Confuse, Complex, Complain

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

2011-09-20T15:03:00.004+08:00

i know! the picture is does not quite tally with the title, and technically i did the cupcake version of the original recipe.
no matter what, it all taste great!!!

Ingredients...

- 195g all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 150g unsalted butter, room temperature
- 140g package cream cheese, room temperature
- 200g castor sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Zest of a lemon or orange

How to...

1. Preheat oven to 175°C and place rack in center of oven.

2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

3. In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar, in three additions, beating well after each addition. Continue beating on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla and lemon zest and beat until incorporated.

4. Add the flour mixture and mix just until incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

5. Bake for about 50 mins. Do check at the 30 min-mark for over-browning.

6. Remove the cake from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 20 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and cool completely. (The cake is cooled in the pan first for about 20 minutes so the cake has time to set. The cake may collapse if you try to remove it from the pan too soon.)

7. This cake will keep several days at room temperature and one week when
refrigerated. Can also be frozen.

If a recipe calls for round tins, and you want to use square ones, always remember to use 1-inch smaller ... for the simple reason that square tins hold more batter than round ones of the same size.

for easier consumption, i made it into cupcakes and a loaf of cream cheese chocolate pound cake; jusr mix 3tbsp of cocoa powder + 3 tbsp hot water and mix into batter.

Chendol Jelly

2011-09-15T15:29:00.001+08:00

Chendol Layer...

- 500ml water
- 170gm sugar
- 250ml water
- 1.5 Tbsp agar-agar powder (12.5gm)
- extract from 1 coconut mixed with water totaling 250ml
- small pinch of salt
- 30gm corn starch
- 500gm cendol (2 cups, drained)

1) Mix agar powder with 250ml water, set aside.

2) Mix cornstarch, salt and coconut extract together, set aside.

3) Bring 500ml water and sugar to a boil. When solution has come to a boil, pour in agar mixture.

4) Bring a a boil again, lower heat and pour in cornstarch mixture, stirring all the while.

5) On medium heat , bring back to a boil. Remove from heat and put in drained cendol. Mix well.

6) Pour into a 10 inch square pan.

While the cendol layer is cooling down, do the brown layer.

Brown Layer...
- 200gm gula Melaka
- 500ml water
- 2 blades pandan, shredded and knotted
- 250ml water
- 1.5 Tbsp agar-agar powder (12.5gm)
- extract from 1 coconut mixed with water totaling 250ml + small pinch of salt

1. Bring 500ml water, palm sugar and pandan knot to a boil and simmer until palm sugar has totally dissolved.

2. Mix agar powder with 250ml water and pour into the pot. Bring to a boil again.

3. Lower heat and pour in coconut extract, stirring all the while. When there are small bubbles on the side of the pot, remove pot from heat.

4. Test cendol layer by touching surface. It should have slightly cooled and developed a film on top that does not stick to ur fingers, but should be wobbly. Pour in brown layer slowly, carefully using a sieve(there might be unwanted stuff in the palm sugar) and let it set and cool down.

5. Chill in fridge before cutting.

Hor Fun

2011-09-14T17:33:00.000+08:00

Ingredients...
- 300g or usually 1 packet of hor fun (flat noodles)
- 10g chopped garlic
- marinated meat or seafood
- 4 stalks chye sim (cut into 6cm length)

Sauce...
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 500ml stock (or a mixture of stock and water)
- 1 or 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 tsp light soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp fish sauce
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- salt and pepper to tase

Thickening Glaze...
Mix 3 tbsp corn flour with 4 tbsp water. some would use tapioca flour instead.

How to...

1. Heat up a wok and add 1 1/2 tablespoon of cooking oil. Toss in the noodles and do a quick stir. Add 1/2 tablespoon of soy souce and 1/2 tablespoon of kecap manis and continue to stir until the soy sauce and kecap manis are well blended with the vermicelli. Continue to stir until lightly burned or charred.
Dish up and set aside.

2. Add some oil in a wok and stir-fry the minced garlic until fragrant Do a quick stir of the meat or seafood.

3. Pour in stock, add seasoning and bring it to boil. Add in the starch mixture then egg mixture, to thicken the gravy.

YUMMY YUMMY!!

Steamed Chicken with Lup Cheong & Chinese Mushroom

2011-09-13T14:24:00.000+08:00

Ingredients:

- 1 lb of chicken, cut into small pieces - I used chicken wings (flat)
- 4 or 5 dried shitake mushrooms
- 1 pair of Chinese sausage

Marinade:

- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1 tbsp green onions, minced
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
- 1 tsp of sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp of sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp of ground white pepper

How to...

1.Soak the mushrooms in a bowl of boiling water until soft. Cut off the hard stem, slice the mushrooms and set aside.

2. Strain the soaking water into a bowl. Slice the mushrooms and sausage diagonally.

3. Marinate the chicken with the ingredients except the cornstarch for 15 to 30 minutes.

4. Put the cornstarch in a small bowl and pour a bit of the mushroom soaking water to make a thin paste.

5. Mix well with the marinated chicken wings.

6.Put the chicken wings in a glass or ceramic pie plate or similar type of dish.

7. Spread the mushrooms and pieces of sausage on top. Put a steamer rack in the wok, add water to cover the rack and place the dish on the rack. Cover wok and steam on high heat for about 15 minutes. Check the water hasn't boiled dry. Check that the chicken is cooked. If not, steam another 5 minutes.

8. Splash a bit of sesame oil on top of the meat once cooked.

you can reduce the chinese sausage to 1 stick for a slightly "healthier" version.

bring the usual lazy me, i marinated the meat overnight for more flaovur and added in the cornstarch together as well.
i steamed the vegetables in the same plate as it can also absorb the sauce at the same time.
(actually is less pots/pans to wash!)

中秋节: Baked Mooncake with Sesame & Almond Lotus Filling

2011-09-12T00:00:00.003+08:00

Today is 中秋节!
Also known as Mid-Autumn Festival, and sometimes referred to as the Lantern Festival or Mooncake Festival.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, which is in September or early October in the Gregorian calendar. It is a date that parallels the autumnal equinox of the solar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and roundest. The traditional food of this festival is the mooncake, of which there are many different varieties.

Traditionally on this day, Chinese family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat moon cakes and pomelos under the moon together.

so what are your plans for tonight?
=)

Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread

2011-09-07T12:08:00.000+08:00

as you can see, bread "fell apart" cause i didn't proof it in the correct tin.
=p

http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2011/03/cinnamon-sugar-pull-apart-bread/

For the Dough:

- 344g plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (56g) granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 envelope) active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 57g unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Filling:

- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
- 56.7g unsalted butter, melted until browned

How to...

1. In a large mixing bowl (I used just the bowl of my stand mixer) whisk together 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Set aside.

2. Whisk together eggs and set aside.

3. In a small saucepan, melt together milk and butter until butter has just melted. Remove from the heat and add water and vanilla extract. Let mixture stand for a minute or two.

4. Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula.
Add the eggs and stir the mixture until the eggs are incorporated into the batter. The eggs will feel soupy and it’ll seem like the dough and the eggs are never going to come together. Keep stirring.
Add the remaining 3/4 cup of flour and stir with the spatula for about 2 minutes. The mixture will be sticky. That’s just right.

5. Place the dough is a large, greased bowl.
Cover with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel. Place in a warm space and allow to rest until doubled in size, about 1 hour. *The dough can be risen until doubled in size, then refrigerated overnight for use in the morning. If you’re using this method, just let the dough rest on the counter for 30 minutes before following the roll-out directions below.

6. While the dough rises, whisk together the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg for the filling. Set aside.
Melt 2 ounces of butter until browned. Set aside.
Grease and flour a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Set that aside too.

7. Deflate the risen dough and knead about 2 tablespoons of flour into the dough. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 5 minutes.
On a lightly floured work surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough out. The dough should be 12-inches tall and about 20-inches long. If you can’t get the dough to 20-inches long… that’s okay. Just roll it as large as the dough will go.
Use a pastry brush to spread melted butter across all of the dough. Sprinkle with all of the sugar and cinnamon mixture. It might seem like a lot of sugar. Seriously? Just go for it.

8. Slice the dough vertically, into six equal-sized strips.
Stack the strips on top of one another and slice the stack into six equal slices once again. You’ll have six stacks of six squares.
Layer the dough squares in the loaf pan like a flip-book. Place a kitchen towel over the loaf pan and allow in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes or until almost doubled in size.

9. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 170-180 degrees C. Place loaf in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is very golden brown. The top may be lightly browned, but the center may still be raw. A nice, dark, golden brown will ensure that the center is cooked as well.

10. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the bread and invert onto a clean board. Place a cake stand or cake plate on top of the upside down loaf, and carefully invert so it’s right side up.

definately not the prettiest.
looks messy(& unappetising) eh?

but makes eating super convenient!
just pull and a slice will tear out easily!!

Sour Cream Marble Cake with Chocolate Chips

2011-09-06T15:40:00.003+08:00

i always mess up the kitchen real bad on every single occasion i bake.

this time, while trying to cream butter and sugar, all the sugar crystals flew out when i switch on the mixer!!!

AAARRGGGHGHHHH!!!

tiny bits of butter-sugar lumps and sugar crystal were all over the floor, work top and well basically ALL OVER THE PLACE LAAAAA!!!

then i forgot to put back the sour cream into the fridge after measurements. when it went into the mixer, i think it curdle.

*bbbaaaahhhhhhh*

was supposed to be a marble cake, but after all the cleaning up i have done while preparing the batter, lazy me just dump the whole chocolate paste in and stir it up.

hope my next 猫王 cake wont have so much mopping and wiping.

=========================================================================

Ingredients...

