Aiyah Nonya's Notes

Steamed Tofu With Dried Prawns

2011-11-20T15:09:00.001+08:00

OMG goes my #3.....

Obviously tofu is not his favourite source of protein. Especially this dish. He says it is tasteless but to H and I it is just nice. Anyway how can it be tasteless with all those seasoning over it. It is swimming in it !

Ingredients -

1 piece soft tofu
2 tbsp oil
3 shallots, sliced
1 tbsp chopped spring onions
1 tbsp fried dried prawns
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
100ml water

Method :-

Steam tofu at high heat for 5 minutes. Remove and pour away excess water.
Heat up the oil and saute the sliced onions until fragrant. Pour the shallots and oil over the tofu.
Pour the seasoning in the wok and bring to boil. Pour over the tofu, sprinkle chopped spring onions over it and serve hot.

Pork Chops, Chinese Style

2011-11-17T14:40:00.003+08:00

Again these pictures were taken some time back. When I try a new recipe I will usually snap some pictures but they always end up forgotten either in my camera or food album.

Well, anyway here I am again sharing some newly tried recipe from a cook book.

Ingredients -

500 g pork chop

Marinate -

1 egg
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp corn flour
2 tbsp water

Sauce

2 tbsp HP sauce
1 tbsp A1 sauce
1 tbsp tomato sauce
1tbsp chilli sauce
1/2 tbsp sugar
1tsp Worcesterchire sauce
200ml water

Method :-

Pound the pork chop with the back of the knife.
Marinate for 30 minutes.
Pan fry pork chop until golden brown, Dish and set aside.
Heat 2 tbsp oil i wok, pour in the sauce and cook until thick.
dd in the pork chops, mix well.
Dish up and serve hot.

Let's eat....

Kangkong With Tau Cheong

2011-11-15T14:21:00.004+08:00

I'll post something other than ice pops today. I cooked this dish, snapped a picture of it and post it up on my FB. My friend thought it was cooked with sambal. Instead of sambal I used tau cheong (salted bean paste). So I thought I will share this recipe here for those who always thought kangkong only goes with sambal belachan.

Ingredients :-

300g kangkong
30g dried prawns, soak in water till soft
1 tsp chopped garlic
1 tbsp tau cheong
1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine

Method :-

Rinse and cut the kangkong in to sections, drain well.
Heat oil in wok, saute garlic, dried prawns and taucheong until fragrant.
Add the kangkong and seasoning.
Stir fry quickly over high heat until cooked and well combined.
Dish up and serve hot.

Catered to the non chilli eating folks. Enjoy...

Strawberry Yoghurt Ice Pops

2011-11-09T16:53:00.004+08:00

More ice pops .....

^_^

These ice pops are a bit anaemic because I don't have enough strawberries. I bought 2 small boxes and foolishly estimated that it would be just right. Needless to say this time my estimation is way off the margin. :(

I sliced some strawberry rings and place them in the pops before freezing. Got this idea from the net.

Ingredients :-

2 heaping cups of fresh strawberries, hulled
1 cup vanilla or strawberry yoghurt
3 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp honey
1 cup apple juice

Method :-

Place all the ingredients in the blender and give it a good spin.
Pour into moulds.
Slice some strawberry rings and slide them to the side of the mould.
Freeze.

Nom... nom....

No food colouring here..

Lime Ice Pops

2011-11-03T16:01:00.001+08:00

I did warn you I was in a ice pop making frenzy. I have been surfing the net and copying recipes from the library's and book stores too. Basically you don't need much things. Fruits, sugar and off course a good blender.

Trying a couple of recipes, some everyone in the house likes and some, like these lime ice pops are only requested by #1. He said they are great during a hot weather. He will usually take on after his nap. He said the sourness is a good 'wake up', clear his head for his studies.

Anyway, if you don't have proper ice pop moulds - any containers will do. I have tried using ice cube trays to small paper cupcake cases to jelly containers. These you see here were containers that I kept after my boys finished the jelly. I'm still waiting for the proper ice pop moulds I ordered.

For this recipe lemon can be used instead of lime.

Ingredients :-

1 cup granulated sugar.
I cup water
1 tbsp honey
1 cup lime juice, freshly squeezed and strained

Method :-

Heat the water and sugar until the sugar dissolves .
Add in the honey.
Set aside to cool.
Add syrup to the lemon juice.
Pour into moulds.
Freeze.

Strawberry Ice Pops

2011-11-01T17:50:00.001+08:00

There is no food colouring here. Only strawberries were used.

Ingredients :-

2 cups strawberries, hulled
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp lemon or lime
1 cup apple juice

Method :-

Place all into the blender and whiz.
Pour into moulds and freeze.

Mango Ice Pops

2011-10-31T13:58:00.005+08:00

As promised this is the mango ice pop recipe which I like, second to the banana-ice-pop I last posted.

Ingredients :-

2 1/2 cup mango, cubed
3/4 cup plain yoghurt
1/4 cup sugar
1-2 tsp lime juice

Method :-

Place all the ingredients in to the blender and give it a good whiz, until it is smooth and creamy.
Spoon mixture in to the ice pop moulds
Freeze for at least 6 hours.

Enjoy...... ^-^

Banana Ice Pop

2011-10-25T16:10:00.006+08:00

Wah.... it has been nearly a year since I touch this blog of mine....Same old excuse, I'm afraid.

Lazy !!!!

Lazy to blog about about the food I had tried out but lately I'm in a ice-pop-mania aka Popsicles. Been trying a few recipes all lifted from the net. Yesterday I tried out this recipe and I like it so much that it got me to blog about it. Prefer it more to the mango flavoured one I made last week. I must put up that recipe too.

Anyway today's recipe is Banana Ice pop.

Sounds weird right....but trust me it is really yummy..

I just so happen to have all those ingredients that day. No fancy fruits needed. In fact I used lime juice instead of lemon. Not the small round ones - limau kasturi. The limau nipis, bigger than the kasturis.

Since the recipe was from an 'angmoh' site. I guess they used those big Del Monte kind of bananas. I only have the smaller ones. So I added one more to what was required in the recipe - in other words - agak agak (by estimation).

Throw everything into the blender, give it a good spin, pour into you ice pop moulds and freeze them for at least 6 hours.

The sticks can't really stay upright in the mould ,so I waited for a while until the pops are semi frozen and then stuck in the sticks. These banana pops took a bit longer to be frozen than the just liquid kinds.

And lastly don't cut back on the sugar coz the sweetness get sucked out once it is frozen. You don't want to suck on a tasteless ice pop.

Ingredients -

1 cup orange juice
3 ripe bananas
2 1/2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice.

H came home from work and can't find any bananas around.

"Mama lah. She used all of them to make this weird thing."

No proper ice pop moulds - I used those store bought jelly containers as the moulds. The only problem is they are way to big to put in to your mouth. Must lick all over it..

I seriously need proper moulds...

Pasta With Ham

2010-11-11T19:50:00.004+08:00

Boys are home for lunch daily now. The older ones had to clear out of the school for the on going O Levels exams. #1 still need to attend half a day of lessons. In preparation for the O Levels next year. So, no more takeaways. Everyday cracking my head what to prepare for them. Found this recipe from my fav food magazine.. It's easy to do. The recipe asked for poached eggs but I do not know to do that so ended up frying the egg instead.

Ingredients :-

1 packet of spaghetti
120g butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 fried eggs
8 slices of honey baked ham
Parmesan cheese to sprinkle
Black pepper to sprinkle

Method :-

Cook pasta according to instructions on the packet. Drain and set aside.
Melt butter in a pan till it turns brown and has the aroma of hazelnuts. Add spaghetti to the melted butter, toss and remove from heat.
Add black pepper and salt and toss it well.
Divide into 4 portions and add 2 slice of ham to each plate and 1 fried egg each on top.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and black pepper.
Serve hot.

It is easier to dig in if I had sliced the ham and egg into smaller portions.

Baked Mango Cheesecake

2010-10-03T00:17:00.006+08:00

I am sorry this post has been modified.

The recipe has been deleted because I sold a cake with this recipe. If you had copied it earlier, well and good. If not, sorry...lah.

Anyway the original pictures and some of the previous notations remained.

The above picture shows how the cheesecake is baked - in a large tray filled with water. Some sort like boiling the cake ? My first attempt with it and I used a roasting tin.

Voila........... Here it is. I brought some over to my friends place as a after dinner dessert. Pop over to my other blog for more of our yakety-yak-session.

As I had mentioned before the cheesecake taste good but I can see all its' faults . These are what I see....

First - I burnt the base slightly coz I was busy with my virtual cafe and forgot all about it in the oven. Although my friends assured me that they did not notice it at all.

Next, the base was too darn thick. Might be because my tin was smaller than the actual requirement. Plus the biscuits crumbs was not well distributed over the tin.

Lastly, all those tiny winy mangoes sunk to the bottom. That is a big no, no for me. In my book that is a big failure.

If you are wondering how to bake the cake during the last stage - I used a roasting tin and place the tin with the cheese cake in it.

Use a food processor to whiz the biscuits and they are done in no time at all.

Chicken With Cinnamon And Dried Chillies

2010-09-30T18:27:00.003+08:00

Ingredients :-

2 pcs chicken thighs, skin removed and cubed
15 g dried red chili, soaked in warm water and seeds discarded.
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 small onion, chopped
2 cinnamon sticks
40g whole cashew nuts
2 tsp oyster sauce
1 tsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1tsp black pepper
2 tsp sugar
4 stalks spring onions, cut into 3 equal parts.

Method :-

Heat the sesame oil in a pan and saute the onions, garlic, chili, nuts and cinnamon for 5 minutes or until fragrant.
Add the chicken and saute for another 10 minutes.
Add the oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, black pepper and sugar.
Fry for 15 minutes on medium heat until sauce thickens.
Give it a good stir and garnish with spring onions.
Serve hot.

Pork Cutlet With Sweet Tomato Gravy

2010-09-27T18:10:00.002+08:00

Yummy......... dinner was 'shiokalingam' delicious, as commented by my boys. But don't take their words for it. Try it. It is quite easy to do.

Ingredients :-

300g pork loin cut into 4 slices.
1 big onion, sliced
2 cups mixed frozen vegetables
4 tbsp oyster sauce
3 tbsp tomato sauce
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cups bread crumbs
2 cups flour
1 egg, beaten

Method :-

Tenderise pork loin with tenderiser.
Marinate meat with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Coat the pork with flour, egg and bread crumbs respectively
Heat oil in a pan, saute the pork loins until golden brown. Set aside.
In the same pan, saute the onions until fragrant and translucent.
Add in the frozen veges and fry for 5 minutes.
Add oyster, tomato sauce, sugar and water. Stir well.
Pour the sauce over the pork and serve immediately.

You could use the back of the chopper to tenderise/massage the meat. If you want it to cook faster slice the meat thinner.

Watercress And Pork Ribs Soup

2010-09-16T19:51:00.000+08:00

Ingredients :-

2 Litres water
600g pork ribs
1 bunch watercress, trimmed and rinsed
8 red dates
salt to taste

Method :-

Bring water to boil.
add the ribs, lower heat slightly and boil for 40 minutes.
Skim surface for the scum.
Add the date and watercress.
Lower heat and simmer until it is ready.
Add salt to taste.

Walnut Brownie Bites

2010-09-11T22:21:00.000+08:00

I came across this recipe a long time ago but I never got to try it out coz Rolos are not found in most of our supermarkets. So far only one candy store has them on their shelves. When I happen to be near the vicinity of that particular store recently I bought a couple of rolls. The recipe asked for 3 rolls but I got a couple more. For I know they will disappear real fast before I could place them in my baking.

Ingredients :-

1/2 cup walnuts, toasted, chopped finely
80g butter
150g dark eating chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten lightly
1/3 cup plain flour
1/4 cup sour cream
3 x 50g Rolos

Method :-

Pre heat oven to moderate, 180 Celsius.
Lightly grease 2 non-stick 12 hole mini muffin pans
Divide the walnuts among the holes.
Melt butter and chocolate. Stir over low heat, without boiling, until mixture is smooth. Cool to warm.
Stir sugar and egg into mixture, then sifted flour and cream.
Spoon mixture into prepared pan.
Press one Rolo into the centre of each mixture. Spread mixture so that Rolo is completely covered.
Bake in moderate oven about 15 minutes.
Using a knife, loosen sides of brownies from pan, stand for 10 minutes.
Remove gently from pan.

Wonder why mine is in a paper casing ? It is because I don't have a non-stick pan and I am not keen to take the risk that it will not stick like glue to the sides of the pan. Since I used paper cups I had extra mixture around. I had to use another pan. Luckily I had extra chopped walnuts but not the Rolos.
The brownies are real soft once they are out of the oven. So be careful when removing them from the pan.

Verdict - good. no complains form the guys in the house. Even though those that do not have any Rolos in them taste good too. They just don't have the slight chewy texture in the center.
But once it gets cold you really feel the Rolos anymore. So, I guess it is best served warm.

I can't help feeling that I should add some ice cream to go with them.......

Sesame BBQ Chicken

2010-09-11T12:08:00.000+08:00

Another recipe from the LAZY me. Don't really know what to prepare for dinner. Look into my freezer, OK I got some chicken drumsticks. Took that out. Next, looked into the fridge section. What to do with that chicken !
In the end decided to marinate it with what I have in my fridge that have not been move for some time.

