Orange Chicken

I remembered my first time of trying this dish, my family can't get enough of it.  Hubby asked why not prepare for more, i told him that is the trick so that they will miss it.  True enough, this is now one of my hubby's favorite dish.  He enjoyed this so much so that he got me more oranges so that i can make this dish more frequent.  ;P

The orange slices used to decorate the dish can be a after meal dessert and my girls just love them, they sometime 'fight' for it.  Whenever i prepare the orange slices for them, they don't seem to be so excited of having it though.  I guess it's how the food was presented that caught their excitement to 'fight' for it.  ;)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into cubes)
• 1 tsp chopped garlic
• 3 green onions (cut into 2-inch lengths)
• 2 tsp cornstarch (dissolved in 1 tbsp water)
• 1 tbsp cooking oil

Marinade:     

• Combine 2 tsp soy source and 1 tsp cornstarch, mix well
• Add the chicken to the marinade and stir to coat evenly, let stand for 10mins 

Sauce:

• Combine all the below ingredients in a small bowl and stir till the sugar dissolves
• 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp oyster source
• 2 tbsp sugar

Steps:

1. Place a wok/stir-fry pan over high heat until hot, add the oil and swirling to coat the sides
2. Add the garlic and green onions, cook, stirring until fragrant
3. Add the chicken and stir fry till the chicken is cooked
4. Add the sauce and bring to a boil
5. Add the cornstarch solution and cook, stirring until the sauce boils and thickens
6. Transfer to a serving plate, garnish with orange slices and serve 

Quick & Easy Easter Cookies

Today, hubby was not home for lunch and i have less dish to prepare.  Hence, i took the opportunity to make my pre-Easter day's cookies since Easter day is just about a week away.  As i have only an hour in between before i catch up on my other house chores, i chosen this simple & quick recipe to work on. 

I actually made the baking powder biscuits and use the cookies cutters to make the Easter themed related design like egg, hopping rabbit, bunny face and flower.  I then decorated them with colourful sprinkles, M&Ms candy etc.  My 1st Easter cookies are then done!  Pretty simple, right? 

When my 5yrs old came home from her pre-k class, she was excited to see the assorted design Easter cookies on the table waiting for her.  She just can't wait to take a bite!  :)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup soften butter
• 2/3 cup fresh milk
• Some melted butter (optional - to brush on the cookies)

Steps:

• Greased baking sheets and set aside
• Preheat the oven to 375F/180C
• Place flour, baking powder, salt and butter in a mixer bowl
• Stir to mix for about 1min (i use KitchenAid stand mixer to stir it)
• Scrap the side of the bowl, then add the milk
• Continue to stir till all the ingredients well mix-in and start to cling together to form a dough
• Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead about 20 seconds, or until smooth
• Pat or roll to 1/2" thickness (i use a rolling pin to roll it)
• Cut with floured cutters (any design that you like)
• Place on greased baking sheets, brush with melted butter and decorate accrodingly
• Bake for 12-15min (watch out so as not to over bake) 
• Serve immediately (plain, with butter/honey/favorite jams) and it's superb!

Happy Easter to all!  :)

    

15 Minutes Garlic Bread.....Yummy!

I just learnt that making garlic bread is quick & easy. 

I used the leftover bread from my homemade white bread to make my 1st garlic bread, serve together with chicken soup, it's equally yummy as with mushroom soup.  Love the crunchy crust and the garlic flavor on the bread!

                  
Ingredients:

• Basic White Bread
• Butter at room temperature
• Garlic (peeled and chopped into tiny pieces)
• Parsley (Chopped)
• Salt

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven at 400F/204C
2. Cut the bread into even slices
3. Cut and put a slice of butter on each slice of bread
4. Sprinkle garlic, parsley and some salt on top of each slice of bread
5. Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake for 10mins or until golden brown  (check after 5mins of baking to ensure the bread is not over brown)
6. Remove from the oven and serve hot

Note:

• I turned the bread over at 5mins after baking for a crunchy touch on both side of bread.  But watch out as of not to over bake the side filled with all the ingredients

Simple Kids Meal

Simple Kids Meal arranged specially for my 5 yrs old

This new way of food presentation made my little lovers felt excited and thought it was some kind of special food.  They just can't wait to taste.  Whenever i noticed them to start exhibit slow in eating, here come my little trick to overcome it by injecting some fun in their diet.