Chocolate Paste:
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp hot water

Cake Batter:
- 250g unsalted butter, room temperature
- 350g caster sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 & 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 210g sour cream
- 420g all purpose flour
- 2 & 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 100g miniature chocolate chips

How to...

1. Preheat the oven to 180C. The generously grease a 12 cup bundt pan.
In a small bowl, mix the cocoa powder and the hot water together to make a smooth paste.

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together till light and fluffy. Blend in the eggs and then vanilla. Then add in the sour cream, and scraping the bottom of the mixing bowl to make sure it is evenly combined.

3. Fold in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and blend well. Lastly, mix in the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate chunks into the batter and mix well.
Remove 1/3 of the batter and mix in the chocolate paste in to it.
Spoon in big scoops of vanilla batter into the bundt pan and alternating with some spoons on chocolate batter as well to create the marble effect. Repeat till all the batter has been put in.

4. Place in the oven to bake for 40 to 50 minutes, depending on your oven. Bake till golden brown and the tester comes out clean. If the top of the cake browns too quickly, cover with foil first until done.

Once baked, remove from oven and let cool on rack for 15 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool completely.

it's sooooo soft and fluffy and crumbly! the top was slightly crispy and yet not burnt!
in fact i might consider this as my basic cupcake recipe!!

老鼠粉/ Loh Shi Fun/ Bee Tai Mak/ Mee Tai Mak/ Ngan Chum Fun/ Silver Needle Noodles

2011-09-05T12:47:00.004+08:00

many many names for this particular noodles eh.
was never a fan of this noodles, until the hormones (and hub) asked me to try cooking this dish.
in fact, this became one of the few little choices of noodles that my body can accept!
=)

Ingredients...

- 3 tbsp cooking oil
- 2 small cloves garlic, chopped
- 80g minced prawns (I used whole prawns instead)
- 80g minced pork
- 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
- 300g Loh Shi Fun, rinsed in hot water and drained
* u can use any poultry/ fish/ veggies!

Seasoning...
- 1 to 1 1/2 tbsp dark soya sauce
- 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp light soya sauce (I reduced this to just a dash, and used fish sauce instead)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp Chinese wine (or just a dash)
- Salt to taste

Garnishing...
- 1 egg
- Spring onions
- Shallot crisps
- Sliced red chillies with soya sauce (optional)

How to...

1. Marinate minced prawns and pork with salt and pepper, set aside. If you are using whole prawns or other types of seafood, marinate them for about 10 mins in a little bit of light soya sauce, and a dash of Chinese wine.

2. In a bowl, combine seasoning ingredients and set aside.

3. Heat claypot with oil and sauté garlic until light browned. Then add in marinated meat/minced prawns/squids/fish chunks etc and give it a stir. Now, add Loh Shi Fun and seasoning ingredients.
* If using whole prawns, cook them first, remove and set aside. Then cook the rest of the meat/seafood.

4. Bring to a boil. Once the raw ingredients are cooked and the noodles are soft, adjust seasonings to taste.

5. Turn off heat, crack an egg and cover pot with its lid.

6. Stir the half cooked egg around just before serving. Top the dish with whole prawns (if using) and garnish with spring onions and shallot crisps.

Walnut & Melon Baked Mooncake

2011-09-04T21:19:00.000+08:00

so addicted with the crumbly, pick-up-will-fall-apart crust!!

Strawberry Yogurt with Mango Jelly Mooncake

2011-09-03T11:17:00.001+08:00

Chicken Adobo

2011-09-02T16:41:00.002+08:00

Ingredients...

- approximately 2 pounds of chicken
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 1/4 cup dark soy sauce
- 1/2 cup rice or cider vinegar
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 5 garlic cloves, smashed with the side of a knife
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- small yellow onion, thickly sliced

How to...

1. Combine everything in a large bowl and marinate for 1 hour, up to overnight.

2. Bring everything up to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Turn the chicken halfway through the cooking process.

3. Remove the chicken and bring the sauce back to a boil and continue to boil the sauce until it reduces by about half to a slightly thickened syrup.

4. Serve the chicken over rice and spoon the sauce on top.

a tangy mix that whets the appetite!
*slurpz!!*

G.M. strawberry

2011-09-01T23:33:00.001+08:00

love the vibrant contrast of red and green!

huge a** strawberry!!!
0_0 !!

Flourless Chocolate & Almond Cake

2011-08-30T14:41:00.002+08:00

Ingredients...

- 200g dark, bitter chocolate
- 1 tbsp strong espresso coffee
- 1 tbsp rum or brandy
- 150g caster sugar
- 150g butter (I used unsalted)
- 100g ground almonds
- 5 eggs, separated
- Icing sugar for dusting
- Pinch of salt (optional, but I feel salt enhances the flavour of chocolate or any bakes)

How to...

1. Melt the chocolate, coffee, rum or brandy, sugar and butter (and salt, if using) in a bowl sitting in a pot of barely simmering water. Remove from the heat and stir until well mixed.

2. Add the ground almonds and mix well. Beat in the egg yolks, one by one.

3. Beat the egg whites until stiff and peaky, and stir a couple of spoonfuls into the chocolate mixture to lighten it, before gently folding in the rest.
*add whites to chocolate! not the other way around.

4. Turn into a buttered and floured 20cm (8in) round or square cake tin and bake at 180°C for 40 to 50 mins (less if you like it fudgey, more if you like it cakey).

5. Leave to cool before removing gently from the tin, and dust with icing sugar to serve.

this flourless cake taste mousse-y, so don't think that it is under cook!

Lychee & Kirsch Snow Skin Mooncake

2011-08-29T12:35:00.003+08:00

today is the first day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar!

so do you prefer the traditional kind, or the mordern variations?

Strawberry & Raspberry Almond with Streusel Topping

2011-08-28T09:31:00.000+08:00

Red Tea Roll with Macadamia & Chocolate filling

2011-08-27T12:15:00.000+08:00

Profiteroles/ Cream Puff with Crème Pâtissière

2011-08-26T15:05:00.004+08:00

choux dough!
made in a pan!!

Totally Home Made Crème Pâtissière

- 1 cup milk (236ml)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup caster sugar (55g)
- 1 drop vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 1 pinch salt (only if not adding butter, or using unsalted butter)
- 1/2 tsp unsalted butter, for additional shine and firmness

1. Whisk together egg yolks, 1/4 cup milk (60ml), sugar and vanilla beans. Mix in cornflour and salt (if using).

2. Bring the remaining milk to a scald* in a saucepan. Pour the hot milk in small stream into the egg mixture, whisking constantly with a balloon whisk as you pour (very important). Once incorporated, pour everything back into the saucepan.
* To scald is to heat to just below the boiling point.

3. Whisk the mixture over medium heat until it thickens and firms up. Remove from heat and whisk in butter.

4. Pour the hot custard into a bowl and plunge the bottom of the bowl into another larger bowl of iced-water to cool, give it a whisk occasionally.
- I just continued whisking in the same saucepan until it cooled down.

5. Once it reaches room temperature, scoop the crème pâtissière into a piping bag (twist the open end to seal up the custard) or into a ketchup bottle. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.

♥♥♥
~~ bbbwweeaauuttiifffuulll ~~
lovely golden choux puff!

- 1 cup water
- 55g unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 120g plain flour
- 3 large eggs + 1 large egg (beaten lightly)

1. Place the water, butter and salt in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil. When the butter is completely melted, remove from the heat and add the flour all at once.

2. Mix rapidly with a spatula until fully combined.

3. Place the mixture on the stove over a low heat and dry mix for about 5-6 mins. The dough should be soft and but not sticky. If there is a thin white crust at the bottom of the pan, it means the dough is sufficiently dried.

4. Transfer to a bowl and spread to cool. Let the dough cool slightly.

5. Add the 3 eggs one at a time, incorporating each fully before adding the next.

6. Add the last egg a little at the time to control consistency. You do not want a mixture that is too runny, else the choux puff will not hold its shape. If the mixture looks right to you, stop adding the egg. The dough should be smooth, shiny and as thick and heavy as mayonnaise.

7. Preheat oven to 190 degree celsius. Cover a large baking tray with parchment paper. Fill a pastry bag with the dough with a piping nozzle.

8. Pipe the dough into balls - depends how big you want your cream puffs to be. Press down any peaks gently with your finger (dipped in water). Otherwise, the peaks will burn as they bake.

9. Brush the top with the egg wash (I mix some egg and with water). Some recipes call for giving the puffs a quick spritz of water before baking, as steam helps the puffs rise better.

10. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until well puffed and golden. The drier, the crustier, the better. Turn off the heat, leave the oven door slightly ajar, and let the puffs cool slowly. The puffs may collapse if they are cooled too fast

...and a few rebellious ones...

stuffed & puffed

Choux Box!! =))

Opera Caramel Gateau

2011-08-25T08:36:00.003+08:00

mini version.
cute eh!!

abit of over zealous sprayed bronzing.

big + small = weighing scale number going up
but so worth it!!!
=)

Crusty Village Farmers Bread

2011-08-24T11:15:00.004+08:00

rugby balls!!

jiam tau lor ti!!
i made curry to go with it.
if not, the bread will mould within these couple of days 'cause there's no preservatives plus the horrid weather.

Apple Strudel (with some raspberry & blueberry)

2011-08-23T09:27:00.003+08:00

i thought all strudel pastry will puff up.
apparently not.
some tops came out dead flat and unappetizing.
some puff beautifully like mountain double peaks.
mine?
average lor. at least my top still can rock.
no puns intended!
=p

Baked Chicago Cheese Cake (cracked top)

2011-08-22T12:24:00.001+08:00

i kept this in the freezer.
it's just like eating cheese cake ice cream.
=p

Spinach & Carrot Bread with Cheese Topping

2011-08-21T13:16:00.000+08:00

soft, fluffy, healthy!!

