Dine with the Little Dragon
Pork’s the thing
I love Pork Spring Rolls almost as much as I love sex. Good sex. Seriously, though, I’ve often wondered if there isn’t some way to prepare these delicious treats at home. Here’s a recipe I stumbled upon that even takes some of the fat out of the equation: Baked Pork Spring Rolls. Dig in, then hop to Mimi’s place for a piled-high plate of Sesame Chicken.
Ingredients
1/2 pound ground pork
1 cup finely shredded cabbage
1/4 cup finely shredded carrot
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 TBS chopped cilantro
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1/2 TBS oyster sauce
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp chile sauce
1 TBS cornstarch
1 TBS water
12 (7 “ square) spring roll wrappers
4 tsp vegetable oil
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 ° F
2. Place pork in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Remove from heat and drain.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together pork, cabbage, carrot, green onions, cilantro, sesame oil, oyster sauce, ginger, garlic and chile sauce.
4. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl.
5. Place approximately 1 TBS of the pork mixture in the center of spring roll wrappers. Roll wrappers around the mixture, folding edges inward to close. Moisten fingers in the cornstarch and water mixture, and brush wrapper seams to seal.
6. Arrange spring rolls in a single layer on a medium baking sheet. Brush with vegetable oil. Bake in the preheated oven 20 minutes, until hot and lightly browned. For crispier spring rolls, turn after 10 minutes.
7. Enjoy!
When you walk into Little Dragon – somewhere between grocery shopping and grabbing dry cleaning after work – it strikes you with an un-takeout-like vibe. There’s something, well, elegant about it.
Sure, there are only two tables for dining in, and sure, it’s part way between King Soopers and a laundromat, but that’s what makes Little Dragon so unique.
Mimi Chan – the ebullient owner, ever at the ready to greet and treat with a cup of green tea – has been in this biz for more than 20 years. She knows her stuff. And for her, hospitality has taken a focus on food more than opulent ambience. Yes, Little Dragon is comfortable and tastefully designed (even the carefully placed Chinese lanterns and stretching bamboo give one a happy pause), but the focus is clearly the food – fresh, homemade, authentically crafted cuisine. Take the beef for example. Most of us expect Mongolian Beef to pull at our teeth with stringy gristle and defeating chewiness. Chan’s, however, is supple and succulent, surrendering to bites with such ease it makes you wonder if there isn’t some mistake.
This is a takeout restaurant, right?
Indeed it is – though Chan also dabbles in her fair share of catering. And whether you get Sesame Chicken for a crowd of 40 or a humble table of two, there’s always something to rave about: a dish where each ingredient is treated with respect, never cooked to hell, and soars in delicious symphony with flavors ranging from maple to flavorful sesame seeds.
Part of the joy of finding yourself at Little Dragon is uncovering new creations that the dozens of other Asian takeout restaurants in the city haven’t ever offered – things like Salt-and-Pepper Shrimp, tempura-battered and fried until golden, tossed with al dente vegetables and lots of TLC. Or the Shacha entrée, touched with a sweet barbecue sauce and a market full of dynamic vegetables.
But while I love food, part of why I love Little Dragon – on top of the Mongolian Beef that seduced me – is Mimi Chan herself. Who else would meander out from the kitchen rich with smiles, a cup of tea in one hand and a bag of fresh stir-fry, teeming with flavor, in the other? What other takeout and delivery spot do you know where the owner knows the customers by first name, chats with them about their day, and gives them a hug before they leave? Heck, not even my family does that.
And the food – married to the highest quality and layered with flavor – is a natural extension of Mimi’s passion and commitment. If it needs be said, she is rabidly against MSG, so don’t expect it. When you crave a certain something that is a bit off-the-beaten-path and off-the-truck fresh, it’s here where you find it.
My menu du jour? Tea with Mimi, Pork Spring Rolls (one of my greater sins, and happily enjoyed here), and an order or two of the unique Singapore Rice Noodles, rich with the salty-sweet aroma of curry.
I’m not sure I could be clearer about this, but here it is: if you’re on the prowl for an Asian go-to when life is in a rush and things are hectic, stop by Little Dragon. If you’re hungry, stop by Little Dragon. Honestly, if you just want to catch up with Mimi and have some tea, stop by Little Dragon.
And sure, it’s a takeout and delivery place. But it’s not like every other one you’ve known. This one’s different. It’s innovative and inspired, backed by years of experience. It’s friendly and fun. You’ll just have to experience it to know what I mean.
Little Dragon is located at 1305 Krameria St. Online at LittleDragonDenver.com.
What's Your Reaction?
