Refreshing Ampula Juice and Its Health Benefits

Wow, I am so happy when a good friend gave me some home grown hog plums (small type) also known as Tahitian apple. Its scientific name is Spondias dulcis. In Sinhalese it is called Ambarella, and commonly known as Ampula or Ambla in Penang. It is also known as Buah Kedondong among Malays. This home grown Ambla which my friend gave me is 100% organic and is known to have many benefits and medicinal values too. Buah kedondong is a tropical fruit commonly found in South and South East Asia. There are different types of kedondong; big and small. It comes with an oval shape. Kedondong has a single seed and has lots of fiber. The fruit can be eaten raw; the flesh is crunchy and has sweet sourish flavour.

Ambarella is one of the richest known source of vitamin C. It is said to contain 30 times the amount found in oranges. As such, it is extremely common to see the locals use it for treating throat and respiratory tract infections.

Besides, it is regarded as sacred by Indian and Tibetan healers who believe it has special anti-ageing and immune enhancing properties. Traditionally, it’s used to treat indigestion, fever, liver problems and anaemia.

Not only is ambarella revered by Ayurvedic (ancient Indian) practitioners, it is also said that extensive research has revealed that it is beneficial in preventing and treating many conditions including stress, hay fever, arthritis, cataracts, and even cancer! Chinese researchers have discovered that ambla fruit is a rich source of therapeutic chemicals, including quercetin (which is also found in apples), gallic and ellagic acids (found in green tea). It has powerful antioxidants, which help protect you from harmful free radicals that increase the risk of some serious diseases including cancer.

Here are some benefits you can get from this nutritious fruit:

• Ambarella leaves can be dried and ground until powdery and used to treat mouth sores.
• People suffering from diarrhea, dysentery and loose bowel movement can take a decoction of ambarella bark to ease discomfort.
• The root can be used to treat itchy skin.
• The seeds of the amabrella fruit are proven to lower high blood pressure and treat respiratory ailments due to their antibiotic content.
• Boil the leaves of ambarella and apply the liquid substance on the skin as a substitute for lotion and moisturizers
• Ambarella is also an excellent treatment for headaches, constipation and even diabetes.

For someone who's unfamiliar with ambarella, you may be wondering what nutrients it possesses. Indeed, this fruit boasts of healthy goodness all throughout. For a serving of 100g of ambarella, there is 0.6g of protein, 0.2g of fat, and 91.0g moisture. It also has 0.7g fiber, 5.7g of calcium, and iron of 0.4g. It's also loaded with niacin, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, and carotene which boost the immune system and fight against cancer.

Ambarella can be taken as it is or you can make use of its other parts. As mentioned, you can use its bark, leaves, and seeds for medicinal purposes. Having your daily serving of ambarella can surely make you healthy and be protected against harmful ailments.
(source : http://food-drink.blurtit.com/1318125/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-ambarella-spondias-cytherea-also-known-as-the-hog-plum-or)

Buah Kedondong is also one of the favourite ingredients in rojak (Malaysian fruits salad). Some like to eat it fresh with dipping sauce - a mixture of thick soy sauce, sugar and bird’s eye chillies. Some like to have it pickled but I prefer to make it into juice. The juice is commonly known as ampula in Malaysia.

Ingredients for Refreshing Ampula Juice : (to taste)
- 6 young ambarella fruits (washed and halved)
- 1 or 2 suen buehs/preserved sweet sour plums
- 300ml water

Direction :
1) Put cut ambarella and water into a juicer or blender. I used powerful blender as I do not wish to waste even a single fiber of the fruit! Lols.
2) Blend it into juice.
3) Serve it with ice cubes and sour plum/suen bueh.

You can add honey/sugar to make it sweeter

I prefer it without any sweetener

Isn't this a delightful and refreshing juice especially during the current scorching hot and hazy weather?

Here's a glass of healthy and refreshing Ampula juice just for you.