Japanese Sweet Polo Bun

2011-08-20T14:13:00.001+08:00

spot the correctly made bun.
i didn't listen well, and thus all the open a** buns.
...bbbaaahhhhh...

Blueberry Pie with Almond Cake Filling, topped with Almond Meringue

2011-08-19T10:09:00.005+08:00

crop circle? UFO??

nnaaahhh...
it's just a pie!

bleeding blueberry!!

Almond Hazelnut Cake with Pastry Cream & Cocoa Crunch

2011-08-18T15:05:00.000+08:00

...to die for...
both in preparation and taste!

it's a helluva work involved to bake and "construct" this cake.
but the end result is totally worth it.

Portuguese Egg Tart

2011-08-17T14:00:00.000+08:00

can u see the layering of the crust?
this tart is hard work!

Pandan Chiffon Cake

2011-08-16T14:54:00.000+08:00

Tiramisu with Han Tien & Raspberries

2011-08-15T12:00:00.000+08:00

Han Tien is a kind of jelly-like substance often found in energy packs commonly sold in Taiwan.

Dark Chocolate Orange Muffin

2011-08-14T13:45:00.000+08:00

Ingredients...

- 200g good quality dark chocolate , about 60% cocoa solids
- 200g butter , cut in pieces
- 1 tbsp instant coffee granules
- 85g self-raising flour
- 85g plain flour
- 1⁄4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 100g light muscovado sugar
- 100g golden caster sugar
- 25g cocoa powder
- 3 medium eggs
- 75ml buttermilk (5 tbsp)

How to...

1. Preheat the oven to fan 140C/conventional 160C/ gas 3. Break the chocolate in pieces into a medium, heavy-based pan. Tip in the butter, then mix the coffee granules into 125ml/4fl oz cold water and pour into the pan. Warm through over a low heat just until everything is melted - don't overheat. Or melt in the microwave on Medium for about 5 minutes, stirring half way through.

2. While the chocolate is melting, mix the two flours, bicarbonate of soda, sugars and cocoa in a big bowl, mixing with your hands to get rid of any lumps. Beat the eggs in a bowl and stir in the buttermilk.

3. Now pour the melted chocolate mixture and the egg mixture into the flour mixture, stirring just until everything is well blended and you have a smooth, quite runny consistency. Pour this into the muffin tin and bake for approx 30-45mins (cake tin: 1h25m - 1h30m). If you push a skewer in the centre it should come out clean and the top should feel firm (don't worry if it cracks a bit). Leave to cool in the tin (don't worry if it dips slightly), then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Streusel Topped Blueberry Muffin

2011-08-13T14:23:00.005+08:00

Ingredients...

- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup butter, cubed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

How to...

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.

2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.

3. To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 2/3C brown sugar, 1/4C flour, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 2T butter. Use fork to mix and has nice coarse texture. And sprinkle over muffins before baking.

4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

made another batch with different toppings:
brown sugar / white sugar / cinnamon sugar/ plain

simple things in life: blue star

2011-08-05T12:04:00.002+08:00

our imagination is constrained as we grow up. nope to this, no for that.
we don't look at the clouds and say out loud "there's an elephant in the sky!"
why make it so?
let go of your inhibition & smile at the simple things in life.

=)

Strawberry ShortCake with Brandy Flavoured Pink Cream

2011-08-02T15:21:00.000+08:00

4 layers cake sponge!! 3 layers fresh cream n strawberries!!

...tried to do pink swirl...

Happy Birthday Princess Jean!

Vita Craze @ HKG

2011-08-01T07:42:00.000+08:00

yes i know.
madness to lug back a few different flavoured packet drinks.
this is just one of my few quirky traits.
u haven't seen enough yet!

=)

Pop Corn

2011-07-31T17:35:00.000+08:00

Jasmine Apple Cake with Caramel Apple

2011-07-29T15:20:00.000+08:00

Happy Birthday BIG LOY!

Mixed Fruits & Peach ShortCake

2011-07-23T15:18:00.001+08:00

Happy Birthday Empress Diane!

Pan Fried Trout with Almond & Orange

2011-07-10T16:16:00.002+08:00

Ingredients...

- 90g butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4x200g trout fillet (can replace with grouper, mackerel or sole too!)
- 1/2 cup plain flour, seasoned with a sprinkling of salt
- 1/4 cup chopped macadamia
- 1/4 flaked almonds
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- juice of 1/2 orange
- finely grated zest of 1 orange

How to...

1. Heat 30g butter and 1 tbsp oil. Toss fish in seasoned flour, shaking off excess.

2. Cook for 4-5mins on each side, or until fish flakes easily.

3. Heat remaining butter and oil in same pan. Add macadamia, almond and garlic. Cook for 1-2mins until golden. Stir in juice and zest and cook for another minute.

Easy Peasy!!

Wasabi Snapper

2011-07-10T16:05:00.002+08:00

Ingredients...

- 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 3 stalks spring onions, sliced
- 4cm ginger, chopped finely
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tsp wasabi paste (lessen if you dont like it too strong)
- 2 tsp seasame oil
- 4 snapper fillets
- 1 tbsp oil

How to...

1. Combine teriyaki sauce, mirin, spring onions, ginger, garlic, wasabi and seasame oil. Add snapper, turing to coat. Cover and chill for at least an hour, turning once.

2. Pan fry fillet (reserving the marinate) for 2-3mins each side, or until fish flakes easily.

3. Using the same pan, heat reserved marinate over low fire for about a minute. Add whichever vegetables that u like to have, or just pour the marinate over the fish.

wwwaaazzzzuupppp b!!!!

Tempura Salmon with Honey Soy

2011-07-10T15:52:00.002+08:00

Ingredients...

- 500g skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1com strips
- 1 cup oil for deep frying
- 1/2 cup plain flour, plus extra for dusting
- 5 tbsp cornflour
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 150ml sparkling mineral water
- 2 ice cubes
- 1 egg white, whisk until frothy

Honey & Soy Dipping sauce
- juice of 1 lime
- 1 tbsp seasame oil
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander
- 2 tsp toasted seasame seeds

How to...

1. Dust salmon strips in plain flour, dusting off excess, set aside. Heat oil in wok over medium-high fire.

2. Meanwhile sift plain flour, cornflour and bicarb soda into a bowl. Add sparkling water, ice and egg white. Mix gently, but do not over mix as the batter had to be quite lumpy.

3. Dip fillet into batter, draining off excess. When oil is smoking hot, deep fry in batches for 2-3mins until golden crispy. Drain on paper towels. And serve with dipping sauce.

to make it a more substantial meal, serve with rice and veggies!

Roast Pork with Spicy Caramel Apples

2011-07-08T17:31:00.005+08:00

Ingredients...
- 2 kg pork belly; the meat will shrink, so don't be intimated by the size.
- 2 tbsp salt; don't cut this down as salt makes the skin dry and crispy.
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp five spice powder
- 2 clove garlic minced

Marinating...
1. Score the skin with a pen knife, you can also use a pricking tool if you have one.
2. Rub salt all over the skin. Mix the remaining ingredients together and rub it on the meat side only.
3. Leave it uncovered in the fridge overnight to marinate.

The Next Day...
- 2 tbsp oil; any oil is fine, don't have to use expensive ones
- 2 tbsp salt; salt is important as it makes the skin crispy
- 2 cloves of garlic crushed
- 1 star anise
- 1 quill cinnamon bark
- 1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 unskinned carrot, coarsely chopped
- Water

Cooking it...
1. Remove the pork from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30mins (fridge very cold). Rub the oil and salt into the skin.

2.Use a deep roasting tray or oven proof container that fit the belly almost exactly. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, star anise and cinnamon to the tray. Place the pork on top and add enough water until the meat is covered, be careful not to cover the skin and fat layer.

3. Roast at 200°C for 90 mins. Depending on the size of the meat, it may need another 30 minutes. Let the meat rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.

Spicy Caramel Apples:
- 5 green apples, cut into wedges. Green apples are tart which is great with the sweet caramel
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar

Melt the butter with the sugar, adding a few drops of water if necessary. Add the apple wedges and cook on moderately high fire until the sauce thickens, about 15 miutes. Be sure to stir occasionally otherwise will be overcooked.

Perfect Chocolate Fondants

2011-07-04T15:19:00.005+08:00

Ingredients...

- 200g good dark chocolate, between 70%-80% cocoa, chopped into pieces
- 200g butter, cut into small pieces
- 50g melted butter, for brushing
- 6 tbsp cocoa powder, for dusting
- 4 large eggs
- 4 yolks
- 200g golden castor sugar
- 200g sifted plain flour
- 12 (125ml) muffin moulds

How to...

1. Get the chocolate sauce ready. Place a bowl over a pot of simmering water and melt the chocolate and butter together, stirring until smooth and incorporated. Once combined, leave the chocolate aside to cool for at least 10minutes.

2. Prepare the moulds. Start by brushing 6 moulds with melted butter in a upstroke motion before placing them in the freezer. Repeat for the remaining 6. Retrieve the first set of mould when the second set goes in.

3. Brush moulds with a second coat of butter before dusting with cocoa powder. Hold the mould at an angle above the bowl of butter and spoon on cocoa powder as you rotate the tin. Shake off excess cocoa into the bowl.

4. Using an electric whisk, whisk eggs, extra yolks and sugar until thick and pale for about 7minutes.

5. Add flour and beat until incorporated, about 10 seconds.

6. Pour melted chocolate into the batter slowly. Mix batter until it forms a loose consistency, then pour fondant batter into a jug. Divide the batter equally.

7. Preheat oven to 200C and bake on middle rack for 7 mins.

Apple Walnut Cake with Caramel Butter Frosting

2011-07-04T15:11:00.003+08:00

Ingredients...

