HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!  It is a beautiful day here in NH – Having my husbands family over for Father’s day dinner in a few hours!  I hope you were able to do whatever you wanted today!  My husband took a nap after lunch on his hammock – Life is good!!!

Last week was both of my children’s birthday’s they are 2 years and a day apart.  Believe it or not they were actually planned just not THAT close.  She was early, he was on time. They could have had the same birthday but I thought they should at least have their own day.  I told the Doctor that I couldn’t come in the next day as I was busy.  I had family coming over for my daughters’ 2^nd birthday party.  Still to this day they each get to pick what they want for their birthday dinners.  Unfortunately this year my daughter is living in Japan had to fend for herself.  I think my son was being a little devious this year; he wanted to pick something I had never made before.  I am not sure what that was all about but he took 2 days and finally came up with a couple of things he had while visiting his sister that he really liked; Gyoza and Ramen.  Some of you might be thinking about the packages of ramen you can buy for like a buck that has a flavored sodium packet included, just add water and voila’. Unfortunately Japanese ramen I have come to find out is quite a process and the most important part is the broth, it took a couple of days to make as it wants to sit overnight.

Gyoza I found out is pretty much a dumpling with a dipping sauce – These came out yummy and I will definitely make again.  Ramen was very good but I think I can do better.  I was so worried that it tasted like seaweed I was a little nervous so I added some chicken base and my son noticed and said it tasted like chicken oops!

Gyoza

1 tablespoon sesame oil

2 cups chopped cabbage

¼ cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic

¼ cup chopped carrot

½ pound ground pork

1 egg

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 (10oz) package wonton wrappers

¼ cup water

¼ cup soy sauce (lower sodium)

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium high heat; mix together cabbage, onion, garlic and carrot.  Cook and stir until the cabbage is limp.  Mix in ground pork and egg. Cook until pork is evenly brown and the egg is no longer runny.

Gather some friends to help fill the Wonton’s – it goes by quicker

Preheat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat

Place approximately 1 tablespoon of the cabbage and pork mixture in the center of each wrapper. Fold wrappers in half over the filling, and seal edges with moistened finger

In the preheated vegetable oil cook the Gyoza approximately 1-2 minute per side, until lightly browned.  Lower the heat; add ¼ cup water and place the cover on the pan and let them steam until the water evaporates.

In a small bowl, mix soy sauce and rice vinegar.  Use the mixture as a dipping sauce for the finished wrappers.