Beef Broccoli and Cake Noodles

Thursday was eat at home night.  I decided to make some beef broccoli with cake noodles.  It was the first time making it.  Nothing like a home cooked meal. 

Marinate Beef

Marinate the beef with 2 TBSP shoyu and 1 tsp grated ginger.  Marinate it for 30 minutes.

Saute Broccoli

Saute broccoli in some vegetable oil only for about 1 minute.  Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Brown Beef and onions

Saute the beef and onions in some oil until browned.

Add gravy mixture, Broccoli, and green onions

Add gravy mixture, broccoli, and green onions.  Cook until sauce thickens.  You might have to turn fire down to low for sauce to thicken.

Boil Noodles

Boil noodles according to package.

Pan Fry Noodles

Pan fry in oil.  Do not mix or stir.  Let noodles cook until crispy, then turn over to cook other side.

Beef Broccoli and Cake Noodles

Once noodles are done serve beef broccoli over hot noodles and ENJOY.



INGREDIENTS:
3/4lb beef sliced thin
1 tsp finely grated ginger
2 TBSP shoyu
2 TBSP vegetable oil
2 cups sliced broccoli
1 medium onion sliced
4 stalks green onion

GRAVY MIXTURE:
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
dash of pepper
1 TBSP cornstarch
2 cups chicken broth
Crispy or soft-fried noodles




Beef broccoli and cake noodles is a popular chinese dish. For the first time it took making this dish, it was fairly simple and fast.  It was also pretty good that there was hardly any left overs. Try it out and let me know how it is.

Overall- the ease of making the dish and taste, this beef broccoli and cake noodle dish  is worth 3 1/2 stars.

Kunio Restaurant

We spent the day at Waikele Shopping Outlet yesterday.  We haven't eaten here in a long time so here is what we had for lunch.  Kunio Restaurant is located in the Waikele Shopping Outlet in Waipahu.  They are located next to Party City.  They are open Sun-Sat 10:30am-10:00pm.  They serve a variety of Japanese dishes.  They have a sushi bar which I haven't tried yet.  They don't take reservations and they do get crowded fast so if you go late, expect to be put on a waiting list for a table.  The prices are resonable and the service is pretty good. 

TenDon

I wasn't that hungry so I ordered their TenDon.  As you can see, it comes in a bento box.  A thin layer of rice on the bottom topped with 2 pieces of shrimp, 2 pieces green bean, 2 pieces carrot, and 2 pieces eggplant.  I was surprisingly full.  The shrimp was not overcooked as well as the vegetables.  A little crunch but yet cooked enough.  They could add a little more rice but other than that, this dish was satisfying.





Combination Teriyaki Beef & Squid Tempura

My wife had a combination meal.  She chose the Teriyaki beef and squid tempura combo.  This was the first time she ordered this combo.  She said that the beef was soft and tender and not chewy.  The squid tempura was just right also, not too chewy and not overcooked.  She was very happy with her meal.    


Wakame Udon

As usual, our son had his wakame udon.  There was lots of noodles and wakame but that didn't stop him from almost eating the whole bowl.




Kunio Restaurant is a small place but very popular.  There is almost always a waiting line but if you are ever in Waikele doing some shopping and find yourself hungry, stop on by for some good ol' Japanese food.  Check out their website  http://www.kuniorestaurant.com/


Overall I give Kunio Restaurant 4 stars.

Macaroni and Cheese

Hey Y'all I'm back.  Tonight I decided to make Macaroni and Cheese for dinner.  Not just a mac and cheese from a box but one from our Everyday Food Magazine subscription.  I thought maybe since I haven't eaten macaroni and cheese in a LONG time, I would try it out.  Here goes......

Cook your Pasta

 Fisrt to start, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  In the meantime, cook your pasta and drain; reserve.




Melting butter

Melt butter over medium heat. 



Adding onions

Add onion.  Cook stirring occasionally, until softened (about 3-5 minutes).




Adding the flour

Whisk in flour to coat onion.


Whisking in milk

In a slow steady stream, whisk in milk until there are no lumps.  Cook whisking often until mixture is thick and bubbly and coats the back of a wooden spoon, about 6-8 minutes.

Adding Cheese

Stir in Cayenne, if using, and 1 cup each of yellow and white cheddar cheese.  Season with 1 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.


Adding Pasta and Ham

Toss pasta with the cheese mixture; then fold in ham.  


Adding to baking pan

Transfer to a 9-by-13 inch baking dish.

Breadcrumbs and Cheese mixture

I don't have a food processor so I just used a ziplock bag and broke up the bread into large crumbs.  But if you have a food processor, pulse the bread until large crumbs form.  Then add 1/4 cup each of white and yellow cheddar cheese and 1/4 tps. salt and top pasta with the breadcrumb mixture.

Finished product

Bake until top is golden, about 30 minutes.  Then enjoy.





Ingredients:
1 lb. elbow macaroni pasta, cooked and drained
4 TBSP butter
1 small onion
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups milk
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) shredded yellow cheddar cheese
1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) shredded white cheddar cheese
8 ounces ham, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
2 slices white sandwich bread





This was my first attempt at making Macaroni and Cheese from scratch.  It was pretty good too.  It wasn't as creamy as I thought it would be but it was still good for a first try.


I give my first attempt at Macaroni and Cheese 3 1/2 stars.