- 3 cups all-purpose flour (can replace 1 cup white flour with wheat flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 medium baking apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts

How to...

1. Spray two 9" cake pans with nonstick pan spray and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda and baking powder, spices, and salt; set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine oil, sugars, eggs, vanilla, apples, and walnuts; stir to combine. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon or large spatula to incorporate all dry ingredients.

4.Transfer batter to prepared pans and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center tests clean. Remove pans to rack for 10 minutes; de-pan cakes and let cool completely before frosting or freezing.

Caramel Butter Frosting

-1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 stick (4 oz) butter
- ¼ cup milk, cream, or half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1. Combine brown sugar, butter, and milk or cream in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and let cook for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla. Let cool until the caramel is just slightly warm.

2.Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat in confectioners’ sugar ½ cup at a time until desired consistency is reached. Frost cake layer(s) with a small offset spatula, swirling frosting in a smooth motion. If frosting hardens too quickly, place over low heat on stove (or in microwave for a few seconds) until it softens.

If desired, add sprinkles or decorations immediately after spreading as this frosting will set up quickly.

Low-Fat Carroty Cake!

2011-06-22T17:30:00.004+08:00

Ingredients...

- 1 medium orange
- 140g raisins
- 125ml sunflower oil
- 2 eggs
- 115g plain wholemeal (or plain) flour
- 115g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder, plus a pinch
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 2rounded tsp ground cinnamon
- 140g dark muscovado sugar
- 280g finely grated carrots (about 375-400g carrots before peeling)

How to...

1.Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. For the cake, finely grate the zest from the orange and squeeze 3 tbsp of juice. Pour the juice over the raisins in a bowl, stir in zest, then leave to soak while you make the cake. Lightly oil and line the base of a deep 20cm square cake tin. Mix the flours with 1 tsp baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and cinnamon.

2.Separate one of the eggs. Put the white in a small bowl and the yolk in a large one. Break the remaining whole egg in with the yolk, then tip in the sugar. Whisk together for 1-2 mins until thick and foamy. Slowly pour in the oil and continue to whisk on a low speed until well mixed. Tip in the flour mix, half at a time, and gently stir it into the egg mixture with a rubber spatula or big spoon. The mix will be quite stiff. Put the extra pinch of baking powder in with the egg white and whisk to soft peaks.

3.Fold the carrot, raisins (and any liquid) into the flour mixture. Gently fold in the whisked egg white, then pour into the tin. Jiggle the tin to level the mixture. Bake for 1 hr until risen and firm or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin 5 mins, turn out onto a wire rack, peel off the paper, then leave until cold.

well.. i made a few boohoos.
first, i COMPLETELY forgot about the plain flour. =(
then, i forgot to whisk the egg white till soft peak and dumped it all into the mixture. =((

the flu making me buggy with mistakes.
*bleah!!*

Lays Stax Chedder + Water

2011-06-14T16:00:00.005+08:00

potato chips are always my best friend and foe.

aarrgghhh ~~ how the eff am i suppose to drop my numbers when i just polished off a brand new bottle of chips!!

tried cut fruits salad with low fat mango yogurt and it didn't help with the "mouth itchy illness".
wanted to open a bag of natural mixed nuts, but grabbed the wrong one.
*it ain't my fault! they were placed side by side and quite identical!!*

only redemption for me now is to drink water, more water and load up on water.
perhaps that 10kg is due to water retention?

"KFC" Coleslaw

2011-05-26T16:44:00.002+08:00

Ingredients...

- 8 cups finely diced cabbage (about 1 head)
- 1/4 cup diced carrots (finely)
- 2 tablespoons minced onions

Dressing:
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (can replace with plain yoghurt)
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

How to...

1. Cabbage and carrots must be finely diced. Pour cabbage and carrot mixture into large bowl and stir in minced onions.

2. Prepare the dressing, mix until smooth and creamy. Pour over Slaw and mix thoroughly.

3. Cover bowl and refrigerate several hours or overnight before serving.

Happy Soda!

2011-05-21T00:00:00.000+08:00

Ingredients...

- 75ml rose syrup
- 75ml condensed milk
- 6 or 7 ice cubes
- 200ml soda water
- 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
- some mint for garnishing

How to...

1. Prepare a tall glass. Pour in rose syrup, followed by condensed milk and ice cubes.

2. Fill up with soda water. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Garnish with mint leave and serve!

Yummy Yum!!

Special Guava Mix

2011-05-20T00:00:00.000+08:00

Ingredients...

- 400g guavas
- 1 yellow lemon
- 10g dried mango slice
- 10g raisins
- 5g "nine-step" preserved tangerine peel, dice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar

How to...

1. Cut guava into small pieces. Grate lemon zest and set aside. Squeeze half the lemon for juice.

2. Mix all ingredients. Chill in fridge before serving. It can be stored for 1-2days.

Something different for a starter or side dish!

Sweet and Sour Pork

2011-05-19T00:00:00.000+08:00

Ingredients...

- 500g pork belly
- 1/2 green, red and yellow capsicum
- 1/2 onion
- 150g pineapples
- some cornstarch
- 10tbsp water

marinade:
- 1tsp light soy sauce
- some pepper
- 1 egg, beaten

seasoning:
- 5tbsp chilli sauce
- 8tbsp ketchup
- 2tbsp sugar
- 1tbsp Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce
- 2tbsp white vinegar

How to...

1. Cut pork into cubes, about 30g each. Mix well with marinade and chill for 1hour in fridge. Cut capsicums, onion and pineapple into cubes.

2. Coat pork with cornstarch evenly.

3. Heat oil in wok and deep fry pork until golden brown. Remove and drain.

4. Heat some oil in wok, stir fry capsicums, onion and pineapple. Add seasoning and water, and bring to a boil. Add pork and toss evenly.

Simplest sweet sour pork recipe!!

Daily Herbal Tea

2011-05-18T15:12:00.002+08:00

Slimming Beauty Tea:

- 6g chuan bei
- 6g tangerine peel
- 6g yi ren (chinese pearl barley)
- 18g haw
- 11g dried rose
- 2 wu mei (black prune)
- 1.5L water

1. Put all herbs into a pot and add water.
2. Bring to boil over high heat and steep for about 15mins.

*serve warm
*degreases, helps excrete waste and relive water retention

Herbal Tea:
- 6g mulberry leaves
- 6g chrysanthemum
- 6g tangerine peel
- 6g zhi gan cao
- 1.5L water

1. Put all herbs into a pot and add water.
2. Bring to boil over high heat and steep for about 15mins.

*serve warm
*moistens the lungs and dissolves phlegm, relieves summer heat and promotes good complexion

Daily Health Care Tea:

- 18g Huang Qi
- 18g wolfberries
- 3 red dates
- 1.5L water

1. Put all herbs into a pot and add water.
2. Bring to boil over high heat and steep for about 15mins.

*serve warm
*boosts immune system, improves eyesight and invigorates vital energy

Wolfberries and Chrysanthemum Tea:

- 11g ginseng root
- 11g chrysanthemum
- 18g huang qi
- 3 red dates
- 1.5L water

1. Put all herbs into a pot and add water.
2. Bring to boil over high heat and steep for about 15mins.

*serve warm
*builds up resistance, improves eyesight and invigorates vital energy

Yoghurt & Mango Mousse

2011-05-15T00:00:00.000+08:00

Ingredients...

- 85g packet mango flavoured jelly crystals
- 250ml boiling water
- 400g low fat plain/fruity yoghurt
- 1 medium size banana, sliced thinly
- 1 medium size kiwi, sliced thinly
- 75g blueberries

How to...

1. Stir jelly crystals with water in a small heat proof bowl until dissolved.
2. Cooled slightly, then refrigerate for about 20mins or until cold. However, do not let it set.
3. Whisk yoghurt and jelly until smooth. Divide mixture into 6 cups.
4. Cover and refrigerate for about 2hours or until set.

fast and easy dessert to be served for a party!

... dreams ...

2011-05-14T12:07:00.002+08:00

after months of daily nightmares.

i dreamt that i was in NYC.
making a mad dash to buy red velvet cake.
and having delicious piping hot fried food in a nice restaurant with frens.

however this dream dint help with curing or curbing my endless episodes of burping.
i woke up feeling freaking hungry.
=S

Eggless Tiramisu

2011-05-10T18:07:00.005+08:00

Ingredients...

- roughly 200g (24) Italian ladyfingers biscuits (savoiardi)
- 2 tsp cocoa powder
- fine sieve (for dusting cocoa powder)

(A) Cream mixture
- 250g mascarpone cheese
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 tbsp kahlua
- 2 tbsp thickened cream

(B) Coffee solution for dipping ladyfingers biscuits
- 4 tbsp espresso coffee (you can also use brewed instant coffee or canned coffee)
- 2 tbsp of coffee liquor such as kahlua

(C) Garnishing
- any berries (I’m using strawberries here)
- fine sieve and cocoa powder for dusting

How to...

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix ingredients (A) except thickened cream with a spatula till well combined. Then fold in the thickened cream till it is of a nice creamy consistency.

2. Mix ingredients (B) in a wide and shallow dish. Dip one lady fingers biscuit (halfway and quickly in the coffee solution to prevent it from becoming soggy) in the coffee solution you prepared in step 1. Arranged dipped lady fingers biscuit to form one layer of the cake.

3. Spread a layer of cream mixture you prepared in step 1 over the biscuits with the back of your spoon. Dust a thin layer of cocoa powder using a fine sieve.

4. Repeat steps 2 to 4 to form a second layer of cake. Cover with lid and chill the cake for a few hours till set. Slice and serve with fresh berries. You can also layer the strawberry slices after sieving the cocoa powder.

Taste equally great without the kahlua and definately safe for me as there is no raw egg!

Happy Mothers' Day!

