Ideas for Chinese New Year Pot Luck dish to bring in to the office?

[BurnItDwn]

Next week we have a pot luck at work for Chinese New Year celebration.
I love spicy dishes,

Braised Sliced Beef with Chillis sounds damn good, but, I wonder if there is a similar dish made with Chicken, or if I can substitute Lamb maybe since most of the folks at work arent beef eaters?

Any Home Chefs here have any experience with high scoville Chinese cooking?


I'm far from a chef, but comfortable around a cutting board and a skillet ...

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/tour/food/chinese-cooking/hot-chili-oil-beef.htm
https://omnivorescookbook.com/fu-qi-fei-pian/

Pot luck is next Weds, I have access to Super H Mart if any ingredients are difficult to find in the US (or I can order online)

Otherwise, I might go with Korean Army Stew which I fell in love with at first taste. Korean New Year is the same day as Chinese New Year.

Whatever the dish, I will prepare it at home Tuesday night, then, Refrigerate it after it is done, then, drive with it for an hour to the office Weds Morning, then, put it in a crock pot to reheat it by lunch time, or, use the microwave to reheat (we do not have a proper kitchen at the office) ...

Otherwise, I can always order carry out

Can you suggest something better?

 

[zinfamous]

You need multiple types of peppers, but I'm not familiar with the legit Chinese types that are typical. You need the "numbing" peppers, though--I think they are the "Real" Szechuan peppers? I'm not sure, really. I imagine you can pretty much get away with anything, as long as you include the numbing peppers because they dominate everything.

I guess these things?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sichuan_pepper

I've heard them called "peppers" by some off-the-boaters, but I never thought of them as actual peppers. It seems like they aren't--more like peppercorns (so, "pepper." makes sense. things don't always translate consistently). They are more anisey to me, I think star anise is similar, but the numbing effect is very real.

 

[snoopy7548]

I was going to say something stupid about filling up a few boxes of food from the local Chinese buffet, but this is something I make a lot. You can make it as spicy as you want and it's easy, though maybe it's not really authentic if that's what you're going for.

https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes...ken-diced-chicken-peppers-peanuts-recipe.html

 

[sdifox]

Potstickers

 

[ImpulsE69]

If it's a potluck for co-workers, be kind and keep it not very spicy. Or 2 versions.

 

[BurnItDwn]

You need multiple types of peppers, but I'm not familiar with the legit Chinese types that are typical. You need the "numbing" peppers, though--I think they are the "Real" Szechuan peppers? I'm not sure, really. I imagine you can pretty much get away with anything, as long as you include the numbing peppers because they dominate everything.


I guess these things?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sichuan_pepper


I've heard them called "peppers" by some off-the-boaters, but I never thought of them as actual peppers. It seems like they aren't--more like peppercorns (so, "pepper." makes sense. things don't always translate consistently). They are more anisey to me, I think star anise is similar, but the numbing effect is very real.

Yes, the Sichuan peppercorns are hot and numbing, Most places grind em up and use a chilli oil based on them.
They are full of flavor and are around 2/3 the intensity of typical habaneros. I have cooked with Chili Oil before, but, never used them fresh.

I was going to say something stupid about filling up a few boxes of food from the local Chinese buffet, but this is something I make a lot. You can make it as spicy as you want and it's easy, though maybe it's not really authentic if that's what you're going for.

https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes...ken-diced-chicken-peppers-peanuts-recipe.html

I like Kung Pao Chicken, but, I want to do something a bit more interesting.

If it's a potluck for co-workers, be kind and keep it not very spicy. Or 2 versions.

Many of my coworkers are from Chennai and other regions of South India. They generally enjoy a good bit of heat.
On the team, we also have a guy who grows a dozen different superhot peppers in his garden, and then a number of folks who will devour ghost and habanero dishes like its nothing.
I intend to make 1 dish, and for it to be the hottest dish at the potluck
I only make a "mild version" for my wife, because she does not share my love for capsaicin.



In any case, I kinda want to do a hotpot, but, those generally don't work well for slowly reheating in a crockpot ... so, maybe will stick with something easier like a hot and spicy shrimp stir fry and then hope it doesn't get ruined reheating in the microwave.

Or I can break down and just order from my favorite Chinese Carry out place (or, I can appease the boss by ordering from the Chinese restaurant that his mom & dad run.)

 

[sdifox]

Stir fries don't work for potluck unless you wheel in your high btu burner and stir fry on the spot. Just cook potstickers and have chilli, soy sauce and sesame oil handy. People can put as much or as little of sliced pepper as they want in their sauce.

 

[sdifox]

Duh double post

 

[Homerboy]

 

[zinfamous]

I like Kung Pao Chicken, but, I want to do something a bit more interesting.

Maybe those halved, open-faced, glazed pigeons (or some type of bird), that are very traditional? (meaning, somewhere between bland and disgusting)

What about (cold, sliced) geoduck?

 

[JEDIYoda]

Mayne Egg Foo Yung!!!!

 

[nutxo]

little smokies in bbq sauce and grape jelly. I always take em and there are never any left

 

[snoopy7548]

"God I hope they leave me a lot of leftovers for tonight! Oh boy!"

 

[ponyo]

How about mapo tofu? You can make it as spicy as you like.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Pick up some Beijing beef from Panda Express and call it a day. There were some coupons for purchasing a family meal the other day; you could check if they’re still available.

 

[BurnItDwn]

How about mapo tofu? You can make it as spicy as you like.

This is an Idea I like! Thanks

 

[BurnItDwn]

little smokies in bbq sauce and grape jelly. I always take em and there are never any left

Little Smokies are an excellent treat

 

[BurnItDwn]

Maybe those halved, open-faced, glazed pigeons (or some type of bird), that are very traditional? (meaning, somewhere between bland and disgusting)

What about (cold, sliced) geoduck?

If It looks like a geoduck, quacks like a geoduck, and umm ... looks like a cock?

 

[sdifox]

Pick up some Beijing beef from Panda Express and call it a day. There were some coupons for purchasing a family meal the other day; you could check if they’re still available.

Wrf is that? Never heard of "Beijing Beef"

<--- Taiwanese