A Time To Share

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"He so love the WORLD ... He gave His one and only son..."

Tuesday 28 March 2017

PRAWN PASTE CHICKEN WINGS


A common dish 
in
Chinese Restaurants and 'ju chow' eateries

When deep fried, these wings are extra crispy and fragrant.
A healthier version is done in the oven 

To get the best of both worlds
baked in the oven 
and 
just before serving, deep fried to get the extra Ump!

I have adapted this recipe from:
                                                                         Diana Gale 's
expressing special thanks to her.
Prawn Paste chicken
6 chicken wings
1 tsp prawn paste
1/2 tsp sugar
salt, pepper & oyster sauce to taste

Coating: 1/4 cup plain flour mixed with
               1/4 tsp baking powder

1. season chicken wings with the rest of the ingredients for 2 hours or more
2. heat oil in a wok
3. dip chicken wings in coating & deep fry until golden brown
4. if oven bake, arrange coated chicken wings on a wire rack, spray chicken wings with oil
and bake in preheated oven 200'C for 10 min. Turn the wings over, spray oil again & bake another 10-15 min until done.
5. serve chicken wings with chili sauce



CRISPY CRAB STICK

 Some like it thin
some like it thick
but everybody likes it crispy and nice

A good snack for a gathering



I bought this DoDo brand
because it was recommended by my Facebook friends

Yes, indeed it is delicious

1. unwrap these crab sticks and peel into strips
2. either air dry or chuck in fridge over night
3. when dried, heat up oil for deep frying
4. fry in medium heat, until slightly brown
5. remove & drain well
6. keep in air tight containers

Wednesday 22 March 2017

LEMON CHEESE CHIFFON



Cheese Cakes?
Some like to firm, others like it spongy.
Which ever you like,
you still like it with strong cheesy flavour!

I have adapted this recipe from
Melissa Ho Lee Cheen's Cream Cheese Chiffon Cake

Lemon Cheese Chiffon
(A) 100g cream cheese
       80g milk
       5 egg yolks
       50g sugar 
       75g oil
       2 tsp lemon juice
       1/4 tsp salt
       90g cake flour +10g corn flour, sifted
       lemon zest from 1 lemon

(B) 6 egg white
      60g sugar
      1/4 tsp cream of tartar

1. double boil cream cheese with milk until dissolved, remove from heat
2. whisk egg yolks and sugar until sugar dissolves
3. mix (1) & (2)
4. add oil & lemon juice to (3)
5. fold in sifted flour & lemon zest, leave aside
6. in a clean bowl, whisk egg white until foamy, add cream of tartar
7. whisk to soft peak before adding sugar in 3 batches, whisk to stiff peak
8. fold 1/3 meringue to egg yolk mixture, gently fold in the remaining 2 batches
9. ladle to either 22cm tube pan or 2 loaf pans. Lift & drip pan gently on counter to release air
10. bake in preheated oven 150'C for 55-60 min
11) once baked, invert pan immediately to cool before unmoulding.

Monday 20 March 2017

BARLEY GINGKO NUT DESSERT



Barley Gingko Nut Tong Sui

Much has been said about this tong sui
Good because of the effects of barley that cleanses the body,
gingko nuts that improve memory
soya bean rich in vitamin

However, not too much of gingko, according to some people.

Barley Gingko Nut Tong Sui
1/2 cup barley
1 cup gingko nut, cracked & peeled
1 soya bean sheet, the dissolve completely type
3-4 pandan leaves
rock sugar to taste

1. all ingredients except sugar into the pressure cooker, slow cooker or over the gas
2. add sufficient water & cook until soft
3. remove pandan leaves
4. add sugar & serve warm or cold




SOURDOUGH MILK LOAF



Soft & fluffy bread
not like those airy type



I have adapted the recipe from Jeannietay's 

Sourdough Milk Loaf
(A) 250g Japanese Bread flour
      200g refreshed leaven
      20g castor sugar
      1/2 tsp salt
      10g milk powder
      100g fresh milk

