Giving up

Each time thought of giving up on the blog but each time it would lead me to it.

It is my first blog and I really hate giving it up..

What can I do with it....haiz...so fruasting!!!!!

Frustrations

Yesterday, my mind was spinning with all the work load and appointments.
It is so frustrating especially when your colleagues are not co-operative enough to take matter in their hands and still coming back to you saying they are not in the picture or they do not know about it.

Nonetheless, I was lucky to be able to get out for fresh air. Else I will be suffocated in the office.

Julia & Julie

It has been a long long long time since i last blog.

I am just glad i still remember my login,password and able to return.

Recently, I just watch the movie "Julia & Julie". Just wonder if you have watched it. I enjoy the enthusiam and never give up attitude by Julia Child to cook. Also Julie Powell for her zest in food and spirit in fighting and finally finding her real interest and success in life.

Not forgetting the food they cook. It is mouth watering.

I was so much like Julie.
Finding dissatisfaction in daily work and an interest in food and wanting something in life.

Blogging is another part of her that reflect myself.

To share and gain recognition of others. Anticipating people to look at my blogs etc etc...
So much alike and definitely set me aside thinking and planning for more.

I would recommend those who has not watched Julia & Julie to find time for it. It is one of best so far now.

Lunches

Guess what I have for my lunch?

It is simple...dried minced pork mushroom noodles and a cup of soyabean milk at one of the neighbourhood coffeeshop.

I am not sure does anyone ever have the feeling to see all the stalls with nice food and yet you do not know what you want to eat. For me, it is a yes and always.

As such, my lunch outside is usually consist of either dried mee mok, or you mian or slice fish mee hoon soup or yong tau foo or seafood mee hoon soup... These are my lunch most of time. Simple...

I do not like rice or fried stuff for my lunch as it is heavy and oily.

Hence, I usually favor noodles or somethings lighter in the day.

Healthier mooncakes

As the mid autumn festival is around the corner and there are many bakeries promoting their mooncakes. So how do you make a healthier choice out of the many choices?

For me, I will go for a 'Go Ren' type.

The filling is not as sweet as those red bean or other pastes and consist of more healthier almond nuts, melon seeds and seasame seeds.

It is one of my favourite mooncake which I hate to miss.

Hence for those who love mooncake and wish to reminisce festive mood and not worrying about putting on weight, you certainly have an option now. :)

Pumpkin Prawns

Recently I was introduced by a friend to frequent a place which is becoming a hotspot among the expatriates and the local.

It is located at Lock Road, somewhere near hort park at Alexandra Road.

We order the pumpkin prawns. Its taste is full and creamy and it goes so well with the rice with the curry leaves flavour staying in between your teeth. It is so nice!

However, I find the cost too pricely for a medium order consisting of 10 prawns to cost atS$30.

Nevertheless, I am glad my family enjoy it.

Organic Snacks

A few organic snack for your consideration....

Kettle Brand Chips, Lightly salted, S$6.95
Organix Goodies , Organic Saucy Tomato Noughts & crosses, S$1.50
Sensible Foods, Organic Apple Harvest, S$4.50
Green & Black Chocolate, S$2.45
Waitrose Organic, Oaten Biscuits, S$5.95
Clipper Organic Detox tea, S$6.95
Yummy Earth, Organic Strawberry Pops, S$5.50
Phoenix Organic Cola, S$2.25

Life is still fun with all these yummy, organic snacks... isn't it?

Steamed minced pork meat with eggs

It has been a long while since my last input.

Today, a simple dish for all of you, steamed minced pork meat with eggs.

Ingredients
Shrimps, 50g
Spring Onion, 1 stalk
Century egg, 1 pc
Salted egg, 1pc
Eggs, 4pc
Minced Pork, 150g
Water, 40ml
Light soy sauce, 1tbsp
seasame oil, 1tsp
salt, 1tsp
tapioca flourm 1tsp

Methods
1) Remove shrimp's shell and intestines, rinse, drain and diced.
2) Dice Spring onion and century egg.
3) Mash and dice the salted egg.
4) Beat eggs.
5) Mix minced pork, shrimp, salted egg, century egg, beaten eggs, water,light soysauce,seasame oil, salt and tapioca flour.
6) Grease oil in a bowl, pour in minced pork mixture.
7) Steam for 20mins over low heat.
8) Sprinkle the spring onion dices.
9) Serve when hot.

