Beverages

Passion Fruit Juice

Passion Fruit is a tropical fruit, and one of the many variety of fruits here in South East Asia which I didn’t know existed. I would try to imagine what this odd fruit tastes like and how would one use it. It’s enclosed with flesh-covered seeds which is edible. They can vary in color but, the passion fruit which I bought was slightly green-skinned . In few days time the color changed to pinkish-red at room temperature.

Passion fruits are packed with essential nutrients with its pulp and seeds containing good amount of fiber content. They are rich in antioxidants, iron, vitamin C. It’s incredibly refreshing and tasty.

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Serves : 2

Ingredients

Passion fruit – 3

Lemon juice – 4 tbsp

Sugar – 2 tbsp

Honey – 2 tbsp

Cold filtered water – 1 cup

Pinch of salt

Ice as required

Directions

1. Combine the passion fruit pulp, lemon, sugar, honey, water and a pinch of salt in a juice jar. Stir together.

Passion fruit and Lemon

2. Serve with ice.

Passion Fruit Juice

How to cut/eat?

+ Cut the fruit into half. The juice that comes out is very delicious.

+ Scoop out the pulp with seeds using a spoon into a small bowl. Sprinkle sugar and enjoy the taste!

Stay Healthy!

August 19, 2016

0 Comment

Snacks

0

Banana Fritters

Have you ever had this feeling when you crave for certain food, you get homesick and just want to grab certain food from your imagination and quell hunger? Well, I got hungry and saw these over-ripe bananas languishing in my fruit box which brought me into making banana fritters for tea.

Fritters are popularly used with a variety of fruits and vegetables which are usually deep fried.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Makes: 25

Ingredients

Vegetable oil for deep-frying

Mashed Ripe Banana – 3 long

All-Purpose Flour – 1 1/2 cup

Grated coconut – 3 tbsp

Salt – 1/2 tsp

Baking powder – 1 tsp

Sugar – 1 1/2 tbsp

Rice Flour – 1/2 cup

Water – 1 cup

Directions

1. Place the coconut, flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, rice flour into a deep container.

Add all-purpose flour, salt

Add sugar

Baking powder

Rice flour

2. Pour the mashed banana into the flour mixture. Add water and mix till well combined to make a thick batter.

banana mash

Add banana mash and water

banana fritter mixture

3. Fill a deep-fry pan with enough vegetable oil for deep frying. Turn it on to medium heat and leave it to heat (see notes for details).

4. Drop a tablespoon of the banana mix into the oil, and fry up to 5 or 6 at a time on medium heat (make sure not to add too much mixture as it will puff up slightly while it cooks). Keeping an eye on them, turn with a slotted spoon for a few times until they turn golden brown on each side.

deep-fry

Remove and drain on kitchen towels to remove excess oil. Repeat the process until all the mixture is used.

5. Serve warm , or let it cool completely.

banana fritters

Storage suggestion

+ Store in airtight container at room temperature and use within a day

Note

*To check if the oil is hot enough, take a pinch of the mixture and drop it in the oil, it should sizzle with bubbles surrounding it.

Stay Healthy!

August 17, 2016

0 Comment

Pork

0

Pork Vindaloo

“Vindaloo” is traditionally popular in the Goan cuisine in India and often considered as a fiery spicy dish made with pork.

This recipe is more of a flavored sauce with its sweet, tangy taste. Pork Vindaloo limits the use of more chilies in order to tone down the heat of a spicy-hot dish.

Requirement: Blender

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes to 45 minutes

Ingredients

Vegetable oil/ Ghee – 2 tbsp

Pork Shoulder/Collar – 500 g, cut into chunks of 1 inch

For the paste (Masala)

Dried red chilies – 2, soaked in water for 1 hour (see notes)

Onion – 1 Medium, Chopped

Cinnamon stick – 1

Cloves – 5

Star anise – 1

White vinegar – 2 tbsp

Garlic cloves – 3 whole, peeled

Ginger – 1 tsp

Pepper – 1 tsp (or 4 seeds)

Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp

Tamarind paste/pulp – 1 tsp (seeds and fibers removed, see notes)

Sugar – 1 tbsp

Post blending

Tomatoes – 2 medium, chopped

Salt – 3/4 tbsp

Paprika powder – 1 tsp

Red chili powder – 1 tbsp

Directions

1. While preparing the Pork and the rest of the ingredients, Cook onions with 1 cup water for 15 minutes making sure to keep an eye so that the onions don’t brown or burn.

