Chow Away

When you think of a home-cooked meal, what do you think of? For me, its a chow. My family's definition of a chow is a combination of whatever is left in our refrigerator tossed in a wok and stir-fried together with a little bit of oil, chopped garlic and sliced onions. 


Somedays it would be a beautiful melange of colors- orange from the carrots, green from the brocolli and snow peas, yellow from the baby corn, white from the bean sprouts and tan from the chicken. 

However, on other days when our fridge was less stocked there would be a severe reduction in the colorful zest...

Sad stir-fry

As a college student, I find a chow to be a very practical dish to make. This is because I can usually dig up random bits and pieces in my fridge that I obviously forgot about and are about to expire. Thus, if you combine these odds and ends into a chow you can minimize your wastage!


Even if you don't have a wok, you can just use a skillet. However, a wok is best as it retains the texture and flavors of the individual ingredients without getting them soggy.


Its funny how when my friends are starving they will open up their fridges and throw together a sandwich. To me, a sandwich for dinner is dull, no matter how good the ingredients are. In the same time span required to make a sandwich, you can put together a stir-fry because the actual cooking is so fast (3-5 minutes maximum). 

Pre-washed & chopped vegetables at Whole Foods
Source: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com (youngandhungry) 

Grocery stores such as Trader Joes and Whole Foods Market sell pre-washed and chopped vegetables making it unbelievably easy to create your own chow. All you need to do is heat up the wok/skillet, add some oil and whatever seasonings you enjoy, and finally throw the ingredients in and toss them around. 



For those people who never enter their kitchens, let alone step into a grocery store, there is a restaurant that makes phenomenal stir-fries! It's called Penn Grill and is located on  825 20th St NW (between N H St & N Pennsylvania Ave), Washington DC. They give you an empty plate where you add whichever vegetables and meats you want and then pass it over to the chef who will stir-fry it to your specifications (mild, medium, spicy). You are then charged by the weight of your concoction.

Penn Grill, DC
Source: http://img.clubvibes.com/listings/logos/42090.jpg

I really enjoy a quick chow for lunch or dinner because not only is it healthy, its fun to make. The more you make them, the more you learn which combinations you like and which taste putrid. 


Beware that certain mixtures of ingredients can be nauseating!


However, the main reason as to why I enjoy a chow is because it reminds me of home which is 9,664 miles away <3
So go on, chow away...