Culinary Envy

[stoutfellow]

During my grad school days in Chicago, I knew a fellow named Albert Fu, and I envied him. He was an astrophysics student, and a good one. He was tall and rangy, a demon on the volleyball court, and by reputation also a skilled break-dancer. Also, he could cook. Once, I remember, he held a dinner party. He invited, and made enough food for, twelve people, but only six of us showed up. Nonetheless, every scrap was eaten, and unanimously voted delicious.

I thought of Albert today. Yesterday, on impulse, I picked up a packet of microwaveable egg rolls. The package boasts of their sweet'n'sour sauce. However, the sauce comes in a separate packet from the egg rolls, and the instructions say nothing about its preparation. Yesterday, after cooking one of the egg rolls, I squeezed the still-frozen sauce onto it. This was not entirely satisfactory, so today I put the sauce on the roll before popping it into the microwave. This was not quite right either, and I am at a loss for tomorrow's experiment.

I decided that I shall have to teach myself how to make my own egg rolls. (This was what brought Albert to mind.) I am a decent cook, I think, but too often I take the easy way out, buying frozen dinners and the like. They're tasty enough, but I know I can do better. So. Egg rolls.

It was at that point that I remembered what Albert served at that memorable party: not egg rolls, but four different kinds of stir-fry.

Now I'm confused.

Comments

[sraun]

Try putting the sauce packet under running hot water for 30-60 seconds, or until it's at least room temperature. Alternatively, take the sauce packet out when you get home, and let it defrost to room temperature on its own - it should keep for weeks at room temperature!

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

The first is a good possibility - thanks! The second... the sauce packets are inside the packets containing the individual egg rolls, so that one's a little less practicable.

[gryphons-lair.livejournal.com]

I decided that I shall have to teach myself how to make my own egg rolls

May I recommend the Sunset Chinese Cookbook? I learned to make egg rolls from their recipe; the instructions are quite clear and easy to understand.

Oh, and try squeezing the frozen sauce into a small bowl and nuking it for 30 seconds or so, just until it's warm. Then dip the egg rolls in the sauce. That's what I do. :-)

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

Thanks for both suggestions!