The recipe below is just an estimation coz I just pour out whatever that was in those bottles.

Ingredients :-

about 1/2 cup plum sauce or sweet and sour sauce
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
about 1/2 cup oriental chili sauce
1 tbsp sesame seeds

Method :-

Combine the three sauces.
Marinate the chicken with it.
Grill until cooked.
Heat up the remaining marinate until it thickens.

Once the marinate has thicken off the fire. When the chicken is ready roll them in the sauce until they are well coated. This way the chicken is super sticky and coated with those sesame seeds.

P.S. As at the time of reporting non us had any food poisoning from my near expired sauces.

Date Slice

2010-09-10T21:20:00.005+08:00

Lately I have this thing with dates. Must be due to the ramadan where dates are being sold everywhere. I have been buying them quite a lot and looking out for recipes using dates. This one here is the second recipe I have with dates. The previous one a cake with alcohol used. This time it is non alcoholic and I used a different kind of date - Amary dates. They have a different texture than the previous one I used. This one is slightly crunchy, less sweeter than the other varieties and firmer too.

This recipe asked for the method known as 'rub in' . It has been donkey years since I did any 'rubbing' . On the whole I think I did quite well. My only mistake was I did not separate the dough evenly. So the slice came out with the bottom part thicker than the top. :(

Ingredients :-

1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 1/4 cups self raising flour
150g cold butter, chopped
1 tbsp honey
1 egg
1/3 cup cold milk,approx
2 tsp milk, extra
1 tbsp white sugar

Date filling :-

3 1/2 cups (500 g) dried seeded dates,chopped coarsely
3/4 cup water
2 tbsp finely grated lemon rind
2 tbsp lemon juice

Method :-

Grease a 20cm x 30cm lamington tray, line the base, extending paper 5cm over the long sides.
Sift the flours in to a large bowl.
Rub in the cold butter until mixture is crumbly.
Stir in combined honey and egg and enough milk to make a firm dough.
Knead in floured surface until smooth. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile make the date filling. Combine the date filling ingredients in a saucepan. Cook, stirring about 10 minutes or until thick and smooth. Cool to room temperature.
Pre-heat oven to 180 Celsius
Divide the dough into half. Roll one large enough to cover base of tray, press firmly into tray.
Spread filling over dough.
Roll the remaining dough large enough to cover the filling.
Brush with extra milk, sprinkle with sugar
Bake in oven for 20 minutes, cool in tray.

As you can see the top of my slice is much thinner than the bottom.

While cooking the date fillings it did not turn smooth. There were still pieces of dates around. Might be due to the dates I used. Anyway I added a bit more water and cooked it further. It still remained more or less the same texture as before.

It is not as sweet as I expected it to be. Usually slices are real sweet but not this one. Again it might be due to the dates I used.
I was thinking I should use those soft and super sweet kind of dates the next time.

H and #1 likes it, so it did not go to waste.

Stir Fried Beef With Yakiniku Sauce

2010-09-07T18:30:00.005+08:00

First, excuse the un-cut chili in this dish. Suppose to chopped them up but I know my boys won't touch this dish if there were loads of chili sticking around the meat. I like my food spicy, so I fried the whole chili to add some kick to the dish.

The school break just started and that means late nights equal late mornings for me. Yeah !

It also means I am real lazy to cook but it got to be done. Unless we had strike the lottery overnight it is home cooked meals until then.

Anyway this dish is a no brainier. Real easy. Just get a bottle of Yakiniku Sauce and marinate the meat of your choice with it.

What is Yakiniku Sauce ? I really have no idea. The ingredients listed on the labels includes, tapioca starch, apple juice, water , soy sauce, MSG, vinegar, sesame oil, chicken paste, black pepper, red pepper, mustard flavour, sugar, salt, garlic.

Anyway here is the recipe for this stir fried beef.

Ingredients :-

400g beef for stir fry, thinly sliced
2 tbsp bottled Yakiniku sauce
1 chili, chopped
spring onions, chopped
lettuce leaves

Method :-

Marinate beef with the Yakiniku Sauce for 1-2 hours.
Heat oil over high heat.
Fry beef for 3-4 minutes or until cooked, add in the chili and spring onions. Stir for 1 minute.
Dish out and serve hot.

You could serve the beef with lettuce. Place some of those meat on the lettuce, wrap them up, pop them into your mouth and start chewing.

Actually you could also add chopped garlic or sliced onions. Works fine.

A real easy dish for a real lazy person.

Date Cake With Port

2010-09-03T23:31:00.000+08:00

Hari Raya Puasa is just around the corner. As usual during this Ramadan period dates are sold everywhere. My favourite ones are those Medjool dates. Prefer them then the other kind that some what resembles a cockroach minus the legs and antennas sticking out. That is how my#3 describes them.
This year I tried baking a cake with dates. Sorry it is not halal since it is infused with alcohol but I once read somewhere in a book that you could replace the alcohol in the cake with orange juice.
I personally have not tried it before coz I have those booze lying around in my cupboards. Short of becoming a alcoholic I used them in my baking and cooking.
So, if you try this recipe with the orange juice. Let me know if it works.

Ingredients:-

250g butter
1 tbsp grated lemon rind
1 cup castor sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups (250g) chopped dates
1/4 cup mixed peel
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1/4 cup self raising flour
1/4 cup port

Method :-

Line the base and side of a 20cm round cake tin with 2 layers of paper.
Cream butter, rind and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time until combined.
Stir in dates and peel, then sifted dry ingredients and port.
Spread mixture into the cake tin.
Bake in moderately slow (160 Celsius) oven for about 2 hours.
Cover cake with foil and cool in pan.
Dust with sugar.

Looks kind of 'blah' doesn't it ?

I think I should chopped those dates into bigger pieces.

Other than that it is OK. It not like the usual fruit cakes coz there are hardly any fruits seen. BIGGER pieces of dates the next time !!!!

Steamed Spare Ribs With Black Beans

2010-09-02T18:15:00.002+08:00

Tonight's dinner was later than usual. All because I over look the time this dish needs to be cooked. It does not helped that I was preoccupied with a new Kdrama too. Anyway it was well worth the wait as the men in my house had no complains. Or it might be by the time it was ready to be served they were too hungry and all food taste good.

Ingredients :-

600g spare ribs, cut into bite size
3 tbsp oil
1 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
1 tbsp ginger, finely chopped
1 tbsp shallots, finely chopped
1 chili, cut finely
2-3 tbsp black bean paste
4 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp Chinese rice wine
1 tsp pepper
Spring onions for garnishing

Method :-

Heat oil in wok, over medium heat.
Brown the ribs for about 4-5 minutes.
Remove from wok, drain on paper towels. Set aside.
In the same wok, over medium heat fry the garlic, ginger, shallots, and chili for 2 minutes, then stir in the black bean paste.
Return the pork to the wok and stir fry over high heat for 2 minutes.
Add soy sauce, sugar, wine and pepper. Mix well.
Dish out and steam for 40 -45 minutes and serve hot.

Please note this dish is real oily...... the ribs were swimming in them !

The same goes for the whole house. You can feel the oil in the kitchen, hall.....

Mop, mop, mop....... :(

Banana Cake

2010-08-29T20:54:00.004+08:00

By far this is the one of the best banana cake recipe. I have tried a few such as a banana-walnut-cake , banana-pineapple-cake and this last one no complains from my boys. This also happens to be the first time I uses sour cream with a banana cake. From my past experiences with sour creams in cakes they usually turn out well and moist.

The only complain I have is there is a big crack on it. Notice that it always occur whenever I uses a loaf tin.

Ingredients :-

125g butter
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1 cup mashed banana
1 1/2 cups self raising flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tbsp milk

Method :-

Grease a 14 cm x 21 cm loaf tin.
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs on at a time. Beat until combined.
Stir in the mashed bananas, half the sifted dry ingredients, half the our cream and milk.
Then the remaining ingredients, stir until smooth.
Pour in to the tin and baked in a moderated oven ( 190 Celsius) for about 1 hour.
Stand in tin for 5 minutes before turning on to a wire rack to cool completely.

Did the baking yesterday and had it for tea this afternoon.

Enjoy !

Steamed Prawns

2010-08-26T23:39:00.003+08:00

To tell you the truth these are the BEST prawn pictures I have ever taken since I started this blog.

Taste wise - I will leave it to you to try it out. :)

Steamed Prawns

Ingredients :-

600g large prawns
2 tbsp oil
1 tbsp shredded ginger
1 chili, shredded
1 tbsp spring onion, chopped
2 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp Chinese wine
1 tsp sesame oil

Method :-

Steamed the prawns for 5-7 minutes or until it turns pink.
Meanwhile, heat the oil over high heat.
Fry the ginger, chili and spring onions for 1 minute.
Add soy sauce, wine and sesame oil. Bring it to a boil.
Pour this mixture over the cooked prawns and serve hot.

OK. .........

Remember to arrange the prawns in a single layer before their steam bath so that they will all get cooked at the same time.

Next, this was not in the recipe but I got the idea from watching a K drama.

You know, after steaming the prawns, at the bottom of the plate there are loads of those prawn juice and other yucky stuff. Remove the prawns and place on to your serving plate.

Don't pour away the prawn juice. Strain them and add to the soy sauce mixture.

And you will get prawn flavoured gravy over the other wise bland tasting prawns.

See, those K dramas are not only entertaining but knowledgeable too.

Honey Cranberry Oat Cookies

2010-08-20T13:48:00.004+08:00

Honey Cranberry Oat Cookies - What a mouthful !!! A chewy cookie with lots of cranberries and nuts/seeds with each bite. It has a different taste too. Most likely due to the honey.

Ingredients :-

2 cups plain flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
250g butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup liquid honey
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups instant oats
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
1 cup silvered almonds
1 cup sunflower seeds

Method :-

Preheat oven to 190 Celsius.
Greased the cookie tray.
Sift the flour, baking soda and salt together.
Beat the butter, brown sugar, honey and eggs until smooth and creamy about 3 minutes.
Gradually add flour mixture, beating until well blended.
Stir in the oats, cranberries, almonds and sunflower seeds.
Drop a tablespoon of dough on the tray about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8 to12 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool for 5 minutes on the tray before transferring to the rack to cool.

Be warned - cookies really did spread and it burns easily too.

Mississippi Mud Cake

2010-08-14T19:22:00.003+08:00

Last weekend I baked a cake and to cut the story shot (lazy to type) please pop over to my simply888.
My first attempt with this recipe. It looks easy enough and not as complicated as I thought it would be. Even so after reading through the whole recipe I never expected to end up with a big pot of dark brown liquid. I forgot to take a picture of it. My boys came into the kitchen, took one look and thought I was brewing one of those Chinese traditional concoctions. To tell you the truth I had my doubts too. Most probably expecting a big failure that is why no pictures of the pot of liquid.

Anyway I went ahead with the recipe and voila ......

This was the end result. Not bad huh ?

Here is the recipe....

Ingredients :-

250g butter, chopped
150g dark brown sugar, chopped
2 cups sugar
1 cup hot water
1/3 cup whisky
1 tbsp dry instant coffee
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1/4 cup self raising flour
1/4 cup cocoa
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Method :-

Grease a 23cm square slab pan, line the base with paper.
Combine the butter, chocolate, sugar, water, whisky and coffee in a double saucepan, Stir over hot water until chocolate has melted and mixture is smooth. Cool to lukewarm.
Transfer mixture to a large bowl, stir in sifted flours and cocoa, then eggs.
Pour into prepared pan.
Bake in moderate slow oven (160-180 Celsius) for about 1 1/4 hours.
Stand 10 minutes before turning on to a wire rack to cool.

We ate the cake right after I finished with the photo shoot. It did not taste good. It was dry. That is why I told my Sis it was suppose to be a mud cake that turned into a sand cake. But the next day it taste better. It was dense and moist. Weird ! Do not know if I had over baked it earlier.

I do not have a double saucepan. So I use a glass pot and stand it with a stand in a wok full of hot water.

Anyway now I know why it is known as a mud cake. From a pot of liquid, stir in the flour - very much like the 'masak- masak' we did during our childhood - water and sand.

^_^

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-07-16T23:29:00.002+08:00

Today after such a long time I baked some cookies. Chocolate chip cookies again but this time with peanut butter. Chocolate and peanut butter are both my favourite. Add them together they are perfect. I don't mean my baking was perfect. I notice that every time after a long hiatus
my cookies or cakes do not seems to look or taste as good as before.
Guess that practice does makes things better.

Ingredients :-

2 1/2 cups plain flour
1 tsp baking soda
250g butter, softened
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3 cups milk chocolate chips

Method :-

Preheat oven to 180 Celsius
Combine the flour and baking soda, set aside.
Beat the butter, peanut butter, both sugars until light and creamy.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Gradually add flour mixture, beating until well blended.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Drop dough by tablespoons on a ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 11 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool 5 minutes on sheet then transfer to rack to cool.

Taa... daaaa.......Here they are.

Chocolate Chip Cookies are always a hot favourite here.

See 888here for my other write up about today's baking.

Pork Soup With Tomatoes And Carrot

2010-05-31T17:55:00.003+08:00

Today's weather sucks. Cloudy skies as soon as I opened my eyes this morning. Which turned real gloomy later in the afternoon. It looks like it will pour at anytime but not a single drop of rain was seen. :(

On the flip side I went out for my grocery shopping and I don't need to walk in the blazing sun. :)

Can't really decide what I really want - rain or the sun. :)

Anyway one of today's menu is soup.