Grilled Squids

A delicious and savory seafood dish to experience.

Ingredients
Squids, 1kg
Seafood sauce, 3tbsp
margarine, 6tbsp
lime, 1pc

Sauce
Chilli Padis, 3pcs
Coriander, 1stalk
minced garlic, 1tbsp
fish sauce, 2tsp
castor sugar, 1tbsp
lemon juicem 3tbsp


Method
1)Remove squid's purplish membranes, ink sac and entrails.
2) Rinse and drain.
3) Add seafood sauce and stir.
4) Spread margarine evenly onto the squid.
5) Cut lime into 6 segments.
6) Chop chili padi finely.
7) Cut coriander stem into fine strips.
8) Stir and mix Sauce ingredients thoroughly.
9) Preheat the oven to 250deg.
10) Place squid on grill tray and cook for 10mins.
11) Remove.
12) Cut squid into rings.
13) Place on serving plate and drizzle sauce.
14) Garnish with lime.
15) Serve.

Dumpling, zongzi

Glutinous Rice Dumpling, or Zongzi, is a traditional food for a Chinese festival -- Duan Wu Jie -- which falls in around May and June every year. It is basically steamed glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves.

This Saturday, we will be helping my mum with the wrapping. It is always the process that excite me the most. We will always compared who wrap the nicest and who wrap the most.

The enjoyment to unwrap a dumpling and to eat it is also another part of fulfilment beyond description. You will have experience it yourself to feel it.

Well, for those wrapping it the first time, I have to say it is not as easy it seem. To wrap the pyramid shape with bamboo leaves will take some practice. Believe me...

Here is the savoury recipe from me.

Ingredients (Outer wrapping):

40 pieces special Zhong leaves (dried bamboo leaves, can be obtained from some Chinese supermarkets), soaked over night, drained
A bundle of plant-based string (can be obtained from some Chinese supermarkets), soaked over night
800g glutinous rice, soaked over night and drained
Ingredients (Main Filling):

400g pork, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons groundnut oil
2 tablespoons light soya sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons dark soya sauce
1 teaspoon 5-spice powder
A pinch of sugar
A pinch of salt
A pinch of ground white pepper
10g dried prawn

Ingredients (Other Fillings):

200-300g shelled/halved mung bean, soaked over night,
and drained
10 Chinese mushrooms, soaked and thinly sliced


Preparation:

1) Marinate the pork in light soya sauce, dark soya sauce, 5-spice powder, sugar, salt, and pepper for about 3 hours.
2)Heat the groundnut oil in a wok or deep saucepan, and fry the marinated pork together with the marinate.
3)Pour it into a medium bowl and let it cool down.
4)Take 2 pieces of Bamboo leaves, line one on top of another, fold them from the middle and twist both ends up to form a cone/triangular pouch.
5)Fill the pouch with 2 tablespoons of glutinous rice, top with 1 tablespoon each of fried pork and mushroom, then about a tablespoon of mung bean.
6)Complete the routine with 2 tablespoons glutinous rice, hold the pouch tight and close the leaves.
7)Tie it with the string to make sure the dumpling is securely wrapped and no spill.
8)Repeat the steps till all ingredients are used up.
9)Half fill a large deep pot with water, bring it to a boil.
10)Put the wrapped dumplings into the water, then top up more water to cover all dumplings.
11)Add a teaspoon of salt into the water and keep boiling it for about 3 to 4 hours.
Drain the cooked dumplings and serve when the dumpling cool down. Do eat it when it is hot as the glutinous rice will be too moist and soft with the springy taste.

What's good for heart is good for brain

Becoming Forgetful lately? Here there is some help...

An American study has found that fatty foods can help to boost memory.
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine discovered that Oleic Acids from the fats enhance memory.

Studies show that Oleic Acid are converted into oleoylethanolamide(OEA) in the small intesines which has an impact in the memory-enhancing signals involved in the brain.

Further, taking high level of OEA also helps to reduce appetite, resulting in weight loss, lower blood chlesterol and triglyceride level.

Even so, all food should be taking in moderate. A balance diet plays an importance role to keep us all healthy and reducing the risk of developing dementia,

Especiallly now, with the Swine flu Pandemics's fear all over the World, the more we have to take care of ourselves.