Stepa_IMG_3475

spices

2. Strain the onions and run the onions under cold water to cool it down. Add the onions, chili, cinnamon,cloves, star anise, vinegar, garlic, ginger, pepper, cumin, tamarind water, sugar. Add 1/4 cup water. Make a paste. Set aside.

spice paste

3. Heat oil or ghee in a pot on high heat. Add pork (I prepared in batches of 2). Fry for 7 minutes or until it turns slightly brown.

Step2_IMG_3500

4. After the pork has fried, add the thick masala paste, salt (reserve the water added to the remaining paste). Mix well. Fry for 2 minutes.

pork, spice paste

pork

5. Combine tomatoes and the remaining water from the reserved paste. Add paprika,chili powder and bring to boil.

pork, spice paste, tomatoes

paprika powder, chili powder

6. Reduce heat and cook for 30 minutes by stirring occasionally every 3-4 minutes or until the pork is very tender.

Serve with cooked rice.

Final2_IMG_3548

Note

*I used tamarind pulp (2 seeds) soaked in water for 10 minutes. Sieved to remove the stringy bits and seeds.

*As this recipe is not spicy, increase the number of chilies for more heat.

*It sauce tastes better the longer you cook.

Stay Healthy!

August 15, 2016

0 Comment

Beef

3

Beef Cutlet

This Beef cutlet recipe specifically reminds me of my childhood, when my Mom used to make occasionally. It has has been one of my favorites in my book of recipes for years since I’ve been away from home.

It can be a light afternoon snack, appetizer or a side. They are best when served hot, and you can’t resist the aroma that circulates from the kitchen to the entire home.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Makes: 12 cutles

Ingredients

Minced beef – 250 g

Vegetable oil for deep or shallow frying

Medium Onion – 1, chopped thinly

Ginger – 1 tsp

Garlic – 1 tsp

Green Chili – 1, chopped

Pepper powder – 1 tsp

Garam Masala powder – 1 tsp

Egg – 1

Salt – 1/2 tsp

Bread Crumbs – 1/2 cup or as required (optional, see notes)

Directions

1. Wash the minced beef in a strainer and squeeze out all the liquid possible. Transfer it into a separate container and prepare the rest of the ingredients.

beef mince

2. Combine onion, ginger, garlic, green chili, pepper powder, garam masala powder, salt.

Step2_IMG_3403

Add 1 whole egg.

Step2a_IMG_3404

3. Mix together everything. Make these into little patties with even thickness.

Step3_IMG_3405

Step4_IMG_3425

4. Coat them with breadcrumbs on each side. Tap for any excess breadcrumbs.

Step5_IMG_3428

5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan. When its hot enough, place the prepared beef patties in oil without overcrowding it. Brown on each side turning gently.

Step6_IMG_3441

6. Fry for 3 – 4 minutes on medium. Remove, place it on paper towels.

Serve hot with tomato ketchup.

Main_IMG_3469

Note

* Breadcrumbs are an option for crispiness. You can skip the breadcrumbs but still have a good flavor.

Stay Healthy!

August 12, 2016

3 Comments

Cakes

0

Cocoa Easy Cake

No matter what level of baker you are, this quick and easy cake recipe can be done in a matter of few minutes. No butter, no eggs, no milk, no whipping! It has a dense texture.

The first time I prepared this cocoa flavored cake it was on my husband’s birthday. It was my first cake with cocoa, the ingredient which acts as a mood elevator and natural antidepressant.

Preparation time : 10 minutes

Bake : 35 minutes

Ingredients

Baking pan 20 cm (8 inch)

All-purpose flour – 1 1/2 cup

Unsweetened Cocoa powder – 3 Tbsp

Baking powder – 1 tsp

Granulated sugar – 1 cup

Table salt – 1/4 tsp

White vinegar – 1 tsp

Vanilla extract – 1 tsp

Vegetable oil – 5 Tbsp

Water – 1 Cup

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius ( 340 degrees Fahrenheit). Grease the baking pan with butter and then line with parchment paper. Sprinkle some flour evenly.

