Wednesday, 31 October 2012

Simple Pan Fried Turmeric Fish

I like to eat fried fish but not deep fried.  As such, whenever I want to fry fish, I usually use Happy Call pan to pan fry it.  Besides, it is so easy and convenient to use; it's non-stick and healthy as I use very little oil to pan fry.  Most of all, it is easy to clean, smoke free and no oily kitchen stove and floor!!

For this post, I have pan fried turmeric fish using Happy Call pan.

Ingredients :

- 3 ikan selar or Scad (cleaned and marinate with salt and turmeric powder)
- 3 sprigs of curry leaf
- 2 tbsp of turmeric powder (to marinate the fish) to taste
- salt (for marinate) to taste
- 1 thumb sized ginger (cleaned and crushed)
- Soy sauce
- Oil

Method :

1)  Grease oil in the pan.  Then, place fish, ginger and curry leaves into the pan.

2)  Close the lid and pan fry on both sides until cooked and brown.  Add soy sauce on both sides of the fish and pan fry for while.

3)  Dish out and serve with sambal kicap.








It is simple and yet delicious!!
I'm linking this post to September 2013 Cooking With Herbs Blog Challenge hosted by Lavender and Lovage.




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Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Braised Chicken with Eggs (Kay Hong Minus the Pork Belly)

The first time when I saw Phong Hong's post on Kay Hong (Terengganu Braised Chicken) at Terengganu Food Fest 2012 , I told myself I must try this dish. Too bad, I only tried last week and unfortunately without the pork belly as I have forgotten that day happened to be 'No Pork' day at the wet market. So, I just made do with just the chicken. On the other hand, I think this dish is also suitable for those who don't take pork.

I adapted this recipe from Phong Hong and at the same time from Daphne Hwee Lan Chua with some slight modification.

Ingredients :

 

 
- 1 whole chicken (cut into bite sized pieces)
- 10 hardboiled eggs (shelled)
- 10 shallots (finely sliced)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2tbs preserved bean paste (tau cheong) to taste

- dark soya sauce (to taste)
- Palm sugar (gula Melaka) to taste

- Salt (to taste)
- Oil
- Water (enough to cover the chicken. Add more if you like to have extra gravy)

Method :


1) Heat oil in a wok or pot and fry the shallots until half brown. Then add in minced garlic. Fry until aromatic
2) Then, add tau cheong. Keep stirring over low-medium fire until fragrant.

3) Add in gula Melaka. Keep stirring until all the gula melaka is melted and started to caramelize.

4) Add the chicken and dark soya sauce. Stir well.

5) Add water, salt and hard boiled eggs.
6) Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer until the chicken is cooked and tender.
 
I have no regrets to cook this dish even though it is without the pork belly as it is indeed very delicious. I believe with the pork belly, it will be even better. Will cook it again but this time it will be with the pork belly.

Cook extra so that you can keep it overnight as it tastes even better. Yummy yummy!!

Serve it with steamed rice.


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Wednesday, 24 October 2012

The latest in a long line of potential 'Superfoods'

The purple sweet potato:
The purple sweet potato, the latest food item presented to the general public as a potential superfood. The potato's colouring contained the chemical anthocyanin, which is known to lower the risk of cancer and could even possibly slow down certain types of the disease. The colour is the important part because the purple colour is responsible for the amount of anthocyanin in the potato.

Scientists have already used two strands of anthocyanin to treat colon cancer and found that the pigment slowed down the growth of cancerous cells. Anthocyanin, which produces red, blue or purple colours in different types of food, can also be found in blueberries, red grapes and red cabbage, however the specially grown purple sweet potato has a higher concentration of the chemical than any other species of potato. Dr Weiqun Wang, who was also involved in testing the potato, has said that the new purple sweet potato tasted sweeter than other potatoes but was still perfectly edible. According to Wang, "It's good not only for cancer prevention but other benefits like antioxidants as well."