Have a fabulous day ahead :)

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Simple Stir Fried Chinese Leeks with Tau Kua (semi-soft tofu)

My family members love Chinese Leeks.  We love it especially if stir fried it with roast pork belly.  I am sure most Malaysian Chinese  know how sinfully delectable this dish is if served with soy sauce and bird's eye chili!  It's very addictive too. Sometimes hubby and I enjoy having it just with cold beers; without rice. Whereas my children would have extra rice if Chinese Leeks is served!

Stir Fried Chinese Leeks with Roast Pork and Hard Tofu

For a change, you can also mix and match Chinese Leeks with whatever dishes you have in mind.  

Chinese Leeks with Swiss Mushrooms

Fried Rice with Chinese Leeks and Apple Cubes

Simple Stir Fried Chinese Leeks with Tau Kua

Ingredients :

- 5 pcs semi-soft tofu (cubed and deep or pan fried)

- 4 Chinese Leeks (washed and cut)

- 1 pair Chinese Sausage (washed and sliced)

- 1 carrot (julienne)

- 1 thumb sized ginger (crushed)

Seasonings : (to taste)

- salt

- soy sauce

- Chinese cooking wine (Hua Tiao Jiu)

Method :

1)  Heat oil in a wok enough to deep fry or pan fry tofu.  (I prefer to pan fry).

2)  Pan fry tofu until both sides are golden brown.  Dish out and set aside.

3)  Leave about a tablespoon of oil in the wok.  Saute ginger until aromatic.

4)  Add Chinese Leeks, Chinese sausages and carrot.  Keep stir frying until all the ingredients are half done.

5)  Add salt and soy sauce to taste.  Keep stirring and if too dry, add some water.

6)  Transfer the fried tofu back to the wok. Stir and mix well.  

7)  Drizzle some Chinese cooking wine and give it a quick stir.

8)  Dish up and serve with steamed rice or plain rice porridge.

Such a palatable and aromatic dish!

Have a wonderful weekend ahead and cheers :)

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Chap Goh Mei (Chinese Valentine's Day) and Baked Cheesy Prawns with Garlic for Valentine's Day

This year Chap Goh Mei falls on the 14th February 2014 and coincides with Valentine’s Day.

Chap Goh Mei, in Hokkien dialect means “the 15th night of the Chinese New Year”. It also symbolises the ending of the Chinese New Year. Chap Goh Mei is also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day, Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao. On Chap Goh Mei night family members gather for another reunion dinner.

On this day, the unmarried women or those missed the ferry would write their names and contact numbers on the oranges. Then they throw them into sea, lake or rivers with the hope of finding a good husband. However, as time goes by, people are more creative. Nowadays, we can also see available bachelor men throw bananas too into the river or lake with the same intention.

Hopefully my Baked Cheesy Prawns with Garlic spice up and add some fire to your relationship, hehehe...

Curious?  Well, aphrodisiac foods have long been known as a sure-fire way to revive any relationship.  To the Romans, prawns with garlic is capable of stimulating and set your desire alight.  So, if you think your relationship needs a boost, get cooking and bring the flames of passion to life!  Or isn’t it a double happiness and joy for all to celebrate this wonderful day filled with love and gratitude with your loved ones, family and close friends?

Ingredients :

6 big or medium-sized prawns (cleaned and marinated)
3 tbsp minced Garlic

1 tbsp finely chopped basil leaves
Mozzarella Cheese 

Olive oil

2 limes or lemon 

Marinates : (to taste)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp pepper

A dash Chinese cooking wine or rum

Direction :

1)  Trim and clean the prawns.  Then, slit open and devein the prawns. 

2)  Marinate for 20 minutes.

3) Poke with satay stick or toothpicks from one end to the other, pull until straight.
4) Add chopped basil leaves and garlic to the slit parts.

5)  Pre-heat the oven at 180 degree.

6)  Line the tray with aluminium foil and arrange the marinated prawns.

 

7)  Then top with Mozzarella or any grated cheese and drizzle with olive oil or cooking oil.

8)  Bake for 10 to 12 mins depending on the size of the prawns.

9)  Serve with lime or lemon juice.

My special credits to Shane for his idea of serving baked prawns on Valentine's Day and Amelia of Amelia's Dessert for her recipe.

Happy Valentine's Day to all my friends here

who have been understanding, loyal and supportive. 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!!

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