Ingredients :-

3 tomatoes
1 carrot
6 water chestnuts
lean pork
2 slices of ginger
salt to taste

Method :-

Cut tomatoes, carrots and water chestnuts to serving pieces.
Scald and rinse the pork.
Put all ingredients in to boiling water.
Lower the flame and boil for 2 hours.
Season with salt.

Light and refreshing..

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-05-09T19:14:00.007+08:00

I spend the whole day in the kitchen baking on mothers-day.

Today's chocolate chip cookies, some currant-cookies and a lemon-sour-cream-cake.

I baked chocolate chips before, lots of times but never with shortening. This is my first time using a shortening.

Yeah, I know it contains those trans fats thingy. Real unhealhty but it is only this once. If I don't try it I will never know the difference.

Ingredients :-

1 3/4 cups plain flour
1/2 up quick cooking rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup shortening
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate sweet chips
1 cup nuts of choice

Method :-

Combine flour, oats, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
Beat shortening, brown sugar and eggs until light and creamy.
Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until blended.
Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
Drop dough by tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie tray.
Bake in preheated oven ( 190 Celsius) for 12 minutes.
Cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Btw I prefer my cookies with butter. It seesm to taste better.

Here's my Mother's Day tea spread. Enjoy.

Happy Mother's Day !!!

Lemon Chilli Prawns

2010-04-24T18:33:00.000+08:00

Prawns for tonight.

Aiyah !!!... "why can't you remove the shells ???"

Goes my spoilt kids. They have been pampered all this while coz H is the one who does it for them.

Not tonight. H called up at the last moment to informed me that he won't be back for dinner. By then the prawns are already swimming in marinate. So, it was prawns and lots of grumbling from them coz I told them you either peel it or eat the whole thing !

Ingredients :-

3 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tbsp hot chilli sauce
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbsp chopped coriander
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp honey
20 tiger prawns

Method :-

Combine the lemon juice, chilli sauce, ginger, garlic coriander, soy sauce and honey.
Add the prawns, toss to coat evenly.
Marinate up to 2 hours, covered in the refrigerator.
Thread the prawns on to parallel skewers.
Grill in preheated over head oven grill.
Grill until the shell is pink; 3 minutes on each side.

' Sei sei hei ' they peeled the prawns and finished in record time too !

Mocha Chiffon Cake

2010-04-22T21:28:00.000+08:00

For our wedding anniversary I baked a cake the night before it . I was going to give it a coat of icing the next day but we were called out. By the time we came home it was late and I don't feel up to whipping some icing.

So, we just opened a bottle of wine, H got some roses for me and we attacked the cake.

Ingredients :-

1 cup plain flour
1 cup self raising flour
1 1/2 cup castor sugar
100g dark chocolate, chopped
2 tbsp dry instant coffee
1/4 Tia Maria
1/2 cup cup water
1/2 cup oil
7 eggs, separated

Coffee Icing :-

2 cups icing sugar
15 g butter
3 tsp dry instant coffee
2 tbsp water

Method :-

Sift flours and sugar into a large bowl.
Combine chocolate, coffee, Tia Maria, water and oil in double sauce pan, stir constantly over hot water until smooth.
Remove from heat, quickly stir in lightly beaten egg yolks, pour into center of sifted flour mixture, stir until smooth.
Beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form.
Fold a third of the egg whites lightly into cake mixture.
Pour the cake mixture into remaining whites, fold ingredients lightly
Pour cake mixture in to ungreased cake tin.
Bake in a moderately slow oven (160 - 180 Celsius) for about 1 1/4 hours.
Cake should feel firm to the touch and have a slightly sugary crust.
Remove from oven and immediately turn the cake tin up side down.
Once the cake has cool, remove from tin and cover with icing.

OK, this is how it looks when it was remove from the oven.

Verdict :- The texture was nothing like those chiffon cakes. It was not light and fluffy although the texture is fine.

The boys find it weird. H said there is something missing (other than the icing).

Might be because of the absence of butter.

Stir Fried Tau Kwa with Almond And Water Chestnut

2010-04-15T18:58:00.000+08:00

What ???
You mean we are having peanut butter for dinner !

That was what my #2 exclaimed when I asked him to get a bottle of peanut butter from the store.

My first time cooking with peanut butter. I used it in cookies, cakes but not as a savoury dish. Frankly I was unsure how it will turn out but I went a head trying this recipe.

Ingredients :-

500g tau kwa, cut into bite size cubes
2tbsp oil
1/2 cip green pepper, cut into small chunks
1 stalk celery
8 water chestnuts
4 stalks spring onions, chopped
15cm ginger, sliced thinly
1/2 tsp corn starch
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Marinade:-

4tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp minced onion
1 tbsp peanut butter

Method :-

Combine the ingredients for the marinate.
Marinate tau kwa cubes in the marinade for an hour or two.
Pre heat 1 tbsp oil and stir fry the marinated tofu until it turns partially golden. Remove and set aside.
Add the remaining oil and the peppers, ginger, celery, water chestnuts and spring onions. Stir fry for 5 minutes.
Mix the corn starch and water together.
Stir in the remaining marinate and cornstarch mixture to the veges. Stir fry until it thickens.
Add the tofu and roasted almonds. Stir well and serve.

Luckily it turn out OK. More than OK it is delicious. Everyone like it.

Sambal Fish

2010-04-10T19:13:00.002+08:00

Ingredients :-

2 selar fish
2 heaped tbsp sambal belachan
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/4 cup vegetable stock or hot water
1 tbsp oil
1 onion diced, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch ginger, sliced
1 red chilli, seeded and minced (optional)
1 tbsp oyster sauce
3 large lime, quartered

Methods :-

Rub 1 tsp salt and pepper over the 2 fish, inside out. Set aside.
Pre heat grill to 160 Celsius.
Heat oil till hot, saute onions until they turn transparent.
Add garlic, ginger, sambal belachan and the rest of the salt (to taste). Saute until fragrant.
Add the stock, oyster sauce stir over low heat until the sauce thickens and well combined.
Place half the chilli paste on to an oven safe dish.
Place fish over and the the rest of the chilli on top of it.
Squeeze the juice of one lime on the fish.
Grill for 20 minutes.
When it is done, squeeze the juice of the other lime over the fish and serve.

Er... my fish look a bit anaemic, except for the bloody mess over it. :)

Har Cheong Kai

2010-04-07T20:15:00.001+08:00

In this house any fried food is heaven but hell to clean up.

Ingredients :-

5 cm length of ginger
2 tbsp rose wine (mei kwei luo)
1 1/2 tbsp Chinese shrimp paste (har cheong)
1 tbsp rice flour
1 tsp sugar
1 chicken chopped in to serving pieces
75g tapioca flour
75g plain flour

Method :-

Grate ginger and squeeze to get 1 1/2 tbsp ginger juice.
Combine the ginger juice, rose wine, shrimp paste, rice flour and sugar.
Add chicken and mix well. marinate in the fridge for 6 hours
Heat oil for deep frying.
Sift the both flours and dredge chicken pieces in the flour mixture. Shake off excess flour.
Fry chicken a few pieces at a time until golden brown and cooked.
Drain and serve immediately.

Yum Yum...

Yeah but who is doing the cleaning ???

Longan And Pork Soup

2010-04-04T20:35:00.002+08:00

Nothing like a bowl of warm soup to go with our meals.
When I was a child I remember I would like to scoop my soup on to my bowl or plate of rice. It makes it so much easier to eat. Not to mention the meat that goes with it. Dipped in some soy sauce...hmmmm........ heaven !

So, today here is another soup recipe. Nothing much in them, a very simple one. Actually I have been doing this for ages just that mine was the ' anyhow add the ingredients' kind of way.

Here you have proper measurements of the ingredients.

Ingredients :-

600g lean pork
75g dried longans
2 tbsp wolfberries (kei chee)
1.5 litres water
salt to taste

Method :-

Add lean pork to boiling water, allow to boil for 1 minute and the pour off the water and run cold water into the pot to rinse the pork. Drain.
Add the rest of the ingredients into the pot.
Cook over high heat, for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 1 1/2 hours.
Season to taste.

Easy isn't it ?

I have been using spare ribs all the time. if you are going to do the way I do with out a proper recipe, don't add too much of those dried longans. It makes the soup a bit sweeter but I guess it is up to each person's taste.

Prawns, Lychee And Mango Salad With Lemongrass Dressing

2010-04-02T18:24:00.004+08:00

I think this is the longest title I ever typed. Why can't it be just prawn salad ! Or Asian prawn salad.

I was typing this recipe on to this blog right after dinner. #1 came over and said that what I am doing is against copy right . I should just tell my readers (if there are any, that is ) to just refer to the certain magazine, this and this page. Then I'll have more time with my FB games.

Yeah it is like I don't know that he don't don't me to hog the computer longer than necessary.

Ingredients :-

600g prawns, peeled and blanched
1/2 cup canned lychee
1 mango, peeled and sliced
4 sprigs fresh mint leaves
4 sprigs coriander leaves

Dressing :-

2 stalks lemongrass, thinly sliced (remove outer leaves and use only the bottom white portion )
1 chilli, sliced
1 lime, juice extracted
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp sugar

Method :-

Mix dressing ingredients in a bowl,taste and add more lime, fish sauce and sugar if necessary. Set aside.
Blanch prawns in boiling water until they turn pink. Drain and set aside.
Place prawns, lychee and mango in a bowl.
Toss with the dressing and garnish with mint and coriander leaves

So here is the salad posted against the laws. But don't you think it will be shame if I don't share the recipes with the www . Not everyone reads the magazine.

Another note - please use a greener mango because I used a ripe fruit and it turned out a bit mushy after all that tossing about. :(

Century Egg and Pork Porridge

2010-03-27T10:15:00.004+08:00

Another recipe form my fav magazine again. I seem to be blogging my way through them.

Today it is - Century eggs - you either love them or hate it.

As for me I love them !!! Especially so if it is serve with preserved ginger. Those 2 just compliments each other so well.

These jelly looking eggs has been (I'm going to copy it from the mag)-

"....preserved in lime, ashes and salt before burying for 100 days"

Not in horse urine.

I usually use them in steamed eggs, porridge or just eat them with preserved ginger.

As I had mentioned before this is a recipe from the mag. To tell you the truth I did not really follow it. Let's face it after so many years I do know how to cook my porridge which is thick and all the grains broken down. I just used the rest of the ingredients like the scallops, oyster sauce from the recipe.

Another thing this is the first time I see oyster sauce being used in porridge. Bet you haven't either. I was a bit skeptical. Did hesitate before adding it in to the pot of porridge. In the end I did and it turn out surprisingly..... good.

Ingredients :-

I cup rice
10cups of water or light chicken or pork stock
1 tsp salt
12 dried scallops
1 tbsp oyster sauce
10mg minced pork
1- 2 century eggs, diced
pepper to taste
1 tsp sesame oil
chopped spring onions for garnishing

Method :-

Place rice, water in a large pot and bring to boil, add dried scallops and salt. Adjust the heat to the lowest possible flame

Cook with the lid on stirring occasionally for about 3 hours, until every grain has broken down and the porridge is thick. Add some water if you feel the porridge has become too thick.

Add the minced meat and oyster sauce and cook for a further 10 minutes.

Serve piping hot, topped with diced century eggs, spring onions, sesame oil and pepper.

Here's my pei tan chook for brunch today.

Have a great weekend everyone !

Wintermelon Soup

2010-03-25T17:14:00.004+08:00

Soup for today.

Actually I prepare a soup everyday. The boys and H like it to go with their rice. That is if I do not add funny things in them. The trick is to not let them (the boys) see what was in the pot.
That was when they were younger. Now it is not too bad. but I still skipped the dried mushroom as they don't like them. (wasted !)

Ingredients :-

2 liter water
700g winter melon, cut into cubes
500g pork or chicken bones
2 tbps woolfberries (kei chee)
8 red dates
4 dried scallops
8 dried mushroom, soaked and sliced
salt and pepper to taste

Method :-

Bring water to boil. Add bones and continue boiling for 30 minutes
Add wintermelon, wolfberries and red dates, dried scallops and mushrooms.
Bring to boil, the lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes until the wintermelon is soft.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve.

Zheng Jiang-Style Pork Ribs

2010-03-22T18:16:00.003+08:00

Today I put up a picture for my profile. It is my pet Fluff -Coco - juggling the virtual kitchen and the real one too. Just like the real me.

But I try real hard to do good in the real world. Cook and try some of the recipes I have collected ( which has been collecting dust on my shelve).

Today I tried a new recipe from Food and Travel. My fav mag. With nice pictures of food, interesting, some easy and not so easy recipes. Features our local and around the world restaurants.

So here it is.... Zheng Jiang Pork Ribs. A recipe shared by the chef of the Pavillion Restaurant.

Er... I did not have some of the ingredients. Blame it on my pre-occupation with my virtual kitchen. Wrote down a list but did not not bring it along to the market with me. Plus I improvised with other ingredients. Example -I used apricot jam instead of the marmalade.
The Zheng Jiang vinegar - I used some left over black vinegar - unknown brand ( the label had long disappear ). But I know it is black vinegar.
It is not poisonous since I am sitting down here with a full stomach typing away.