And this was presented to my 2 yrs old

It just took minutes to put together and it was worthy when i saw the cute sunny smile on their little faces.  :)

I made this by using a cookies cutter to form the desired shape of the fried rice and added some carrot, pork floss, serve together with a bowl of bitter melon tofu soup for a complete meal.

Ingredients/tools:

• Fried Rice
• One Carrot (or baby carrot if you have)
• Pork Floss
• Cookies cutter (any design that you like)

Step:

• Thoroughly clean the carrot and cut into pieces (you may cut it anyway you like)
• Place a cookies cutter on a serving plate, fill the cutter with the rice and press the rice down firmly to hold the shape
• Remove the cutter
• Decorate the serving plate with carrot and pork floss (or anything that you like for the meal)
• That's it! 

Serve it to your little ones and see how they like it!   ;)

Refreshing Mint Leaves & Egg Soup (薄荷叶蛋汤）

Like the aroma that filled up my kitchen whenever i prepared this soup, wait till you tasted it, it is so fresh & refreshing.  This is one of the quick & easy soup that i used to cook when i was working, not knowing then that the benefit of mint leaves is manifold, some of them as below:

• Relieve from congestion problems, common cold and flu
• Relieve symptoms of indigestion and heartburn
• Powerful antioxidant (prevent cancer)
• Effective toxins eliminator (inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungus)
• Good cleanser for the blood
• Combat bad breath
• Help with nasal allergies

And particularly for mint leaves & egg soup, many Chinese believe that it helps to relive 'wind' in body and symptoms of bad coughs.  'Wind' in body is symptom like mild cramping in stomach, where the abdomen produce a hollow sound when being knock lightly.

Whenever i am in a rush, but do not want to compromise with having my family to miss the nourishment of soup, this is definitely one in the list.

Ingredients:

• 1.5L water
• 2 cup of fresh mint leaves
• 2 eggs
• Pork meat (sliced)
• A dash of salt (to taste)

Step:

1. Bring the water to boil in a pot, add the pork meat and fresh mint leaves
2. Cook for 15min under medium heat, add the eggs and stir to break up the eggs
3. Continue cooking and simmer under medium-low heat for another 20-30min, stirring occasionally 
4. Add a dash of salt and stir well
5. Serve warm 

Note:

• Ginger (sliced) can be added to the soup if no rejection to ginger taste & smell

Benefit of Mint reference source: helpwithcooking

Creamy Mashed Potato

I have always wanted to try making mashed potato for my little lovers and just found out that it was not that difficult to prepare at all.  Thanks to the step by step guide posted here.

Personally, i felt that the milk favor is a bit strong in this mashed potato, but my little lovers just love it and my hubby was ok with its taste.  Perhaps, it's just me that who don't like to drink milk was a bit sensitive to the milk taste?  Anyway, next time when i prepare this, i'm going to reduce some milk in the recipe..  : P

Ingredients (for my family size of 4):

• 3 medium size potatoes (peeled and cut into small cube)
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 4 tbsp of butter
• water (enough to cover the potatoes)
• Salt & pepper (to your taste, i put 2 tsp salt)
• Some parsley (to garnish)

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a pot and cover with water
• Bring the water to a boil
• Add a pinch of salt
• Cook and simmer for 20-30min under medium-low heat
• Drain the potatoes
• Add milk, butter, salt and pepper (i left out the pepper as i don't have one...that show how 'unequipped' my kitchen is.. :O ) 
• Mashed the potato until creamy and garnish with some parsley
• Transfer to a serving plate and serve hot

Banana Split on a Sunny Afternoon

~  蓝天白云的下午，來个“香蕉船”，感觉超棒！~

It's spring now and the weather was so beautiful today, sunny day with clear blue sky & breeze, having a bowl of banana split just hits the spot. 