SWEET POTATO (Kamote) far exceeds the nutrition and health values of rice. Here are the benefits of substituting rice with kamote:


1. Sweet potato is more filling and suppresses hunger pangs longer. It is also cheaper than rice.

2. Unlike rice, it is easy to grow. It grows in backyards with or without fertilizers. 

3. Unlike rice which needs to be eaten with a dish, Sweet Potato tastes good and can be eaten by itself. Thus, substituting rice with sweet potato saves money for other needs.

4. Rice cannot match the nutritional values of potato. Because rice converts to sugar in the body. 

5. The nutritional values of a 3 oz. baked sweet potato are: calories 90, fat 0 g, saturated fat 0 g, cholesterol 0 mg, carbohydrate 21 g, protein 2 g, dietary fiber 3 g, sodium 36 mg.

6. Sweet potato (kamote) can bring you good health and keep away some health problems.

7. Sweet Potato (kamote) lowers hypertension, bad cholesterol and even blood sugar when eaten as a substitute to rice!  The purple sweet potato (kamote) is particularly effective for lowering hypertension.

8. The Korean medical documentary credits the sweet potato (kamote) as high fiber and is one of the best foods that one can eat to prevent cancer!

source : e-mail
DISCLAIMER: This information  is intended for general information only and is not intended as medical advice. You should not rely on any information gathered here as a substitute for consultation with medical professionals. 

Monday, 15 October 2012

The four treasures of food that shouldn't be wasted when eating

When eating certain food, there are certain parts which seemingly are useless and should be thrown away. In reality, their nutritional value could be higher than the food itself. Check if you have unknowingly wasted these.
Fish Eyes (Ughh !)
Fish eyes, especially mackerel family, contains rich quantity of DHA and EPA which are very rare unsaturated fatty acid. The most beneficial property of these natural substances is their ability to stimulate human brain cells, improve memory and thinking power, and also very helpful in preventing memory decline, high cholesterol and hypertension diseases. The common notion suggested is that eating certain animal parts would strengthen similar body parts of ours, and this has been proven correct by clinical experiments where fish eyes are concerned: they can help to reduce the deterioration of eyesight. 

Fibres of orange or grapefruit peels
When eating oranges or grapefruits, after removing the peel, do not remove all the fibres that cover the fruits. In fact, the fibres contained a vitamin which helps to maintain the elasticity and density of the artery wall, which in turn reduces the danger of bleeding especially in the fine arteries. Hypertension patients usually have problem of brain haemorrage while diabetic patients have retina haemorrage. For people with tendency to bleed, especially old people with tendency of artery hardening, eating fibres of oranges and grapefruit peels is particularly helpful. 

Bones
The nutritional value of bones are higher than that of the meat. Comparing the nutritional values of Pork bones and pork, the bones contain far more protein, iron, sodium and calories than meat. Bones contain 23% more protein than milk powder, 61% more than beef, three times as much as pork and more than double that of eggs. It has abundance of essential minerals that humans require, like vitamins A, B1 and B2 that are useful for slowing aging. The best part is, when boiled in soup, these nutritions become more readily absorbed by human body than plant-based food.

Chili Leaves
Chili leaves contains complete range of amino acid almost 4 times compared to the chili fruits. It also contains more than double what chili fruits have of which are anti-cancerous substance. On top of that, chili leaves are rich in calcium, beta carotene, various vitamins and other nutrients. Eating a suitable quantity of chili leaves enhances secretion of digestive juices, improves appetite and are good for indigestion, gastric and stomach discomfort. Regular intake of chili leaves also help in warming body, strengthen liver, improve eyesight, reduce weight and improve beauty. Chili leaves is tasty and can either be cooked alone, frying with meat or making soup.

Source : e-mail received from a friend

Sunday, 14 October 2012

Each Year He Sent Her Roses !!!!


The person who did this was Jack Benny....
Please read this - it is absolutely beautiful.....


Each year he sent her roses, 

And the note would always say, 

I love you even more this year, 

Than last year on this day. 

