Oh! Oh! Oh! Okonomiyaki!!!

During the two years I lived in Japan, Okonomiyaki became my absolute, positive favorite food to eat, and - other than at a food trailer in a dodgy Austin neighborhood with inconsistent hours (I've been 3 times, and they are never open) - I've never seen it prepared in the US.  So, what is Okonomiyaki?  The recipe in the book is aptly titled, "Japanese-style savory vegetable pancakes with shrimp."  It's better than it sounds, believe me.  The Japanese version is not super-healthy I believe (cooked in loads of oil usually), so when I found a recipe for healthy Okonomiyaki that I could make at home, I definitely had to try it.  There is a lot of upfront chopping on this (though I skipped the carrot shredding and bought pre-shredded carrots), and there were times during the preparation of the recipe, where I said to myself, "This can't possibly be right..."  But, the result was, indeed, more than all right - it was downright delicious!  Just like okaa-chan used to make.  Word to the wise, though - these are best eaten hot out of the pan, and don't unfortunately do so well reheated in the microwave.  Maybe next time I will try reheating them in the pan instead.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 medium head napa cabbage
• 4 large scallions
• 1 large carrot (or 1/4-ish cup pre-shredded carrot)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 TB canola oil

For the sauce:

• 1/4 c ketchup
• 1 TB Worcestershire sauce
•  1 tsp low salt soy sauce

Directions:
Chop the shrimp into 1/2 in pieces.  Thinly slice the cabbage, so you end up with about 3 cups.  Thinly slice the scallions, setting aside 2TB for garnish.  Coarsely shred the carrot.  In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs, sesame oil and salt.  Add the shrimp, cabbage, scallion, carrot, and eggs and mix to combine.

Heat 1 TB of oil in a large griddle or nonstick skillet.  Ladle half cup mounds of batter into the skillet and use the spatula to shape them into 3/4 inch pancakes.  You should have 8 pancakes.  Cook until golden brown on the bottom, 6-7 min, then flip and continue to cook until cooked through, another 6-7 min.  If 2 batches are necessary, heat remaining oil and repeat.

While the pancakes cook, combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl and stir.  Spread 1.5 tsp of the sauce on each pancake, sprinkle with scallions, and serve hot.  Serves 4 (2 pancakes each).

Nutritional Info:
Calories: 360
Fat: 15 grams
Protein - 24g
Carbs - 35 g
Fiber - 6g
Cholesterol - 300 mg
Sodium - 640 mg

Wok-Charred Lettuce and Spinach Noodle Stir Fry with Shrimp

I'll be honest - I wasn't sure about this recipe.  It's from a new cookbook, called Weeknight Wonders by Ellie Krieger, and it's got SAUTEED LETTUCE, for god's sake.  Sounded a little wierd, but I gave it a try, and I loved, loved, loved it.  It's a good, healthy Asian stir fry with just a bit of a bite to it.  Have happily been eating leftovers for days.  I have since made a second recipe from the book, just as good (posting that next), so I think this one's a winner.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz spinach fettucine
• 1 1/2c fish stock or vegetable broth
• 2 TB low sodium soy sauce
• 4 tsp corn starch
• 1 tsp chili-garlic sauce (sriracha)
• 2 small hearts of romaine lettuce (0.25 lb)
• 4c baby spinach leaves
• 1 large shallot (2.5 oz)
• 3 whole cloves garlic (can't use pre-minced)
• 3/4 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 TB canola oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:
Bring a large pot of water to boil.  Add pasta and cook for one minute less than the directions on the box indicate.  Drain and reserve.

In a small bowl, whisk together fish stock, soy sauce, corn starch, sriracha.  Cut the romaine into 1-inch pieces (including the white portions toward the bottom).  Coarsely chop the spinach if leaves are large.  Thinly slice the shallot and the garlic.  Rinse and pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.

Heat 1 TB of oil in a large skillet or wok (14") over med-high heat.  Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and cook in the pan until pink.  Remove the shrimp from the pan and reserve.  Add the remaining 1TB of oil to the pan, add the shallot and garlic, and cook till fragrant, 1-3 min. Add the romaine and cook till the edges are charred, 3-4 minutes.  Add the spinach and cook until just wilted (30 sec).  Return the shrimp & fettucine to the pan, add the fish stock mixture, and cook, stirring, until the liquid reduces and thickens, 1-2 min.

Serves 4, nutritional information:
Calories: 410
Fat - 10g
Protein - 28g
Carbs - 54 g
Fiber - 5 g
Cholesterol - 130 mg
Sodium - 680 mg