Stir Fried Chinese Leeks with Roast Pork and Hard Tofu (Taukwa/Bean Curd)

This is one simple and popular dish which is being liked by many. It's delicious and easy to prepare.

Ingredients :
- 1 bowl of roast pork (cut into medium sized)
- 3 stalks of Chinese leeks (washed and sliced)
- 4 tofu (cut and deep fried)
- 1 medium sized carrot (washed and sliced)
- 2 red chilies (washed and sliced)
- 1 whole garlic (peeled and finely chopped)

Seasonings : (to taste)

- salt

- soy sauce

- abalone sauce

- sugar

- Chinese cooking wine

1)  Heat oil in a wok and saute garlic until aromatic.

2)  Add leeks and carrot and stir fry over high medium heat for about 1 minute.

3)  Then, add roast pork, fried taukwa, chilies and seasonings except chinese cooking wine. Stir and mix well.

4)  Add some water if too dry.  Briefly stir and mix well.

5)  Turn off the heat and drizzle some Chinese cooking wine. Stir.

6)  Dish up and serve with steamed rice.

It's simple and yummy......

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Sweet Fragrant Rosemary Salmon

I happened to buy a bunch of Rosemary from Tesco and my intention was to stew chicken with Rosemary and trying my luck to grow this herb from the stems itself.  However, after going through my freezer, I realised I still have 4 slices of salmon!  So, I decided to cook salmon with Rosemary as I don't want to keep the fish in the freezer for too long.  Since I didn't have any lemon on that day,  I just made do with whatever I have; ORANGES!  Wow, it's delicious......

Benefits of Rosemary

Rosemary is used in many culinary dishes and is commonly used to flavor soups, sauces and meats. In addition to being used in cooking, it has also been used as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments over the centuries. 

Benefits of rosemary includes cancer prevention, improved memory, mood elevator, remedy for migraine, pain relief, anti-inflammatory, immune booster, antibacterial, digestive health, hair growth, fresh breath, diuretic properties, respiratory health, liver detoxification, anti-aging, etc.

Precautions
Pregnant women should avoid consuming large amounts of rosemary because it may lead to uterine contractions and miscarriage. People with high blood pressure should not take rosemary because it may raise blood pressure.

(For more info on Rosemary, please go to Health Diaries)

Ingredients :

(The ingredients in this pic is for photo shooting purposes only.  I used 3 oranges instead of 1)

- 2 slices of of salmon (washed and marinated)

- 3 Sunkist oranges (use the juice and the pulp only)

- 1 tbsp butter 

Seasonings for Marinate : (to taste)
- salt

- pepper

- garlic (finely chopped)

- 3 sprigs of Rosemary (finely chopped)

Method :

1)  Marinate the salmon fillets with seasonings and set aside for about 20 minutes.

2)  Heat butter in a pan.  I used Happy Call Pan.

3)  Place marinated salmon fillets into the pan.  Close the lid and slow grilled over medium low heat.

4)  Grill until both sides are slightly brown.

5)  Pour half of the orange juice onto the salmon fillets.  Let it pan fry for a while.  Do the same on both sides.

6)  Pan fry until the juice almost crystallised.

7) Serve hot.

Hope you like this simple and healthy salmon.

Note :  If the orange is too sour, you can adjust according to your taste by adding some sugar.  As for me, I like it sour, so no sugar is needed. The amount of orange juice is used  depends on individual's preferences.

Here are other salmon recipes, you may like :

Simple Pan-Fried Salmon with Dried Basil          Pan Fried Salmon with Fennel and Coriander Powder

I'm linking this post to September 2013 Cooking With Herbs Blog Challenge hosted by Lavender and Lovage.

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Healthy Grilled Cheesy Egg Sandwich

This is a very simple yet healthy sandwich which I used to make it for breakfast.  My children like it very much especially with tomato sauce and some fresh cucumber or tomatoes.  

