More food!

Going to the asian supermarket is routine -- from the exact day of the week, time, and the ingredient list. It's because Chinese food is so binomial. Vegetable + protein, add a little bit of sauce and seasoning, and magic happens. Even without ingredient variability, there are many combinations to try. I get so into my comfort zone that I rarely go buy other greens, whites, or browns.

Then I remember eating this delicious but simple dish at Confucius Restaurant. It was romaine lettuce stir-fried with XO sauce. Now, if you have never heard of XO sauce, let me tell you. It is delicious. It even says "emperor's taste" on the packaging. The flavor is aromatic with a shrimpy essence. You can even see the  bits of dried shrimp.

It is also expensive ($5 for a small jar), but you only need a spoonful to transform your veggie from plain to superstar status.  So I picked up a stalk of romaine lettuce (really, what else can you cook it with?) and marched into the sauce aisle to scout my "emperor's taste".

Romaine lettuce with XO sauce
XO sauce
Romaine lettuce, washed and parted
Soy sauce
1 Thai chili
Garlic
Salt

Estimated time: 8 min including prep time.

Instructions
1. Mince the garlic and chop the Thai chili into small bits.
2. Heat up oil on med-high and add the garlic and chili. Cook until aromatic.
3. Add romaine lettuce and stir-fry for 1 min.
4. Add 1 Tbsp of XO sauce and 1 Tbsp of soy sauce. Mix, mix, mix.
5. Season with salt, and serve!