Smoke without a cigarettes

Last Sunday while I was doing my hair at a salon, a couple walked in.

His hubby was holding a 'cigarette' in his hand while his wife was having her hair cut. The 'cigarette' caught my attention. Later, the hairdresser was curious and asked if it is a real cigarette. To my surprise, his reply is yes but it is a cigarette without smoke and nicotine. If I heard it right, he mentioned something about mist. I didn't manage to catch the whole part of the conversation as I was ushered for a hairwash at the back. However ,it is is the first time I heard of it and I was truly excited of this discovery.

Being a non-smoker myself, I appraise the innovator for their creative mind. It is really wonderful and I glad there is such a gadget for those die-hard smokers who would exhale those harmful smokes any where they went without much considering those besides.

It is real frustrating at times when those inconsiderate smoke in an enclosed area like lifts. It really put me off.

With such gadget in hand, it will be beneficial to a lot of us out there.

I certainly welcome such an innovation.

Thanks again to those innovator.

Tauhu Goreng

Tauhu goreng is a dish of fried tofu commonly found in Singapore and Malaysia.

When preparing the dish, cakes of hard tofu are deep fried until golden brown. The bean curds are then cut diagonally in half and arranged on a plate garnished with bean sprouts, cucumber and spring onion. A thick sauce is prepared with shallots, garlic, chillies, shrimp paste, soy sauce and tamarind juice.

Below is a recipe from Love 97.2. Hope you all will like my recommendation for today.

Tauhu Goreng

Peanut Sauce
Ingredients A
Roasted Peanuts : 200g
Red Chillies : 3 pc (washed, sectioned)
Garlic : 3 cloves (peeled, washed)
Gula Melaka : 50g (chopped)
Prawn paste (hei ko) : 2 tbsp

Ingredients B (mixed thoroughly, strain for assam juice)
Assam Paste : 40g
Cooled boiled Water : 100g

Ingredients C
Cooled boiled Water : 300g
Dark Soya sauce: 1tbsp

Method:
1) Put Ingredients A into a blender
2) Add assam juice and cold water, blend till form peanut paste, reserve for use

…………………………………………………………

Ingredients D
Tauhu : 4 pc

Ingredients E
Cucumber : 1 pc (washed, soak in cold water for an hour, shred)

Ingredients F
Bean Sprouts : 200g (washed, blanched)

Method:
1) Heat up half pot of oil, deep fry tauhu till golden brown, dish up, drained off excess oil
2) Cut 1 pc of tauhu into cubes, arrange on plate
3) Spread shredded cucumber and bean sprout on top of tauhu
4) Pour pre-prepared peanut sauce over it, serve

Vitamin D & Sun

Sun is a good source for its vitamin D-boosting benefits.

The sunshine vitamin may protect against a host of diseases, including osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancers of the breast, prostate, and colon. What's more, sunlight has other hidden benefits—like protecting against depression, insomnia, and an overactive immune system.

When the sun's UV-B rays hit the skin, a reaction takes place that enables skin cells to manufacture vitamin D. Experts say going outside for 10 minutes in the midday sun—in shorts and a tank top with no sunscreen—will give you enough radiation to produce about 10,000 international units of the vitamin.

Basking in the warm glow of the sun makes us feel good especially the morning sun. It is especially comfortable and relaxing.

However, more concerns have been put up to the cumulative effects of sun exposure, especially the sun bet. 10am to 4pm, where the sun's ray is the strongest and will put us at higer risk of cellular damage, early wrinkling,age spots, actinic keratose and worst skin cancer.

Hence, always remember to protect yourself by applying sunscren of SPF 30 or higher when outdoors. This would help to prevent sun damage. Wear a hat, sunglasses and cover up with clothing or find shelter under the umbrella when out in the sun.

kimchi soup

Korean cuisine is one of my favourite at all time especially Kimchi soup.

A delectable, spicy traditional soup full of kimchi, tofu, veggies, and pork. My absolute favorite Korean dish of all time.

It goes extremely well with rice... hmmm...