2011-05-08T21:58:00.001+08:00

JOB ADVERTISEMENT

POSITION: Mother

OTHER JOB TITLES (Depending on Employer's choice):
Mummy, Mama, Mum, Mom, Okaa-san, Hey-you!, Boo-Boo

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ROLE:
A challenging and exciting permanent position in a chaotic, unpredictable environment. Only those who are prepared for a long-term (i.e Lifetime) commitment need apply. Candidates must prepare to work as part of a team (1% of the time) or work independently (99% of the time).

JOB DUTIES:
Nothing fixed or set in stone. However, as a basic guideline:
- Hours are irregular, but usually 18-20 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Assume total accountability for quality of end product (Assessment usually takes place after 21 years)
- Must be able to multi-task in the following roles (although extreme competency is not required)
Driver of large vehicles (SUVs or family sedans)
Cook/ Chef of meals that can be whipped up in a matter of minutes
Entertainer, catering to all ages ranging from 0 - 14
Sports woman who can catch employers before they fall - this skill is required 18 hours a day
Domestic Cleaner for emergency poop or pee incidents
Teacher of basic and simple language, mathematical skills, fundamental life skills (including toilet training)
Dictionary of choice ( to answer all "Why?" questions)
All other roles that will pop up from time to time

REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be on standby 24 hours a day (Shift duty allowance not provided)
- Must be able to have some basic technical skills (required for fixing jammed batteries in wound-up toys or dismantled mobile phones)
- Ideally have some first-aid skills (to tend to bee stings, black eye from other children or bites from disturbed cats)
- Should possess excellent communication skills (and able to shout across a busy shopping mall if needed)
- Preferably should be oblivious to stares and glares from strangers when your employer chooses to scream or throw a tantrum in public
- Strongly preferred: Candidates who have eyes growing at the back of their heads, so as to be on the lookout for mischievous outbursts.
- Must have stamina to go without sleep for 2 days straight
- Able to sing the same nursery rhyme again and again and again and again is a plus.
- Able to read the same story book again and again and again and again and again.....(and look happy doing it!)
- Must be prepared to be disliked from time to time
- Ideal candidate should be able to identify the employer's good points even in the most depressing of all conditions.

mum's recipe + crashed cooker

2011-05-06T00:16:00.003+08:00

gonna try out mum's braised chicken recipe.
some minced garlic, lotsa dark soy sauce, few shakes of seasame oil.
and that's it??

*marinating-in-process*
once edible, will post it up.

and damm it!
rice cooker crashed after using for half a year!
sister claimed i "abused" it.
ELLO! my rice cooker working days on average is 3times/wk niah.
and exclusively for cooking rice only, not even porridge lor.
$%^*&#^?{*!

boh bian. cheap things don't come good.

=(

Hakka Braised Pork Belly

2011-05-03T16:03:00.004+08:00

Ingredients...

- 500g pork belly, cut to bite-sized pieces
- oil, sifficient to cover the pork pieces in a wok
- water, sufficient to cover fried pork in a pot
- 150g kiam chye
- 5g sheet of black moss or dried black fungus
- oyster sauce to taste

Marinade...
- 4 tsp five spice powder
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 egg beaten
- salt and pepper, to taste

How to...
1. Marinate pork belly and chill for at least 2hours

2. Heat up oil and fry pork belly until golden brown in color.

3. Fill pot with water adn cover fried pork belly, and bring to boil. Reduce heat and leave to simmer.

4. While pork is cooking, soak kiam chye in and black moss in water for 30 and 15 minutes respectively. Diced the kiam chye and tear the black moss into smaller pieces once finish soaking.

5. When pork belly has softened, add the kiam chye and black moss. Simmer for another 20 minutes. Add oyster sauce to taste, stir to mix and serve hot with steamed rice!

Claypot (NOT!) Chicken Rice

2011-04-28T20:16:00.003+08:00

Ingredients...

- 2 cups rice
- 1 skinless chicken breast & 2 chicken drumsticks
- 1 stalk scallion (chopped)
- 6 shitake mushrooms (soak in hot water for 30 minutes and cut into halves)
- 1 small piece salted fish (cut into small pieces)
- 2 Chinese sausage (sliced) – optional
- minced garlic

Seasoning for chicken:
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon corn starch
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 5 dashes white pepper powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine (or rice wine)
- 3 inches ginger (peel the skin and chop into thin strips)

Seasoning for rice:

- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons cooking oil
- 1 pinch of salt
*the other easier way will be to cook the rice with chicken stock only, and add the dark soy sauce when serving.

How to...

1. Chop the chicken breast and chicken drumsticks into pieces.Add the chicken seasoning and mix well. Marinate for an hour in the fridge or overnight if possible.

2. Deep fry (or shallow fry) the salted fish and set aside.

3. Add the rice seasoning and cooking oil into the rice and start cooking the rice.

4. At the same time, heat up a wok with some cooking oil. Fry the garlic till fragrant. Add in the chopped scallions, chicken and shitake mushrooms until 3/4 cooked.

5. Add the chicken into the rice cooker when the rice is almost dry and continue to cook till rice is completely cooked.

6. Leave the rice cooker on “Stay Warm” for 15 – 20 mintues before serving.

7. Top the chicken rice with fried salted fish and serve immediately.

* Lazy Me, always throw in the shallow fried salted fish into cooked chicken mixture and dump everything into the rice cooker.

Pictures will be up when i remember to take the final product.
=p

Mini Chocolate Tartlets with Dark Chocolate Ganache

2011-03-03T23:01:00.005+08:00

Ingredients...

Tartlets:
- 180 g desiccated coconut
- 100 g caster sugar
- 2 egg white, lightly beaten

1. Preheat oven to 140C
2. Grease a 24 x 5cm mini muffin pan.
3. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
4. Use 1 tbsp of the mixture, press in the hole of mini muffin pan to form a tart case. Repeat with the rest.
5. Bake in oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Remove tart cases from pan and let cool on wire rack.

Chocolate Ganache:
- 250 ml thicken cream
- 100 g dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces
- 50 g butter
- 1 egg yolk

1. Heat the thicken cream in a saucepan until just below boiling point.
2. Stir in chocolate and butter until well mixed.
3. Let it cool for 5 minutes and then add the egg yolk. Stir and mix well.

Broccoli Beef

2010-12-07T20:39:00.004+08:00

Ingredients...

- 3/4 pound flank or sirloin, sliced thinly across the grain
- 3/4 pound broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons high-heat cooking oil
- 2 cloves garlic, very finely minced or smushed through garlic smusher
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tablespoon water

For the beef marinade:
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Chinese rice wine (or dry sherry)
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon Chinese rice wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons black vinegar (or worcestershire sauce)

How to...

1. Marinate the beef: Stir together the beef marinade ingredients in a medium bowl. Add the beef slices and stir until coated. Let stand for 10 minutes

2. Prepare the sauce: Stir together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

3. Blanch the broccoli: Cook the broccoli in a small pot of boiling, salted water until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly.

4. Heat a large frying pan or wok over high heat until a bead of water sizzles and instantly evaporates upon contact. Add the cooking oil and swirl to coat. Add the beef and immediately spread the beef out all over the surface of the wok or pan in a single layer (preferably not touching). Let the beef fry undisturbed for 1 minute. Flip the beef slices over, add the garlic to the pan and fry for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute until no longer pink, Pour in the sauce, add the blanched broccoli and bring to a boil. Pour in the dissolved cornstarch and cook, stirring, until the sauce boils and thickens, 30 seconds.

All u need to is pair it with steaming white rice!

^^

Cream Scones with Chocolate Chunks

2010-11-24T16:14:00.005+08:00

Ingredients...

- 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- ¼ Cup (50 g) Sugar
- 2 ½ tsp Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Sea Salt
- 3 ½ oz (100 g) Bittersweet or Semisweet Chocolate Chips or Chunks, coarsely chopped
- 1 ¼ Cups (300 ml) Heavy or Whipping Cream

Glaze
2 Tbsp Heavy Cream or Whipping Cream

How to...

With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 425˚F (220˚C). Line a cookie sheet with 2 layer of parchment paper. 

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and sea salt. Mix the dry ingredients well with a whisk. Stir in the chocolate and make a well in the center and pour in the cream into it.

Use a rubber spatula to push the dry ingredients from the sides of the bowl into the well, cutting and turning the mixture just until the dry ingredients are almost entirely moistened and the dough looks rough and shaggy. Gather the dough into a lump and knead it gently against the sides of the bowl five or more times, pressing in the loose pieces, until the dough just holds together (it should not be smooth) and the sides of the bowl are fairly clean.

On a lightly floured surface, flatten the dough with your hands or roll out to about 3/4 inch (2 cm) thick. Using 2 inch (5 cm) round cookie cutter, cut the dough into rounds. Arrange the rounds on the baking sheet, leaving space between each one.  Brush the tops with cream and bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on a rack, and serve warm or at room temperature.

mummy's call

2010-11-19T17:41:00.002+08:00

so ♥ when mum called n asked me how i did for my driving test.
so sweet that she remembered.
so touched that she called.

her call stopped me from further impluse buying.
=)

"angry" tat my sister nv help me take test!!
=P

Pad Krapow Moo

2010-11-11T22:48:00.005+08:00

Easy Thai food!

Ingredients...
- 250g minced pork
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 6 slice chilli padi (more if u like it spicy!!)
- 3 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sweet soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 big bunch of Thai basil leaves
- some cooking oil

How To...
1. Heat up wok and add oil, followed by chopped garlic and chilli padi. Stir fry garlice and chilli until aromatic.

2. Add pork. Use spatula to quickly stir-fry and break the minced pork into small lumps.

3. When the pork is cooked, add oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sweet soy sauce and sugar to season. Stir well.

