3 HERBAL DRINKS

 3 HERBAL DRINKS

黃耆、杞子、紅枣湯

This herbal drink can be prepared easily.
It is beneficial in strengthening the immune system,
helps in digestive system and
improve vision.

Note:
Do not drink if you have flu, fever or sore throat
as the astragalus slices can be heaty too.

Huang Qi Drink 

5g Huang Qi (Astragalus)

10g wolfberry

10g red dates, seeds removed

500ml boiling water

Rinse all ingredients & put into 500ml of boiling water
and allow to simmer for 1/2 an hour

OLD CUCUMBER SOUP

Old cucumber soup 

is a popular home remedy to cooling the body in general.

It helps to soothe throat irritation and coughs,

and some even believe in its anti-aging benefits.

Old cucumber soup 

is generally acceptable in its taste

for children and adults alike.

The method of preparing this soup is quite simple too.

Simply get all the ingredients above,

cleaned and cut accordingly.

Then, put all into a pot of boiling water

and simmer for an hour or two,

a pot of steaming old cucumber soup is ready to be served!

Enjoy!

BAKED SWEET POTATO

French Fries are popular among both young and old.

Knowing that they are unhealthy, being fried with processed oil,

many of us still cannot resist taking a few bites.

In recent years, sweet potato fries have become popular,

more so if they are baked.

This baked sweet potato fries can be prepared very quickly

and is sure to be a hit with children and adults alike.

Sweet Potato Fries

2 large sweet potatoes

sea salt to taste

a little garlic oil to grease the baking pan

1. pre-heat oven 200'C and lightly coat base of baking tray with some garlic oil

2. cut sweet potatoes into fries after peeling off the skin, and toss in a little salt

3. place them in the prepared baking tray

4. bake for 15min or until just browning on one side.

5. flip over and bake for another 15min to complete the browning.

Note:

Cooking time depends on the oven

GERMAN HARD ROLLS

These German Hard Rolls

 are crusty outside but with soft tender crumbs.

The overnight poolish starter lends a nutty flavour 

making them 'classic'

Thanks to Angie for sharing this recipe.

You can always freeze the remainder

and re-crisp in 150'C for 10 min

Poolish

100g water

100g bread flour

0.1g fresh yeast or 1/8 tsp instant dry yeast

Main Dough

150g bread flour

55g water

5g fresh yeast or 3/4 tsp instant yeast.

5g salt

10g sugar

3g live oil

1. mix poolish ingredients, leave aside (covered) at room temperature for 16-20 hours

2. combine poolish & main dough ingredients in bread machine, bread dough cycle (1/2 hour)

3. transfer to a bigger container, cover & leave aside for 60min, half time do a stretch & fold

4. divide dough into 8 portions, shape & leave on parchment lined baking tray to proof

5. preheat oven 230'C, put a bowl of boiling water at the bottom of the oven (for steam)

6. when ready to go into the hot oven, score the bread and mist the buns

7. bake 20-25min until golden brown & crisp.

GOD KNOWS OUR NEED

GOD KNOWS OUR NEED

In the morning when I was suppose to take a flight back to Ipoh, I
accidentally hurt my back. It was very painful. I dread to think that
when I reach Ipoh, I need to carry my cabin bag to walk down the
flight of iron steps from the plane!

I was contemplating whether to get a wheel chair, but when we
reached Changi Airport, it was too early. We can only checkin at
the Qiosk machine, so cannot request.

After that we sat down to have an early lunch. The pain got worse
that I could not sit down for long! So I walked towards the boarding
gate, hopping onto the travelator whenever I saw one, so it took
away much of the walking.

During boarding, "Ma'am, would you like to check in your cabin bag?"
I was shocked. "Now? Is it free?" He nodded & without hesitation, he
slipped a band through the handle of my luggage and told me to leave
the bag at the gate.

Praise God! This is our God. He cares for us. He knows what we need.
He gives without us asking for it.

Father God, I am sorry I have not passed my burden to you, worrying
unnecessarily. You have healed my back ache within 2 days by your
Healing Words, no doctor, no medication, no therapy. Teach me O God
to be more aware of your ever presence with me. In Jesus blessed name,
I pray and ask, amen.

JESUS CARES FOR YOU

JESUS CARES

Jesus knows you well

Enough for Him to be aware of your every needs

Surely He cares, because He loves you abundantly

Unless you reject and deny Him

Swift is He to receive you with open arms

Come as you are

Answer His call, and open your hearts to Him

Rest in His arms and He will see you through

Ever so loving and kind is He

So, why are you still waiting?

