Add A Fresh Taste Of Asia

(CBS)  What could be better than an old-fashioned American banana split? Try tossing some sesame seeds on top to give it an Asian twist!

For our latest Chef on a Shoestring segment, Chef Michael Schulson created a full-course meal for $40, adding a touch of Asian flavor to familiar favorites in each course. The result is delicious, and surprisingly easy to replicate at home.

The menu includes:
Grilled Asparagus Salad with a Black Bean Vinaigrette,

Glazed Pork Tenderloin over Fried Rice,

Green Tea and Banana Splits with a Sesame Caramel Sauce

Schulson rules over a staff of 80 cooks in the huge kitchen at one of New York's hottest new dining places, the modern Asian restaurant Buddakan. He honed his skills in Asian cuisine with a stint at the Four Seasons Tokyo.

Food Facts
Black Bean Sauce: A salty mixture made with mashed fermented black beans flavored with garlic. As an alternative to the pre-packaged sauce, Chinese black beans or fermented black beans can be purchased in some specialty markets. These are small black soybeans preserved in salt packed in a bag or can.

Bamboo Shoot: Bamboo shoots are cut as soon as they appear above ground while they're still young and tender. Fresh shoots are sometimes available in markets.

Pork Tenderloin: The tenderloin is the leanest and tenderest cut of pork. It is located along the bottom of the loin, starting in the center cut and running back through the sirloin end. Because of its leanness, it's important to avoid overcooking it and drying it out.

Hoisin: Also called Peking sauce, this thick sweet and spicy reddish-brown sauce is widely used in Chinese cooking. It's a mixture of soybeans, garlic, chile peppers and spices.

Fried Rice: Rice that has been cooked and refrigerated for a day before being fried with other ingredients including small pieces of meat, vegetables, and seasonings. An egg is typically added to the mix in this Asian staple.

RECIPES
GRILLED ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH BLACK BEAN VINAIGRETTE

Ingredients:
1 tsp ginger, minced
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 tsp Tabasco
1/4 black bean sauce or 1/4 cup Asian black beans soaked in water (soak for 10-20 minutes)
1 cup vegetable oil, plus additional oil for brushing
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
I can bamboo shoots
1 pound asparagus, bottoms trimmed and peeled, if desired

Method:
1. Mix together all ingredients except the asparagus and bamboo shoots and set aside.
2. Brush asparagus with oil, then grill for approximately 5 minutes, turning regularly.
3. Toss grilled asparagus and bamboo shoots with vinaigrette and serve (can be served hot, cold or room temperature).


GLAZED ROASTED PORK TENDERLOIN
Ingredients:
1 tenderloin (about 1.5 lbs)
1 Tbsp ginger
3 cloves garlic
½ cup ketchup
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tbsp Tabasco
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup hoisin
1 Tbsp sesame oil

Method:
1. Blend all ingredients for glaze (ginger through sesame oil) together until smooth; reserve a quarter cup for serving with finished dish.
2. Pour mixture over pork and marinate overnight, covered and refrigerated.
3. Over a medium-hot fire, grill the pork about 8 minutes per side, making sure that all sides are cooked. (You can also prepare in a saute pan or under the broiler.)
4. Slice pork and serve with fried rice and a dollop of reserved marinade.

FRIED RICE
Ingredients:
3 eggs
3 cups cooked jasmine rice (or leftover Chinese take-out rice)
1 bunch scallion, chopped
2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
2 ears of corn, kernels removed from the cob
1 jalapeño, diced (remove seeds for a milder taste)
Salt to taste
2 Tbsp soy sauce, or to taste
Vegetable oil

Method:
1. In a hot pan, scramble the eggs in oil. Add rice, scallions, corn, jalapeño and cilantro and cook through until rice is warm. Season to taste with salt and soy sauce, if desired.

GREEN TEA ICE CREAM BANANA SPLIT SUNDAE WITH SESAME CARAMEL SAUCE
Ingredients:
Pint of store-bought green tea ice cream
Home-made whipped cream (made with 1 cup heavy cream and 1 T sugar or to taste)
Maraschino cherries
2 bananas
1 recipe Sesame Caramel Sauce

SESAME CARAMEL SAUCE
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1 Pint heavy cream
3 Tbsp white sesame seeds

Method:
1. Caramelize sugar in pan (about 5 minutes on high flame, stirring constantly); add cream and sesame seeds, stir until incorporated.

To assemble the banana split:
1. Cut bananas in half and slice down the middle.
2. Divide bananas and ice cream evenly amongst four bowls, drizzle caramel sauce over each. Garnish with a dollop of whip cream and a cherry.