(B) 30g corn oil

1. remove sourdough from fridge & feed with 1:1 ratio of water & bread flour.
    Leave at room temperature until double.
    Drop some sourdough into a glass of water, if it floats it is ready for use.
2. all ingredients except oil, into the bread machine,
    Knead for 5 min before adding oil & continue kneading for another 10min
3. shape it into a ball & leave to proof until double in size.
    Because no commercial yeast is used, it requires long proofing time of 2 hours.
    Can leave the dough in fridge at this stage &
    remove it the next evening to thaw & proof in room temperature.
4. once it is doubled, divide into 3 parts & gently roll each part like you would a swiss roll
    & place into a greased loaf pan 8X4X4"
5. cover,  allow to proof until 95% full before baking in preheated oven 170'C for 40-45 min.
    Tent top once it has turned golden brown to avoid burning.
6. unmould immediately & allow to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Sunday 19 March 2017

LEMON SWISS ROLL







I like Swiss Roll
both healthy & light

I adapted this recipe from
Jeannietay's Basic Swissroll 
from jeannietay.wordpress.com

Swiss Rolls 
if you master the skill of rolling
it is a breeze to make it 

You can have any filling
ranging from simple jams
to luxurious cream and fruits

However you fill it
it is still soft & fluffy as you have always like it to be

Lemon Swiss Roll
(A) 5 egg yolks
      30g oil
      50g milk
      20g sugar
      1 tsp vanilla
      lemon zest from 1 lemon

(B) 5 egg white
      60g castor sugar
      1 tsp lemon juice

(C) 80g cake flour sifted with
      1/8 tsp salt  

1. mix (A) & whisk until combined, set aside
2. beat egg white until foamy, add lemon juice.
3. add sugar gradually & beat to stiff peak
4. add sifted flour into egg yolk mixture
5. fold in 1/3 meringue, mix until smooth
6. add another 1/3 meringue, then final 1/3, gently mix after each addition, until blended
7. pour into a 9" X 11" lined pan, smooth out the top by shaking the pan
8. bake in preheated oven 175'C, on higher rack, for 25-30min until brown
9. remove cake immediately & invert on a piece of clean parchment paper
10. peel off bottom paper lining & gently roll the cake up together with the clean parchment paper
11. leave it to cool before unrolling & applying filling, then re-roll back again.

Filling:
Lemon curd from here

LEMON CURD



Lemon Curd
is both sweet and sour
and has the fragrant of lemon

It can be used as filling
or
pour over any dessert
or even eat it on its own

Yummy!


I have adapted this recipe from thedomesticgoddesswannabe.com

Lemon Curd
(A) 150g freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 3 lemons)
       225g sugar
       2 eggs
       2 egg yolks

(B) 60g butter 
      grated lemon zest from 2 lemons

1. put all ingredients (A) into a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water
2. whisk the mixture
3. once the mixture begins to thicken, continue stirring with a spatula
4. when the mixture has thickened (it should leave a path after each stir),
    remove from heat.
5. stir in butter, in 2 additions, until butter has completely dissolved
6. add zest of lemon, and leave to cool

Friday 17 March 2017

FOOCHOW HOON NGAN


Soupy Huchiew Hoon Ngan
is a common staple food
to the Foochows

Hoon Ngan or Beehoon
comes in 2 sizes
Thick one is used here in this traditional dish,
whereas the thin ones are commonly used by other dialects

To the non Foochows
it may not be as popular as the Foochow Mian Sian
but 
it is surely welcomed in most Foochow homes

Its pinkish colour
comes from the little Foochow Rice Wine residue
which is added while cooking this traditional dish


My mother is very particular of the type of beehoon used.
She insists that this beehoon from Fijian, China
is good
because it does not break easily
and
able to remain in shape when soaked in the soup for long hours!

During Festive occasions,
My late mother-in-law usually cooked a big pot
and left on the counter
for us to dish out as much as we want!