4. Add basil leaves and do a few quick stirs until the leaves are wilted to their fragance.

Served with warm jasmine rice.

How can this meal be completed without Tom Yum Goong!
=)

Chocolate Wantons

2010-10-19T00:29:00.004+08:00

Yep. U read it correctly.
Chocolate wantons.
Fusion is still pretty in.

Ingredients...
- Hershey kisses
- Banana, cut into slices
- Peanut butter
- Wanton skins

How to...
Take out a piece of wanton.
Put a teaspoonful of peanut butter in the centre.
Followed by a slice of banana, and finally topped with a kiss!

Wet ur finger and go round the perimeter of the wanton skin.
You can fold it anyway u like as long as it stay closed!

Put all the wantons into hot oil.
Once it turn goldie n with blisters, it's time to take it out.
Drain excess oil on kitchen towel cause u'll rather eat chocolate than o*l right?!

Trust me. U wont ever regret making this.

Afterall, it just dessert.
=)

*pixs coming up soon. cross fingers.

home alone!

2010-10-15T20:48:00.007+08:00

mr loy's away, left me all alone back here. =(

we went for a quick grocery shopping on monday evening.
and look at what i bought!

i did buy lettuce and mushroom to add in, so it wont be that unhealthy. =p
(but i lazy to add it in...)

oh! and mum's popping over with BKT tomorrow! can't wait to dip in with you tiao!!

but before i can savour all that, i have to clean up the WHOLE HOUSE BY MYSELF!!!
*lucky mr loy*

and please remind me to tuck those ash trays away.

think those outside food is giving me a sore throat instead.

old love

2010-10-09T16:50:00.004+08:00

i had N95 since it was first launched.

it accompanied me thru my fly days.
i took scenic photos with it since i was too lazy to lug around a real camera.
it provided me solace when travelling all over.
it accompanied me when i started my new path.

recently buttery finger me dropped it into a pail of water.
speaker spoil and was a bit sad as it had served me well.

still, i chose to continue using it though i had spare phones.
just that the only slight inconvenience is to SMS only.

but miraculously, it recovered today!!

could it be that it's time is alomst up?

omgomgomgomgomgomg!!!!

2010-10-08T21:49:00.002+08:00

mr loy says it resembles "200pound beauty".
and he's laughing at me non-stop.

=S

birthdays

2010-09-16T23:54:00.002+08:00

mr loy's birthday coming up this Saturday.

sunday is mr lim.
monday is von's.

i haven got much time to bake!
and i haven got a clue to bake which cake!!
manager is back in china, meaning i gotta shoulder everything for a month.

think i gotta skip baking birthday cakes(and baking!) for this year.

migraine, migraine...

=S

Not Your Usual Mushroom Soup

2010-09-06T00:00:00.002+08:00

Ingredients...

- 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 whole Small Carrrot, Finely Minced
- 1 whole Celery Stalk, Finely Minced
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic, Crushed And Minced
- 450g (or more!) White Mushrooms, Sliced Thin
- 120ml, fluid Chablis White Wine
- 120ml, fluid Tomato Juice
- 120ml, fluid Chicken Broth
- 450ml Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, Freshly Grated
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
- 1/4 cups Water
- 1 pinch Salt And Pepper, to taste

*i had tomato paste on hand and didn't want to waste it. thus i mix 3tbsp of paste with 1 cup water. and voila! i now have a cup of tomato juice!

How to...

Heat oil, over medium heat, in a large deep pot.

Mince the carrot and celery nice and fine. Too big and the soup will end up chunky. Toss into the pot and allow them to soften while you slice the mushrooms. (Please remember to clean the mushrooms first. You probably already knew that … I’m just sayin’.) Next, add your garlic, right as the carrots and celery start to cook down.

Add the mushrooms to the pot and allow them to reduce and soften. Pour in the Chablis, and let it cook with the mushrooms for a few minutes.

Add the tomato juice, and the chicken broth. Allow it to boil for about 5 minutes before adding the heavy whipping cream, and bring to a soft boil.

Grate Parmesan and add it to the pot. Let this cook for a few minutes, until the cheese is melted and blended with the soup. Add the cornstarch to 1/4 cup of water, then pour into the soup.

Lower the heat and let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes or so, until thickened. Salt and pepper the soup to your own tastes.

Serve with French bread or just plain ‘ol crackers. Whatever floats your boat!

Panko Mac n Cheese

2010-09-05T01:05:00.008+08:00

Ingredients...

- 454 grams Cooked Pasta (slightly Undercooked)
- 4 tbsp (60ml) Butter
- 1/4 cup Flour
- 2 1/2 cups (600 ml) Milk
- 2 tsp Mustard Powder
- 1 tsp (more To Taste!) Salt
- Black Pepper
- 230 grams Cheddar Cheese, Grated
- 230 grams Fontina Cheese, Grated
- 4 whole Roma Tomatoes, Sliced Thick
- 1 cup (237g/ml) Panko Breadcrumbs (more To Taste)
- Salt And Pepper For Sprinkling

* feel free to use any cheese that makes your skirt fly!

How to...

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook pasta until al dente.

1. Melt butter in a large skillet.

2.Sprinkle in flour, whisk to combine, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it deepens in color.

3. Pour in milk, whisking constantly.

4. Add mustard, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until it thickens, 4 minutes or so.

5. Add cheese and stir until melted. Pour in cooked pasta and stir to coat. Check seasonings and add more salt if needed.

6. Pour into a buttered casserole dish. Top with 3/4 of the panko crumbs. Arrange tomato slices neatly on the top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with the rest of the panko crumbs.

7. Bake for 20 minutes. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes at the end to make the top golden brown.

Meatball Burger

2010-09-05T00:00:00.001+08:00

Ingredients...

- 1 pound Ground Chuck Or Ground Beef
- ½ cups Panko Or Other Bread Crumbs
- 1 clove Garlic, Minced
- ½ teaspoons Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- ½ cups Milk
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- ½ whole Medium Onion, Diced
- 1 jar (large) Marinara Sauce
- Hamburger bun
- Provolone Cheese

How to...

1.Mix meat with bread crumbs, garlic, salt, pepper, and milk. Knead together with hands. Roll into palm-sized patties.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for one minute. Add patties between the onions and brown for one minute.

3. Pour in jar of marinara; shake pan gently to mix. Put on lid and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

When ready to serve, cut each hamburger bun in half. Place a wedge of Provolone on the top and bottom of each roll. Spoon a meatball with the sauce onto the bottom bun; top with the top bun.

Serve immediately!

Com Do (Vietnamese Tomato/ Red Rice)

2010-09-04T18:36:00.006+08:00

Adapted from Luke Nguyen & Mark Jensen's Secrets of The Red Lantern

Ingredients...

- 150 g (3/4 cup)rice, cooked, left in the fridge overnight
- 10 g butter
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (concentrated puree)
- Salt to taste

How to...

1.Put the cooked rice into a large bowl. Wet your hands slightly so the rice doesn't stick to them, or don a pair of plastic gloves, and break up the rice.

2.Place a wok over medium heat, add half the butter and the garlic and stir-fry until the garlic is fragrant, then add the rice.

3.Increase the heat and, using a wooden spoon, stir and toss the rice.

4.Add the tomato paste and continue to stir-fry, working the tomato through the rice until it is evenly coloured. Add the remaining butter and fry until it is incorporated.

5.Season with salt and serve.

something different than normal fried/plain rice.

=)

Apple'ssant

2010-09-03T23:53:00.007+08:00

*will take a nicer pix in a few days time

Ingredients...

- 2 whole Granny Smith Apples
- 1 packet ready bake puff pastry
- 230g Butter
- 1-½ cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- Cinnamon, To Taste
- 1 can (12 Oz.) Mountain Dew Soda

How to...

Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir.

Add vanilla, stir, and pour entire mixture over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan.

Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top

it's a mini apple pie!
=)

Pineapple Fried Rice and Thai Green Chicken Curry

2010-09-03T22:38:00.004+08:00

added a little too much of water when simmering down the onions, thus the fried rice turned out to be a teeeennnyyy bit sticky.

but it still turned out yummy!

going to try making burger next.
wish me luck!

=))

Abby Dodge's Nutella Brownie

2010-09-01T00:00:00.003+08:00

This recipe comes from pasty chef, cookbook author, and Fine Cooking Magazine’s contributing editor, Abby Dodge. She has a new cookbook coming out in September called Desserts 4 Today: Flavorful Desserts with Just Four Ingredients filled with fabulous everyday desserts made with only four ingredients! Can't wait for the book to launch!

Ingredients...

- 1/2 cup Nutella spread ('bout 155g)
- 1 large egg
- 5 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts

How to...

Makes 12 mini

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup mini muffin pan with paper or foil liners.

2. Put the Nutella and egg in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth and well blended. Add the flour and whisk until blended.

3. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins (about 3/4 full) and sprinkle with the chopped hazelnuts.

4. Bake until a pick comes out with wet, gooey crumbs, 11 to 12 minutes. Set on a rack to cool completely. Serve immediately or cover and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

If u don't like hazelnut or for what so ever reason, switch in one of the following:
-ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon (add with the flour)
-peanuts, chopped, 1/4 cup

it's more like a molten lava cake than a borwnie.
super moist and will literally melt in ur mouth!

Salmon Steak with Teriyaki Sauce

2010-08-31T00:00:00.004+08:00

*taken with iPhone 3, thus the lousy photo quality

Ingredients...

- teriyaki sauce
2 tbsp mirin (cut down to 1 tbsp if you don't want it too strong)
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp sugar

- Salmon steak

How to...

Put all that into a saucepan and boil over a low flame. Once it bubbles, stir to dissolve all the sugar. Make sure your flame is not too big or the sauce will caramelize.