2. In a bowl add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, sugar and salt. Mix with a spoon.

all-purpose flour

cocoa powder, salt, sugar, all-purpose flour, baking powder

cocoa powder mixture

3. Now, pour white vinegar, vanilla extract, vegetable oil and water. Mix well until the there are no lumps in the mixture.

white vinegar, vanilla extract, vegetable oil, mixture

Cocoa Crazy Cake

4. Pour the above mixture into the prepared baking tray. Tap the tray for an bubbles trapped inside. Bake at 170 degree Celsius for 35 minutes.

baking tray

5. Once its baked, remove it out of the oven to cool on a rack until its completely cooled before serving (Check if its baked by inserting a skewer at the center).

Step5_IMG_2880

Serving suggestion

+ Since I prefer less sweetness, plain was just perfect for me. Just like a brownie.

+ if you wish, topping it with a chocolate frosting gives it a rich flavor.

+ For a mid- afternoon snack

Note:

* Using a smaller baking tray would turn it into a nice thicker cake.

Stay Healthy!

August 11, 2016

0 Comment

Meat & Poultry

1

Crispy Chicken Fry

Crispy Chicken Fry, yes! It’s chicken again, Yoho! But this one adds more crunch. Why? The crunchiness is because I used oats as a coating which is healthy and adds more fiber to your diet.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time : 25 minutes

Ingredients

Skinless Chicken with bones – 500 g , cut into small pieces

Vegetable oil – as required (see under directions, point 4)

Heavy-bottomed pot or pan 18 cm ( 7 inch ) diameter

Marinade 1: The chicken is marinated overnight. Cover and let it sit in the fridge.

Ginger-garlic paste – 3/4 tbsp

Red Chili powder – 1 tbsp (I used Kashmiri chilli powder)

Vinegar – 1 1/2 tbsp

Salt – 1/8 tbsp

Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

Pepper powder – 1/2 tsp

Paprika powder – 1 tsp (optional)

Marinade 2: After overnight marination.

All-purpose Flour – 3/4 cup

Marinade 3: After marinating with all-purpose flour.

Egg White – 2

Oats -80 g

Directions

1. Prepare the chicken and add all the ingredients mentioned under Marinade 1. Mix well, cover and place it in the fridge overnight or 6 hrs in advance.

Chicken pieces

turmeric,chili powder, ginger-garlic, paprika powder, vinegar, Chicken

marinated chicken

2. Remove the chicken from the fridge. Prepare a plate with all-purpose flour (Marinade 2). Coat each piece with the flour on both sides. Keep it aside for half an hour.

chicken,all-purpose flour

3. Next, (Marinade 3) take 2 bowls. One bowl containing 2 egg whites (lightly beat with a fork) and the other bowl containing oats. To the egg white add a pinch of salt.

4. Now, dip the chicken pieces with the egg white and then with the oat mix, coating evenly on both sides.

chicken, egg white

Step3c_IMG_3302

5. Once you have coated all the chicken pieces , heat a heavy-bottomed pot containing oil up-to 2 inches.

6. Drop the chicken into the oil one by one in batches. Make sure you do not overcrowd it ( I fried 4 – 5 pieces at a time ). Fry on medium for 5 minutes turning sides in between.

vegetable oil, chicken

7. Reduce heat and remove the chicken from the oil and place it on kitchen towels.

Fried chicken is ready to serve.

Crispy Fried Chicken, oats

Stay Healthy!

August 8, 2016

1 Comment

Chicken

4

Baked and Spiced Chicken Thighs

This easy recipe of spicy baked chicken thighs could be very satisfying with any food that comes along with it. It is a healthy alternative to deep frying your chicken. My hubby loves this recipe. So, go ahead and satisfy that hungry belly.

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

De-skin Chicken thighs – 2

Ginger-Garlic paste – 1 1/2 tsp

Turmeric powder – 1/8 tsp

Salt – 3/4 tsp

Red chili powder – 1/2 tsp

Cumin powder – 1/2 tsp

Garam masala powder – 1/2 tsp

Paprika powder – 1/2 tsp

Coriander powder – 1 tsp

Pepper powder – 1/4 tsp

Lemon – 2 thin slices ( or add 1 tbsp vinegar to the marinade )

Directions

Marinating the chicken 2 – 3 hrs in advance or stored overnight in the fridge would let the chicken absorb all the spices for an enhanced flavor before baking it.