Left out the celery and spring onions too. With so many modifications it still turn out yummy. A bit on the sweet side. So hold on to the sugar and add it in slowly, that's my advice.

Ingredients :-

600g pork spare ribs (cut into 5cm lengths)
1 1/2tsp meat tenderizer
3tbsp water

For the marinade :-

2tsp coriander powder
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 celery stick,chopped
3 springs onions, chopped
1 1 /2 tbsp Chinese Rose Wine (Mei Gui Jiu/ Mui Kwai loh )
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp chicken essence power
1 tsp curry powder
1 1/2 tbsp plain flour
3/4 cup water

For the Zheng Jiang Sauce :-

4 tbsp Zheng Jiang black vinegar
50g sugar
1/4 cup marmalade
2 salter water plums
2 tbsp chopped and fried garlic
2 tbsp chopped and fried shallots

Method:-

Place spare ribs in a bowl, add water and stir in tenderizer to coat evenly. Leave in the fridge for an hour.
When the hour is up, place ribs under running water for 30 minutes.
Transfer meat to a sieve to drain all its liquid and drip dry, about 20 minutes
In another bowl, mix all the marinade ingredients together. Place ribs in the marinade, cover and refrigerate for 6 hours.
To make the sauce, combine vinegar, sugar, marmalade and plum in a pan and cook over medium heat. When the sugar has melted, the fried garlic and shallots. Set aside
Heat oil in a wok till it shimmer slightly. Deep fry the spare ribs till they are well done, about 8 minutes. Remove spare ribs and drain on paper towels.
In another pan, briskly stir fry spare ribs with the Zheng Jiang sauce until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately

Nom, Nom, Nom.......... finger licking good.

And lastly here is what the chef (the real one not this 'ow tah' one here ) said :-

" When it comes to cooking, there is no such thing as taking shortcuts. From the preparation to presentation, to create a dish that is memorable, you need to put in the effort."

Chef-owner Kelvin Lee. ( No relation at all. )

Tofu Chicken Patties

2010-02-24T13:30:00.002+08:00

Got this recipe from a magazine. Looks real simple and tried it out.
The patty is a bit soft, not easy to mould but I somehow manage to. They are smaller in size than the recipe indicated.

Here's the recipe if you want something light and watching your cholesterol intake. Plus if you want to dupe your kids into eating tofu without them knowing.

Ingredients :-

300g minced chicken
1 pkt soft tofu
1 tsp oyster sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp ginger juice
1 tsp sugar
1 small onion, chopped
4 tbsp breadcrumbs
olive oil

Method :-

In a pan, add 1 tsp oil and saute the chopped onions for 3 minutes, set aside.
In a bowl, place minced chicken, soft tofu, oyster sauce, salt, pepper, ginger juice, sugar, sauteed onions and breadcrumbs. Mix well.
Mould each patty to the size of the palm, about 3 inches thick and set aside.
In a non stick pan, ad in more oil and saute the patties for 5 minutes on each side until they turn light golden brown.

Once served the boys were trying to guess what it is made of.
Tuna were their final answer.
I found my answer too.

Grilled Snapper

2010-02-07T00:10:00.007+08:00

Looks like this blog of mine is semi-back in action after such a long hiatus. I have been missing since god knows when
and how often I update is still questionable.

After such a long absence I seems to find the urge to start blogging my pathetic cooking and the recipes I've tried.

Today's dish is a grilled fish. Used up the remaining sweet chili sauce that I bought for the last recipe I posted.
I find the chili sauce too sweet for my liking but it seems to turn out fine once it is mixed with other sauces.

Ingredients :-

1 snapper - cut fish 3 time each side
2 tbsp grated ginger
1 stalk lemon grass - sliced
2 cloves garlic - crushed and get the juice.
1 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
1 tsp sesame oil

Method :-

Mix the sauce - the garlic juice, lime juice, soy sauce, chili sauce and sesame oil together.
Place fish on a foil.
Top with ginger and lemon grass.
Drizzle the sauce over the fish.
Fold the foil over the fish and grill for 25 minutes or until cooked.

Ta.. da... here it is my grilled fish swimming in a pool of sweet, sour and spicy sauce.
Btw I crushed the garlic or I actually 'tumbuk' it until it was paste and rub it all over the fish. Did not bother to squeeze out the juice.

Sticky BBQ Chicken 2

2010-02-02T18:41:00.003+08:00

OK... This lazy nonya is back with more lazy cooking. Been cooking just too... what else... lazy to post them. H said that I am more hardworking with my virtual kitchen than the real one.

Of course, my virtual ones are more interesting with no complaining customers. :)))
Plus I get to cook yummy dishes. Actually I don't know why I am so addicted to it. I just am. The rest of the games I am a bit more lacking behind my friends but I am happy with that.

Anyway here is the recipe for this sticky chicken.

Ingredients :-

8 chicken thighs
2 tbsp honey
1 clove garlic
1 tsp ginger - grated
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sweet chili sauce.

Method :-

Marinate chicken for 3 hours in the fridge or over night.
BBQ chicken .
Reserve the marinate as basting.
Turn chicken every 15 minutes.
Brush with the marinate.
Cook chicken for about 30 minutes.

Or you would cook it in the oven like I did at 200 Celsius for about 45 minutes.

That's it for tonight's dinner.

Now it is back to my virtual cafe.... here I come !

P.S ...now I am not sure if I had posted this before. Sorry if I had.

Chicken Tikka

2009-07-15T22:16:00.000+08:00

Lazy, lazy, lazy.........

That is how I feel these few days. Looking for easy to prepare dishes.
Nothing is as easy as grilling the meat. But first we need to marinate them. So here is the marinade....

Ingredients :-

1tbsp minced ginger
1tbsp minced garlic
1tsp salt
1tbsp vinegar
1tbsp lime juice
1tbsp garam masala
3tbsp plain yogurt
1 red chili
500g chicken breast, cut into bite sized
2tbsp oil
satay sticks, pre-soaked in water for several hours

Method :-

Combine chili, lime juice, vinegar, ginger, garlic, salt, garam masala and yogurt in a blender
Marinate chicken pieces for 2 hours or overnight.
Thread chicken pieces on sticks.
Baste the chicken with oil and grill over medium heat until cooked, 10-15 minutes.

The red chili is for some colouring because it was not spicy at all. Of course I did not add in more chilies if I want the 3 boys to eat them.

Yum, yum goes my boys.

Steamed Cod Fish Hong Kong Style

2009-07-11T10:39:00.002+08:00

What I had for dinner yesterday ?
Boring isn't it ?
But here I am still updating this blog of mine.
I think I have too much time on my hands......

Ingredients :-

320 g cod fish
100g sliced ginger
salt and pepper

Gravy :-

3/4 cup water
30 g rock sugar
1 tbsp Maggie seasoning
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp shallot oil

Method :-

Combine all the gravy ingredients. Bring them to a boil and simmer for half an hour.
Cut fish in to 2 slices and lightly season with salt and pepper.
Steam fish with the ginger for 8 minutes.
To serve, heat gravy until smoking hot and pour over the fish.

Stired Fried Pork

2009-07-08T21:54:00.002+08:00

Ai,say, after my Sis left not in the mood to cook but got to do it though. :(
Dug into my fridge and ended up with a very simple dish.
Super simple !

Ingredients :-

400 g pork fillet, sliced
3tbsp salted butter
10 cloves garlic, chopped
10 slices young ginger
1-2 tbsp oyster sauce
1-2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Method :-

Add the butter in the wok over medium heat and stir it until it melts.
Add the garlic and ginger. Stir until fragrant.
Put in the fillet, stir until pork is cooked.
Add the oyster sauce and black pepper, stir fry for a few seconds.
Served with hot rice.

Easy isn't it ?
I prefer the coarse black pepper but you can use the powder too.

Gui Ling Gao

2009-06-29T18:21:00.003+08:00

Aka Herbal Jelly.

I made some today. Out from a packet of powder.

A product from Eu Yan Sang. If you know how to read it is very easy to prepare.
Here are the instructions from the package it self.

Ingredients :-

1 packet of 50g herbal jelly
150g sugar
water

Method :-

Pour 1 packet of 50g herbal jelly powder into a bowl.
Add in 250ml of cool water and mix well.
Bring to boil 1 litre water, add in 150g sugar.
Turn to low flame then pour in the herbal jelly mixture and continuously stir for 10 minutes.
Filter the boiled herbal jelly mixture.
Pour it into a bowl. Leave to cool and serve.

I did not filter the mixture. I did it once and it was too messy.
Poured them into individual bowls.
And reduced the sugar. It is up to you though. Less sugar means you taste more of the herbal taste.
Lastly I top them with some canned lychee and syrup.

Braised Chicken

2009-06-25T18:03:00.002+08:00

Ingredients :-

650g chicken parts
40g garlic
40g onion
20g ginger
10g chili padi
40g spring onion

Marinade :-

1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1 egg
a pinch of pepper
1 tsp corn flour

Seasoning :-

1 tbsp water
1 tbsp black vinegar
1 tbsp rice wine
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tbsp sesame oil

Method :-

Add the first four ingredients to marinade the chicken for 30 minutes. Add the corn flour when it is ready to cook.
Heat up the oil and deep fry the chicken pieces until light brown. Set a side.
heat up oil and saute the ginger, garlic chili padi and onion.
Add seasoning and cook over the low heat, then add chicken and cook until gravy has slightly thicken.
Add spring onion and stir for a while before serving.

Hot ! Hot ! Hot !

Goes my boys..... Looks like I have to reduce the chili the next time I prepare this dish.

Sticky BBQ Chicken

2009-06-17T18:25:00.002+08:00

A recipe that I had meant to post a long time ago. The pictures had been in my camera for ages.
I just never got around to posting them. Procrastination, lots of excuses and personal reasons were the reasons for the delay .

Ingredients :-

1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 pint (150ml) tomato ketchup
3 tbsp vinegar
3 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp paprika
8 chicken thighs/parts, with skin pierced several times

Method :-

Mix together the ingredients and pour over the chicken.
Allow meat to marinate for at least 30 minutes or more.
Heat oven to 200 Celsius.
Cook coated chicken in oven for 45 minutes, basting and turning once until browned.
Serve the remaining BBQ sauce in the roasting tin along side the chicken.

I like mine a bit more spicier. Therefore I use more paprika.

I Am Puzzled

2009-03-25T23:29:00.004+08:00

The following layer cakes were not baked by me. Wish they were. Then I would be making $$$$$.

Instead my brother had bought them over from Indonesia during the CNY. Mother had them freezed just so that I can puzzled over them - for her !

The side of the chequered layer cake.
The next one is more complicated.

Can anyone figure them out ? The chequered ones are quite easy I think I have figured it out. But the last one leaves me completely stumped !

HELP !!!

Fruit Salad

2009-02-19T23:16:00.003+08:00

Aisay...I have really neglected this blog of mine. Sorry about that. Have some fruit....
Lately I am into watermelons. We had already consumed a couple of them since the beginning of this year. It is due to this terrible hot weather of ours !
Watermelon is thirst quenching and once it had been really cooled it is super delicious !!!!
Who care if the juice drips down my chin...... it is refreshing !
Today I made a fruit salad for my eldest boy's 14th-birthday. With the other half watermelon remaining in my fridge.

Let's face it. Any one can make a fruit salad. Right ? How hard can it be ? Just mixed what ever cut fruit you want or prefer. Add them to the syrup, chilled and wa lah...
A fruit salad. So, here is my 'any how' prepared fruit salad.

Ingredients :-

1 can of halved peaches, drained and cut in to chunks
1 can of longans, drained
Half a watermelon, cut in to cubes
5 kiwi fruits, peeled and cut in to chunks
1 punnet of blueberries
2 tbsp sugar

Method :-

Mix all the fruits.
Mix the sugar into the fruits.
Toss together lightly.

You can do as I did - scrap out half the watermelon. When ready to serve scoop the salad in to the empty shell.

Fruit Cake - 5

2009-01-08T17:42:00.001+08:00

I was looking through the shots I took of the food I had posted and noticed I did not post this fruitcake recipe at all. When I had baked this cake a couple of times since last Christmas. It is a very easy fruitcake that my Sis should attempt.

Yeah this is a challenge. I was thinking that she had managed to do several lovely sewing projects with out making any unwanted holes in them she can do this.

Ingredients :-

1 kg currants
250g halved cherries
1/2 cup brandy
250g butter
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
5 eggs
2 cups plain flour
1 tsp mixed spice
2 tbsp brandy, extra

Method :-

Line base and sides of a deep 23cm round cake tin with 3 layers of greaseproof paper.
Combine currants, cherries and brandy in a large bowl.
Cream butter and sugar only until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beat only until combined between each addition.
Stir in the fruits mixture.
Stir in the sifted flour and spice. Mix well.
Spread evenly into the prepared cake tin.
Bake in slow oven (150 Celsius, 300 Fahrenheit) for about 2 1/2 hours.
Brush with extra brandy, cover tightly with foil, leave to cool in pan.

This picture was taken just last year before I left for my December holiday in Ipoh. I baked the cakes in separate tins so that I can give them as gifts back home.

Other notes to take note :-

You can use a 20 cm square tin instead of a 23 cm round one.

Come to the sugar I prefer dark brown sugar as it gives the cake a darker colour. But it is up to you.

Fruit cakes should be left to cool in the tin as they are very fragile when warm.

The paper used for lining the tin can be left on as a wrapping after cooking.