My love for you will always grow, 

With every passing year.' 

She knew this was the last time 

That the roses would appear. 

She thought, he ordered roses 

In advance before this day. 

Her loving husband did not know, 

That he would pass away. 

He always liked to do things early, 

Way before the time. 

Then, if he got too busy, 

Everything would work out fine. 

She trimmed the stems and 

Placed them in a very special vase. 

Then, sat the vase beside 

The portrait of his smiling face. 

She would sit for hours, 

In her husband's favorite chair. 

While staring at his picture, 

And the roses sitting there. 


A year went by, and it was 

To live without her mate.. 

With loneliness and solitude, 

That had become her fate. 

Then, the very hour, 

The doorbell rang, and there 

Were roses sitting by her door. 

She brought the roses in, 

And then just looked at them in shock.. 

Then, went to get the telephone, 

To call the florist shop. 

The owner answered, and she asked him,

If he would explain, Why would someone 

do this to her, causing her such pain? 

'I know your husband passed away, 

More than a year ago,' 

The owner said, 

'I knew you'd call, and you would want to know.' 

The flowers you received today, 

Were paid for in advance. 

Your husband always planned ahead, 

He left nothing to chance. 

There is a standing order, 

That I have on file down here, 

And he has paid, well in advance, 

You'll get them every year. 

There also is another thing, 

That I think you should know, 

He wrote a special little card...he did this years ago. 

Then, should ever I find out that he's no longer here, 

that's the card that should be sent to you the following year.' 

She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard. 

Her fingers shaking, 

As she slowly reached to get the card. 

Inside the card, she saw that he 

Had written her a note... 

Then, as she stared in total silence, 

This is what he wrote.. 

'Hello my love, I know it's been a year 

Since I've been gone.... 

I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to 

Overcome. 

I know it must be lonely, 

And the pain is very real. 

For if it was the other way, 

I know how I would feel. 

The love we shared made everything 

So beautiful in life. 

I loved you more than words can say, 

You were the perfect wife. 

You were my friend and lover, 

You fulfilled my every need. 

I know it's only been a year, 

But please try not to grieve.. 

I want you to be happy, 

Even when you shed your tears. 

That is why the roses will be sent to you for years 

When you get these roses, 

Think of all the happiness that we had together, 

And how both of us were blessed. 

I have always loved you and 

I know I always will. 

But, my love, you must go on, 

You have some living still. 

Please...try to find happiness, 

While living out your days. 

I know it is not easy, 

But I hope you find some ways. 

The roses will come every year, 

And they will only stop, 

When your door's not answered, 

When the florist stops to knock. 

He will come five times that day, 

In case! You have gone out. 

But after his last visit, 

He will know without a doubt! 

To take the roses to the place, 

Where I've instructed him 

And place the roses where we are, 

Together once again. 


Sometimes in life, you find a special friend; 

Someone who changes your life 

Just by being part of it. 

Someone who 
makes you laugh 

Until you can't stop; 

Someone who makes you believe 

That there really is good in the world. 

Someone who convinces you 

That there really is an unlocked door 

Just waiting for you to open it. 


This is Forever Friendship. 





Saturday, 13 October 2012

Chicken Tempra (Nyonya Dish)

This is the best dish and loved by all; adults and children during our Mid-autumn festival family gathering! The gravy is especially yummy yummy! I can just eat the rice with the gravy alone! Thanks Cindy for your recipe. I have modified the recipe according to our taste.


Ingredients :

- 1 whole chicken (washed and cut into pieces and marinated with jintan manis)
- 1 big onions (washed and sliced)
- 1 bombay onion (washed and sliced)
- garlic (finely chopped)
- ginger (washed and crushed)
- 2 bird's eye chilies (cili padi - chopped) I only used 1 chili as some of the children couldn't take too spicy
- cooking oil

Seasonings : (to taste)
- Fennel powder (jintan manis) - I used it to marinate the chicken

- Caramel sauce
- Soy sauce
- Salt
- Brown sugar (I used 5 tablespoons)

- Water (mixed with brown sugar, add enough water to cover the chicken and you would not regret cos' the gravy is very yummy)
- 1/2 cup of lime juice

Method :


1) Heat oil in a wok or pan. Fry onions till fragrant. Then, add ginger, garlic and chili. Fry until aromatic.