As the family members came home at different hours
for the Celebration,
the last group was still able to get its share of
delicious hoon ngan!

Indeed,
this is particularly popular
for gathering of large group of people
who come in different timing
and
yet able to enjoy a bowl of warm hoon ngan.
(although not steaming hot, still tastes nice)

Cooking this Hoon Ngan is no fuss at all.
Just cook it as you will when cooking any type of noodles
with added
Foochow Rice Wine Residue
to give its pinkish colour





Wednesday 15 March 2017

CORN SOUP


A nice clear soup
with
4 ingredients

Double boiling produce clear soups
This is how I get this soup clear and nice




1/4 kampong chicken or thigh, cut into bite size
1 pc ginger, smashed
few pieces carrots
1/2 corn, cut into smaller pieces
salt & pepper to taste if necessary

1) all ingredients into a double boiler bowl, add enough water
2) double boil for 2 hours & you will get a nice, sweet soup
3) I always omit salt & pepper 

GOD IS IN CONTROL

Let God be in control

Life is not without its ups and downs. Trials and tribulations come and go. As imperfect beings, we often struggle in relationships, with pride as the main culprit. Lack of humility, thinking that we are the gifted lot, eventually leads us to disappointments and regrets.

As human beings we are weak, but God is strong! We are not able to control every situation. No, but God can! God is the only all-powerful one! Compare to the one who laid the foundations of the Earth, we are like the pebbles along the beach!

Then, you may ask,: Are we not at the mercy of God?

Always remember that our God is a good God. He loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son to die for our sins, to reconcile us back to Him! So that whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life! Can anyone fathom the depth and width of His great love? He has all the good and best gifts laid out for us. He even calls us His sons. How can we still doubt Him, and not trust Him, after seeing the anguish and pain that He has gone through to redeem us?

God's favour is always upon us! Run to Him as you would to your Father. Surrender your problems, your fear and difficult situations to God. He will gladly hear you and take control of the situation if you let Him. Remember our God is big, bigger than all your problems! To Him nothing is impossible!  He is able to cause good to come out of every situations, for His love always protects and never fails, amen.

Tuesday 14 March 2017

SOYA SAUCE PRAWNS


Prawns are served during Festive Celebrations
be it poached, stir fried or deep fried
all are welcomed

There are sea prawns like the photo above
or 
life river/fresh water prawns

This is one simple dish can be done quite easily


7-8 big prawns
1 Tbsp minced ginger
1.5 Tbsp garlic, minced
few stalks of spring onions, cut into 1" 
oil for frying & cooking

Sauce: mix together
            1 Tbsp soya sauce
            1 tsp sugar
            2-3 Tbsp water
            pepper to taste

1. heat up 3 Tbsp oil, fry prawns until change colour, dish out prawns
2. add ginger & garlic to the oil in the wok, fry until fragrant
3. pour the prawns back into the wok & add the sauce & spring onions
4. Toss & turn, remove


FOOCHOW DIALECT


Foochow Dialect

The common comment from those who heard 
spoken Foochow Dialect 
is
" Are they arguing or quarrelling?"

Here is one quite out of the ordinary!
Share if you know the dialect


Somebody asked: How to call 'a river' in your dialect?
I replied: Ore
She repeated: How do you say 'river' in Foochow?
I said: Ore
Quite disappointed, she asked again: How do you call prawns in the sea?
I said: Ha
She repeated: How to call?
I said: Ha
Desperately, she asked again: Then, how do you call the ducks in the river?
I said: ark (lower sound)
She repeated: How?
I said: ark (lower sound)
She looked at me sympathetically, and said: You look good, so unfortunate to be dumb! 