The cake can be kept for up to 3 months. Its flavour improves with age just make sure they are wrapped and store correctly. ( That is if you can resist only having a small slice each time. )

If you like you can 'feed' the cooled cake week by week with more brandy.

Store the cake in a cool, dry place.

Pork Cubes With Tofu

2009-01-03T17:19:00.002+08:00

OK, OK, I know this site had been neglected for a long time. Of course I had been cooking just that they are nothing fanciful or worth sharing with you. Today's dish is very simple. I actually don't want to post it but I did just to update this blog of mine. Nowadays can't seem to find the drive to blog as I used to. Anyway here is the recipe for today's dish.

Ingredients :-

250g lean pork, cut in to small dice
1 packet of hard tofu(taukwa), cut in to small cubes
2 plants spring onions, cut in to short length
5 tbsp chopped garlic
2-3 fresh chillies
1-2 tsp fish sauce - to taste

Method :-

Heat oil in a wok, saute the garlic and chillies until fragrant.
Add the lean meat and stir fry for a few minutes before adding the tofu and fish sauce.
Stir fry over high heat for 30 seconds, turn off heat and add the spring onions.
Serve with rice

Remember to cut the meat in to small cubes I cut mine a bit too big and it turn out slightly tasteless - the meat that is.

Happy New Year !

Dried Cherries Almond Oatmeal Cookies

2008-11-07T13:50:00.002+08:00

Ingredients :-

1 1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
250g butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
2 cups Quaker oats
1 1/2 cups dried cherries
1 cup silvered almonds

Method :-

Pre heat oven to 180 Celsius.
Grease or line the cookie tray.
Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
Cream the butter and both sugar.
Add eggs and vanilla essence.
Beat until light and creamy.
Gradually add flour mixture, beating until well blended.
Using a wooden spoon stir in the oats, cried cherries and almonds .
Drop dough by the tablespoon on to the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
Bake in the oven for 10 to 14 minutes or until golden.
Cool for 5 minutes on the tray then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

You can replace the dried cherries with dried cranberries or any dried fruit of your choice.. The same goes with the nuts too.

Bake them for 14 minutes if you want a crisp cookie.

Sweet & Sour Prawns & Jogging Prawns on YouTube

2008-11-04T18:50:00.004+08:00

Today I so happen decided to prepare prawns for dinner and I saw this article about a shrimp in the papers. So I decided to search for it on YouTube, post it here to jazz up my otherwise boring post.

This super fit prawn could run on the thread mill of over 20m a minute and go for 3 hours before needing to rest.

The things those scientists could come up with.
So, does that consider as animal abuse ?

Ingredients :-

1 lb prawns with shells
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp finely chopped ginger
2 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp light brown sugar (or more, to taste)
3 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp rice wine or sherry
100 ml stock
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp corn flour mixed with a water into a paste
salt and pepper to taste

Method :-

Deep fry the prawns in hot hot for 35 seconds. Drain and set aside.
Mix the light soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, rice wine, sesame oil, stock for the sauce
Heat oil in wok, add ginger, saute for a few seconds.
Add in the sauce mixture, stock, cornflour mixture, seasoning to taste. Bring to boil.
Add in the prawns, stir well until sauce thickens.
Serve hot.

I did not deep fry them instead I stir fry them in some hot oil in the wok, set aside once they turn orange. And followed the rest of the steps. Needless to say deep frying the prawns are better.

Oatmeal Candy Cookies

2008-10-29T20:23:00.006+08:00

Which parents like their kids eat candy. I can't really stop them because they can always use their own pocket money to buy them. That is why I seldom buy any candies.
Last weekend during my weekly grocery shopping I picked up 3 packets of Skittles. They were real happy excited when I placed them into shopping cart.
But their excitement soon died when I said those are for my future baking.

Actually this recipe asked for those candy coated chocolate M&M's. But I wanted something different. Let's just say I am bored with those chocolate flavoured cookies. And those Skittles are also candy coated. I figure they can with stand the heat and turn out like those M&M's.

Wrong....

This is how it turned out. Those candies that are not covered with the dough leaks , oozes out onto the tray. They soon cooled and crystallize.

"Freaky cookies."

"Are they for Halloween ?"

"Can they be eaten ?"

"Any melamine in there ?

Yeah those were some of their comments.

Anyway here is the recipe with the actual candy coated chocolate pieces.

Ingredients :-

1 cup plain flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
125g butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup quick cooking oats (I used Quaker Oats)
1 cup candy coated chocolate pieces
1/2 cup flaked coconut (I used dessicated coconut)

Method :-

Pre heat oven to 180 Celsius.
Greased or lined the cookie tray
Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
Cream the butter, both sugars, egg and vanilla essence until light and creamy.
Gradually add in the flour mixture, beating until smooth.
With wooden spoon stir in the oats, candy pieces and coconut.
Drop dough by the tablespoons on the cookie tray.
Bake in the heated oven for 9-13 minutes.
Cool for 5 minutes on tray, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Other than the Skittles I followed the rest of the recipe. If you intend to use Skittles you will need 200g of them. I only bought 3 packets of 50g and they are not enough.

I used a teaspoon instead of a table spoon to drop the cookies on to the tray.

What are they like other than the freaky look. It taste not bad. Taste of the Skittles, chewy and a hint of coconut. I actually prefer the whole thing without the candy.

The boys....they were skeptical at first.Tasted one and soon came back for more.

There is one happy baker in the house today...ME !

Claypot Chicken

2008-10-26T18:49:00.004+08:00

Once you have read the ingredients you will be wondering if this is one of those confinement dishes. With all the sesame oil used. Well, it is not.

Ingredients :-

2 tbsp oil
1 small chicken, chopped into medium sizes
3 cm ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
5 1/2 tbsp Hua Tiao wine
5 tbsp light soy sauce
5 tbsp sesame oil

Method :-

Heat the sesame oil in the claypot. add in the ginger and garlic slices.
Add chicken and brown them.
Pour wine and soy sauce . Mix well.
Cover claypot and simmer over low fire for 30 to 4o minutes or until chicken is cooked.
Serve with rice.

I only used about 2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce instead of 5 tbsp. Don't you think 5 tbsp is a it too much ?

Orange Yoghurt Cake

2008-10-22T17:26:00.002+08:00

The first time I am baking a cake with yoghurt.

Ingredient :-

125g butter
1 tbsp grated orange rind
1 cup Castor sugar
3 eggs, separated
1/2 cup mixed peel
2 cups self raising flour
1/4 cup orange juice
1 cup plain yoghurt

Method :-

Grease a loaf pan, line base and the sides with paper; grease paper well.
Cream the butter, rind and sugar. until light and fluffy.
Stir in the peel, then half the sifted flour and half the combined orange juice and yoghurt. Then the remaining flour and yoghurt mixture.
Beat the egg whites in another bowl until it forms soft peaks.
Fold in gently in to the creamed mixture in 2 lots.
Pour mixture into loaf pan.
Bake in slow oven, 150 Celsius for about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Stand for 5 minutes before turning on to wire rack.

There's a big crack over the cake. I have noticed that a cake baked in a loaf pan often has a crack on top of it.

So far everyone in my house ate the cake. Even the one who don't eat dried fruits. He did not asked and I did not mentioned anything.

(^_^)

Beer BBQ Marinade

2008-10-17T00:01:00.006+08:00

This marinade works on beer that is flat too. Malty, mild or heavy flavoured beer. It is your choice. It can be used for BBQ spareribs, pork chops, chicken. Although the ribs had to be parboiled for 45 mins and cooled thoroughly before marinating/

Ingredients :-

1 cup prepared BBQ sauce
1 cup ketchup
2/3 cup beer
1/4 cup honey or treacle
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp creamy mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp hot pepper sauce
1 /2 tsp pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 onions, finely chopped

Method :-

Mix all the ingredients and marinate the meat.
When you are ready to cook, remove the meat and cook the sauce till it thickens. Use as a sauce for basting or serve with food.

I used the bottled chilli sauce instead of the hot peppered sauce.

Honey Soy Chicken Wings

2008-10-13T19:14:00.000+08:00

My boys love chicken wings. BBQ ones.

Ingredients :-

6 tbsp dark soy sauce
3 tbsp sherry
2 tbsp runny honey
20 chicken wings, tips cut off

Method :-

Combine soy sauce, sherry and honey in a bowl.
Add wings and toss to coat evenly.
Cover and the refrigerator for 2 hours or longer.
Pre heat the oven grill.
Arrange the wings on the wire rack over a tray.
Grill for 15-20 minutes, turning once until the wings are cooked.

A bit on the burnt side but that is what makes it super nice. :)

Not too often though.

Easter Biscuits

2008-10-12T16:03:00.002+08:00

I have no idea why they are known as Easter Biscuits. But that is its name. My boys call it raisin cookies. As usual it is only my eldest who like it. Yesterday he gave me a hand with part of the preparation.

Ingredients :-

4 oz margarine
4 oz Castor sugar
8 oz plain flour, sieved
1 tsp mixed spice, sieved
5 oz raisins or mixed fruits
1 egg, beaten

Method :-

Pre heat oven to 175 Celsius.
Cream butter and sugar until light and creamy.
Add in the flour, knead well.
Add in the raisins.
Gradually add in enough egg to bind the dough.
Knead again firmly, then roll out onto 1/4 inch thickness.
Cut into rounds.
Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown.

Or like what my son did shape it to any shape you like.

If you run out of milk add a few drops of milk.

Ham And Cheese Omelette

2008-10-09T08:16:00.003+08:00

Good Morning.

Omelette for breakfast anyone ?

Yeah I am making some 'brain' food for my sons who are sitting for their exams.

First, I must confess I am not an expert in this omelette making thing. So please bear with the picture I had posted. It's the taste that matters, ya ?

Ingredients :-

6 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup milk

1/4 chopped ham

1/4 tsp salt

dash of pepper

2 tbsp butter

1 cup cheddar cheese

Method :-

Beat the eggs with salt and pepper until frothy.

Add milk and whisk some more.

In a pan, melt the butter and saute some ham.

Then pour in 1/2 cup of egg mixture and spread it over evenly.

Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan and cook until the edges firmed up. Uncover and run a spatula around the hedge to keep it from sticking to the pan.

Sprinkle the cheese over the top and with a spatula, fold the omelette in to half.

Cook a few more minutes on both sides.

Serve hot.

As I had mentioned earlier I am no expert in this but my boys polished up their plates real fast.

And that makes any cook real happy to see, especially early in the morning.

Dole Bananas

2008-10-08T19:59:00.001+08:00

Have you seen this type of Dole bananas before. They are smaller than the usual ones we have in the supermarkets.They can fit easily in to my palm.

And they are from Japan. Can you believe that ? Never did associate Japan with bananas. Sushi, ramen, yes but not this. It comes wrapped in a bag and the website is even on it. www.dole.co.jp. So I kaypoh and checked it out. Can't read a single thing on it. Their website is in Japanese.

Ginger Hoisin Chicken In Skewers

2008-10-07T19:22:00.001+08:00

Ingredients :-

8 boneless skinless chicken thighs

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

3 tbsp grated fresh ginger

1 tbsp chilli sauce (the asian kind)

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp dark brown sugar

4 tbsp hoisin sauce

Method :-

Cut thighs into 1 cm cubes.

Combine farlic, chillic sauce,soy sauce, sugar and hoisin sauce.
Add the chicken. Cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for up to 4 hours.
Preheat the overhead grill.
Skewer the chicken cubes equally on a pre-soaked bamboo stick.
Grill chicken 5 minutes per side until chicken is opaque or cooked.

Chocolate Almonds Cookies

2008-10-04T16:05:00.004+08:00

Our weekend cookies - more chocolate cookies. I do a lot of them - trying out lots of chocolate cookie recipes. Mainly because I have 2 kids who don't like any dried fruits in their cookies.

I have many of those chocolate chip recipes they are mainly the same, just variations of it. But it beats making the same recipe all the time.

Ingredients :-

2 1/4 cups plain flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

250g butter

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 cup silvered almonds

Method :-

Pre-heat oven to 190 Celsius. Grease the cookie tray.
Sieve the flour, baking soda and salt.
beat the butter and both sugar until light and creamy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well each time.
Beat in the vanilla.
On low speed gradually add in the flour, beating well.
With wooden spoon stir in the chocolate chips and almonds.
Drop cookie by the tablespoons about 2 inches apart on the tray.
Bake for 10 minutes or until golden. Cool for 5 minutes on tray then transfer to the rack to cool.

If you want a chewy cookie do not bake them for too long in the oven.
Any kinds of nuts can be used.

Tom Yam Steamed Fish

2008-10-02T18:06:00.004+08:00

Ingredients :-

4 tsp tom yam paste

1 stalk serai, sliced

1 daun limau perut leave, sliced finely

2 chilli padi, chopped

2 tbsp chicken broth (optional)

250g any firm white fish fillet

Method :-

Rub tom yam paste evenly all over the fish. Marinade in fridge for at least 2 hours.

Bring water to boil.

Place the rest of the ingredients on the fish.

Add the broth.

Steam fish for 5 minutes.

Serve hot.

Great with hot steaming rice !!!

Diced Beef With Black Pepper Sauce

2008-09-28T22:29:00.004+08:00

Sounds like a real easy one doesn't it ? No brainers - just buy a bottle of black pepper sauce and waaa lah ..........dinner is ready.

