The wind whipped wildly through the trees as the Single/Significant-Other-Out-of-Town folks of the cooking club gang gathered to celebrate Valentine’s Day with some Chinese comfort food. Darren cracked us up by purchasing a package of Medjool Dates so we could all tell folks we had a date Monday night. 😉
We took things at a leisurely place this time, eating in courses and lingering over each one as we sipped wine and Darren’s hot jasmine tea, and discussed all manner of interesting things.
We started with my soup – a simple garlicky beef broth with scallions and cilantro poured steaming hot over either glassy Mung Bean Noodles or hearty Chai Green Tea Soba Noodles. Each person doctored their bowl with soy sauce and slurped up every last bit.
Next up was Selwyn’s splendid salad of Napa cabbage, broccoli slivers, julienne carrots, red cabbage and a fabulously savory peanut dressing.
Our third course was Toby’s fantastic fried rice with a special sweet Chinese sausage, shredded carrot, egg, and bright green peas.
Last week we had oh-so-authentic “Chinese” chocolate chip cookies for dessert, and tonight we went equally traditional with Selwyn’s divine dark chocolate salted caramels.
It was a marvy evening of great talks and much laughter with dear friends. A perfect Valentine’s Day.
Did you do anything special Monday night?
Selwyn’s Napa and Broccoli Shred Salad with Peanut Dressing
Ingredients for salad:
1/2 head Napa Cabbage, sliced thinly
1/2 cup broccoli shreds
1/2 cup carrot shreds
1/2 cup red cabbage, sliced thinly
1/2 cup snow peas
Crispy Chow Mein Noodles
Ingredients for Dressing:
1 Cup rice wine vinegar
1 Cup canola oil
1 Cup peanut oil
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 Cup soy sauce – gluten free
1/2 Cup sesame oil
1/4 Cup agave nectar
2 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp minced Ginger
Directions:
- Toss vegetables together in large bowl. Set aside.
- In medium bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth.
- Toss dressing with salad and top with Crispy Chow Mein Noodles.
Krista’s Garlicky Beef Noodle Soup
Ingredients:
2 boxes organic beef broth
1 bunch scallions, sliced thinly
6-8 garlic cloves, minced
handful fresh cilantro
sprinkle of dried red chilies
1/2 tsp Chinese 5-Spice
soy sauce to taste
Fresh cilantro
cooked and drained noodles (I used Chai Green Tea Soba Noodles and Mung Bean Noodles)
Directions:
- Combine first six ingredients in saucepan. Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer 10 minutes.
- Place noodles in bowl, pour broth over them, add soy sauce to taste and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
Toby’s Fried Rice with Sweet Chinese Sausage
(Click here for recipe)
I like the healthy amount of garlic in your noodle soup! Forget chicken noodle soup…this sounds like the soup for me when I have a cold.
I love the concept of DATE night. In our house, we are often too busy to have date night, I think I’ll implement your friend Darren’s idea. Thank you for the fun recipes, that garlic soup would be enough to chase any vampire away 🙂
What a great feast you guys had! I could use a steaming bowl of your beautiful noodle soup right now, because we are having the most dreadful weather. Happy belated Valentine’s Day, Krista!
Lakes, snakes and Chinese Valentines! What an adventure I’ve been on already this gloomy-in-L.A. a.m.
The Chinese Valentines Dinner seems like the proper way to spend that day because who does not LOVE Chinese food?!
Oh this sounds like such a fun way to celebrate V-Day! Good food, good friends…what more could a girl ask for?
Love that fried rice! And the salted caramels (which I have been meaning to make with Ina’s recipe) look like a perfect ending.
I agree, Debi! I’ve been eating this soup and the gingery one from last week regularly and it’s keeping me nice and healthy. 🙂
You’re welcome, Lael! I quite agree about the garlic. 🙂 It’d delicious and potent!
Thank you so much, Karen! I’m glad you’re back safe and sound from your travels. Hot soup is such a comfort in crummy weather. 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Paradis! 🙂 Love the pictures you share every day. 🙂
It was fantastic, Joanne! Just what I needed. 🙂
It was scrumptious, Barbara! Now that I’ve had Sel’s salted caramels, I’d love to make some too! I’m so glad you shared where I could find a good recipe. 🙂
Valentines day was Taco night! lol
Oh, that sounds great, Duchess! I do love me some tacos. 🙂
Well now I’m hungry! I adore Asian food – had a great meal at Wo Hop in Chinatown in fact last week.
It sounds like you all had another feast. I love the photos and recipes you’ve shared with us. Your soupy noodles are my kind of food and I’d love to have a bowl of them. I hope you have a great evening. Blessings…Mary
Celebrating a romantic day with non-traditional meal…love it!! Despite all the garlic and spices, I think a Chinese meal would make a nice romantic meal. I love the idea of everyone slurping loudly! 🙂
Salted caramels…, I would have made the journey there just for these. Happy (belated) V Day Krista, sounds like you had a wicked day. 🙂