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 teaspoon Korean sesame oil
1 cup cabbage pickle (Kimchi)
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/4 pound boneless pork, sliced thin
3 cups water
1 scallion, cut into 3-inch pieces
1 firm chinese soybean curd, cut into 9 cubes
6-8 small clams, optional but recommended

METHODS

1 Put the sesame oil in a saucepan and stir-fry the kimchi over moderate heat for 1/2 minute. Add the garlic and pork and continue to fry as the meat changes color.
2 Now add the water, bring to a boil, and cook for 10 minutes. Add the scallion, bean curd, and clams if used, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes more.
3 Serve warm with rice.

Garlic Rice

As a family of Allium, garlic is widely recognized for its health enhancing ability. If you search through the web, you will a lot health benefits articles about garlic. It is considered as a 'wonder drug' for preventing everything from the common cold and flu to the Plague.

Garlic is staple found in countless kitchens and recipes. It brings out the aroma of a dish and definitely an ingredient not to be missed.

Needless me to say more, today I am going recommend you a simple rice bursting with the flavour and aroma of garlic. Stay tuned and see below for it recipe.

GARLIC RICE. It is a simple and nice with few ingredients to prepare.

INGREDIENTS:

225g basmati rice
40g unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, peeled and finely sliced
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp salt

PREPARATION:

1. Wash the uncooked rice at least three times in plenty of cold water to remove the milling starch. Soak in cold water for 30 minutes, then drain. Never lift the lid, either during cooking or for 10 minutes afterwards.
2. Melt the butter over a low heat and fry the garlic until lightly browned.
3. Add the rice, salt and turmeric. Stir and fry the rice for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add 475ml hot water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to very low and cover – don’t lift that lid to peek! Cook for 8-9 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand undisturbed for 10-12 minutes.
5. Fork the rice through and then transfer to a serving dish.

PREP/COOK INFORMATION:
Prep time: 35 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4

Scrambled Japanese Tofu

Here is a colorful, healthy and nutritious dish for all of you.
It is simple and easy to prepare.





Ingredients
1 blocks (3/4 pound:340g) tofu
2 eggs
90g chicken breast meat, cut into small pieces
2/3 cups mixed vegetables (carrot, green pea and corn)
ginger as big as thumb
1 tablespoon sesame oil
sake, sugar, salt, soy sauce

Directions

Boil mixed vegetable lightly.
Grate ginger.
Put chicken into boil, pour a little of sake and mix.
Put oil in frying pan, heat, fry (2) and (3).
When chicken thoroughly cook, add (1), fry again, put tofu with pull down.
Add 1 tablespoon sake and sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and little of soy sauce. Simmer for 1 - 2 minutes, add egg that stir with chopstick and stir lightly.

Chendol Custard

This issue of Mind your Body, Eat to live by Sylvia Tan caught my eyes.
I decided to put it up in my blog to share with the rest of you.
Hope to try it one day.


SKINNY CHENDOL CUSTARD
(For four)

2 medium whole eggs or just egg whites
200ml trim coconut milk
2 tsp sugar
Green chendol strips (available at supermarkets)
Packaged or canned red beans (available at Japanese supermarkets)
1 banana, sliced
Gula melaka syrup, made by melting a cup of palm sugar shavings, cut from a block, into a cup of water.
A new trim coconut milk product has half the fat but all the flavour. Sylvia Tan found it creamy enough to make a chendol custard.

Method
Break eggs into a large mixing bowl, add sugar and stir till sugar has melted and mixture thickens.

Do not beat as you do not want to incorporate too much air into the custard mixture or it will not turn silky. Add coconut milk and stir again.

Pour custard mixture into four ramekins and steam in a wok half filled with water over a low fire for 15 minutes or until the mixture sets.

Cool. Chill ramekins, covered with cling film, in the fridge.

When ready to serve, drizzle a spoonful of gula melaka syrup over the custard, top with a dollop of red beans, a spoonful of chendol strips and a few slices of banana. Serve immediately.

Coffee,Caffeine & cellulite

I stumbled upon an article about in a magazine and decided to share it here. I believe ladies out there will be glad to know about it.

A cup of coffee has the power to fight fat and even make you more agreeable. What do I mean by it? Read on, you will find your answer.

Coffee makes us more agreeable
It would be great if our boss will grant us a big rise if we bring to him a starbucks every day. However, it is not our point here... I am sorry...

New studies done by Australian researchers from the University of Queensland show moderate intake of coffee before hearing an argument makes you more likely to agree with it, provided that the argument is convincing.