1. Make small cuts on the thighs.

Step1_IMG_3172

2. Prepare the paste for the marinade in a small bowl with all of the spices and some water mentioned under ingredients.

cumin, red chili, coriander, garam masala, paprika, turmeric, ginger-garlic, salt

3. Using your fingers, marinate the chicken.

chicken thighs, marinade, pepper

4. Place the thighs in the baking tray and rub some olive oil on the chicken. Bake at 200 degree Celsius (390 degree F) for half an hour or until its nicely roasted and cooked.

baking tray, chicken thighs, lemon, olive oil

Spicy baked chicken thighs are ready.

chicken thighs, cooked, baked, roast

Note:

* If it is too spicy add some lemon or lime to neutralize it.

Stay Healthy!

August 4, 2016

4 Comments

Cakes

2

Moist Cassava Cake (or Tapioca Cake)

Cassava cake is one of my favorite snack with a light, delicious, aromatic flavor. It is one of the traditional tea time snack that looked inviting to me at the local bakeries in Singapore. It might look simple but once you taste it the texture of the cake is supremely addictive. Tapioca cake in Malay is called as Kuih Bingka Ubi.

Tapioca is extracted from Cassava root. The flesh can be chalk-white or yellowish. Hence, the color.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cook : 1 hr 30 minutes

Ingredients

Round baking pan 25 cm

Parchment paper

Grated tapioca – 1 kg, at room temperature (1.4 kg when I bought it before peeling.You can use a store bought grated tapioca or manually grate it if not available).

Eggs – 2

Granulated Sugar – 1 cup

Salt – 1/4 tsp

Undiluted coconut milk – 375 ml

Water – 1/4 cup

Directions

For Grating the tapioca

If you have grated tapioca that’s bought from the market skip these steps.

+ Peel the cassava root.

Cassava root, tapioca

Tapioca, Cassava

+ Grate the tapioca with a grater as shown below.

Grated tapioca

+ Once the grating is done, use a 15 inch long cotton towel. Place the grated tapioca at the center of the towel and get the ends of the towel together in your palm and squeeze the juices (or tapioca starch) from the grated tapioca until dry. (I did this part by part so it gets easier to squeeze excess liquid from them).

Tapioca starch

+ Place the liquid-starch aside. In about 15 mins – 30 mins you will notice a white powder settling at the bottom.

1. Preheat oven to 175 degree Celsius (350 degree F) for 10 mins, grease the pan with parchment paper.

Round baking pan, parchment paper

2. Carefully pour in the liquid ( liquid-starch ) into the grated tapioca leaving behind the white starch at the bottom.

Tapioca Starch

3. In a separate bowl combine eggs, sugar and salt. Mix until the sugar is partially dissolved. Pour this to the above mixture.

eggs, sugar

eggs, salt, sugar

4. Add coconut milk and water. Mix well.

coconut milk, Ayam brand

grated tapioca, sugar,salt,eggs

5. Gradually, pour the mixture into the baking tray. Tap the edges to settle any unfilled gaps.

baking tray, tapioca

6. Bake for 1 hour at 180 degree Celsius. Insert a skewer into the center and make sure it comes out clean. (I baked it for 1 hr 30 minutes to get a nice color at the top).

7. Remove it from the oven and let it cool completely.

Cassava cake, tapioca cake

Storage:

+ Store in airtight container in the fridge.

+ Reheat and serve.

July 28, 2016

2 Comments

Beverages

0

Blueberry Smoothie

Here is how you can prepare a healthy blueberry smoothie with bananas.

Serves : 2

Preparation: 5 mins

Ingredients

Blueberry – 1 cup

Banana – 1 large

Milk – 1 cup

Chia Seeds – 1 tsp , soaked in 1/2 cup water at room temperature for 10 mins

Chia seeds

Honey – 1 Tbsp (optional for sweetness)

Ice – as required

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender, starting with banana and liquids, so the softer one’s are at the bottom- except for ice. Blend it.

banana, blueberry smoothie, milk, chia seeds, honey

2. Now, add ice, blend. Serve and enjoy!

Note:

*This smoothie needs to be consumed immediately as the longer it is left to stand the more it will thicken with a curdled appearance because of the dairy product such as milk.

If you wish to make the smoothie in advance blend all the fresh fruits without adding dairy product. Store it in covered container in fridge and blend or whisk the milk before serving. As a result, you will get a refreshing drink.

Stay Healthy!

More recipes:

Beet Apple Carrot juice

Passion Fruit Juice

July 19, 2016

0 Comment