Wednesday 31 December 2014

Happy New Year 2015

*This is a scheduled post while I am still away vacationing*

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I am still not back from my winter holidays, so, here's a scheduled post of simple warm wishes to all my beloved followers and readers.

Till then, see you soon in a better year of 2015!




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Wednesday 24 December 2014

Seasons Greetings and Sincere Warm Wishes From Me To You

It's that time of the year again and I hope that this Christmas will bring you a cheerful ending to the year and a great beginning to a happy new one.

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It's the time of eggnog, candles, cakes, songs, reindeer, carols, laughter – and most importantly LOVE. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
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For your info, I will be away and be back after New Year. Till then, Wishing you all the best this New Year with all that you set out to achieve!!
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Tuesday 9 December 2014

Easy Peasy Homemade Crispy Roast Pork Belly 脆皮烧肉 using Happy Call Pan

Roast pork belly or 烧肉 (sau rou) is in fact not that difficult to prepare.  Almost everyone can achieve it if you can get the right technique.  You can either use oven, non-stick pan or any of your preferred pan.  As for me, I used Happy Call Pan. To me, searing roast pork using Happy Call pan is a breeze.... no splattering of oil and cleaning the pan is also hassle free!
I adapted this simple homemade 脆皮烧肉 from Agnes Chang's Cookbook 'Let's Eat'.  However, instead of using oven for roasting, I used my treasured Happy Call Pan.  No regrets and I strongly recommend you to use HPC if you have one at home.  

Crispy Roast Pork Belly 脆皮烧肉
Marinade adapted from Let's Eat pg 24 (my modification in red)
- 1.3kg (600gm) pork belly with skin (whole block)
- 1 tsp cooking oil
Marinade (mixed)
- 3pcs (1/2 pc) fermented bean curd (nam yee) - mashed
- 1 tsp (2 tsp) five spice powder
- 2 tbsp chopped garlic (1 tsp garlic powder)
- 2 tbsp chopped shallots (I omitted)
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp (1 tbsp) vinegar (for rubbing the skin)
- 3 tbsp (1 tsp) salt for rubbing the skin
Method :
1)  Wipe skin with kitchen towel to remove any water.  Then, using a sharp pin holder or knife, poke the skin all over as shown above.
2)  Rub vinegar all over the skin and followed by salt.
3)  Then, rub marinade all over the meat.  
4)  Leave the marinated meat in a covered container overnight in the refrigerator.
5)  Remove marinated meat from the refrigerator.  Sprinkle and rub some five spice powder onto the meat.  I prefer extra five spice powder for that extra ommph flavor!
5)  Heat 1 tsp cooking oil in your HPC.  Place marinated pork belly on the HPC with the skin side up.  Close the lid and cook over medium heat until cooked.  Do the same to the skin and all four sides of the meat.
6)  Remove  from HPC and leave it aside to cool completely.
 
 7)  Using a sharp knife, chop it into your preferred serving size.
The meat is tender and juicy
 and the skin is crispy and crunchy
Give this a try and you will be surprised that your homemade roast pork belly is in fact better than those store bought ones.
Happy Trying and hope you have an enjoyable week :)



I am linking this post with Cook-Your-Books #19 @ kitchen flavours



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Tuesday 2 December 2014

Pan-Seared Norwegian Blue Mackerel with Fresh Passion Fruit Sauce


To me, passion fruit is one of the most delicious fruits on earth  The round to oval, either yellow or dark purple at maturity, makes this exotic fruit even unique is that they come in their own little pods. The fruit is soft to firm, its juicy interior is loaded with seeds which are nutritious.  Passion fruit is known for its sweet aroma and flavor.  The seeds are crunchy and edible, besides being juiced and added to other fruit juices or desserts as flavor enhancer.


Health benefits of passion fruit :
1) The fruit is a very good source of dietary fiber.