2) Add in marinated chicken and fry for a while.

3) Add in seasonings and water except lime juice. Cover and let it simmer over medium low heat until the chicken is cooked and tender.

4) Lastly, add lime juice. Stir and mix well.

5) Dish out and serve.

Friday, 12 October 2012

Steamed Egg Tofu with Minced Meat

My nieces and my children like this dish very much during our Mid-autumn family gathering. It is easy to prepare.

Ingredients :


- 1 soft tofu (mashed)
- 8 eggs (beat)
- 2 tablespoons of water
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Toppings : (measurement depending on individual's preferences)
- Minced meat (marinated with preserved tung choy, vegetarian oyster sauce and sugar)
- 1 tablespoon of finely chopped preserved radish (tung choy)
- vegetarian oyster sauce
- sugar
- garlic (finely chopped)
- soy sauce

Method :

1) Boil water in a steamer.

2) Beat eggs with salt, pepper and water with mashed tofu.

3) Transfer the mixture to a deep plate or bowl.

4) Place the plate (the mixture) in a steamer when the water in the steamer has come to a boil.

5) Reduce heat to low and steam for about 15 to 20 minutes.

6) Meanwhile, heat oil in a wok. Add garlic and saute until aromatic. Then, add marinated minced meat and stir fry until aromatic. If too dry, add about 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and give it a quick stir. Dish out and set aside.

7) When the egg mixture is ready, remove from the steamer.

8) Pour the stir fried minced meat over the steamed egg tofu.

9) If you like, add soy sauce (to taste) on top and serve.



Thursday, 11 October 2012

Mixed Vegetables with Enoki Mushrooms

A very simple mixed vegetables dish for our recent Mid-autumn family gathering.
Ingredients : (no exact measurement as it depends on individual preferences)
- Shrimps (shelled and washed)
- Cauliflower (washed and cut)
- Carrot (washed and cut)
- Baby corns (wash and cut)
- Snow peas (washed and cut)
- Red capsicum (washed and cut)
- Enoki mushrooms

- Garlic (washed and finely chopped)

Seasonings : (to taste)

- Salt
- Chinese cooking wine

Method :
1) Heat oil in a pan or wok. Saute garlic until aromatic. Then, add shrimps and stir.

2) Add all the ingredients except mushrooms and capsicum. Stir fry until the vegetables are cooked. If too dry, add some water.

3) Add salt, capsicum and mushrooms. Stir and mix well.

4) Add cooking wine and give it a quick stir.

5) Dish out.

Wednesday, 10 October 2012

Turmeric Grilled Fish with Banana Leaf

I cooked this for Mid-autumn Festival Family Gathering. Thanks to Wendy for giving me an idea to use wok for grilling.

The colour didn't turn up as 'delicious' as Wendy's but the taste was yummy! Probably the way I wrapped the banana leaf was incorrect - too loosely wrapped? Look at the picture how I wrapped it!!! hahahaha....





Ingredients :-
- 3 ikan selar or Scad (washed and marinated with salt and turmeric powder)
- some banana leaves for wrapping (washed)
- turmeric powder
- salt

Method :
1) Wrap the fish with banana leaf.




2) Grease the pan with cooking oil and put in the wrapped fish.

3) Cook at medium high heat until aromatic. Then, flip the fish over to the other side until you can smell the sweet aroma of banana leaf.

4) Dish out and serve immediately with Sambal Kicap.

Sambal Kicap
Mix minced garlic, chopped cili padi (bird's eye chili), kicap manis pekat ( sweet caramel sauce) and calamansi juice.

I like this sambal kicap. :)