Monday 13 March 2017

TRADITIONAL TAPIOCA CAKE


A relatively simple recipe 

with only 4 ingredients

 Some like crispy top
(can still be more crispy)
spread a little melted butter on top will add more flavour & crisp


 My mom likes soft top
and less sugar like this

The top 2 photos show pandan flavour 
while this one below is made from yellow tapioca




Ingredients:
1 kg tapioca (1) grated or blended FINELY,
                     (2) squeeze out the juice and left aside to settle,
                     (3) bring the settled starch back to the lot & throw away the bitter water
220g sugar
300g santan
1/2 tsp salt
some melted butter, for added flavour (optional)

Method:
1) mix all ingredients & pour into oiled baking pan
2) bake @ 175'C for 1 hour 15min until cooked

Note:
1) The mixture should be wet
2) you can also steam on High for 45min to 1 hour until cooked
3) alternatively, you can steam 30min & bake another 30min @180'C

Variation:
1) grease pan with butter will give aroma of butter when baked
2) if tapioca is white, add pandan juice will give colour & pandan smell.

Wednesday 8 March 2017

ABC SOUP


ABC Soup 
is a common soup in most household

The ingredients are simple
and easily available

Most of time
I cook this soup because I have most of the ingredients 
left over after cooking other dishes

e.g. 1 potato, 1/2 carrot, 1 tomato & 1 big onions

Bring them together
add some chicken pieces
like this

and you gonna have a nice and hot soup

If you like a thick soup like the photo above, boil it for an hour or more
If you like a clear soup, double boil it!

COCONUT JELLY


A nice cooling dessert
on a hot day

Easily made
and nice to eat


Simple ingredients

texture, up to you to decide
sweetness, you decide too

sounds interesting? Good

Coconut Jelly
Coconut water from 3 young coconuts
add enough water to make up to 1300g liquid

Young coconut meat, shredded or cut into strips
1 pkt agar-agar powder, either red or clear
200-250g sugar, adjust to taste

1. add sugar & agar agar powder to liquid, mix well
2. boil to dissolve agar agar & sugar granules
3. add shredded coconut
4. pour into cups and leave to cool, set in refrigerator




DIMSUM PORK BUNS


 餐包



Pretty & Puffy Buns in a row 


Dim Sum 
a Chinese Treat, originated from Hong Kong 
has a variety of dainty dishes that satisfy your taste buds
but will not fill your stomach

There are of course 
some buns and well prepared carbohydrates that can 
let you call it a meal!

This 'Meal Bun' 
is one that will satisfy both your taste buds and your stomach

I have adapted the recipe from Miki's 

Poolish Starter Soft Bun
Poolish Starter - mix together all ingredients & leave aside for 10 hrs @ room temperature
125g bread flour
125g water
1/4 tsp instant yeast

Main Dough
all of the poolish starter
140g milk
1 egg
60g unsalted butter
8g salt
280g bread flour
80g cake flour
25g milk powder
60g sugar
1 & 3/4 tsp instant yeast

1. all ingredients into the bread machine, knead & allow to proof until double
2. punch down & divide into 20 or more balls
3. wrap each ball with 1.5-2 Tbsp filling and shape into a bun
4. let proof 45min
5. egg wash the buns & sprinkle some sesame seeds as topping 
6. bake in preheated oven 175'C for 12-15min until golden brown

Filling:
300g pork belly, cut into small cubes or minced
2 big onions, cut into small cubes
2 Tbsp oyster sauce
2 Tbsp char siew sauce
1 Tbsp black sauce
1 Tbsp minced ginger
2 Tbsp roasted sesame seed
3 Tbsp spring onions, cut finely
salt & pepper to taste
thickener, corn starch + water

1. heat some oil in the kuali
2. fry onions & ginger until fragrant, add pork
3. add all seasoning & some water for gravy
4. add thickener to thicken the gravy
5. dish out & let cool, refrigerate while waiting for the bread to proof
6. before using, add roasted sesame seed & spring onions, mix well

Note:
1. Do not over proof bun at 2nd proofing as the buns will spread when baked
2. certain amount of water is added while cooking filling so that the bun can be juicy


Sunday 5 March 2017

IPOH FRIED FOO PEI

Ipoh famous fried liew
is not complete without these crispy foo pei.

