Chinese banquet (sort 0f)

Not quite a ten course banquet but a three course one.

Menu
Chinese Melon soup
Twice cooked Pork
Tofu/tempe stir fry

Firstly the pork shin 500gms is simmered in couple litres of water with 2 star anise, 1 cm piece of ginger sliced, and a generous dash of chinese rice wine and light soy sauce for one hour. The pork is then it is set aside to cool. The stock was strained and the chunks of chinese melon (see picture) and Dailkon were simmered in the stock to 30 minutes to make the soup. Bit of salt and soy sauce added for taste. This is meant to be a light soup to accompany the other dishes.
The cold pork(the colder the better for slicing) is then sliced as finely as possible. To finish the dish, Quickly stir fry one sliced red pepper in a little oil and set aside. Stir fry pork in tablespoon of vegetable oil for a few minutes add some finely chopped ginger and garlic and fry until browned. Add a dash of chinese rice wine, light soy sauce and hoisin sauce, hot soybean sauce and a pinch of sugar. Lastly add chopped spring onions and fried red pepper. Mix heat through and serve.
The tofu/tempe dish was made with a tofu which had tempe pieces blended through it. Cube the tofu/tempe and browned it in a little peanut oil, set aside. In a tablespoon of oil stir fried finely chopped chillies(2) and a 1 tablespoon each of chopped garlic and ginger. Added dash Kecap Sedang and couple teaspoons of sweet soybean paste. Mixed in chopped bok choy and handful of mustard greens and 1/2 cup water and wilted greens,mixed in tofu/tempe and a little cornflour mixed in water to thicken.
All served hot with steamed rice.

The secret of the banquet is to prepare several dishes in advance such as the soup and then have all the ingredients for the other dishes ready to stir fry or simmer quickly at the end.

The verdict
Tasty, Some people would have liked the pork spicier! Tofu/tempe dish was a hit will buy that again. Soup was perfect for the side dish

On our four star rating it was llll (Tasty,Cheap,Easy and all basic ingredients available)