THE ELECTRIC KITCHEN

Celebrate the Year of the Boar with Chinese cuisine

THE ELECTRIC KITCHEN
Hawaiian Electric Co.

CELEBRATE Chinese New Year on Friday and Saturday, as the Chinese Cultural Plaza is converted to a bazaar full of good-luck merchandise, culinary delights and traditional entertainment.

On Friday the Chinese Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual tradition of Choy Cheng. Many streets in Chinatown will be closed as six prominent lion-dancing clubs visit merchants, chasing away evil spirits to begin a prosperous new year. The thundering sounds of the drums and cymbals will be met by fireworks at each shop.

For best viewing, be in front of the Chinese Chamber office, 76 N. King St., 6:15 p.m., when all six clubs and their 12 lions will perform before setting off on their visits to the merchants. Also that evening, the Narcissus Queen and her court will visit businesses and Chinese societies throughout Chinatown.

On Saturday, in addition to activities at the cultural plaza, the Chinatown Merchants Association will hold its annual New Year Parade, beginning at 4 p.m. Maunakea Street will be closed for a Chinese block party, again with food, merchandise and entertainment.

These family-friendly events are a perfect way to celebrate the Year of the Golden Boar. Gung Hei Fat Choy!

Seafood with Black Beans

2 pounds shrimp, clams and scallops or lobster tail
2 tablespoons dau see (Chinese salted black soybean)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sherry
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup chopped green onion

Rinse seafood, leaving shells on. If using lobster, cut tail with shell into 1/2-inch pieces.

Soak dau see 5 minutes; drain, mash with spoon.

Heat oil in wok or skillet. Add seafood and sauté 2 minutes.

Combine dau see, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sherry, sugar, salt, pepper and water. Add to seafood and cook 2 more minutes, stirring constantly. Add cornstarch mixture; cook until sauce thickens. Stir in green onion. Serves 4.

Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving (based on shrimp): 320 calories, 11 g total fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 350 mg cholesterol, 900 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrate, no fiber, 1 g sugar, 47 g protein

Wonderful Taste Chicken

1 rotisserie roasted chicken
3 tablespoons red Chinese vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 teaspoons chili paste with garlic
1-1/2 teaspoons sherry
Dash of white pepper
1 cup green onion strips (1-1/2 inches long)
2/3 cup chopped dry-roasted peanuts
2 quarts shredded lettuce or mixed salad greens
1/4 cup Chinese parsley sprigs (1-1/2 inches long)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Remove skin and bones from chicken; cut meat into 1-inch squares.

Combine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, chili paste, sherry and pepper. Pour over chicken and mix lightly; stir in green onion and 1/3 cup peanuts.

Place lettuce or greens onto serving platter; top with chicken. Sprinkle with remaining peanuts, parsley and sesame seeds. Serves 6.

Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 350 calories, 22 g total fat, 5 g saturated fat, 100 mg cholesterol, 750 mg sodium, 11 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 7 g sugar, 30 g protein

Gau

6 ti leaves
1 pound brown brick sugar (wong tong, available in Chinatown groceries)
1/2 cup raw sugar
2-1/2 cups hot water
1 pound mochiko (glutinous rice flour), sifted
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 dried red date
2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

Oil ti leaves and sides of a 7-1/2-by-3-inch round pan.

Line pan with leaves. Dissolve brick sugar and raw sugar in hot water; cool.

Gradually add mochiko, stirring to make a thin batter; stir in salad oil. Pour into prepared pan and steam 4 hours or cook in pressure cooker 2-1/2 hours.

Garnish center of pudding with dried red date and sprinkle with sesame seed. Serves 24.

To microwave: Pour batter into a greased 8-cup microwave tube pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Microwave on medium-high 18 to 24 minutes, rotating pan several times.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Let stand, uncovered, about 30 minutes. Pull pudding from sides of pan and turn out onto a platter.

Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 180 calories, 2.5 g total fat, no saturated fat, cholesterol or fiber, 10 mg sodium, 38 g carbohydrate, 22 g sugar, 1 g protein

Hawaiian Electric Co. presents this weekly collection of recipes as a public service. Many are drawn from HECO's database of recipes, accessible online at www.heco.com.