Caffeine, for a brief time, will increase your ability to concentrate and take in new information. When voluntary subjects were given a persuasive argument on a controversial topic after having coffee, they were more likely to agree with it than they were before they had the drink.

With this, it is probably a good idea to invite a customer out to a coffee during a sale pitch after all. Hahaha...

Coffee and Cellulite


About 80% of the women face problems with cellulite irregardless of age, races or weight.

What is cellulite?

Cellulite is the expression used to describe pockets of fat which are trapped and cause dimpling in the skin. This dimpling is irregular and patchy and has been identified with orange peel.

Underneath the dermis and epidermis are three specific layers of fat. Cellulite tends to develop in the subcutaneous fat layers. This layer of fat is unique in its structure compared to the other layers because its fatty parts are structured into specific chambers by strands of linked tissue around it.

Your body can easily retain toxins and fats if you do not drink a lot of fluids. However, water is the most effective for keeping your body hydrated. The connection between cellulite and coffee is that drinking to much coffee can result in many toxins and fats being stored in your body. Most women's bodies store excess fats on the hips, thighs and butt. Most of the fat is underneath the skin - hence the cellulite.

The good new here is Cellulite can be treated with coffee grind.
All you need is a cheap hand lotion and caffeinated coffee. You have to grind the coffee into dust and mix the coffee grind with the hand lotion. As a result you will have a cream. Rub it into you cellulite areas and leave it for a minute. Rinse it off in the shower. Do this everyday and you will see those areas get smoother and firmer. It is very important that you do not use decaffeinated coffee because it is the caffeine that reduces the cellulite.

Coffee grind cellulite technique is certainly one of the popular ways to effectively get rid of cellulite in the comfort of your home. Did I mention that it is cheap too?


The link between cellulite and coffee grounds is that coffee can increase blood flow on the parts of the body affected by cellulite. Rubbing the coffee grounds increase circulation and facilitates the breakdown of the fats underneath your skin, which eliminates the cellulite.

With this post, I hope I have contribute my part.

Mango Salad

Last sunday, my aunt gave us some green mangoes and asked to wrap it with paper and wait for it to get ripe. However, instead of waiting, I decided to give this Thai Green Mango Salad a shot as I really has a weak spot for Thai food esp. Tom Yam Soup, Mango & Papaya Salad. I find them to be tasty and healthy as it contain less calories and fat as compared to some of their curry dishes.

This green mango salad is really a great appetiser with its tastebud-awakening flavors and mix of textures. I am sure you will like it.

Here is the recipes:


PART A
1. 2 medium sized unripe mango - shredded thinly.
For better mouthfeel, use a sharp knife to slice thinly (about 2 - 3mm thick) and then cut into thin strips.
2. Half a lemon grass - cut the lemon grass length wise and slice really thinly.
3. 3-4 stalks of coriander leaves, only use the leaves.
4. 3 - 4 chili padi (small fiery hot chilies)
(For those who can'take spicy food, 1 chilli padi would be sufficient, otherwise replace the padi and replaced with a small young ginger, slice thinly)
5. 2 tbsp roasted crushed peanuts
6. 3 tbsp roasted whole cashew nuts
(Almonds or pistachios can also be used instead)


PART B
1. 4 shallots, thinly sliced
2. 3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
3. 1 tbsp of fish sauce / 2- 3 tbsp of soya sauce
4. 2 tsp of organic cane sugar
5. 1 tsp of sea salt
6. 2 tbsp of cooking oil (groundnut oil is the best)
7. Juice of 2 kalamansi lime (limau kasturi)
8. Dried shrimps (1 tbsp) - soaked before using.

1. Prepare all the ingredients in PART A and mix together (except for roasted peanuts, cashew nuts and coriander leaves) in a big bowl.
2. Heat the cooking oil in pan before adding the shallots and garlic. Fry till golden, add the dried shrimps and fry for another 1 minute. Add the rest of the PART B ingrediets (mix them in a bowl first before adding to the wok) and heat for about 1 minute. Turn off the fire and dish out the sauce, mix into the big bowl with all the PART A ingredients.
3. Stir the salad evenly, and transfer to a plate.
4. Garnish with coriander leaves . If you like peanuts, sprinkle with roasted crushed peanuts and whole roasted cashew nuts.

How do you like it? Is it a simple and nice dish that required little time?