I'm tired of cooking!

I'M TIRED OF COOKING!

I'M TIRED OF COOKING!
​Since this pandemic I've had the pleasure of cooking every single meal at home, al least in the beginning. For me it relaxes me in these stressful times and I can be creative in many ways. In the beginning it was a little challenging having food delivered as some products may not have been available, but who can be choosey right now. I made good with what was available. My daughter was the only one I had to feed besides myself. Boy, is she fussy. It was lie I was cooking on an episode of "Chopped" Now, you might realize I mostly cook Asian and for the most part I get a thumbs up from my darling daughter whn just turned 12 yesterday. Any variation from Asian is a hit or miss, so I try not to make too much. I try to cook breakfast but because of the demands of school, teachrs are giving students work and close deadlines.  It goes without saying that I prefer my daughter to go to bed early but with all the work she must complete the reality is she get things done late and thats when all her friends finish too. So, most of the time I cook breakfast myself, scambled eff or sunny side up eggs with either Canadian bacon or bacon with buttered toast, cup of fruit and coffee, fresh maid, no Keurig. Lunch and dinner I pln for. You may ask how about the wife. Well, she decides that she gaining weight, working in the office, stressed out, high anxiety, she feels she may eat in excess and gain more weight. Who hasn't gained weight right now. Now is not the time to go on a diet? Anyway, she makes her special diet with organic foods, its better for you she says. The aftermath of the kitchen looks like a tornado hit it after she cooks, There goes the non-stick pans. Every one of them is scared for life. I bought high quality non stick pan and have guarded it with my life literally.
Anyway, cooking everyday provide a quality meal for myself and my daughter. You feel good and get all those good nutrients and in someway helps us mentally and physically. We feel better but every once in awhile, I'd like to take a break and have someone cook for me. ry reputable placeSince, I know I cook healthier than all the Asian take Out places, I still have a craving for the most Chinese American dishes, yep, Chicken Chow Mein, an egg roll and may be wonton soup. Yes, unhealthy and yet delicious and once in awhile is ok.
I had gone to 2 different take out places and I'd like to share with you my experiences:

Wok To Go
Very reputable, during the pandemic, they were one of a few take out Chinese restaurants. I asked for delivery. I ordered pan fried dumplings and you know how the traditional places make the dumplings in a crescent moon shape. We;;, Wok to Go, has their special way of folding their dumplings, different but very tasty. The Miso soup was good, this is fermented bean curd with sea weed and small cubes of tofu. Soup is only good when its hot and although it was delivery, it was piping hot. As every know the General Chou Chicken, we sked for the sauce to be put on the side to avoid getting the chicken soft. We like it crunchy. Although it came in breast meat, that was ok. When breast meat is cooked, it becomes tough. The preferre chicken is dark meat (thigh meat) after its been seasoned a battered, you can hardly taste the after flavor for dark meat. My dughter ordered Orange chicken and we ordered Beef with Broccoli.
The concern from the food standpoint is when I cook I use very little salt and sugar. I appreciate the natural flavor of the meats and vegeeies and the sauce brings out that flavor., so for me the meal was very salty and sweet. But no one ever said Chinese Food was healthy. Once in awhile is ok

"Asian Cafe"
My friend is the owner of this take out place. He purchased this restaurant awhile ago with the same name. In the beginning it was difficult for him, name recognition if not reputable takes quite a long time to persuade people to try again. It took awhile but he offered good quality food and just like a matchbox set on fire, word spread and he was off to the races.  Then Covid-19 hit, set him back, he took precautions to protect his workers and customers. Once you enter, your in a small compartment designed for 1 person to pickup order. I know its a start to get back to business and maybe he has to watch his portions to his customers but when I ordered from him, I ordered Mongolian Beef. Sad to say I got more onions and scallions than beef. 75% was scallion and onions. Where's the beef! I ordered the red curry shown on the window, the coconut red curry broth was spicy and smooth but there was more  bamboo shoots, onions, scallion and sliced peppers than sliced chicken. 
You need to know that before this pandemic, the quantity of meat wasn't a problem but I say, in order to continue with customer loyalty, you need to provide good value with if anything equal quantity of protein with veggies. I was a disappointed.
On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being excellent, I give Asian Cafe a "3" with an explanation. During the best of times, there was no skimping of the meats but I do realize he climbing out of tough times and I don't want him to loose his customer base that he built up.

By Chef Woo Can at www.chefwoocan.com
@chefwoocanreviewofasiancafe, #chefwoocanfoodandrestaurantcritic, #Asiancafe