Girls enjoying good weather in the park

This simple and easy to put together banana split is my girls all time favorite, they will always jumped high & low whenever i prepare this for their afternoon tea time.  

Well, this might not look like the usual way of how we see a banana split, i just arrange it to accommodate the bowl that i have.  :P 

Ingredients:

• 1 or 2 bananas, peeled and split lengthwise
• 1 or 2 scoops of ice-cream
• A handful of raisin, assorted nuts, M&Ms candy
• 1 strawberries (sliced or whole)

Steps:

• Place banana in a dessert dish/bowl
• Place scoops of ice-cream between banana
• Add the strawberries
• Sprinkle the raisin, nuts & M&Ms on top
• Serve immediately...YUM YUM!

Basic White Bread (再聞面包香。。。）

After my 1st loaf of homemade bread, can't wait to make a 2nd one especially the first one was 'selling fast' at home. 

This time, i tried the basic white bread, another easy recipe for me to start out as a new home bread baker.  When the loaf was out, it didn't disappoint me.  I think it was still a rather pretty loaf though it seems to be a bit shorter than expected.

Compared to my 1st homemade bread, this basic white bread have a more crunchy crust.  

This is how my hubby put it after he tasted: "Just exactly like the white bread that i used to eat during my childhood, both the look and the taste".   Mhmm, is it a compliment or..?  He just left it for me to figure it out.... ;O

Ingredients:

• 62.5ml milk (i used fresh milk)
• 1 1/2 TBSP sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 TBSP butter
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 187.5ml warm water (105F to 115F)
• 330g all purpose flour

Steps:

• Place milk, sugar, salt and butter in a small saucepan.  Heat over low heat until butter melts and sugar dissolves.  Cool to lukewarm
• Dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed mixer bowl
• Add lukewarm milk mixture and 220g flour, start mixing on speed 2 with an electrical mixer/stand mixer, about 1 min
• Continuing on speed 2, add remaining flour in two additions, about 55g flour at a time, mix about 1-2min, or until dough starts to clean sides of bowl
• Continue kneading on speed 2 for about 2 mins longer, or until dough is smooth and elastic.  Dough will be slightly sticky to the touch
• Place dough in greased bowl, turning to grease the top 
• Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in warm place about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk
• After the dough has doubled in bulk, punch dough down and shape into a loaf on a lightly floured surface
• Place it in greased loaf pan, cover and let rise again in warm place, free from draft, about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk
• Place the loaf pan in a preheated over at 400F/204C and bake for 30min, or until golden brown
• Remove from pan immediately after baking done and cool on wire rack 

   
 Notes:

• Using a rolling pin to aid the shaping of dough into a loaf helps smooth dough and remove gas bubbles
• Roll dough tightly and pinch dough to seal seam while shaping a loaf.  Place seam side down in loaf pan  

It's Friday!

It's Friday!


Today, hubby back home early to bring the 5yrs old to gym and for a jog.  This is the first time she is introduced to Gym and first time that she is going for a jogging session.  She was so excited.

While they were having fun exercise, here is what i prepared at home to stuff them after their workout session:

• Appetizer: Mashed Potato + Onion Ring
• Main Course: Tempura Fish
• Dessert: Fried Banana + Longan Red Bean Sago Soup

I shall be posting some of these simple recipes soon....stay tuned.

Hot Pancake On A Snowy Morning

How do you like to have a hot pancake on a snowy morning?

It is certainly a new experience for us to wake up with a snowy scene.  My two little lovers were so excited touching & playing with the snow just right in front of the doorstep of our house.

