First post

This blog is about the "Chinese" food I cook and eat everyday. I am a chemist who does not have any cooking background but likes to experiment with things. My food is mostly simple and economical stir-fries. As a health-conscious scientist, I make sure the food I cook contains essential daily nutriants. I sometimes digress to topics on Chinese culture. Hope you like my blog. Now here is what I made today. 

Two dishes for lunch (06-24-12): Cost $4.5 (pork $2.5, mustard greens $1, black fungus $0.5, tofu skin $0.5)

Stir-fried pork with mustard greens and black fungus

COOKING
1. Slice pork. Blanch sliced pork. Cut up mustard greens. Soak dried and sliced black fungus for an hour.
2. Heat oil in wok and stir fry pork slices in soy sauce. Add mustard greens and finally black fungus strips.

TASTE
It is a combination of pungent mustard smell and aroma of the soy sauce. The black fungus addes to the texture of the dish.

NUTRITION
Pork is my protein source. Due to the limited amount, protein shake is needed later during the day. Mustard greens are rich in vitamin A, vitamin K and many other essential trace elements such as cadmium, selenium, chromium, ion and zinc. They definitely contain lots of fiber. Black fungus, also known as the "wood ear", is considered "blood cleanser" as it may reduce LDL cholesterol and aortic plaque. Some people may be turned off by its color and its name. It is actually no different than any mushroom you eat. Add a little bit to your diet to benefit your blood health.

CHINESE
 "Wood ear" in Chinese is 木耳 (sound: Moo-Err). The two Chinese characters are good examples of this ancient language, which is based on pictorial symbols resembling what they signify. Think about how would you draw "wood" or "tree"? how would you draw "ear"? Here is the evolution of the characters from drawings:

Stir-fried pork with Tofu skin