Within minutes, you'll see that the sauce will thicken slightly and turn glossy. Turn off the fire and leave it to cool. To make the teriyaki sauce more syrupy like, add more sugar.

Once your fish fillets are seared, place them on a cooling rack for about 3mins, then transfer to a serving plate. Drizzle teriyaki sauce over and you're ready to eat.

home made teriyaki sauce taste sooooooo gooooooood!!

Braised Ee Fu Noodles

2010-08-30T00:00:00.003+08:00

*taken with iPhone 3, thus the lousy photo quality

Ingredients...

- Braising sauce
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1/4 tsp dark sauce for colour
1/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp Hua Tiao Wine (optional but it makes a difference)
Dash of white pepper
1 cup water

- Mushroom of any variety
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
- 2 to 3 handful beansprouts, heads and tails removed
- 2 dried mounds Ee Fu Noodles (enough for 2 servings)
- 2 to 3 tbsp vegetable oil + 1/4 tsp white sesame oil
- and any other ingredients u like to add in!

How to...

1. Heat vegetable oil and sesame oil. When it is very hot, add in garlic and fry briefly before throwing in the bean sprouts, chives and mushrooms and other ingredients u chose. Stir fry for about 1 minute.

2. Add braising sauce and allow to simmer (about 1 minute). Maintain medium high heat throughout.

3. Add in Ee Fu noodles, making sure you submerge them in the braising sauce as much as possible. Cover with a lid and let the noodles stew in the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes.

Open lid and check for doneness. There should be little or no braising sauce when the dish is done. Do not overcook or the noodles will become soggy. Allow the residual heat to continue cooking the noodles till al dente.

Dish up on serving plate and garnish with cut chives or coriander.

TA-DAAAAAAH!!!

this is so much nicer than those served at wedding banquet!
cause it's made with loooovvvveee!
♥

=p

Chicken Katsu Don

2010-08-29T00:00:00.003+08:00

Ingredients...

- 4 pieces tonkatsu (sliced into 1 inch-wide)
- 1 thinly sliced large onion
- 1 1/4cup dashi soup stock (i use chicken broth)
- 5 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 4 eggs
- few dash of sesame oil for sauteing the onion

How to...

1. Saute onion in sesame oil till fragrant.

2. Pour chicken broth in a pan and heat on medium heat. Add soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in the soup. Add onion to the pan and simmer for a few minutes.

3. Slice tonkatsu pieces in the pan and simmer on low heat for a few minutes. Beat eggs in a bowl. Bring the soup to a boil, then pour the eggs over tonkatsu and onion.

4. When the eggs are almost done and the bottom is cooked and brown, lift from the bottom and remove from pan with care.

5. Serve steamed rice in deep bowls, then place the simmered tonkatsu on top of the rice. If there is any leftover sauce, pour over the katsu don or pour into bowl.

trust me! this is pretty authentic!!
=))

Sausage and Mushroom Baked Rice

2010-08-28T22:06:00.005+08:00

Ingredients...

- 1 cup uncooked rice, washed
- Water to cook rice
- 20g to 30g butter
- 5 garlic cloves
- 200g (white or brown) mushrooms, sliced
- 5 gourmet sausages (around 200g)
- cream of mushroom (undiluted) or Japanese mayonnaise
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- Salt & Pepper
- Parsley (garnishing)

How to...

1. Using a microwave, melt butter to liquid form (should be less than a minute). In the rice cooker pot, add melted butter, sliced mushroom, garlic cloves, salt and black pepper to taste, washed rice, water (i used slightly more as i cook the mushroom with rice) to cook rice. Stir well.

2. When the rice is cooked, dump in the sausage and mix well.

3. Smear the cream of mushroom (or mayo) on top of the rice. or u can mix it in the rice cooker.

4. Top with a layer of shredded cheese. Baked in a pre-heated oven at 200C for about 20-25 minutes, or until all the cheese has melted and is very slightly browned. Garnish with chopped parsley

easy peasy!
=)

smart!

2010-08-22T20:08:00.002+08:00

on thursday, i cut chilli on chopping board.
on sunday, i cut watermelon on chopping board.
so tell me, how did i get chilli watermelon.

=S

wwwhheeee!!

2010-08-15T19:22:00.002+08:00

yippie!
no fever since sat evening!

but the ulcer on the lip hurts preeetty sting-ing.
and with a throat that screams for help when swallowing.
plus a horribly stuffed up nose.

so i guess my illness should be soon over!
been 8 days already since fever started.
=(

which means i dun have a excuse for not cleaning up the place.
=p

aaaaahhhhh aaaaaaHHHHH AAAAAAHHHHH......

2010-08-12T20:36:00.003+08:00

fever started on sun morning. max was at 37.9.
it went off on Tuesday morning after taking panadol.
but still could feel the energy being drained away.

and it did came back with a vengeance on wed morning.
and to make things worse, the heavy downpour. that caused my foldable umbrella to gave way after battling with the strong winds and rain.
i was half soaked by the time i reach store. and the air con was *bbbbrrrrr* cold.

by the time i reach home in the early noon, body temp was at 37.8.
by 9pm, it hit 39.
almost got dragged by mr loy to the hospital.

refused to change. popped more pills and slept in.
constantly waking up throughout the night to sneeze and sneeze.

fever finally went down to 37.3 now.
but the nose is a heavy leaking tap. luckily it those watery type, not sticky kind.

and finally!
mr loy cooked his first ever meat dish at our new place!! (which means i had to fry the veggies even though im sick...)
it taste great!! just that my taste bud is in hibernation mode.

any volunteer to cook for meeeee these few days!!

microwave disaster

2010-08-07T21:32:00.004+08:00

thursday

wanted to heat up kenny rogers famous corn muffins.
placed microwave safe container inside.
2mins later when i sneak a peek, the container had become flower shaped.

after reading instruction manual for 100th time, came to a conclusion (cause there's no definite answer stated) that only "reheat" can use microwave safe container.
what the hell is the purpose of a manual?!?!

*aaarrrggggghhhh*

friday

wanted to heat up cinnamon rolls from Provence.
placed microwave safe container inside.

"reheat"

2mins later.

*sniff sniff*
HOLY COOOOOW!!! microwave is giving out thick choking chao dah fumes!!!!!

opened door and saw a black roll instead. very soon i was engulfed in smoke. had to opened up all windows and blast the fan in max speed.

half hour later(in fact till now) and the whole house still smelled the same.

tried to make things better by spraying lemon grass room spray.
and it smelled like chao dah lemon grass.

luckily no neighbour call fire brigade.

*AAAARRRGGGGGHHHHH*

no wonder this week didn't have much "feeling" to cook.
if not it won't be just the container and roll that have gone to waste.

=S

mirror mirror on the walls!

2010-07-31T23:14:00.003+08:00

i learnt my lesson. never to have to many glass in a house.
thank god mine is considered a small house though.
=S

lemme list down how many glassware i have...

1. MBR toilet mirror
2. MBR tampered glass shower screen
3. MBR full lenght mirror
4. common toilet mirror
5. kitchen glass wall
6. kitchen glass door
7. kitchen glass counter back, extended till sink
8. TV room glass wall
9. TV room glass door
10. dining table
11. coffee table
12-14. 3 pieces of hanging mirror

not yet include 13 panels of window.
*Mr Loy says to wait till CNY then clean.

and the need to vacuum/ mop the whole place every other day cause it's so so so freaking dusty! it's that dusty that dust balls are rolling all over the place!!! plus it doesn't help with my hair fall.

think i need to hire a part time helper.
just by cleaning all those glasses is enough to giving me "mickey mouse".

Beauty Herbal Tea

2010-07-28T13:22:00.003+08:00

Dan Shen & Chrysanthemum Tea

5g fu ling (Poria cocos)
5g dan shen (salvia roots)
5g chrysanthemum
5g gan cao (liquorice root)

Wash all ingredients.
Pour 300ml water into pot, add all ingredients and boil for 10mins.

Benefits:
Dan Shen promotes blood circulation. Pairing with chrysanthemum can reduce dark eye circles. Fu Ling is good for reducing water retention and whitening the skin.

Whitening Tea for Pigmented Skin

5g bai ji (Rhizoma bletillae)
5g wolfberries
5g bei sha shen (glehnia roots)

Wash all ingredients.
Pour 1000ml water into pot, add all ingredients and boil for 30mins.

Benefits:
Bei Sha Shen helps to clear spots on the skin. Wolfberries nourish the lung and cleanse the liver.

Whitening Tea for Wrinkles Removal

6g huang qi (astragalus root)
6g wolfberries
6g dang shen (radic codonopsis pilosulae)
1/2 tbsp honey

Wash all ingredients.
Pour 500ml water into pot, add all ingredients and boil for 5mins.

Benefits:
Helps to remove fine wrinkles, tightens the skin, reduce heat and improve eyesight. Also calms the nerve and nourishes the skin with whitening effect.

Slimming Tea

5g da huang (rhubarb)
1/2 tbsp green tea

Soak ingredients in 300ml boiling water for 5mins.