Ready to go to shcool

                            Continue playing

After my 5 years old lover went to school, i brought the little one for a leisure walk around our garden.  She was so happy walking, touching and smelling the snow.
                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                    

 

I have to 'bribe' her by saying there's special breakfast at home, then only she was willing to go home.  ;O

Back to the pancake.  It would be much more faster if i have a griddle or skillet, unfortunately i don't, so i use a wok instead to prepare this banana pancake and i have to do it one by one.  It was a bit time consuming. 

This is my 1st time of doing pancake and having a hot pancake on breakfast table to welcome a good morning, it felt so right.  Perhaps, i should seriously consider to add a skillet for my kitchen?  ;)

Ingredients:

• 130g all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 TBSP white sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 240ml milk
• 2 TBSP unsalted butter, melted (plus extra melted butter for greasing the pan)
• 2 large ripe banana, mashed 
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Steps:

1. Whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt and sugar) in a large bowl
2. Whisk together the egg, milk, mashed banana, melted butter and lemon juice in another bowl 
3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, pour in the egg mixture and stir with a rubber spatula, just until combined
4. Heat a frying pan/wok over medium high heat, lightly brush the pan with melted butter or oil 
5. Pour or scoop the batter onto the hot pan, about 60ml for each pancake
6. Flip the pancakes when the bottoms of the pancakes are brown and many bubbles appearing on the surface (about 2-3mins).  Cook till both side lightly browned
7. Repeat with remaining batter, brushing the pan with melted butter or oil between  batches, if needed
8. Serve immediately with butter, honey or the favorite jam.

Notes:

• Lemon juice is added to make the pancake more fluffy
• Cooked pancakes can be kept warm in a 175 F/80 C oven 

Stuffed Omelet

Had omelet one day when dine out with my family in a restaurant and i'm interested to try making one at home.  Here is my version of stuffed omelet.

Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs, beaten
• Pork meat, minced
• Onion, thinly sliced
• Tomato, cut into small cube
• Yellow bell pepper, cut into small cube
• Baby spinach, chopped 
• 2 TBSP Cooking oil
• 1 tsp soy source
• A dash of salt

Steps:

• Place a work/stir fry pan over high heat, add the oil and swirling to coat the sides
• Add minced pork meat, stirring and cook till the meat cook through, then remove from the pan and set aside
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the beaten eggs, add some oil if necessary 
• Sprinkle all the other ingredients (onion, tomato, yellow bell pepper and baby spinach) on the eggs
• Add the pork meat, then soy source and salt, continue cooking on medium low heat
• Flip half to cover the ingredients inside to make a omelet
• Transfer to a serving plate and serve hot with tomato source or soy source

Elmo Smiley Treat

Today is my cleaning day.  While i was busy doing house cleaning, my two little lovers also busy want to help.  They then clean their toys and the play house (Well...in my view, they're playing more than anything else.. ;P).

Anyway, good gesture should have positive reinforcement and here come their furry friend, Elmo Smiley treat for their afternoon tea-time.

When i first came across this interesting idea, i told myself i need to do it for my two little lovers one day. 

My 1st time of preparing this was back in February and the smiley face was ugly done then due to i was rushing to put the girls for their afternoon nap.  However, they were still very excited with it. 

This time, i did it with a much nicer look and what is better still, i added the girls favorite M&M this time.  ;)

Ingredients (for 2 Elmo Smiley Treat):

• 1 Orange, cut in half 
• 6-8 frozen Strawberries
• 1 banana, sliced in circles
• 1 baby carrot, cut out both the ends for use
• 4 raisins
• 4 M&Ms candy

Steps:

1. Cut the orange in half, use a spoon to scoop out the insides orange of each half.  Cut the inside orange into pieces and set aside
2. Blend the frozen strawberries in a blender/food processor (I squeeze them using the omega juicer)
3. Transfer the blended smoothie into the empty orange halves
4. Place two banana slices at the top of each smoothie for Elmo's eyes, top the banana slices with a M&M each
5. Add the baby carrot end below the bananas for Elmo's nose
6. Place two raisins together on each smoothie for a smile
7. Transfer to the serving plate, surrounded with the orange slices and remaining banana slices

Then, time to enjoy this Elmo's Smiley Smoothie! 

