Hong Wong

Hong Wong is possibly the best Chinese Restaurant in Eagan, MN, if you are taking it to go.

This is the type of restaurant that anticipates your needs and learns your wants.  It may not seem like much at first, but when you forget to ask for the House Singapore Rice Noodles, or you prefer the house sweet and sour sauce over the packaged stuff it means a lot when they take the time to clarify.

The prices are fair.  The food is generally fast unless they are overwhelmed.  Then it takes a normal amount of time.  Everything tastes good, no matter what you order.

They have a buffet if you want to eat in, but it seems like most people order take out.  They do not deliver, but who does?

I have never had a meal that was bad at Hong Wong.  If you are thinking about ordering Chinese I suggest checking this place out.

Garlic Chicken and Cream Cheese Puff
Garlic Chicken and Cream Cheese Puff

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Macaroni to Die For

Macaroni to Die For – with stinky cheese

Honestly the first time I tried this I wasn’t thrilled.  About two weeks later I found myself craving it.

Gather the following ingredients:
2 Packages of mushrooms
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
1/2 lb of bacon
4 tablespoons of butter
1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup of grated Gruyere cheese
1/2 cup of grated fontina cheese (amazing cheese, yum)
4 ounces of goat cheese
1 1/2 pounds of capativa macaroni – 1 large box
1/4 cup flour
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup of half-and-half
2 eggs
4 ounces Gorgonzola cheese (stinky cheese)

Macaroni to Die for Ingredients

Baking sheet
Large pan
Medium pot
Large pot
Large bowl
Small mixing bowl
Large glass pan

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Spread the mushrooms onto the cooking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Cook for 20 – 25 minutes and set them aside.

Preparing the Mushrooms

Start the water boiling for the macaroni.

Cut half a pound of bacon into one inch strips.  I cut it still in the package and then make sure I remove any packaging on the bacon.  Separate the pieces of bacon and place them into the large pan.  Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes.  Stir often.  Set aside.

Cooking the Bacon

You may need to grate the Gruyere and fontina cheeses.  Thin slices work as well.  It just needs to melt quickly.  Melt 4 ounces of butter in the medium pot over a medium heat.

Cook the macaroni according to the package.  Drain when done and place into a large bowl.

While that is cooking and when the butter is melted add the 1/4 cup of flour to the butter.  Whisk the flour into the butter and cook for one minute.  Pour in the 2 cups of whole milk.  Whisk constantly and cook for 3 minutes, until it is bubbly.  Do not let it boil over.

Add the 1/2 cup of half-and-half.

Beat the 2 eggs and then ladle some of the hot milk mixture into the eggs to temper them and make sure they do not cook when you add them to the rest.  Pour the eggs into the milk mixture.  Stir.

Add the Parmesan, Gruyere, fontina, and goat cheese to the butter.  Stir until the cheeses are melted.  Pour the cheese mixture over the macaroni.

Pour half of the macaroni and cheese mixture into the glass pan.  Spread it evenly.  Add half of the mushrooms next.  Now add 2 ounces of Gorgonzola cheese.  Top with half of the bacon.

Repeat all of the ingredients in a second layer.

Bake for 22 minutes at the same 400 degrees or less.  When it is done it should be hot and bubbly.

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Ranch Potatoes

Ranch Potatoes or as I am told Linda potatoes.

Gather the following ingredients:

2 lbs. of red potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
Ranch packet – buttermilk is best

Large storage bag
Cookie sheet
Aluminum foil
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Potatoes, olive oil, and a Ranch mix packet
Potatoes, olive oil, and a Ranch mix packet

Wash the potatoes, cut them in half, and place inside the storage bag.

Add the olive oil.

Add the ranch mix, close the bag, and toss until the potatoes are covered.

Place the aluminum foil over the cookie sheet. Spray with the cooking spray.
– I never use cooking spray, but on this you will need foil and spray. I have lost baking sheets to these potatoes.

Dump potatoes onto the foil.

Cook for 1/2 hour and flip potatoes. Cook for another 1/2 hour. Serve.

Tater Tot Casserole

Tater Tot Casserole

Gather the following ingredients:

Mini Tater Tots
1 lb. ground beef
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 small can young peas

Large glass pan

Option:
2 slices of American cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Brown the hamburger.

Bake the tater tots for 15 minutes.
– This will guarantee that they cook through later.

Tater tots
Tater tots

Add 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup and the peas (drained) to the hamburger. Mix thoroughly.

Pour the mixture over the potatoes and fold everything so that it is mixed, but the tater tots are not destroyed.

* If desired tear the American cheese into small pieces and place them on top of the mixed casserole.

Bake the casserole for 15 minutes.

Allow it to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Beef Stir Fry

Looks Like Christmas

Beef Stir Fry – an Americanized Chinese dish, maybe, but it is fairly easy to make and extremely delicious. My least favorite part is making the sauce, which isn’t difficult.

Gather the following ingredients:

Jasmine rice – 2 cups uncooked

Extra virgin olive oil – 2 tbsp.
Minced garlic – 1 tbsp.
Beef – 1 lb.
Chili pepper

Red pepper
Green pepper
Mushrooms sliced – 8 oz.
Black pepper

soy sauce – 1 tbsp.
cornstarch – 1 tbsp.
oyster sauce – 2 tbsp.
MSG – 1 tsp.

Rice cooker
Stir fry pan

Add two plastic cups of Jasmine rice and water into the rice cooker. Set it and forget it.
– you can use other grain rice, but Jasmine is the best for Asian dishes.

Slice the beef into small pieces for stir fry. Cut the peppers into chucks.
– the size of the beef is up to you.
– cut the pepper in half, remove the seeds, cut the halves into thirds and half them again.

Mix the MSG, cornstarch, soy sauce, and oyster sauce in a tall measuring cup. Add half a cup of water and mix completely.

Pour the olive oil into the stir fry pan. Add the garlic, beef, and chili peppers into the pan. Cook on a medium heat for about 3-4 minutes to lightly brown the meat.
– I add enough chili pepper to make it look painful.
– Do not overcook.

Add the peppers and mushrooms. Grind some black pepper for taste. Cook for 2 minutes.

Peppers just added to beef for stir fry
Peppers just added to beef for stir fry

Add the sauce. Cover and cook on low for 3-5 minutes, until the peppers are booked but still slightly crisp. Remove from heat. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving over the rice.