2)   Passion fruit is good in vitamin C, providing about 30 mg per 100 g. Vitamin-C (ascorbic acid) is a powerful water soluble anti-oxidant. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against flu-like infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.

3)   The fruit contains very good levels of vitamin-A (provides about 1274 IU per 100 g), and flavonoid antioxidants such as β-carotene and cryptoxanthin-β. Current research studies suggest that these compounds have antioxidant properties, and along with vitamin A are essential for good eye-sight.

4)   Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin-A, and flavonoids may helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

5)   Fresh passion fruit is very rich in potassium. 100 g fruit pulp has about 348 mg of potassium. Potassium is an important component of cells and body fluids, and helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure.

6)   Furthermore, granadilla is a very good source of minerals. Iron, copper, magnesium and phosphorus are present in adequate amounts in the fruit.
Source : http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/passion-fruit.html

This time, instead of eating passion fruit fresh or juiced, I decided to use this homegrown passion fruit (which is 100% organic!!!) as sauce for  fish.  In fact, passion fruit juice is a perfect substitute for lemon juice when baking or cooking is concerned.  Both juices work well but passion fruit add an extra aroma and flavor to your dish.

Pan-Seared Norwegian Blue Mackerel with Sweet Sourish Passion Fruit
Ingredients :
- 3 Norwegian Blue Mackerel fillets (marinated for 30 minutes)
- 1 tbsp butter
- some Teriyaki Sauce (to taste)
Marinade : (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
- 1 tbsp fresh passion fruit juice (press the pulp against a fine sieve to get the juice)
- 1 tsp ginger wine
Sauce : (to taste) - mix all and set aside
- 2 fresh passion fruits (halved, pulp and seeds scooped into a bowl)
- 1 tsp honey or sugar
- 1 tbsp ginger wine (or more)
Method :
1)  Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a non-stick pan (I used Happy Call Pan).
2)  Add 3 pieces mackerel, skin side up, and closed.  Pan fry over medium heat. Turn when the fish is slightly brown.
3)  Spread some passion fruit sauce on top of the fish.  Close and cook through until golden brown.
4)  Turn off the heat and drizzle some Teriyaki sauce on both sides.
5)  Transfer to a plate and pour the balance of mixed fresh passion fruit sauce over the fish.
6)  Serve warm.
This fruity sweet and sourish passion fruit sauce is a perfect complement to the pan-seared blue mackerel
The added ginger wine gives the sauce a very refreshing and mild gingery flavor and aroma
~A delightful dish for my beloved friends~ 

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Monday 24 November 2014

Hearty Homemade Buns/Bread with Unique Sweet Aromatic and Nutty Flavor

After my first attempt at making Red Bean Paste Rolls, my children have been asking me to make this red bean paste bread again.  Well, I gladly obliged with some modifications.
Click here for the recipe-->Red Bean Paste Rolls
As I have ready stocks of organic pumpkin and sunflower seeds, I decided to add these seeds to the bread. Besides being healthy and nutritious, pumpkin and sunflower seeds enhanced the flavor of the bread even more and give the bread an interesting sweet and nutty taste,.... yeah,.. and slightly chewy texture too!!
In addition, sesame seeds give a very unique sweet aromatic flavor to the bread ....... as well as the kitchen while the bread is baking in the oven!!!

Pumpkin, Sunflower and Sesame Seeds with Red Bean Paste Buns
Recipe adapted from Bread Magic page 37 using Basic Sweet Dough Method
(My modification in red)
Ingredients (A) :
- 330 high protein flour
- 1.5 tbsp milk powder
-1/2 tsp salt
- 60g caster sugar
Ingredient (B) :
- 1 egg (grade B)
Ingredients (C) : Mixed together
- 120ml water
- 10g instant yeast
Ingredient (D) :
- 40g butter

Ingredients for Filling : Mixed together
- 250g black date paste (I used red bean paste)
- some sesame seeds
- some sunflower seeds
Glazing :
-1 egg (beaten)
Topping :
- some sesame seeds
some pumpkin seeds

Method :
1) Combine ingredients A together in a mixer. Slightly blend it before adding ingredients B and C.

