Steamed chicken wings with herbs 红枣枸杞子蒸鸡翅

I can't remember where I learnt this dish from, but it always reminded me of another Mom at my daughter's class. She commented that on rainy days, when all the laundry has to be hung indoors, she would opt for steamed dishes so that the laundry would not smell of her cooking! I thought that was a good idea. Besides, steamed dishes are always healthier.

Rain or shine, this dish has become my daughter's favourite dish! She may not be a meat lover, but she can easily polish off 3-4 pieces of this chicken wings! As a mom, it just makes my day. :)

300g chicken wings (8 pieces)
1 tbsp soya sauce
1 dash of sesame oil
1 tbsp hua tiao jiu (chinese cooking wine)
1/2 tsp sugar
6 pcs dried dates (红枣)
small handful of wolfberries (枸杞子)
5 tbsp warm water from rehydrating dates and wolfberries

1. Rehydrate red dates and wolfberries in warm water
2. Cut red dates into small pieces
3. Add all ingredients together and marinate in zip-lock bag for 30mins or more. (or skip marinate and cook immediately!)
4. Steam in medium-high heat for 10 mins

Steamed minced pork with mushrooms 香菇蒸猪肉

On a typical weekday I was cracking my head on what to cook for dinner, so I looked to the web, hoping I could get some inspirations. Unfortunately there seems to be plenty of western recipes but hardly any simple recipes for a home cook dinner, or what I like to call, 家常便饭. So I'm going to start one myself by cataloging my simple, daily home cooked dishes, recipes passed down from mother to daughter for generations. Hopefully, I could inspire another Mom when she ran out of ideas, or perhaps encourage a young wife to try cooking these simple dishes for dinner instead of eating out all the time? :)

As a kid I would mix the minced pork together with hot steaming rice and gobble down in huge spoonfuls. :) A simple, child friendly dish!

130g minced pork*
60g dried mushrooms - rehydrated and diced
1/2 tsp chicken powder
1 tsp soya sauce
1/2 tsp oyster sauce
1 pinch of sugar
4 tbsp water from rehydrating mushrooms

1. Dice rehydrated mushrooms according to liking
2. Mix mushrooms with meat and seasoning
3. Steam in low-medium heat for about 10mins, or until surrounding liquid turns clear

*pre-minced pork from the supermarket is more lean and fine, suitable for smaller children or the health concious. If you like more bite and flavour, you can buy same amount of shoulder butt (五花肉) and either chop it up yourself or ask the butcher to mince it for you.