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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Steamed Chinese Pomfret with Fragrant Shallots

I love to steam fish with shallots.  So, usually I am the one and sometimes my hubby would finish all the shallots.  However, my children would not touch the shallots!  They only go for the fish and the sauce!  The sauce is great and my children like to mix it with steamed rice.

This is a very simple steamed fish with shallots and it's very yummy.

Ingredients :

- 1 Chinese Pomfret (marinated with salt and pepper)

- some shallots - (washed and peeled)

- 1thumb sized ginger (washed, finely sliced)

- Spring onions (washed and cut)

Seasonings : (to taste)

- salt

- pepper

- soy sauce

- 1tsp Chinese cooking wine (Hua Tiao Jiu)

- 1/2 tsp sugar

- 1/2 tsp sesame oil

Method :

1)  Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a wok.  Quickly fry shallots in high heat and dish out.  Turn off the heat. Put aside.

2)  Lightly fry the the ginger and spring onions without the heat as the balance oil from frying shallots is still hot.  Dish out.

3)  Boil water for steaming.

4)  Arrange some fried shallots, ginger and spring onions on the steaming plate.  Then, place the fish on top. 

5)  Add the remaining ingredients (fried shallots, ginger and spring onions) on top of the fish.  

6)  Mix the seasonings and pour onto the fish.

7) Steam at high heat for about 13 to 15 minutes depending on the fish.

8)  Serve immediately with steamed rice

The gravy is very yummy!

You might also like these simple steamed fish recipes:

Simple Steamed Chinese Pomfret with Soy Sauce

Steamed Chinese Pomfret (Tau Tai) with Shiitake Mushroom

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Healthy Aloe Vera and White Fungus Dessert

A very versatile plant, Aloe Vera, belonging to the lily family contains natural therapeutic and beautifying properties. Referred to as a ‘Miracle Plant’, Aloe Vera is widely used in the preparation of various herbal medicines, cosmetics and beauty products.

Aloe Vera comprises of more than seventy-five effective components, which includes the twenty amino acids and the eight essential amino acids indispensable for the human body. Besides these, they also contain certain enzymes effective for metabolic health, essential vitamins, minerals, poly-saccharides that render immune-stimulating properties along with its magical healing touch. The substances in Aloe Vera such as Salicylic Acid, Saponins and Sterols provide its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

(Adapted from Read and Digest).

Pls click Read and Digest to know more about the benefits of Aloe Vera and its uses.  

When my neighbour (also a good friend) gave me some Aloe Vera, I was in seventh heaven!  Immediately, I started cleaning and harvesting the aloe gel.  It is not an easy task to get the aloe gel if you are not familiar with the correct technique.  Unfortunately, I didn't capture any photos during the harvesting of the aloe gel as it's quite messy to do it all on my own.  

Steps to harvest the Aloe Gel :

1)  Clean the leaf thoroughly.  Then, cut away the serrated edges of both sides of the leaf.  Be careful , they are quite sharp!

2)  Using a sharp knife, run the knife just under the surface and peel it away.

3)  Flip the leave over and do the same to the other side.

4)  Transfer the aloe gel to a storage container with a lid.  Store it in the fridge or in the freezer.

Whenever you feel like preparing any recipe using aloe vera, you would have aloe gel ever ready waiting for you in the fridge!

Aloe Vera and White Fungus Dessert is a very healthy dessert as white fungus nourishes and moistens the lungs, as well as improves our skin complexion.

How to Prepare White Fungus:

1)  Rinse and soak the white fungus in cold water until it expand and soften. Rinse until clean.
2)  Trim and discard the hard bottom of the white fungus.

3)  Tear the florets into small pieces.  You can store the balance in the fridge or freezer for future use.

Recipe for Healthy Aloe Vera and White Fungus Dessert :

Ingredients :

- 1 cup of Aloe Vera gel (cubed)

- 1 cup of White Fungus (softened and torn into small pieces)

- Some red dates (washed)

- 1 tbsp Chinese Wolfberries/goji berries (washed)

- 1 pc sugar cane candy or sugar (to taste)

- Some pandan leaves/screwpine (washed and knotted) 

- water enough for the dessert

Method :

1)  Fill a medium sized pot with water enough for the dessert.

2)  Add white fungus and red dates.  Let it boil for about 15 minutes.

3)  Then, add aloe gel, Chinese Wolfberries and pandan leaves.  

4)  Continue to cook for about 5 to 10 minutes.

5) Add sugar.

6)  Serve hot or cold.

If you prefer cold, keep it in a fridge before serving.

A very healthy and nutritious dessert enjoy by all members of the family 

Do give it a try.  You would love it!

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

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Spicy Fragrant Potatoes - Meatless Recipe

This dish follows the recipe of Spicy Fragrant Japanese Pumpkin which I posted earlier.  I just replaced the pumpkin with potatoes.

All the ingredients are very simple and easily available at the market.
- 5 medium-sized potaotes (peeled and cut)
- 3 red chilies (sliced)
- 1 bunch of basil
- 1 thumbsized ginger (crushed)
- 3 pips garlic (crushed)

Seasonings :  (to taste)
- 1/2 tbsp miso
- 1 tsp caramel sauce
- soy sauce
- salt
- sugar

Method :

1)  Heat enough oil in a wok to fry potatoes.  

2)  Fry potatoes until lightly brown.  Dish out and set aside.

3)  Leave some oil in the wok or pan and saute ginger, garlic and sliced chilies until aromatic.

4)  Add the fried potatoes, seasonings and some water.  Stir and mix well.

5)  Let it simmer for about a minute.

6)  Lastly add the basil, mix well and dish up.

This dish is simple and delicious.  Great for those who are looking for a meatless or vegetarian recipe.  Give it a try :)

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Ayam Masak Merah (Spicy Chicken with Tomato Gravy)

Ayam masak merah is a very delicious dish.  I would usually use instant paste as it is easy and fast to prepare.  However, this time I decided to follow all the necessary steps when I saw the recipe from Wendy at Johor Food Fest hosted by Annie, with some minor modification.

Ingredients :

- half chicken cut into bite pieces (marinated with turmeric, pepper and salt, set aside for about 30 minutes

- 3 red chilies

- 1 thumbsized ginger

- 1 whole garlic

- 4 shallots

- 1 red onion (sliced)

- 2 tomatoes (finely chopped)

- 1 cinnamon stick

- 3 cloves (bunga cengkih)

- 3 cardamoms (buah pelaga)

- 1/2 cup tomato ketchup

- 1/2 cup santan (coconut milk)

-1/2 cup canned green peas

- salt (to taste)

- sugar (to taste)

-cooking oil

Method :

1)  Blend shallots, chilies, ginger and garlic.

2)  Heat oil in a wok and pan fry marinated chicken until golden brown.  It is ok if the chicken is not cooked.

3)  Dish up and set aside.

4)  Leave about 2 - 3 tbsp of oil in the wok.  

4)  Lower the heat to medium and saute the blended ingredients until glossy.

5)  Put in cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and sliced onions.  Keep stirring until the onions is translucent and soft.

6)  Put in tomato ketchup, chopped tomatoes and coconut milk.  Stir and mix well.

7)  Return the fried chicken to the wok and cook until the gravy is reduced and thickened.

8)  Lastly add the green peas, salt and sugar.  Let it simmer for a while and it is ready to be served.

Serve hot with rice.  

"I am submitting this post to Malaysian Food Fest, Johor Month hosted by Annie of Annielicious Food"

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

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Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving me comments.. I really appreciate all your visits and comments! Have a nice day :)