Nutritional Black Bean Soup

I never cook black bean soup at home when i used to work since i seldom cook then and i have plenty of other soup recipe, it just never came to my mind of making this soup.  Till lately i became a full time stay at home mum and the new 'chef' at home who has to cook daily, i run out of soup recipe and thought of perhaps to make the black bean soup.

I was a bit worry if my two litter lovers will reject the soup since it was so dark in colour, luckily they didn't.  And I was surprised to learn that black beans are in fact a super nourishment food that has many nutritional value and health benefits, to name a few as below:

• Rich in antioxidants (prevent cancer and aging)
• High fiber (aid digestion and prevent constipation)
• Contain folate and magnesium (protect against heart disease, aids the blood, oxygen and nutrients flow in the body)
• Excellent source of protein 
• Good source of Vitamin B1 & iron
• Low in calories and fat free
• Outstanding support for blood sugar balance and regulation

Black bean soup is certainly a good choice to warm up on cold winter days or anytime of the year to enjoy its nutrition essence.

Ingredients:

• 200g black beans
• Pork ribs or pork meat
• 6 red dates
• 2L water
• a dash of salt

Step:

1. Rinse the black beans under cool running water and soak the black beans with water in a bowl
2. Thoroughly clean the pork ribs/meat, rinse it with hot boiling water
3. Bring 2L of water to boil in a pot, add the pork ribs/meat and black beans 
4. Cook and simmer under medium-low heat for 1.5 hours
5. Add the red dates, continue to cook for another 15-20mins
6. Add a dash of salt and stir well
7. Serve warm 

Notes:

• Red dates may be added together with the pork ribs and black beans in step 3 if don't mind a heavier red dates taste

Fried Asparagus and Long Beans

Went to Asian market and bought some long beans last weekend, had it fried together with Asparagus.  Long bean is commonly served spicy in my home country where it is fried together with some spicy source like Sambal/red chili.  Since my two little lovers can't take spicy food and for the fact that i don't have any spicy ingredients in my kitchen except the Tomyam paste, i added a bit of the Tomyam paste and the taste is amazing.    

Ingredients:

• Asparagus
• Chinese long beans
• Pork meat, sliced
• 1/2 tsp chopped garlic
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp Tomyam paste
• 1 TBSP Cooking oil

Steps:

1. Trim off the tough ends from the asparagus, cut the Asparagus on the diagonal into 2-inch pieces
2. Cut the long beans on the diagonal into 2-inch pieces
3. Place a wok/stir-fry pan over high heat, add the oil, swirling to coat the sides
4. Add the garlic and green onions, cook and stirring until fragrant
5. Add the pork meat and cook for about 1 min
6. Add the long beans and stir fry until almost tender, about 2 mins
7. Add the asparagus and continue stir fry, add some water if necessary
8. Add the soy sauce, sugar and tomyam paste, stir well
9. Cover the wok with lid and cook till the asparagus is tender
10. Transfer to a serving plate and serve 

Irish Soda Bread Muffins

In conjunction with St. Patrick Day, i tried this Irish Soda Bread Muffins. 

While i don't know much 'bout St. Patrick Day, it seems that many people celebrate it by wearing green and preparing green foods.  Since i don't have mints or pistachio that many Irish baking recipe called for, i did this most easier and quick Irish Soda Bread Muffins instead.  Like the idea of simply mix the dry and wet ingredients together in a bowl with spatula instead of using a stand/electronic mixer.  So simple.

I've added two ripe mashed bananas into the recipe as do not wish to waste the bananas that were turning brown.  Banana bread or banana muffins is always one of my favorite, hence instead of having the ripe bananas end up in the bin, i thought it would be a good way to use it by adding it to this Irish Soda Bread Muffins.  It might not be the original Irish Soda Bread Muffins then, but most importantly, it turned out great still and is yummy!

