Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:
2 Cucumbers
3 Cloves of garlic (you can put less or more
3 Red chili peppers
3 Tbsp of sesame oil
1/2 Tsp of pepper
1/2 Tsp of salt

1. Cut the cucumbers into 1/2 inch cubes. In a bowl, sprinkle the cucumbers with 1/2 tsp of salt.  Let it sit for a few minutes, then drain the water and set aside.

2. Dice the red chili peppers.

3. Mince the garlic.

4. In a bowl, toss together cucumbers, chili peppers, garlic, 1/2 tsp of pepper and 3 tbsp of sesame oil. Chill the cucumber salad for about 1 hour before you serve and enjoy!
 

Stir-Fry Green Beans with Chicken

Ingredients: 

2 Cups of fresh green beans, trimmed

1/2 Pound of ground chicken  

3 Cloves of garlic 

2 Tbsp of fresh ginger root

1/4 Tsp of salt
4 Tsp of sugar

2 Tsp of ground black pepper

6 Tbsp of black bean sauce

4 Tbsp of soy sauce

2 Tbsp of rice wine

4 Tbsp of vegetable oil
3 red chili peppers (optional)

1. Mince the garlic and ginger.

2. In a bowl, mix together 6 tbsp of black bean sauce, 4 tbsp of soy sauce, 2 tbsp of rice wine, 4 tsp of sugar, 2 tsp of ground black pepper and set aside.

3. In a large pan, with high heat, add 2 tbsp of oil add ground chicken and stir-fry until fully cooked.  Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.

4. Heat the remaining oil and stir-fry the green beans for 7-8 minutes or until tender.

5. Add the garlic and ginger, stir-fry for another minute.

6. Add the chicken to the stir-fry.

7. Stir in the black bean sauce.

 (Optional: I like a little spice, so I cut up some red chili peppers and added it to the stir-fry)

8. Once the green beans and chicken are evenly coated with black bean sauce, remove from pan, serve and enjoy!  (I like to eat my stir-fry with a bowl of rice)

Cold Noodles with Peanut Sesame Dressing

Ingredients:
2 Bundles of noodles
2 Cucumber
1 Carrot
1 Cup of bean sprouts
1/3 cup of diced cilantro

For Peanut Sesame Dressing: 

1/2 Cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 Cup soy sauce
1/3 Cup warm water
1 1/2 Tbs of sesame oil
2 Tsp of sugar
1 Medium garlic clove, chopped

1.  Bring 1 pot of water to a boil, cook the noodles, when done drain and set aside

2.  Blanch the bean sprouts in boiling hot water, drain and set aside
3.  Julienne the carrots and cucumbers

4.  In a blender combine 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup warm water, 1 1/2 tbs of sesame oil, 2 tsp of sugar, 1 medium garlic clove- chopped. when evenly blended remove and pour into a small bowl.
5. In a serving dish combine noodles, carrots, bean sprouts, cucumbers, drizzle 3 tbs of peanut sesame dressing.  Sprinkle cilantro on top, serve and enjoy! :)   (I like to add more peanut sesame sauce, feel free to add as much or as little as you like)