Actually for this post it takes more than that and it is not completely out from a bottle. But it is still easy to prepare

Ingredients :-

200g beef tenderloin, cubed
yellow and red capsicum
green beans
1 clove of garlic
1/2 tsp minced ginger
corn flour
5 tbsp Maggie seasoning

For the Black Sauce :-

1 tsp black pepper sauce
5 tbsp tomato sauce
1 tbsp Castor sugar
1 pip chopped garlic
1/2 tsp butter
a pinch of chili sauce

Method :-

Marinate the beef with the Maggie seasoning and some corn flour. Set aside.
Cut all vegetables to bite size. set aside.
Heat some oil and stir fry the beef for a few minutes. Set aside.
Heat a bit more oil and saute the garlic and ginger for a few seconds. Add in the vegetables. Stir for a while.
Add the beef and black pepper sauce. Stir fry for another 10 seconds or so. Serve hot.

Something to try if you are sick of the black peppered bottle varieties.

Sweet Soy Glazed Pork

2008-09-24T18:45:00.002+08:00

For lunch.....

Ingredients :-

500g pork fillets, sliced
6 tbsp soy sauce (according to taste)
3 tbsp tomato sauce
4 tbsp hoisin sauce
3 tbsp dry sherry
3 tbsp honey
3 tbsp dark brown sugar

Method :-

Combine all the ingredients and set aside about 6 tbsp of the mixture.
Marinate the pork for up to 4 hours.
Pan fried until pork is cooked. Spread the extra mixture over both sides of the pork.
Serve hot with the remaning mixture drizzle over.

I served them as sandwiches instead with rice.

Tandoori Chicken

2008-09-22T18:51:00.001+08:00

This is from a bottle of tandoori paste. This dish is actually better cooked on the BBQ as the spices minlge with the wonderful BBQ aroma is just fantastic. I prepared this dish during the once long ago BBQ party at the beach. But this time it is cooked in doors. The BBQ aroma is not there but none the less still yummy.

Ingredients :-

1 dozen chicken parts
4 tbsp tandoori paste
4 tbsp yoghurt's
1 tbsp chopped mint
1 tbsp oil

Method :-

With a sharp kitchen scissors, snip through the chicken skin to make deep cuts to the bone on both sides of the drumstick
Marinate the chicken with the rest of the ingredients for at least 6 hours in the fridge.
Grill turning every 3 minutes for 15 minutes or until cooked.

Or you can cook over medium hot coals.

Coffee Cake

2008-09-18T18:35:00.002+08:00

Here is the recipe of the cake I baked last weekend for tea. It is a quick mix Coffee Cake. You know the kind where you put all the ingredients in a bowl and beat it all up together.

Ingredients :-

3 tsp dry instant coffee

1 tbsp hot water

125g butter

2 tsp vanilla essence

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 cup self raising flour, sifted

1/4 cup custard powder, sifted

1/3 up milk

Method :-

Grease a 20cm cake tin, line the base with paper.
Pre-heat oven to a moderate oven - 190 Celsius
Dissolve coffee in water, combine with butter, essence, sugar, eggs, flour and custard powder and milk in a large bowl.
Beat on low speed with electric mixer until ingredients are combined.
Increase the speed to medium, beat for about 3 minutes or until mixture is smooth or changed to a paler colour.
Spread mixture into the cake tin.
Bake for about 40 minutes.
Stand 5 minutes before turning out on to the rack.

Actually the cake came with icing on it, but I did not slather any on it.

****************

Yikes ! I just notice that I had posted this coffee cake recipe before.
Real blur of me.
Anyway the both look different. Guess I am getting better at it. :)
Aren't I bloody thick skin!!!

Orange Pepper Pork Chops

2008-09-16T19:09:00.004+08:00

More marinated meat recipes from the lazy me.

Ingredients :-

1/4 cup orange juice
finely grated peel of 1 orange
1/4 cup white wine
2 tbsp oil
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1/2 tsp cracked black pepper corns
4 pork chops

Method :-

Marinate the pork chops with all the ingredients. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Oil grill pan and cook for 4-6 mins per-side.

Soft And Chewy Chocolate Indulgences

2008-09-15T01:57:00.001+08:00

Another recipe from Jill Snider. I am becoming a big fan of her cookies recipes.

Ingredients :-

1 1/2 cup plain flour
3/4 cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
250 g butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups semi chocolate chips

Method :-

Pre-heat oven to 180 Celsius (350 F)
Sift the cocoa, flour, baking soda and salt.
Beat butter and both sugars until light and creamy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well each time.
Beat in the vanilla.
On low speed gradually add in the flour mixture, beating until blended.
With wooden spoon, stir in the chocolate chips.
Drop dough by tablespoons about 2 inches apart on a greased or lined cookie tray.
Bake for 8- 12 minutes or just set.
Cool for 5 minutes on the tray before transferring to the rack.

Note :- I use the whole packet (2 1/2 cups) of the Hershey's chocolate chips. Reduced the sugar as most of her recipes are real sweet. The measurement posted above are the actual recipe.

Cookies should be set around the edges but a little soft in the center when removed from the oven. They continue to cook while cooling on the cookie tray.

They look real black, don't they. My boys first comments were they looks like _ _ _ _ !!!

Here is a quote from her recipe book - "These decadent cookies are loaded with chocolate flavour and are simply irresistible when warm"

Now #2 can't complain that I do not bake much chocolate cookies. Because they are really loaded with them.

A Sugar Loaded Weekend

2008-09-14T17:35:00.005+08:00

Hello, I am in a baking mood. My Sis will know what I mean.

I means I want to bake everything I see. But my brain will tell me to be more practical/ realistic.

Hence these few things I have here. This three, a cake and 2 types of cookies were baked yesterday. Not only that I prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner. Which I seldom do on a weekend. We usually eat out.

Siao ?

Will the post the recipe for those 'black' looking cookies and cake later. The other cookies - I posted the recipe before.

So, come join me for coffee today, and have a great weekend.
Plus a have wonderful Mid-Autumn Festival tonight with lots of moon cakes, ya...

Let's forget about the calories for tonight.

Black Forest Cookie

2008-09-04T13:10:00.000+08:00

A recipe from this cookie book by Jill Snider. Nah.... I did not purchased it - copied the recipe from a library book. Most of the cookies here are so tempting. I copied quite a few of them. Will be trying them out - in time to come.........

Ingredients :-

1 2/3 cups plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
250g butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 1/4 cups white chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup silvered almonds

Method :-

Pre-heat oven to 180 Celsius.
Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Cream the butter with both sugar until light and creamy.
Add the eggs on at a time, beating well each time.
Add the vanilla essence.
Gradually add in the flour, mix well.
With a wooden spoon mix in the oats, the both chocolate chips, dried cranberries and almonds.
Drop dough on a un-greased cookie tray.
Bake for 9- 13 minutes or until golden.
Cool on tray for a while and transfer to the rack.

Note :- I don't happen to have any white chocolate chips so I used 2 1/4 cups of the semi-sweet chocolate chips instead.

Steamed Fish

2008-08-29T17:42:00.004+08:00

This recipe any firm white fish can be used.

Ingredients :-

1 tsp coarsely grated gula melaka
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
1 small red chilli
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp lime juice
4 pieces of firm white fillets

Method :-

Combine all the ingredients and pour over the fish.
Cover and steam for 4 minutes.
Serve hot.

Easy isn't it ? I like my fish steamed with lime juice - it will get rid of the fishy smell and very appetising.

Banana Blueberry Cakes

2008-08-24T17:37:00.000+08:00

Nope those are not the blueberry-banana-muffins posted by cook4fun. I tried hers and they were good. You should try it too.
Those here are another one of those recipes I copied from a library cook book and tried. They are not bad and easy to do.

Ingredients :-

125g butter
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
1 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup mashed bananas
1 1/2 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup frozen blueberries

Method :-

Pre-heat oven to 180 - 190 Celsius. Grease muffin pans.
Place butter and milk in a small saucepan, stir over low heat until butter melts. Remove and cool.
Beat eggs until thick and creamy.
gradually ad in sugar, beating until dissolved between additions; stir in mashed bananas.
Fold in sifted flour and cooled butter mixture, in two batches.
Spoon mixture among the muffin pans.
Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and press the blueberries into the top of cakes. Return to the oven and bake further 15 minutes.
Cool on wire rack.
Dust with icing before serving.

I lined the pan with papers because I do not feel like greasing the tins. Less cleaning to do. :)

The cakes are moist and soft. And most of all easy to prepare.

Marinates

2008-08-20T21:01:00.002+08:00

This is another marinated recipe.

Ingredients :-

2 tsp Cajun seasoning
2 tbsp mustard
4 tbsp honey
2 tbsp orange juice

Method :-

Combine all the ingredients and marinate the meat.
Grill, broil, BBQ.....Up to you.

Note :- You can use vinegar instead of the orange juice.

Choc-Topped Chrunchy Sliced

2008-08-16T20:37:00.002+08:00

Even though I am stuck to the TV with the Olympics going on, the rest of my family are not. They still expect me to whip up the usual dinner and snacks.
So this can't be too lazy mother made this easy to preprare snack. It is loaded with calories. Definitely not for me but a thumbs up from the boys.

Ingredients :-

Those are the ingredients. Easy, as you just need to mix them all up. And no baking at all.

3 x 65g Mars Bars - chopped
90g butter
3 cups Rice Bubbles

Topping :-

200g milk chocolate - chopped
30g butter

Method :-

Grease a lamington pan, 19cm X 29cm tray.
Combine the Mars Bars and butter in a saucepan, stir constantly over low heat without boiling until mixture is smooth.
Stir in Rice Bubbles. Mix well.
Press mixture evenly into prepared pan.
Prepare the topping -Melt chocolate and butter in pan over hot water and stir until smooth.
Spread topping over the Rice Bubbles.
Refrigerate until set before cutting.

Here it is - a dieter's and cavities nightmare.

After a slice of this it is brush, brush, brush.....and puff, puff, puff .........

Have a great weekend.

Skewered Chicken

2008-08-14T17:14:00.004+08:00

The Olympics are here and I have been glued to the box since then. But dinner still need to be prepared. To have more time ogling those six pact abs, housework and still prepare dinner in the evening......I have thought of a way. Marinate the meats and place them in the oven and when the timer goes off - it's ready !
Lazy of me... but hey I still managed to prepare a meal. :)

So, don't be surprised to see the next few post (if I go near the computer, that is) will be of marinates.

Today's is ...er..... no name for it. Since I just used whatever I had in the fridge. Skewered them and grilled on the grill pan.

Ingredients :-

4 skinless boneless chicken breasts - cut into strips
1/2 cup plum sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp mustard

Method :-

Marinate the meat for at least 4 hours before cooking.
Thread on to skewers
Brush with the remaining marinate mixture.
Place on the grill pan. Cook meat until it is done, turning and brushing with the marinate, mixture.
Serve hot.

Ta...DA.....

Give it a try because it taste not bad. Or am I just being bias ?

Any way, give it a try, if you want to.

Wah.... sound like a challenge now. :0

Chicken Fritters

2008-08-08T18:36:00.002+08:00

Tonight's dinner.

Ingredients :-

500g minced chicken
150g plain flour
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup corn kernels
1/2 tsp oyster sauce
2 cups cold water
1 egg
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp mustard
oil for frying

Method :-

In a bowl, mix together the flour with the cold water.
Add in the egg, salt, pepper, mustard and corn kernels in to the batter. Mix well
In a heated pan saute the onion, minced chicken and oyster sauce. Add to the batter.
Heat oil and drop a tablespoon of batter into the oil. Fry until it is golden brown and crispy.
Remove from oil and serve hot.

Rempah Udang

2008-08-02T14:00:00.004+08:00

Other wise known as Spiced Glutinous Rice Rolls. Usually I will just pop to the local kuih stall to get my fix. Don't really know why but I decided to prepare some yesterday. You would have notice I have been preparing real easy or simple dishes lately. Anyway this lot of a dozen or so dumplings are not bad. Can't remember the amount of them because I was sampling/eating them once it was ready. :)

Ingredients :-

For the spices :-

6 shallots
2 cloves garlic
1 lemon grass
1 buah keras
about 1 thumb sized cekor
1/2 tsp chili paste
1 tsp ketumbar powder

Blend all the spice ingredients well

50g dried prawns, soaked, drained and pounded finely.
1/2 cup kerisik / toasted coconut
300g glutinous rice -soaked overnight and drained.
1ooml santan
1tsp salt
1tsp sugar
banana leaves - scalded and wiped dry.
tooth picks

Method :-

Heat oil and fry the spices until fragrant.
Add in the dried prawns and stir fry.
Mix in the kerisik and 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tps sugar and a dash of pepper.
Stir well until they be come dry and golden brown in colour.
Combine rice with the santan, salt and sugar, steam for 25-30 minutes or until cooked. Remove and leave it to cool.
Take a spoon full of the cooked rice and spread in the center of the banana leaf.
Add a spoon full of filling over.
Top with another spoonful of rice.
Roll up and secure the ends with tooth picks.
Brush rolls with oil, pan-grill until aromatic and toasted. Turn occasionally.

Wonder why my banana leaves are folded - I did not know I ran out of tooth picks and staples. Can you imagine that ! Because I seldom use those both items I took it for granted they are around.

Those few here are the better looking ones because some of them are badly toasted which reads as burnt or not picture perfect. Let you know on a secret - I toasted them for and while and remove them just to be cam whored.