Ingredients:

• 305g all purpose flour
• 115g white sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk (i substitute it with 1TBSP lemon juice + 220ml milk)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted 
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 60g raisins
• 1 tsp caraway seeds (i left this out)
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed (added to the recipe)

Steps:

1. Melt the butter in a pot under low heat, set aside to let cool
2. Preheat oven to 400F/205C 
3. Line a 12 cup muffin pans with paper liner or spray the muffin cups with a vegetable spray 
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda
5. In another bowl, beat the egg.  Then beat in the buttermilk, butter, oil and mashed banana. 
6. Stir the egg mixture into the dry ingredients just until moistened
7. Fold in the raisins
8. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 Muffin cups  Sprinkle with 1 TBSP white sugar
9. Place in the oven and bake for 15mins or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean
10. Cool for 5mins before removing from pan to wire rack
11. Serve warm

Notes:

• To substitute 1 cup buttermilk with milk & lemon juice, place a TBSP of lemon juice in a liquid measuring  cup, add enough milk to bring the liquid up to the one-cup line.  Stir and let sit for 10mins.  After 10min, the milk is both acidic and curdled.

A Sweet Treat for the Weekend

How bout ending a week with some sweet treat?  Serve hot or cold, this Red Bean Longan Sago 'tong sui' is equally delicious and is a perfect dessert to relax for a weekend, after a long week of activities.  The best part of all, it's so simple to prepare!

Ingredients:

• 2700ml water
• 1 1/4 cup red  beans
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup longans
• 1/4 cup Tapioca Pearl (Sago - 西米露)

Steps:

1. Wash red beans, drains & put aside
2. Soak the Tapioca Pearl with clean water in a bowl
3. Add the red bean in a pot of water & bring the water to boil
4. Reduce the heat to medium low flame after 15mins and simmer for 2hrs.  Cover the lid during the simmer process, stirring occasionally
5. Add the Longan after 1.5hrs and return boil under medium high heat for another 20mins  
6. Add in sugar and continue to boil till the sugar dissolved, about 10mins
7. Add in the Tapioca Pearl and continue boil for another 15-20mins
8. Ladle into bowls and serve hot/warm.  To serve cold, allow it to cool in the pot, then keep it in the fridge till serving time

Notes:

• Soak the red beans with the water before putting into boiling water or increase the cooking time if prefer a more soften red beans.
• Water can be added during the cooking process according to personal preference on the ratio between the red beans and the water.

Simply Fried Rice

Today, prepared a simple dinner at home - fried rice, since there were only 3 of us to feed as daddy had a business meal. 

This is a simple dish for using up leftover rice.  Sometime when i missed fried rice or i know that i don't have much time to prepare a complete meal the next day, i will cook more rice the day before and keep the leftover in the fridge for a simple fried rice the next day.   


Ingredients:

• Cool cooked rice
• Chicken meat, cut in small pieces/slices
• Medium size prawns (i used 6 & cut into smaller pieces), heads off & shells peeled.
• Any leafy green, cut it to shorter & thinner (i used Gai lan/Chinese broccoli. It goes well with any other vegetables like long bean, broccoli etc too)
• 2 eggs
• 2 TBSP shredded carrot
• 1 TBSP cooking oil
• 1/2 tsp minced/chopped garlic
• 2 TBSP soy source
• 1 TBSP oyster source  
• A dash of salt & sugar each

Steps:

• Place a stir-fry pan over high heat until hot
• Add the cooking oil, swirling to coat the sides
• Add the minced/chopped garlic, stirring and cook till fragrant
• Add the chicken meat, stirring and cook, about 2 mins
• Add the prawns, stirring and cook, about 1 min
• Add the rice, eggs, leafy green stirring and cook for 2-3mins
• Add the soy source, oyster source, salt & sugar, continue cooking till the rice is heated through. 
• Stir in the shredded carrot, transfer to a serving plate and serve

I garnish it with some pork floss (肉丝), and the taste is yummy!