EGGLESS SCONES

Scones

are single serving biscuits or quick bread.

Guai Shu Shu introduced his Scones as

"Basic but presentable, 

Basic but irresistible raisin scones."

I like to call the scones he shared,

"Eggless Scones"

No 2 scones look the same, not to mention being beautifully shaped!

The rugged look tells you that the scones are well risen.

Notes to successful Scones baking:-

1) all ingredients need to be cold

2) the dough needs the minimum handling

3) if you add raisins or dried fruits, omit the sugar from the recipe

Eggless Scones

500g self raising flour, sifted with
2 tsp baking powder

50g sugar
1/4 tsp salt

100g cold butter, cubed & kept in fridge until required

300-350g cold milk

1) preheat oven to 210C

2) mix together all dry ingredients

3) rub the cold butter into the flour swiftly with your finger tips

4) add milk to combine the flour, do not pour in the milk all at once, but slowly.

5) when mostly combined, place dough on the table top & press to 1/2" height

6) cut into required shape (either smaller circle or a large circle & divide into wedges)

7) place on a lined baking sheet, brush the top with beaten egg or milk

8) bake for 20-min until golden brown

COCONUT CAKE

Coconut Cake

Coconut Cake 

is a simple but flavourful cake.

I have made it too thin 

so I cut it in half and stacked them up to get the height for photography.

After that, I cut it into small pieces to serve.

Those who tasted agreed with me that

it is the right way to serve, just a mouthful!

If you are curious of the taste, try it

Coconut Cake

60g butter

60g coconut milk

60g sugar

1 large egg

2 Tbsp shredded coconut

1/4 tsp salt

75g plain flour sifted with

1/2 tsp (scant) baking powder

Method:

1) cream butter & sugar until light & fluffy

2) beat in the egg & salt

3) add shredded coconut, mix well

4) fold in sifted flour 

5) pour into lined tin and bake @175'C for 35min 

PULUT PANGGANG

Pulut Panggang

is a favourite among both the 

Chinese Community and our Malay friends.

These are either made with sambal (spicy) or kunyit.

My late mom liked these non-spicy type

but they may be hard to come by

because the spicy ones are more popular.

My brother Richard started to plant bananas recently

and 

I managed to get some banana leaves from his farm.

And, I was told that I must not use the leaves from pisang emas 

because it makes the kuih bitter!

Try, if you want to prove my friend wrong!

Pulut Panggang

(A) 1 cup glutinous rice, soaked for 4 hours)

       100 ml water

       50ml coconut milk

       3/4 tsp salt

(B) 3/4 cup shredded coconut
       1/2 tsp kunyit powder
       3 shallots
       1/2 old ginger
       1 lemongrass
       2 Tbsp dried shrimp, washed, soaked & keep the soaking water
       2-3 Tbsp cooking oil
       salt & sugar to taste

(C) 1-2 banana leaves for wrapping
             a) soften by heating over the griddle
             b) cut into 5" or 6" squares
       few tooth picks for securing
                         

Method:
1) steam (A) until glutinous rice is cooked
2) slice shallots, ginger and lemongrass thinly
3) blend them together until fine, add kunyit powder
4) blend the soaked dried shrimp
5) Heat up the oil & add the blended ingredients and fry
6) add dried shrimp & continue frying until fragrant
7) add shredded coconut, soaking water and salt & sugar to taste.
8) remove from heat when the ingredients bind together. Let cool
9) wrap as shown in the photo below & secure the ends with tooth picks
10) heat the griddle with a little oil & arrange the kuih on it to 'char'
11) serve warm is nicer

CRISPY DEEP FRIED CHEMPEDAK

Chempedak 

is a 'soft version' of the jackfruit.

It has a distinct smell you either like it or hate it
just like the King of Fruits, durians!

I bought the kampong type 

where there are many seeds covered with a thin layer of flesh.

If you come across a 'kahwin' type you may get less seeds but the flesh is thick!

A word of caution:
The fibre of the chempedak is quite difficult to bite and break,
so it is usually swallowed after chewing for sometime!

If you deep fry it, then it is easier to eat!
Like to try?
Here is the batter for deep frying:

Crispy Deep Fried Chempedak

batter enough for 20 pieces:

60g self raising flour

10g rice flour

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp baking powder

90g water

1) mix all ingredients until smooth

2) heat up oil for deep frying

3) coat chempedak with the batter

4) lower the heat & drop the fruits individually into the hot oil

5) when it starts to brown, increase temperature & let it brown

6) remove & drain

7) serve warm

Note:

1) too high heat will not cook the seeds! Normally the seeds are eaten together!