They do look a bit anaemic don't they ?

Spicy Asian Pork Chops

2008-07-27T16:31:00.003+08:00

I like to marinate meat and either I grill, broil or bake, roast them. To tell you the truth I do not know which is which. Anyway there is less mess or cleaning up in the kitchen.

Ingredients :-

4 loin pork chops
3 cloves garlic, minced finely
2 tbsp palm sugar
15 black peppercorns - crushed
2 lemon grass - roughly chopped
1 tbsp Chinese rice wine
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp oil

Method :-

Place the pork chops in a dish and marinade the meat overnight.
Grill for about 8 minutes each side or until done.

As you can see I use the pan grill again. This recipe is actually for a BBQ pit. It still taste good even after I had changed the method of cooking .

Another thing I used light brown sugar instead of palm sugar.

I sliced them up in to bite size and served them with rice and lettuce.

Yummy...

Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal Cookies

2008-07-20T22:54:00.003+08:00

This recipe is from a cookbook I found in the library. I tried the granola bars from mykitchensnippets. and it was very good. Even my Sis said so. Inspired by her (not my sis, mind you ) I started looking out for more and came across this recipe. I tried it out yesterday.

Ingredients :-

3/4 cup plain flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
175g butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
3 cups quick cooking rolled oats
1 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup sunflower seeds

Method :-

Pre-heat oven to 180 Celsius (350 F).
Lightly greased or line the cookie sheets.
Sieve the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda
Cream the butter, both sugars, egg, and milk until light and creamy.
Gradually add in the sifted ingredients, beating until well blended.
With a wooden spoon, stir in the oats, cranberries, pecans and sunflower seeds.
Drop dough by the tablespoonfuls about 2 inch apart on the cookie sheets.
Press flat with a fork dipped in flour.
Bake in oven for 11 -15 minutes.
Cool for 5 minutes and transfer to the rack.

Bake cookies at the minimum time if you want a chewy cookie. Bake longer until golden for a crisp cookie.

I used a small ice cream scoop instead of a tablespoon.

When it came out of the oven (I like mine crispy) it reminded me of the St Michael cookies that I bought for my Sis ...cranberry something..... Of course those looks better than mine.

Don't you think so Sis ?

Anyway it is too sweet to my liking. Next time I will reduce the sugar. Other than that I like this cookie very much.

No need to say#1 and I are the only ones who like it. Mr fuss pot #2 and #3 took one look and complained why aren't they chocolate chip cookies. H said he need to chew real hard. This guy is so used to the normal types of cookies.

Salmon In Soya Sauce

2008-07-18T08:29:00.005+08:00

This is an easy one.
Less preparation, fast to cook and good to eat.
Not Maggie Mee....

Fish ! Don't you think so ?
In my case it's only preparing and cooking it. It does not mean I like to eat it. :0

Ingredients :-

4 salmon steaks - at least 1 inch thick
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic - crushed

Method :-

Combine the sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar , ginger and garlic together.
Generously brush over the salmon steaks.
BBQ salmon for 5 mins, basting occasionally with the sauce.
Turn and BBQ for further 4-5 mins more, until salmon flakes easily with a fork.

Note - I used a grill pan instead.

Easy , right.....

Stired Fried Vegetables and Tofu in Black Bean Sauce

2008-07-16T11:02:00.001+08:00

Ingredients :-

500g firmed tofu (tau kwa)
2 tbsp oil
1 medium red capsicum, sliced thinly
1 packet of peas
2 cloves garlic
2 pieces of ginger
1/3 cup black bean sauce
2 tbsp dark soy sauce

Method :-

Cut tofu into 2cm cubes; pat dry.
Heat oil in the wok; stir fry tofu in batches until lightly browned. Drain and set a side.
Heat more oil in the wok, stir fry the veges, remove from wok.
Heat a bit more oil, stir fry the garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add veges and the both sauces.
Toss gently to combine.

You can use any veges for this dish. I used the pre-fried tau kwa to minimise the oil splatter in the kitchen.

Our Meals In Siem Reap

2008-07-15T17:39:00.019+08:00

Hi ! I have been missing for a while. I am still very much alive and kicking. I went to Siem Reap with H and my #1. We survived the trip :)
See here. for more pictures of Angkor. Be warned - they are all full of stones....

Siem Reap is not as bad as we thought it would be. Siem Reap is now a developed town and still expanding. Most probably it is a just a short drive to the Angkor Park. Most of the tourist end up staying here.
Food wise - the food is not bad, very Chinese like but on the sweet side. At first I thought because we went with a tour, they brought us to Chinese run restaurants. But when we were wandering around town on our own I notice the local have the same fare as we did. So, I guess what we had was Cambodian cuisine.

The following are some of the dishes we had during the 3 days.

First day - lunch, after the trip to the lake. There were only us and we were served with 7 dishes. Dessert not shown. It was already pre-fix as we were with a tour - even though there were only 3.

There were pork curry, omelets, stir fried chicken with veges, fish cake, a vege that turn out to be morning glory and a crocodile soup. Yup, that is crocodile meat in that bowl of soup. Our first taste of crocodile meat ! The meat is tender some sort like fish's texture.
Dinner was a buffet cum Apsara dance. The food was so-so. Nothing great about it.

Second day's lunch - a pot of soup loaded with tofu, seaweed and mushrooms, omelets again, tofu fried with mince pork, morning glory again and a sweet and sour chicken.

What's with this morning glory ? You must be wondering. We thought it was stir-fried kangkong because it taste just like it. Hollow branch...just like kangkong. But it is not. Later on our guide pointed out the plant to us as we were passing by a village. They are grown on a rack. It is a creeper plant.

Second day's dinner - spring roll but, its' filling was stuffed with yam instead. Another stir-fried veges, fried rice, a seafood soup that do not taste like tom yam and the best was the Amok. This is chicken baked with spices and coconut. Now this was not bad.

Third day's lunch - spring rolls again, curry, roasted chicken, pork fried with loads of ginger and morning glory again.

Dinner was at a very classy restaurant in town. But there were only 3 tables occupied. Really 'pak woo ying'. Service is super good since they have no one else to entertain. Or it might be because we were there early as we were going to Angkor Wat, later in the evening. There was this guy crooning away to a near empty restaurant. Pity him.

On our fourth day we wandered around town. Did not stop anywhere for a proper meal. We had a heavy breakfast at the hotel. We bought pastry, buns from this cake shop. Not bad . Very 'ang moh' kind of pastries. Not something you would expect from a small bakery in a corner of a quiet street. Must be a left over from the French.Tried their french loaf/baguettes too. You see after so many days of rice for 2 meals a day I am sick of rice. :) The baguettes taste good. We bought it from a street vendor and can fight with Delifrance's.
Dinner was at Pub Street. I shared a meal with H. I was not really hungry. Told you I was sick of rice.
Each meal we down a bottle of Angkor beer, the national beer of Cambodia. It cost about US$1.50. And the brew is quite decent too. Not a strong brew. H is able to still walk around Angkor after half a bottle of it.

OK that's it.

Leave you with a picture of Angkor Wat in the night.

Coffee Cake

2008-06-07T00:46:00.002+08:00

I made this Coffee Cake for Mother's visit. It is easy to do. One of those all in a bowl kind of cake.
I got all the ingredients ready and then I was called away to do something. Came back started the mixer, place it in the oven. And then it hit me that I forgot to add in the milk. I had left the milk in the fridge earlier.

Anyway the cake turn out OK. The texture is not that fine though.

Ingredients :-

3 tsp dry instant coffee
1 tbsp hot water
125g butter
2 tsp vanilla essence
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1 cup self raising flour, sifted
1/4 cup custard powder, sifted
1/3 cup milk.

Method :-

Grease a 20cm round cake tin. Line and grease base with paper.
Dissolve the coffee in the water.
Combine in a large bowl with butter, vanilla essence, sugar, eggs, flour, custard powder and milk.
Beat on low speed with an electric mixer until combined.
Increase the speed to medium, beat until mixture is smooth and changed colour (approx 3 minutes).
Pour in to the cake tin.
Bake in moderate oven for about 40 minutes.
Stand for 5 minutes before turning on to the rack to cool.

Freid Beans With Minced Pork

2008-05-31T13:46:00.003+08:00

Ingredients :-

1 packet of french beans
200g minced pork
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 shallots, sliced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbsp tung choi
2 tbsp hua tiao wine
a dash of sesame oil
pepper to taste

Method :-

Wash beans and cut in to short lenghts.
Mix pork with soy sauce and pepper to taste.
Heat oil in wok, stir fry the beans until cooked. Removed and set aside.
Fry the shallots, garlic for 1 minute.
Add the tung choi and fry . Add the pork and fry until pork is cooked.
Add the beans and toss well.
Add the wine and sesame oil. Toss
Serve hot with rice.

You can add in chopped chillies in step 4, to make the dish spicy.

Steamed Snapper With Taucheong

2008-05-29T19:44:00.002+08:00

More simple and easy dish to prepare .

Ingredients :-

500g snapper fillet
1 1/2 tbsp taucheong (soy bean paste)
2 cm length ginger, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp Hua tiao wine

Method :-

Spread the taucheong over the fish fillet and place them in a heat proof plate.
Top the fish with the garlic, ginger and wine.
Steam for about 7-8 minutes or until cooked.
Serve hot.

I like lots of ginger and garlic over my steamed fish.

Mee Siam

2008-05-25T18:52:00.002+08:00

Made some Mee Siam today. But I must warn you this is the Singapore's version. That means it is sweet, sour and spicy. Unlike those back home with is savoury and spicy. Anyway the guys in my house like this version.

Ingredients for the rempah :-

shallots
20 dried chillies, de-seeded, soaked in hot water
7 buah keras
1 tbsp belachan, toasted

Method :-

Grind all ingredients into a paste.
Separate into 2 batches. One for the gravy and the other for the mee hoon.

Ingredients for the gravy :-

100g dried prawns, soaked and finely minced
3 tbsp tau cheong
15 prawns
2 litre water
4 tbsp tamarind pulp, dissolved in 1 cup of water
2 tbsp sugar or as desired
600ml santan
1 red onion, finely sliced

Method :-

Place the heads and shells of the prawns with the 2 litre of water for the stock.
Bring to boil, simmer for about an hour. About 1 litre of water left.
Strain and set aside.
Heat oil, add the rempah paste, tau cheong, minced dried prawns. Slowly stir fry until oil separates from it.
Then add the prawn stock. Allow to simmer.
Add half the tamarind water, sugar and sliced onion. Simmer for 30 minutes.
Add santan and simmer for further 10 minutes or until it start to thicken slightly.
Season to taste with the remaining tamarind water and more sugar if desired.
Turn off the fire and set aside.

Ingredients for the garnishing :-

15 prawns (from the prawn stock)
4 hard boiled eggs - quartered
a handful of ku chai ( I used spring onions ), chopped
1 square tau kwa, cut into small cubes and deep fried.
4 limes, halved

Method :-

Poached the prawns in boiling water.

Ingredients for the sambal :-

10 dried chilli, soaked in water
1 tsp belachan
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp tamarind pulp, mixed with 1/2 cup water.

Method :-

Grind the dried chillies and belachan into a paste.
Heat oil in a wok, add the chilli paste and fry over a moderate heat until fragrant.
Add salt and sugar and half the tamarind water. Stir for a while and add the rest of the tamarind water. Stir continuously.
Transfer to a bowl.

Ingredients for the mee hoon :-

200g mee hoon, soaked in water and drained.
the other half of the rempah
about 250 ml water

Method :-

Heat oil and fry the rempah over medium heat.
Add the water, bring to boil.
Add the bee hoon. Turn down the fire and toss gently to mix well.
Dish into individual serving plate.
Pour the gravy over the mee hoon and garnish. Serve with the sambal.

Phew !!! I thought will never stop tying. I forgot to take pictures of it. The picture you see here are after we had our fill. That is why there are some garnish missing.

I made some Kuih Dadar too. I am so hard working today. :)

Steamed Chicken

2008-05-23T15:59:00.002+08:00

Another simple meal. Chicken steamed with herbs. Chinese herbs.

Ingredients :-

4 chicken thighs
2 tbsp wolf berries ( kai chee )
a small handful of yuk chok (sorry do not know the English name for it)
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp Chinese rice wine
salt and pepper to taste

Method :-

Marinate the chicken with all the ingredients in a heat proof plate.
Steam the chicken for 25 minutes
Serve immediately with rice.

One simple meal but so many pictures....^_^

Pan Fried Fish Fillets

2008-05-21T14:31:00.003+08:00

A easy dish. Other types of fish may be used; from sea bass, soon hock, grouper to red snapper. I happened to have use treadfin.

Not the best picture because I burnt the ginger. :( Other than that it is something light and easy to do.

Ingredients :-

400g fish fillets

2 bulbs ginger, shredded finely

1/4 cup fish stock or water

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp dark soy sauce

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp salt

Method :-

Pat dry the fish and marinade with salt and pepper.

In a pan heat oil and pan fry the fish until it is cooked. Remove and set aside.
In the same pan heat a bit more oil (if necessary) and saute the ginger until crispy. Remove from oil.
Add in the dark soy sauce and fish stock (water) and let it simmer.
Add in the sugar and simmer until it caramelise.
Pour over the fish and garnished with the ginger slices.