2) Beat approximately 5 minutes to form a dough.

3) Add butter and continue beat until the dough is smooth. To check whether the dough is fully developed, stretch a small piece with your fingers to see if it can be stretched into thin layer without tearing it. If it does not stretch, continue beating again until it passes the stretch.

4) Remove dough and leave it in a big bowl, covered with a piece of damp cloth. Leave bowl in a warm place and proof dough for about 30-40 minutes till doubled in size.

1-4) I used bread machine to knead the dough. Just put the ingredients as per your machine instructions and let it proof. After the 1st proofing, take the dough out from the machine.

5) Scale dough at 60g portions. Shape them into small balls and let them rest for 5 minutes.

6) Flatten and roll each ball of dough and place filling, seal and wrap into a ball.

Oopss.... my camera battery was running low.... but it's still better than nothing, right?

7) Roll flat once more and make several slits as the above pic and place on a greased baking tray or pan. Repeat the above process with the rest of the dough. Cover with a damp cloth and leave them for 45 minutes or more for a second time proofing.

8) Once they are doubled in size, glaze with egg wash and sprinkle top with some pumpkin and sesame seeds.

9) Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 12-15 minutes depending on individual's oven. So, do adjust the temperature and timing accordingly.

10) Remove and cool on wire rack.

You can shape the bread anyway you like
Pumpkin and sunflower seeds enhanced the delicate and nutty flavor to this hearty bread
A hearty delicious bread loaded with delightfully nutty taste
Healthy and Nutritious bread for all my dear readers :)



I am linking this post with Cook-Your-Books #18 @ kitchen flavours


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Monday 17 November 2014

Quick and Easy Strawberry Muffins

Who doesn't like strawberries???? I am sure most of us love strawberries. We can serve strawberries in anyway we like, be it sweet or savory bakes or dishes. Strawberry jam is our favorite jam. Whenever hubby happens to see strawberries on offer, he is sure to buy some for us and also for me to make jam. In case you also like homemade strawberry jam, you can also try this very easy homemade jam.

That day, I happened to see one of the many recipes which I have bookmarked in one of my many cook books collection. It's blueberry muffins which seemed to be so easy. (In fact, this recipe has been in my KIV files for quite sometimes and it just slipped my mind until I by chanced saw it, hehehe...) But, I did not have any blueberries. Strawberries?? YES, there were some in the fridge. So, what I did was to substitute it with strawberries.

Well, I am glad I substituted it with strawberries

This Quick and Easy Strawberry Muffins is great when you have unexpected guests, and also ideal for satisfying a craving for baked treats.



Quick and Easy Strawberry Muffins
Recipe adapted from Popular Cupcakes & Muffins (Bluberrry Muffins page 102)
Ingredients :  (my modification in red)
- 250gm all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 110gm superfine sugar
- 125gm fresh strawberries (cut into small pieces)
- 160ml milk
- 125g butter (melted)
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- cut 6 strawberries into half (make 12 pcs)
- some icing sugar 

cut fresh strawberries
Method :
1)  Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a standard muffin pan or line with paper liners.
2)  Sift flour, baking powder and sugar into a large bowl.  Stir in strawberries.  Make a well in center of dry ingredients.
3)  Combine milk, butter and egg.  Mix into dry ingredients, until just combined.
4)  Spoon mixture into prepared pan until to two-thirds full. Arrange halved strawberry on top of the batter.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until skewer inserted in the center of a muffin tests clean.
5)  Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cook completely.
6)  Sprinkle some icing sugar onto the muffins.
Goes well with a cup of hot tea or coffee
If you like strawberries as well as muffins, then this recipe is a keeper
Have a fabulous week ahead and happy baking!




I am linking this post with Cook-Your-Books #18 @ kitchen flavours
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