Peking Gourmet Inn

A friend recently observed that I always seek new experiences and food that is unfamiliar, while she likes to stick with the things that she knows. Although that is usually the case, sometimes it is comforting to visit an old family haunt to revisit childhood favorites. When I was back in Washington DC for work this week, I managed to visit the Peking Gourmet Inn in Bailey's Crossroads. The restaurant has been around since the late 1970's, you can tell by the decor and service.  There is an old style formality that I rarely see in the newer Chinese restaurants that I have been to in the area.  The restaurant is an old favorite of the Bush family, and the walls are lines with photographs from an unusual selection of Washington insiders and celebrities from Colin Powell to John Travolta.  The restaurant has been the subject of some rather scathing reviews recently, including one in Tom Sietsema's Washington Post Spring Dining guide that resulted in 1/2 star.  However, I had excellent service and great food on my recent visit.  The restaurant is known for peking duck and garlic sprouts, and I highly recommend both.  On this trip, I was craving a selection of dishes that were introduced by some great family friends, who first took my family to the restaurant during a visit to DC over 20 years ago.  I still remember the first time they introduced me to the spinach saute with garlic.  I have never had spinach as good anywhere else.

Server Carving a Peking Duck

Spinach Saute

Scallops with Roasted Garlic

Kung Pao Shrimp

Quinoa for Breakfast

When I have extra time on a weekend morning, I like to make quinoa instead of oatmeal. It seems more decadent, almost like a healthier version of the rice kasha that is a morning staple in Russia. Cook the quinoa in milk (1 part quinoa/ 2 parts liquid) until absorbed. As with any milk on the stove, watch carefully to make sure it doesn't boil and bubble over. Add brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and other spices to taste. Add fruit a minute or two before it's done and add nuts and top with additional fruit before serving. I used apricots, but any berry works really well too.

Somen for Summer

When the weather gets warmer, I immediately begin to crave the cold noodle dishes of my childhood.  Somen, Hiyashi Chuka and Zaru Soba are all favorites.  For some reason, somen noodles seem to taste better as Nagashi Somen, or flowing noodles diners fish out of a stream or special chute made of bamboo.  I usually serve Somen with mentsuyu sauce for dipping, with julienned cucumber, tamago, carrot, scallion, and ham on chicken. I recently came across a recipe for Chilled Tomato Somen from humblebeanblog.com and had to try it.  The somen noodles stand up well to the garlic, tomato, and basil and the wheat noodle is refreshingly light compared to pasta.

How to Slay a Dragon Fruit

I was first served Dragon fruit years ago, as part of the breakfast at a hotel.  Dragon fruit is reportedly a good source of antioxidants, fiber, calcium, and vitamins B1, B2, B2, C. To select a ripe dragon fruit, choose one with bright, even color skin.  A few blotches are okay, but too many and it will be overripe.  It should not be to mushy, but should give a little, like a kiwi or peach.  Although the fruit comes in both magenta and white fleshed varieties, I have only ever come across the white in markets.  The bright magenta version is a supposedly more flavorful, but I love the contrast of the bright white with the magenta shell.  To serve, cut in half, scoop out, cube and serve in the skin shells.  

Wafu Burger

My husband and I love a Wafu Burger served at a small neighborhood restaurant.  It has an amazing topping of grated daikon with a gingery, soy flavor and was served on a bed of sauteed onions and bean sprouts.  At home I tried to recreate it with organic ground beef, lots of minced ginger, and a little soy sauce  and sesame oil.  Lightly mix until just combined, form into patties, and cook according to personal preference.  Unfortunately I realized a little too late that we were out of daikon.  I decided to top with beni shoga, a Japanese pickled ginger that I always have on hand for yakisoba.  It turned out pretty well, but I need to try again next time I have daikon on hand!

Puffy Apple Pancake

I have learned that when I'm entertaining, I prefer spending time with my friends than in the kitchen.  This has always been harder for me at brunch.  Gone are the days when I make individual waffles, pancakes or omelets for guests.  This apple pancake is an easy recipe for weekend brunch entertaining. Slice and caramelize 6 granny smith apples in a large oven safe skillet. Mix 3 eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 3/4 cup flour, 1/4 tsp salt and 2 Tb sugar in a blender and pour batter over apples. Bake in 425 degree oven for 15 min, or until puffed and golden. Serve right away.

Pork and Pappardelle

I love to read cookbooks, and my collection is probably in the hundreds.  For some reason, I rarely actually cook from them.  These days I am most inspired by blogs and the occasional recommendation from a friend.  Luckily a friend recommended this recipe from Smoky Pork Papparadelle from Food & Wine.  It includes a list of specialized ingredients, including smoked sea salt, champagne vinegar, and pappardelle - a pasta that is not easily found in every supermarket.  I think this combination of flavors is perfect, but it is still an excellent dish with regular salt, white wine vinegar, and a tubular pasta that catches the shreds of pork.  This is a hearty cold, rainy day kind of dish.  It is smokey with a slight sweetness and the pork just melts in your mouth.

Smoky Pork Pappardelle

Pork Pappardelle
adapted from Food & Wine

2-pound piece of boneless pork shoulder

2 Tb canola oil

1 each Granny Smith apple, medium onion, and carrot, cut in 1-inch dice

2 cloves garlic, crushed

3 thyme sprigs

1/2 cup tomato paste

3 cups liquid (mix of chicken stock and dry white wine)

1/3 cup white wine vinegar (champagne if available)

3 Tb honey

3 Tb mascarpone cheese (sour cream would work)

sea salt (smoked if available), freshly ground pepper

1 Tb chopped parsley

1 lb cooked papparadelle (or tubular pasta)

Preheat the oven to 300°. Season the meat with salt and cook in an enameled cast-iron casserole on medium high heat until browned on all sides. Transfer to a plate.

Add the apple, onion, carrot, celery, garlic and thyme and cook on medium until beginning to brown. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it deepens in color. Add the liquid and bring to a boil. Add the vinegar and honey and bring to a simmer.  Return the pork, cover and transfer to the oven. Braise for about 3 hours, turning once halfway through, until very tender.

Transfer the pork to a plate. Strain the sauce into a large bowl.   Pour the sauce back into the pot. Shred the pork; discard any pieces of fat. Return the shredded pork to the sauce and stir in the mascarpone. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.  Serve over pasta and sprinkle with parsley.