Monday 20 May 2013

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 :





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Thursday 16 May 2013

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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Tuesday 14 May 2013

Spicy Onions Tomato Prawns

This is another simple prawns dish with onions and tomatoes.  Hope you all like it.

Ingredients :
- 750gm medium sized prawns (deveined and marinated with pepper and salt)
- 2 ripe tomatoes (washed and cut into wedges)
- 2 big onions (peeled, washed and sliced)
- 1 whole garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 thumb sized ginger (washed and crushed)
- 1 1/2 tbp cili paste (I used Homemade Chili Paste)
Seasonings : (to taste)
- salt
- pepper (for marinate)
- soy sauce
- sugar
- 1/2tsp apple cider vinegar
Method :
1)  Heat enough oil in a wok.  Lightly deep fry marinated prawns and set aside.
2)  Leave about 1 tbsp oil in the wok.  Saute ginger and garlic until aromatic.  
3)  Add onions and fry until soft.  
4)  Then add tomato wedges and chili paste.  Stir and mix well.
5)  Season with salt, soy sauce, sugar and apple cider vinegar depending on your taste.
6)  Return the fried prawns to the wok and mix well.
7) Serve hot with steamed rice.
Hope you enjoy this simple and yummy prawns :)
Have a nice day.... :)



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