Asian/Asian American Heritage Series 2011 Stir Fry Night

A huge thanks to the Brown University Dining Services staff for making AAHS Stir Fry Night possible! Stir fries were inspired by East, Southeast, and South Asian cuisine and included Beef and Broccoli Szechuan, Pineapple Fried Rice, and Vegan Chana Masala along with condiments of lime, chili sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, and ginger.



We owe a lot to the talented chefs who cooked batch after batch of aromatic stir fries this evening.

If you have comments or ideas for future AAHS events, please email brown.aahm@gmail.com.

Broccoli Rabe with Three Pastas

If you can't make it to Federal Hill because of that paper that needs to get done by tonight, have no fear. Transform the Ratty into your favorite Italian restaurant with a trio of pastas and some garlicky broccoli rabe. Buon Appetito!

Broccoli Rabe with Three Pastas

broccoli rabe

conchiglie with pesto

whole wheat penne with meatless tomato sauce

gnocchi with melted cheese and basil

Arrange on a plate and savor each bite.

"Andreas-style" Spinach Mushroom Pita Sandwich

As I was savoring a particularly juicy, cheese-smothered mushroom in my Greek veggie sandwich the other day at Andreas, it suddenly occurred to me: I had, at the Ratty, pretty much all the ingredients conveniently at my disposal to recreate that very same sandwich.

Mushrooms, spinach, tomato, onion, swiss and American cheese are ordinary on their own but absolutely wonderful in a warm pita nuked in the microwave for a minute or so. Served with a romaine lettuce salad, you could seriously imagine that you are dining at a particular Greek restaurant on Thayer street.

"Andreas-style" Spinach Mushroom Pita Sandwich

1 pita

plateful of spinach

1 slice of American cheese

2 slices of swiss cheese

sliced mushrooms

2-3 slices of tomato

2-3 onion rings

golden raisins (optional but very yummy)

1 large piece of wax paper

1. Microwave spinach and mushrooms on a plate for 2 minutes, or until spinach is cooked.

2. Place tomatoes and onions in a pita. Layer spinach-mushroom mixture on top and sprinkle with golden raisins, if using.

3. Place cheese on top and roll the pita up on both sides. Wrap a wax paper "diaper" on one end.

4. Nuke in the microwave for about 1 minute to melt the cheese.

5. Serve warm with a salad of lettuce, tomato, cucumbers (olives and feta too if available).

Luck of the Irish Veggies and Corned Beef

Fortune shines upon those who eat a rainbow of veggies with their protein!

Luck of the Irish Veggies and Corned Beef

broccoli, microwaved with water and garlic infused olive oil for 2 min

herbed slice carrots

baby tomatoes

sliced corned beef

irish soda bread

Arrange food on plate and enjoy!

Spinach Edamame Falafel Pocket

A green spin on the falafel pocket.

Spinach Edamame Falafel Pocket

1/2 pita pocket

2-3 slices tomato

2-3 onion rings

plateful of baby spinach

scant spoonful of edamame

2-3 falafels

2 Tbsp cucumber yogurt sauce

1 Tbsp tahini

1. Microwave spinach for 1-2 minutes or until slightly wilted.

2. Cut falafel into small pieces and mix with cooked spinach, yogurt sauce, edamame, and tahini.

3. Stuff a pita pocket with spinach mixture, tomato, and onions and enjoy!

Savory Spinach Tofu Wrap

Savory Spinach is delicious by itself, but downright scrumptious in a wrap. I mean, who can resist the green spinach-y cross section of a wrap filled with Savory Spinach? Your post-Thanksgiving protein/fat/sugar-laden digestive system will thank you.

Savory Spinach Tofu Wrap

1 herb (?) tortilla (the one with the greenish flecks in it)

vegan grilled Asian veggies

peanut butter

soy sauce

honey

tofu (6-8 cubes)

savory spinach

1. Mix 2 Tbsp peanut butter with a tsp of soy sauce. Spread on flour tortilla. Drizzle with honey.

2. Put veggies, tofu, and spinach on tortilla. Wrap it up, cut in half, admire the cross-section. Enjoy!

Scallion Mashed Potatoes

An East-meets-West twist on a Thanksgiving classic.

Scallion Mashed Potatoes

1 baked potato

2 Tbsp sour cream

1 Tbsp sesame oil

splash of milk

1/4 cup scallions

Scrape out the insides of the potato and combine with the rest of the ingredients, minus the scallions. Stir in the scallions once the potato mixture is as smooth as you want it (I like it a bit chunky).

Honey Glazed Pork with Scallion Mashed Potatoes and Sesame Green Beans

An "Asian" twist on roast pork and potatoes, using sesame, scallions, and honey as flavor accents.

Don't forget that this Thursday is the AAHM Ratty Dinner special! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=158222947546179&index=1

Check out the AAHM Food Fact of the Day on your left as you enter the Ratty! http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Food_Services/

Honey Glazed Pork with Scallion Mashed Potatoes and Sesame Green Beans

sesame green beans

1 baked potato

2 Tbsp scallions

2 Tbsp sour cream

1 tsp sesame oil

1 slice of roast pork

drizzle of honey

1. Prepare the mashed potatoes: Cut a baked potato in half and scoop out the insides into a bowl. Use a fork to mash potatoes with scallions, sour cream, and sesame oil.

2. Arrange green beans on plate. Press the mashed potatoes into a small cup, and invert onto beans. Place sliced roast pork on top of mashed potatoes and drizzle with honey. Enjoy!

"Oyako" Chicken & Egg Sandwich

"Oyako" means parent and child in Japanese - if you've seen "oyako donburi" in Japanese restaurants, you'll know what I'm talking about (a rice dish topped with chicken and egg - bonus points if you can figure out which is the "parent" and which is the "child")

"Oya-ko" Chicken & Egg Sandwich

1 slice of whole grain 7 Stars bread

1 leg piece of spicy herb-baked chicken

mixed salad greens

1 egg over light

cranberries for garnish

Take the meat off of the chicken leg and arrange on bread. Top with salad greens, fried egg, and cranberries. Enjoy!

Vegetarian Egg Rolls with Josh's Sauce

Did you know that November is Asian/Asian American History Month? Celebrate with Asian food at the Ratty!

In case you haven't heard, the AAHM special dinner will be held next Thursday (11/11) from 4:00 - 7:30 at the Ratty. The menu will feature dishes from East, Southeast, and South Asian Cuisine, including Mango Lassi and Green Tea Ice Cream for dessert - don't miss it! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=158222947546179

Credit goes to our dear friend Josh for inventing this sauce - the secret ingredient? Ketchup! Although the version I tried at lunch today didn't have honey in it, Josh recommends adding a little bit of sweetness to balance out the tangy/salty flavor of the sauce - try it with honey and you likely will not be disappointed.

Vegetarian Egg Rolls with Josh's Sauce

vegetarian egg roll(s)

steamed broccoli (optional)

Josh's sauce:

2 Tbsp ketchup

1.5 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp peanut butter

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp honey (optional)

Mix the sauce ingredients together until smooth. Slice egg roll in half and serve with sauce and broccoli on the side.