2008-05-18T18:55:00.005+08:00

This post is about the Lengkuas Fried Chicken I last posted. Also for my Sis, who does not know there is such a thing like a blender. That it can be used for rempah too.

Wonder if she is living in the 21st century ????
:)
Sis ready to wring my neck yet ?

From her comments I decided to turn my reply into a post, since it is going to be quite a long one.

Here goes...

The spices can be blended into a paste with a blender.
But of course water was added together with them. This is to help the onions, lengkuas, turmeric, buah keras and garlic to turn into paste form. Especially the lengkuas which is real hard and fibrous. Make sure you finish blending each ingredient before adding the rest of the ingredients. In other words don't dump the whole lot into the blender. Again it is the lengkuas that will take a while to blend. Fibers will still be seen, it is OK and can be used.

On the other hand a 'younger' lengkuas ( pinkish in colour) is easier to blend that a 'older'(brown)one. But an 'older' lengkuas has a more intense flavour than a younger one.

Knowing my Sis she will add loads of water in to the blender. Please DON'T.
Add slowly. Must agak-agak here.

I actually blended my paste with a blender the first time I tried this recipe. Lazy to work at the mortar and pestle.
And when I was cooking the chicken I added the water that was required in the recipe.

BIG mistake. There were too much water. Water from the spice paste and the water I added.

So, remember if you are using a blender to ground the paste. Be more careful with the water.

Catcat,
Lengkuas is also known as galangal in English.
'Lam keong' in Cantonese. 'Lam' as in Blue. And 'keong' as in ginger.

Hope this is helpful.

Lengkuas Fried Chicken

2008-05-15T07:49:00.003+08:00

Been absent for a while again. To tell you the truth I am just plain lazy. Lazy to down load the pictures. Can that be an excuse ? :)

Anyway I have downloaded my pictures this morning. Here is one of the latest. I tried this recipe from a food magazine.

Lengkuas Fried Chicken.

Ingredients :-

6 chicken pieces
1 lime, squeezed and keep the juice.
1 stalk lemon grass, bruised
3 kaffir leaves
1/2 tbsp vinegar
salt and sugar to taste
400ml plain water

Spice (blended/grounded) :-

200g lengkuas
3 cloves garlic
5 shallots
3cm turmeric
3 buah keras
1 tsp tamarind juice

Method :-

Marinade the chicken with lime juice for about 15 minutes or more. Wash and drain.
Combine the chicken and spices, vinegar, salt and sugar. Marinate for 30 to 45 minutes in the fridge.
In a wok, mix the marinated chicken pieces with kaffir leaves and lemon grass and water. Cook over low heat, simmer for about 45 minutes until water is reduced. Stir gradually.

Once the chicken is done, heat up the oil for deep frying. Fry the chicken pieces at at high temperature until golden brown.

You can keep the chicken marinated in the fridge for up to 4 days in which case the taste will be better.

Sambal Belachan

2008-05-09T12:58:00.005+08:00

Yikes I have not updated this blog for ages. Reason being I was just not in the mood to talk about food.

Today I decided to make sambal belachan. My stock of it has run down and I just find my food bland with them. So to the market I went and came back with chili padi. I used chili padi for its extra punch of spiciness.

From experience I know that my hands will feel the burnt of the chili. The last time I did so the heat lasted for a couple of days. Even putting on my lenses I feel the burnt in my eyes. Ouch !!!!

But what to do. For the sake of my taste buds/tummy I went a head and prepared them...with gloves ! To protect my hand from the after effect.

The stain looks like I had dunk my had with flavine :)

Want to know if it helped ?

No, it did not.

My wrist bear most of the heat, even with those gloves. This picture is taken just after I had finished washing up.

My fingers and wrist are 'burning up'!!! Even now as I am typing away. It was worst when I had to prepare lunch for the boys. The heat from the stove made the condition worst !

My boys came up with a few advice on how to get some relief....dunk my hands in a ice bucket !

Anyway here is the recipe for this burning sensation. It only agak-agak. I did double the recipe. You can add more or less belachan up to your taste.

Ingredients :-

100g fresh chillies
40g belachan, toasted
lime juice from 3 kasturi limes.

Method :-

Pound the chili and belachan together to the desired consistency.
Add the lime juice to taste before serving.

I like my consistency a bit rough, with small bits of chili still can be seen. But I had to work more on the mortar and pestle because The rest of the guys in this house prefer them just like those from the store - a smooth paste. And when I used them in kerabu they don't like to see the chili around.

Mah fan !!! But I had to cater to their taste if I want them to eat my food.

By the way while I was toasting the belachan my #3 who happened to be around, asked to leave the house until the stinking smell were gone.

I can imagine how bad it will be for my BIL........

Sis, don't try this unless you want to torture him.

Hahahaaa.......

Durian Puffs

2008-04-27T03:49:00.003+08:00

Nope, I did not make them. H bought them for me instead of a birthday cake.

Sweet of him isn't it ? When he don't even like durians.

A box comes with only four pieces. He bought 2 boxes. ( Double sweet of him ).

Each puffs comes choked full with durian paste.

YUMMY !!!!!!

Acar Fish

2008-04-24T19:20:00.005+08:00

Lately I am into pickles.
Before you get any ideas...I am not expecting any #4. I just have the urge for pickles.
Yesterday pickled some fish.

Ingredients :-

600g ikan tenggirri cutlets (if I am not wrong it is also known as mackerel)
1 tsp salt
8 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
1 knob of fresh kunyit, sliced thinly
2 chillies, remove seeds and sliced thinly, dry well
1/2 cup vinegar
sugar to taste

Method :-

Wash fish rub salt into each cutlet.
Dry the sliced garlic and kunyit in the sun for 2-3 hours.
Heat oil and deep fry the cutlets until evenly browned on both sides. Drain and lay in an enamel or porcelain bowl.
Heat up 1 tbsp of oil in the wok and fry the kunyit slices until oil is yellow in colour. Remove kunyit slices.
Add vinegar, salt and sugar to taste. When it starts to boil, lower heat and taste it. Add more slat or sugar as necessary.
Sprinkle the chillies and garlic slices over the fish cutlets. Pour the vinegar over it.
Let the fish soak in vinegar for at least a day before serving.

And you know what happened I forgot to rub salt on the fish before frying them. Therefore when I had them today for dinner it tasted a bit bland. Otherwise it was OK.

The other pickles I made the last week was acar timun and pickled mangoes. This time I remembered how to slice the mangoes. Thicker slices so that once it had been pickled there will be more bite to them.

No need to mention that dinner time was especially very appetising for me these few days.

Paper Wrapped Chicken

2008-04-23T17:42:00.005+08:00

Uh oh, it has been some time since I updated this blog of mine. I have been cooking, trying out new recipes. Just don't feel like I have anything worth putting up here. Sometimes I am just too lazy to download the pictures I took.

Anyway for today I posted this dish which I just prepared. Hope you will like it.

Ingredients :-

2 cups chicken meat, cut in to small pieces
ginger juice, extracted from about 1 knob of ginger
1 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp rice wine
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tbsp oil
12 greaseproof paper (15cm square)

Method :-

Season chicken with the ginger juice, soy sauce, rice wine, salt, sugar and oil. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Dived chicken into 12 portions and place on the well greased greaseproof paper. Wrap firmly in to little packets. Staple to secure.
Heat the oil for deep frying and fry the packets for 2-3 minutes until paper is brown. Drain well and serve.

Banana Walnut Cake

2008-04-09T19:58:00.003+08:00

Ingredients :-

125g butter
1 tsp vanilla essence
3/4 cup castor sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed banana
3/4 self raising flour
3/4 cup plain flour
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Method :-

Grease a 20cm round cake tin. Line base with paper.
Cream butter, essence and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add in the eggs one at a time; beat until combined.
Stir in half the banana with half the sifted ingredients and half the walnuts.
Then stir in the remaining half of the ingredients; stir until combined.
Spread mixture in to prepare tin.
Bake in moderate oven (190-200 Celsius) for about 45 minutes.
Stand for 5 minutes before turning on to the rack to cool

How am I going to loose weight with all these baking going on ? :)

Prawns Noodles For Breakfast

2008-04-07T18:35:00.004+08:00

Yesterday's breakfast we went for prawn noodles at Upper east Coast Rd. We had a heavy breakfast because we were going to meet my SIL at the columbarium. From experience we knew that it was going to be a long visit.

The stall is busy with most of the tables occupied. We need to queue to place our orders. They only serves prawn noodles. Either with soup or dry. With extra big prawns or ribs or both together in one variation or other.

We only ordered the usual noodles and it came like what you see above. $4.50 a bowl. The beehoon used are the thick ones. A bottle of chili powder is place on the table to spice your noodles.
The prawns came split in to half with their shells and head still on. Totally freak out my #2 who don't like seafood.

Loh Mai Fan

2008-04-04T19:16:00.002+08:00

Another easy dish to prepare. I used up the remaing glutinous rice which I bought earlier for another dish. Instead of using 1/2 a chicken I used chicken fillets.

Ingredients :-

500g glutinous rice, soaked overnight
2 tbsp dried prawns, soaked
4 dried mushroom, soaked
150g char siew
1/2 chicken

Marinate chicken with :-

1 tbsp oyster sauce
1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp sugar

Seasoning (mix together) :-

1/2 cup water
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce

Method :-

Rinse the rice and drain well.
Dice the dried prawns, dried mushrooms.
Heat the oil and brown shallots. Set aside.
In the same oil fry the dried prawns, mushrooms for 2 minutes.
Add rice and toss to mix thoroughly.
Gradually mix in the seasoning to the fried ingredients. Stir to mix well, cover and cook on very low heat until the rice is cooked. Turn rice and stir every few minutes to prevent burning.
Garnish with spring onions and browned shallots.

Let's eat !

Mangoe Pickles

2008-04-02T17:32:00.004+08:00

I saw those green mangoes in the store and thought why don't I pickled the mangoes. The thing is I forgot how to cut them. I only remembered after I had finished slicing them. Anyway they turn out alright, just thinner than usual.

Ingredients :-

500g green mangoes
1 1/2 tbsp salt
205g sugar
1 cup water

Method :-

Peeled and sliced mango to about 1/2 cm thick.
Combine the salt and mango slices in a big bowl. Allow to marinate for about an hour.
Wash the marinated mango. Leave it to air dry.
Bring the water to boil and ad in the sugar. Stir until dissolve. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Place the mango in container and our the cooled syrup over. Allow to pickle at least 2 days before consuming.

From this picture you can see I also forgot to peel the skin and I had sliced it too thin.

My mouth is already watering. I had sample them and they are not ready yet. Which reminded me again that it had to be pickled for at least 2 days. Duh !!!

Fried Nian Gau With Sweet Potato And Yam

2008-03-30T19:18:00.002+08:00

Left over from the CNY. This time I fried them instead of rolling them in coconut.

Looks a.....not that good doesn't it ?
Actually it is not that bad. Only my photography skills is the one that is lacking.

Ingredients :-

65g plain flour
25g rice flour
1 cup ice cold water, approx
1 egg, beaten
1/4 tsp salt
pieces of nian gau
pieces of yam
pieces of sweet potato

Method :-

Boil sweet potato and yam for about 7 minutes until half cooked.
Sift plain and rice flours into a bowl.
Add beaten egg, water and mix to a smooth batter. Stir in salt.
Sandwich a piece of nian gau between the yam and sweet potato.
Dip into the batter and carefully drop into the hot oil.
Deep fry on low fire until light golden brown.

Another traditional, home cooked food. Reminds me straight away of those made by Father when he experiment with all types of flour.

Well this is definitely much better than his. Maybe I should sent the recipe to him. :)

Singapore Laksa 2

2008-03-28T11:02:00.007+08:00

This time I made this laksa from scratch and not from a box like the last time. Lots of work.

Ingredients :-

2 stalks lemon grass, bruised

Taugeh

Coarse bee hoon

Coconut milk, about 600 ml

4 tbsp dried prawns, soaked till soft, drained and ground until very fine.

Prawns, shelled and blanch in hot water

Fish cakes, sliced garnishing

2 taupok squares, cut into half

Laksa leaves, chopped finely

Salt and sugar to taste

Rempah :-

1 thumb sized kunyit

1 lengkuas, about 1/2 cup

20 dried chilles

10 buah keras

15 shallots

1 tbsp belachan, toasted

1 tbsp coriander seeds, toasted until aromatic

Method :-

Shell the prawns. Heat some oil and stir fry the prawns shells and head. Add about 1 1/2 litre water and bring to boil. Simmer for about 1 hour. Strain and set aside.

Heat oil in a large pot. Add ground rempah and stir until oil separates from it.

Add the ground dried prawns, stir for 1 minute.

Add the prawn stock, coconut milk and tau pok. Slowly bring to a simmer. Simmer uncovered for a few minutes

Blanch the prawns, taugeh, noodles, fish cakes with hot water.

Portion the noodles and taugeh into bowls. Top with prawns and fish cakes. Laddled the laksa onto the bowls, scatter the laksa leaves on top and served. Serve with chilli paste.

Chilli Paste :-

20 dried chillies
1 tsp belachan
1-2 tbsp water
salt and sugar to taste

Method :-

Grind the chillies and belachan.
Heat pan with oil and fry the chilli paste until oil comes through.
Add water, salt and sugar, fry.
Transfer to a bowl.

After all that hard work.... Not bad but..

I think it tasted better when it came out from a box and less prepartion. :)