I’m a staunch believer in the merits of homecooked food, which I produce almost every day leaving behind a huge mess in the kitchen – but that’s another story. Usually, we think up a menu at the end of the week and shop only once for everything we need. We like to plan ahead, because we want to spend as little time as possible on shopping and have special dietary requirements (me=lactose intolerance and some other kerfuffle, bf= weight loss). I indulge in experimenting with different tastes, but  most importantly everything has to be quick&easy, healthy and yummy. Today’s simple post-shopping dish was a combination of Asian-style broccoli with sweet-and-sour prawns. Both recipes combined make a nice, big dish for two hungry people. Served with rice it would easily be enough for four.

Thai Broccoli

1 bunch broccoli

1 bunch of scallions

2-3 garlic cloves

1 tablespoon thinly sliced ginger

1  fresh red chili

1/2 bunch cilantro (chopped)

2 tablespoons peanut oil

2 tablespoons rice wine or Sherry

2 tablespoons soy sauce

salt

• Cut broccoli into spears.
• Chop garlic, scallions, ginger, chili and cilantro.
• Heat wok or skillet.
• Stir-fry broccoli for approx. 5 min.
• Add garlic, scallions, ginger, chili and cilantro. Stir-fry for another 3 minutes.
• Add rice wine and soy sauce. Let it cook for another 2 minutes.
• Add salt if neccessary and serve.

This veggie dish can be combined with all sorts of meat or fish. Today I went for prawns.

Sweet-And-Sour Prawns

12 large prawns (doesn’t hurt to take a few more)

2 garlic cloves

1 eschalot or red onion

2 ribs celery

6 small tomatoes

2 tablespoons peanut oil

2 tablespoons fish sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 tablespoons rice wine or Sherry

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon ketchup

1 teaspoon flour

salt

• Peel garlic and onion and slice thinly.
• Wash celery and also slice thinly.
• Wash and dice tomatoes.
• Heat oil in wok or skillet.
• Add celery, garlic, onion and prawns and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
• Add rice wine/Sherry, fish sauce, soy sauce, ketchup and tomatoes. Stir-fry for another three minutes.
• Finally, add the flour and stir well until the sauce is thick. Add salt if neccessary, but try first, because the fish sauce is already quite salty. Serve with rice or Thai broccoli and a cold beer.