Benefits:
Good for slimming and reducing the fats, especially fats accumulated around the stomach.

cement on my feet

2010-07-23T14:58:00.005+08:00

feel stuck-ed again.

feel that i'm always in the same spot.
never moving forward.

some are climbing the corporate ladder so quickly.
some are building their empire with their burning passion.
some are buying what they want (fine! what i want. im green).
some are hitting the five yrs mark in a couple more months.
some are preggie and/or having their new born.
some are holding their dinner. in fact so many in oct!!

i dun have any passion or skills or talents!
it has been coffee tea ever since i got out of school, which means 6yrs already!

shop is not doing any better.
almost every other week catch a rat or a thief.
if not will be sales doing a dip and drop pattern.
and it's not making any decent profit.
in fact, i'm eating myself out.

doesn't help with all those house loan. reno loan.
all kind of loans and bills are draining me.

think im just feeling crappy coz stupid rumbling tummy have been bothering me since monday. plus falling sick contirbutes to the emotions. =(

i need a cake and B&J ice cream.
blah.

frugal... i try

2010-07-22T15:41:00.002+08:00

guilty as charged!

first time was when i bought those white bread from the neighbourhood bakery. i put it in a airtight container, thinking that it might be able to last longer.
the next day a heavy scent of sourness engulfed me when i opened up the container. which means i have to throw it away. =(

then come the strawberry story. 2 punnets was going for $10. the auntie instinct kicked in. "cheap cheap! can buy!!"

went back home and diced up one punnet so as to save time should i want to eat it the next few days.
3days later, a tiny dose of weird scent greet me whenever i opened the fridge door.
i hate smells. i opened up all the containers and found the culprit to be the diced and moudling berries.

aaaarrrggghhhh!!! this is damm irritating!!

2010-07-16T00:00:00.000+08:00

this whole MICROWAVE OVEN thing is confusing me.

can i put in aluminium foil? i remember microwave function cannot right?
meaning i can use the foil when in "bake" or "grill" mode?
how about the "reheating" part?

can i put in glassware? or plastic?
i know can use micowave safe plastic tupperware. but can i use it during "bake/grill"? no?

then which kind of container can i use if i want to "bake/grill"?
aluminium foil container? or those baking pan?

i dun even dare to use this appliance nowadays!!

sure am getting dumber and dumber.
=(

Chinese Egg Drop Soup 蛋花湯!

2010-07-15T17:15:00.005+08:00

Ingredients...

500 ml Chicken Stock or Water
2 Large Eggs, beaten with a pinch of salt and white pepper
Some shredded carrots
Some leafy cabbage
Freshly Ground White Pepper
*if u like to thicken the soup, add about 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

How to...

- Bring the chicken stock to a rolling boil.
- Stir in the cornstarch mixture gradually until the soup is the desired consistency.
- In a small bowl, whisk the eggs and egg yolk together using a fork.
- Remove saucepan from heat before adding eggs.
- Drizzle egg a little at a time from the fork, stirring soup in clockwise direction with wooden spoon.
- A pinch of white pepper adds depth of flavor.

some like their veggies crunch, some like it soft. i like to add the vegetables in the very beginning when boiling the stock. or throw it in when it's all about to boil.

Stir-Fry Bean Sprouts (with salted fish)

2010-07-15T13:48:00.004+08:00

hhhmmm...seemingly easy.
and i have the capability to botch it.

Ingredients...

400 g Bean Sprouts, washed and drained 
200 g Firm Bean Curd, cubed  
2 Scallions, cut into an inch in length 
2 Red Chilies, sliced thickly 
3 Cloves Garlic, coarsely chopped
2 tsp Oyster Sauce 
1 ½ Tbsp Oil 
Sea salt to taste  
*20 g Salted Fish

How to...

Heat the oil in a wok and pan-fry the bean curd on moderate heat until light golden in color. Toss in the garlic and cook until fragrant.
 
Turn the heat on high. Add in the chilies, bean sprouts, scallions and oyster sauce. Stir-fry for about 30 to 40 seconds(and mix in the salted fish). Season with salt.

Stewed Pork With Tofu

2010-07-15T13:42:00.007+08:00

shall attempt to try this someday...
don't worry. i got instant noodles in the pantry.
=)

Ingredients...

650 g Pork Shoulder, cut into 2 inches chunks
5 Cloves Garlic, Whole
1 Tbsp Light Soy Sauce
5 Tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
4 Cups Water
6 – 8 Large Hardboiled Eggs (or Quail eggs!)
1 Packet (90g) Tau Kua, sliced
2 Tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

How to...

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add ½ tsp of salt and blanch the pork for about 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.

In a large saucepan, heat the oil on high heat. Brown the pork and mix in the garlic. Keep stirring to prevent the garlic from burning. Mix in the light and dark soy sauce and continue to stir until all the pork has been well coated with the sauce. Add the water and bring it to a boil and simmer for 40 minutes.

Then add the eggs and tau kua, continue to simmer for 25 minutes. Season the stewed pork with salt if necessary.

眼针!!

2010-07-14T23:16:00.002+08:00

woke up this morning feeling lethargic, eyes feel heavy.
was thinking didn't sleep well last night.

mid noon came n went by.
eye still feel swollen, as if i cried the whole week.

met sister in the evening.

sis: "ur face seems weird."
me: "got meh? no la. jus tat 眼睛怪怪 niah"
sis: "AAAAHHHH! the corner of ur eye!!"
me: "油泡啦! no meh? then u got mirror boh?"

*hands me her mirror*

EEEYYY!!! BAK JIAM!!!!! first time lei! HOW??!!

大小眼了啦!!! 好痛哦!!!
=(

fruit juice to the rescue!

2010-06-04T21:18:00.005+08:00

avoid falling sick by building up ur immune system:
milk + honeydew + watermelon + grapes

for frequent travellers, this relieves jetlag and also cure hangovers after a night of partying!
carrot + beetroot + apple + orange

detox ur body, lose weight the healthy way:
ginger + watermelon + apple + grapefruit

removes toxin in body and counters a feeling of heatiness:
mango + apple + carrot + pear

increase metabolism and improve complexion:
pineapple + papaya + milk

enhance ur complexion in and out:
cucumber + apple + kiwi

ease constipation and indigestion, plus cleanses ur system:
beetroot + orange + grapes

improves complexion and helps get rid of bad breath:
cherry tomatoes + apple + carrot

reduce pain from stomachaches and headaches:
apple + carrot + ginger

strengthen skin's ability to retain moisture, reduce wrinkles and cools ur body down:
ginger + orange + cucumber

try it and let me know!
cause i haven't!
heeheehee...

au revoir 阿公

2010-06-02T17:57:00.003+08:00

i think i cant bear to watch any dying/ death scene for the time being

the passing on of my grandfather affect me more than i thought.

the scene of grandmother wailing and sobbing aches everyone's heart.

the tearing of whole family is saddening.

=..(

头痛啊!!

2010-05-23T03:50:00.003+08:00

why didnt anyone tell me that buying a house, renovating it, purchasing furnitures and fittings, is so chim and so DARN EXPENSIVE!!

so much brain cells killed till the extend that my migraine which started in the noon on the left brain...
(took medication, subsided by 10ish)
"migrated" to the right side at 11pm...

medicine expired liao ah?

nbananas

"""-_-"""

hacking starts today!

2010-05-10T23:03:00.002+08:00

WHEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

hacking started in the morning!
and finally submitted renovation loan after lazing around for so long.
*pat on back!*

it was pretty easy for the contractor as he just had to mark a few countable areas that is to be left alone! =p

estimation to complete all hacking will be this week.
and construction to commence next week.

time to shop for furnishings and furniture! how will we fare?
wallet screaming? hair pulling? fist fighting? ear splitting debates? brows frowning expression?

this week magical item: air con!

where to get the cheapest and quality-est goods!?

Happy Mothers' Day!

2010-05-09T12:51:00.002+08:00

HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY!
and also to all Mother-To-Be!!

every mother's day we'll go out for a meal. but this year celebration is slightly different. in fact i think it's the first time.

this year when we asked her where she want to eat out, she just shook her head and say "dont want la".

well, you see... grandfather suffered stroke a couple months back. he cant talk, cant control his bowel movements, have to be tube feed and he's paralyse on the right side. since his hospitalization till discharge, mother have been diligently going over to take care of him every night without fail.

and it didn't help that grandmother mental health seems to be on the roller coaster ride. sometimes she cant recognize anyone and just "hahahahhahahaahaha" at that person. nowadays, aunt have to hid the house key. once she even said my dad is a indian stranger!

last night, mother cooked a fiery concoction of hainanese chicken curry, accompanied with plain rice, french loaf and prata! and to share the love around, i baked a heart shaped durain cake. of course with the help of mummy catherine!

it's also a kudos to my aunt who have been living and taking care of them since many many many years ago, especially more when grandparents health start to deteriorate.

it a cycle eh.. when we were born, our parents take care of us. and now that they are old, we take care of them...

life is like a ferris wheel eh?

~_~

pre pms

2010-05-06T22:00:00.002+08:00

emo-ing.

must be the PMS thingy.

i feel like eating chee kway now.
with hot fiery spicy chilli and lotssssss of cai por.

where to find at this time???

=((

tiles chosen!

2010-05-03T22:00:00.002+08:00

finally!!

choose the tiles after pondering over it for a couple of days.
din even know that choosing tile could be a dilemma. can't imagine having to decide where to set up those electrical points later!

now is the hunt for sofa, bed tv console, coffee table, dining table, hob, hood, kitchen appliances, toilet stuff and what knots else!!

well, life is all 'bout choosing (the hopefully correct) choices right?

=)

growing girl?

2010-04-23T21:58:00.001+08:00

EEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW!!!!!

why does those humongous pimple always pop out non stop on my chin!!
i'm no longer a growing teenager liao lorrr...

if not, it will be The Eczema problem.

it's either this or that.

guess i'll never have a peaceful day for my face.

OOOHHHH!!!

and i must have my eyes check soon.

i just saw a guy wearing black tight leggings walking past me at bugis mrt station.

is it me who is lagging behind or is he too forward in times?

-_-""

birthdays!

2010-04-17T20:12:00.002+08:00

SHUCKS!

sunday is jie fu b'day. monday is mother b'day.
tomorrow is bernice b'day celebration.
and i haven bake any cakes yet!

no time no time!!

------------------------------------------------

after dilly dallying for so many months, now almost finalizing the house thingy! just need to get the final approval from the Master.

excited?

very!

with the quotation...
-_-

it's definately more downs...

2010-03-29T12:35:00.002+08:00