June 26, 2010
There is meat curry, vegetable curry and there is also fruit curry. Surprisingly, it may sound strange, it actually tastes wonderfully refreshing and a perfect dish to whip up for Vegetarians friends. Pineapple is quite a common fruit used in curry but with the addition of fellow camaraderie the Starfruit, the texture and taste of the curry is enhanced.
June 19, 2010
'Cheh Sek Tau' otherwise known as rice bean is used as a soup remedy to strengthen the back of those suffering from lower back pain. In the above photo, 2 types of rice bean is shown. The one on the left is dark maroon brown in color (bought in Malaysia) and the black colored beans (right) are from China. I suppose they are both rice bean but of a different species.
June 13, 2010
World Cup fever is here again. I usually make some simple beer snacks to indulge with an icy cold beer. Just a ritual for us, I guess rather than buying unhealthy ready-made snacks off the supermarket counters. It is so easy even my hubby can put a bowl of these together. No Sweat!
June 7, 2010
This recipe is very much a 'Kids Pleaser'. It has all the ingredients most children would like, can't say all though. Like the saying goes "One man's meat is another man's poison". This is not the easy, dump all in one-pot recipe. It need a little searing, braising and watching over the fire kind of stuff. If you are hard-pressed for time, then better leave this recipe alone and attempt it another day.
May 20, 2010
This simple short beef ribs recipe serves 2 kids or 3 if they are mousy eaters. I served it with some grilled potato wedges and edamame (green soya beans. Double or triple the recipe portion if cooking for more or if serving it as a main course with mashed potatoes and steam vegetables.
May 14, 2010
This recipe requires the use of a very Malaysian ingredient called 'Belacan', also known as shrimp paste. Shrimp paste consists of tiny shrimps fermented with salt, pressed into shapes like blocks of butter or round discus pieces which are then wrapped in brown paper or vacuum packed for freshness. The smell is pungent and only a small portion is required for a single dish. Another important Malaysian ingredient here is the 'Assam' also known as tamarind paste. This paste is used to give this dish a sour tinge.
May 8, 2010
Happy Mother's day to all mothers out there. Amidst going through the same motion of cleaning, cooking, washing, marketing blah blah blah, you are blessed because children are a gift from God. I do admit, some children are easier to handle than others but God knows each and every one of our strength. My children are a visual reminder of God's faithfulness in my life and I believe yours are too. God bless you all!
May 6, 2010
In Chinese cooking, steaming is a very much preferred method in cooking to deep frying. My mom always insists that when cooking at home, we should try our best to keep our meals simple and healthy. This is to balance out what is served outside in restaurants, cafes and 'Kopitiam' (Malaysian coffee shops). Steaming is a good way to bring out the sweetness in fresh seafood, may it be clams, crabs or even fish. Usually not much marinade or seasoning is added to the fresh seafood if we want to taste the original sweetness. Cantonese call it "seen theem hoi mei".
April 30, 2010
Whenever I think of confinement recipes, this dish will be the first to pop up in my mind. Power dish for new mothers! Has all the good stuff in it. The Chinese believe a new mother after childbirth needs to restore her health and energy, thus sesame oil is used in this dish to warm up her body and to promote blood circulation.
April 19, 2010
This is one stew I love to make when I am hard pressed for time. It's a no fuss stew anyone can make with minimum ingredients, not to mention children friendly. It has ..... click to read more ...
April 15, 2010
I picked up a book on "Five-a-Day, fruit and vegetable cooking" sometime ago. What it says makes sense to me anyway. If we need to eat fruits and vegetables, why not eat different types of them together as a dish. Each vegetable or fruit has its own plus points. For example, petai (stinking bean) which has a very pervasive smell but is considered a very highly sought after ingredient in Malaysia especially when cooked with 'sambal belacan' and dried shrimps.
April 11, 2010
Christmas isn't Christmas till it happens in your heart, Somewhere deep inside you is where Christmas really starts, So give your heart to Jesus you'll discover when you do, That it's Christmas, really Christmas for you." I love this Christmas carol, so heart warming and meaningful for me. Christmas is not about Christmas trees, Santa Claus, merry-making, loads of presents etc... but all about Jesus, it is not X'mas but Christmas. Christmas tradition accumulated through the centuries, some are meaningful, some are not, some are plainly money-making schemes.
March 20, 2010
Most of my regular readers must be wondering where on earth have I disappeared to for the past couple of months. The thing is, audreycooks will be shifting to a brand new kitchen, middle of this year so I am terribly occupied with designing and supervising the whole rectification and renovation works. Prayerfully, this new kitchen can handle more home-entertaining than the present one. But surely I will miss my wonderful present kitchen which holds uncountable fond memories.
January 19, 2010
Here in Malaysia, it is made into the popular soup, 'Sai Yong Choy Thong' (in Cantonese). Slow-boiled with soup bones, usually chicken or pork, some dried oysters and a handful of dried red dates creates a wonderful aroma fit to satisfy a rumbling tummy on a cool stormy day. I look forward to this slow-boiled soup very often.
December 23, 2009
Received a Williams-Sonoma Port Wine Finishing Sauce from my husband from his trip sometime ago. Have been saving it for a special occasion to give it a try. Roast turkey happens to be a lovely idea at this moment and now I can't wait to share this delicious recipe with you. Have a go at it, this Christmas season, roast a turkey and be proud of it!