Ingredients : (This is for 1 serving)
- 2 slices of bread

- 1 egg

- 1 slice of cheddar cheese

- butter

- soy sauce

- pepper

Method :

1)  Heat about 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of butter (to taste) in a pan over medium heat.  I used Happy Call Pan.

2)  Place bread in the pan. (In fact I made 2 rounds for 4 servings. The above photos are for 2 servings whereas the above recipe is for 1 serving.  So, adjust according to your requirement).

3)  Bread an egg on top of the bread.  

4)  Drizzle some soy sauce and pepper on top of the egg according to taste.

5)  Place a slice of cheese on top of the egg.

6)  Place another slice of bread on top of the cheese.  Close the lid and slow grilled over low medium heat.

7)  Grilled until both sides are golden brown and cheese is melted but the yolk is half-cooked or fully-cooked (depending on individual's preferences).

8) Your healthy sandwich is ready to be served.

Look at the yolk... I like it to be about 80% cooked.

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Braised Pork Belly with Red Glutinous Wine Lees (紅糟,Ang Zhao)

Ang Zhao (紅糟) or Red Glutinous Wine Lees is beneficial to our health as it is believed to have cholesterol lowering function.  My family always have homemade red glutinous wine and after harvesting the red wine, we keep the lees in the fridge.  It stays good for many years.  I like to use the lees when cooking meat, mushrooms or use it to fry rice.  It is very delicious.

Using lees to braise pork or chicken is quite popular among my family members.  This is a homely dish and I am sure most local Chinese (Malaysia) know this dish especially those from Manjung, Perak.  It is easy and yummy.  

Ingredients :

- 2 strips of  pork belly with skin (washed, cut into big pieces and marinated )

(alternatively you can substitute pork belly with chicken too and add some woodears or dried mushrooms)

Seasonings for marinate (to taste)

- 2 tbsp red wine lees

- 2 whole garlic (washed but do not peel the skin)

- 1/2 tsp cumins

- 1 star anise

- 1 cinnamon stick

- salt

- soy sauce

- sugar

- pepper

- 2 cups of water

Method :

1)  Marinate pork belly with all the seasonings for at least 30 minutes.

2)  Place everything into a pot and add 2 cups of water.  Cover and bring to boil.

3)  Lower the heat to the smallest and braise for about 40 - 50 minutes until the meat is tender and the gravy is thickened.

4)  Remove from heat and serve with steamed rice.

Hope you like it and do give it a try.  If you do not have the lees, you can add some rice wine to it too.

If you are interested in any Red Glutinous Wine recipes, do have a look at the following links :

Sitiawan Ang Jiu Mee Suah 红糟面线 (Red Glutinous Wine Chicken Soup with Longevity Noodles) 

Braised Ang Zhao Chicken with Arrowhead (慈菇/ngaku)

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Natural Cure and Relief for Cough & Sore Throat

With the current heat wave and extreme hot weather in Malaysia, we are advised to reduce outdoor strenuous activities and stay indoor.  It is advisable to drink plenty of water to prevent any illnesses.  Besides water, any refreshing dessert is also recommended.  One of the desserts which I used to make for my family is Steamed Orange.  Besides refreshing and good for body heatiness, Steamed Orange is also a grandma home remedy for cough and sore throat which is quite well-known among the locals in Malaysia. It is delicious too!

For a start, you need a fresh orange.  I used Sunkist orange.  

 

Wash it thoroughly.

Cut off the top part of the orange.  Do not discard the top part.

Use a small knife to make a small hole enough for the salt.

 

Add 1/2 tsb of salt into the hole.  I used sea salt.

Cover the top part of the orange.  Use a toothpick to hold the orange together.  Place it in a small bowl.

Steam it for 15 to 20 minutes depending on the fire.  You will know that it is ready when the fragrant of the orange fills your kitchen.

The steamed orange is ready.

Look at the juice!  So tempting!

Eat the flesh and the juice.  You will love it!

 Serve this Steamed Orange to your family as a refreshing dessert.  You can serve it warm or chilled.  Refrigerate it if you like it chilled.

Hope you all like it.  Do give it a try!

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