbage leaves, a handful at a time.

Pour in the broth, cover, and simmer gently for about 10 minutes to
partially cook the vegetables.

Add the chopped tomato. Put the lemongrass and lime leaves or bay leaf
in a piece of cheesecloth, then add to the stew. Stir in the coconut
milk and simmer for an additional 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove the packet of lemongrass and lime leaves or bay leaf and discard.
Adjust the sugar and salt and serve.

Risa's notes: Even though this recipe said that it was mild, it was mild
for a chile-head. For a regular person, it might be quite spicy. So cut
the amount of chiles a bit for those who cannot deal with the heat and
put a lot of white rice on the side along with a cool side dish such as
a raita or some sour cream or yogurt.



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Serving Ideas : white rice or noodles

NOTES : * I did not have cabbage in the house. All I had was the already
shredded cabbage cole slaw mix so I used about 2 nice handfuls of the
cole slaw mix and added it to the bowl of vegetables.

** I did not have coconut milk so I made my usual substitute. I take an
equal amount of 1% milk or skim milk and I add about 1/2-1 tsp of
coconut extract to it. I use it the same way as the coconut milk is used
and it is far lower in fat. I just don't let it boil - just simmer or it
breaks up.

RisaG