Of course, 
if you are worried about the amount of oil used in deep frying these crispy sheets
you may as well refrain from eating any of them

Yet, many cannot resist these crispy foo pei, or bean curd

You will be surprised
how easy it is to fry these foo pei
if you are not burdened with the cleaning of kitchen 
after frying, I mean!

I have this recipe to share with you:

Ipoh Fried Foo Pei
200g fish paste, store bought
1 beancurd sheet, cut into 1/2 A4 size, or smaller

1) spread 2-3 tsp fish paste onto one side of the bean curd sheet
2) fold the other side over & seal the edge
3) deep fry until cooked, let cool
4) before serving, heat up oil & fry until golden brown
5) serve warm with chili sauce

ORANGE LEMON CHIFFON



Chiffon Cakes come in different flavours
add or replace any ingredients
as you like it

Here, I have this Lemon orange Chiffon shared by 
Melissa Ho Lee Cheen

Orange Lemon Chiffon
A) 5 egg yolks
     50g sugar
     80g oil
     1/8 tsp salt
     100g fresh juice from orange & lemon
     1 tsp lemon zest
     1 tsp orange zest
     100g cake flour sifted with 1 tsp baking powder

B) 5 egg white
     1/4 tsp cream of tartar
     50g sugar

1. combine ingredients in (A) except the flour
2. fold in sifted flour & mix well, leave aside
3. preheat oven to 160'C
4. whip egg white, add cream of tartar
5. add sugar in 3 additions, whip until medium peaks
6. mix 1/3 meringue to egg yolk mixture, mix until combined
7. add the remaining meringue in 2 additions
8. pour into an 8" baking pan & bake for 45-50min until done





COPYCAT KFC FRIED CHICKEN


I love KFC, do you?

Thank you Simon Leong for this ' KFC clone Fried Chicken'

Copycat KFC
Flour mix - combine together
67g all purpose flour
33g rice flour
33g corn flour
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground thyme
1/2 tsp ground basil
1/2 tsp ground oregano
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried mustard
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ginger powder
2 tsp white pepper
2 tsp paprika powder

1 beaten egg for soaking chicken pieces

1. season chicken pieces with salt & pepper for 30min
2. after 30min, soak chicken pieces in beaten egg
3. heat oil & maintain @ medium heat about 180'C
4. coat chicken in flour mix & fry for 6-10min until golden.

Note:
Do not fry chicken for too long, it will not be juicy anymore!



If you want to complete the meal, try

and 

IPOH SAR KOK LIEW


Sar Kok Liew or Yambean Fritters 
is a very much loved hawker treat in Ipoh
hence the name
Ipoh Sar Kok Liew

Earlier it was served with a bowl of hot soupy noodle,
but now many prefer to eat it on its own
because it is crispy and flavourful.

Sonia aka Nasi Lemak Lover has this recipe to share with us.

Ipoh Sar Kok Liew
Filling:
600g yambean or jicama, cut into small cubes
200g fish paste, store bought
1 Tbsp fried shallots crisps
1.5 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp 5-spice powder
1/4 tsp pepper

90g plain flour, to adjust stickiness
1 beancurd sheet, foo pei, cut into 2 pieces A4 size
2 tsp plain flour+3 tsp water, mixed to used as glue
oil for deep frying

1. combine all ingredients in the filling, mix well
2. add plain flour slowly to bind the filling ingredients, may not use up all the flour,
    depending on the wetness of the yambean. Refer to the photo on top
3. pour 1/2 the filling onto one side of the A4 size beancurd skin
4. roll up tightly as you would a swiss roll, press the filling firmly together
5. seal the edges with 'glue'
6. leave on a greased steaming pan
7. steam on High heat for 20min
8. Leave to cool & allow the beancurd skin to dry in fridge for easy handling
9. slice rolls 1/2" thick & deep fry until golden brown
10. serve warm with chili sauce


Ipoh Sar Kok Liew after steaming