Introducing…Hoisin Sauce

By Sandy Hu
The latest from Inside Special Fork

Some years ago, when I was judging the James Beard Cookbook Awards, I ended up buying spices and sauces for a one-time use. I needed them to test the recipes to evaluate the cookbooks, but I never used the ingredients again. What a waste.

It was my fault, really. If I’d taken the time to cook more recipes from those particular books or to learn more about the ingredients, I might have used up the remainder. But I was busy and having fulfilled my responsibilities as a judge, I’d moved on.

I think the same might be true with some of Special Fork’s Asian recipes. They are quick and easy to make, but may require some ingredients that aren’t on your everyday shopping list. It may leave you to wonder, why should I take the time to source the ingredient and spend the money, all for a single recipe?

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Hoisin Pork Wraps: Dinner in under 30 Minutes

By David Hu
A new video for Video Friday

On those days when I come home from work exhausted, I turn to a select group of recipes: those that can be prepped AND cooked in under 30 minutes. These are my go-to meals. Each packs a lot of flavor, yet they can be made with minimal effort.

Among my favorites are pasta carbonara, pork tonkatsu, mint pesto couscous, and pizzetta with California dried plums and caramelized onions. Joining this select group of recipes is Hoisin Pork Wraps.

This recipe has only a handful of ingredients and almost no prep work. The only trick is mastering the technique of searing the pork. When searing meat, once you put it down in the hot pan, don’t mess with it – leave it alone until the meat is seared.

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Don’t Let Your Shrimp Dawdle

Shrimp, snow peas and bell pepper: three simple ingredients that cook quickly to create sweet, crunchy, salty, tender goodness. Swap out the vegetables if you prefer. Try zucchini or boy choy.

Keep it simple but be certain not to overcook the shrimp; keep them moving until they just turn tender and pink.

This easy, one-dish meal takes about 20 minutes to make (10 to prep and another 10 to cook) so you can be out of the kitchen in no time.

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