Tag Archives: recipe

banana

Banana Milkshake

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My husband is 2 years older than me. But most time, I feel like I am the big sister when we stay together. It’s not difficult to guess what he likes and likes not. Just imagining will a kid like this or not, I will get the correct answer. I thought he would definitely like banana milkshake. Yet he told me it’s not like that. Because he had very terrible banana milkshake once and it was a nightmare.

Maybe I can make good banana milkshake that can change his opinion.

Ingredients:

1 big ripe banana

1 cup milk

1 tbsp vanilla ice cream

1 tbsp honey

1/4 tsp cinnamon powder

2 ice cubes

Put all the ingredients above into blender. And blend till very smooth.

My husband loves it. He asks if there is anymore after he finishes 1 cup.

https://flic.kr/p/Tkqmmu

Uncategorized, Vegetables

Oven Roasted Cauliflower

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This is the first time for me to try to roast cauliflower by oven. Surprisingly it tastes very nice. And it’s very easy to cook too.

  1. Cut cauliflower (about 1/4 head of a big one) into small chunks. Or you can just tear it by hand like I do.
  2. Put cauliflower pieces into a big bowl.
  3. Drizzle in 1/2 1 tbsp olive oil. For the seasonings, I added 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp paprika powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, and 1/4 tsp ginger powder. If you want cauliflower to taste spicy, you can also add in chili powder.
  4. Toss and mix well.
  5. Spread cauliflower on baking tray. Preheat oven to 200 Degree C. Into the oven for 30-40 mins. Or till the edge turns a bit brown. Flip them a bit in the middle while baking.

https://flic.kr/p/2fENgWA

And it’s done.

Very simple and also yum.

I tear it into very small pieces. If yours is bigger, you can adjust the temperature higher maybe to 220 degree C, or roast a bit longer in the oven,

mushroom, Noodles, Pasta, salmon, Uncategorized

Creamy Mushroom Sauced Linguine with Salmon

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A perfect simple and quick meal for rushing hours.

1. Cook linguine according to the instruction and set aside.

2. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Heat a pan. Add in a little oil. Sear salmon with skin side down for 2-3 mins. Then flip over and fry for another 2-3 mins. And fry each side for another 1 min. Set salmon aside.

3. No need to wash pan. Use the same pan. Add in a little extra oil. Fry mushroom slices.

4. Add in a little chopped garlic. Sauté a bit.

5. Pour in 1/2 cup stock or water. Simmer mushroom for a little while, like 3 mins.

6. Add in 2-3 tablespoon cream. Stir well. Put cooked linguine in. Blend well.

7. Season with salt, pepper and mixed herbs.

Serve with salmon.

https://flic.kr/p/2dv1w7F

Chicken

Easy Homemade Chicken Nuggets

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Even though I almost cook everyday at home, and my husband is satisfied with my food, he still needs to have fast food like KFC or McDonald occasionally. Part of him is really crazy about fast food. That’s also why I cook fried chicken once in a while. One day, I asked my husband if there is any food he wanted to have, he’s like “can you cook chicken nuggets for me?”  with his small eyes wide open. I’ve never disappointed him in cooking so far. So my answer is “yes”. And I am gonna cook chicken nuggets for the first time.

  1. I used chicken breast as main ingredient. Cut a whole chicken breast into small chunks (one-bite size).
  2. Prepare a bowl. Add in 1 cup bread crumbs, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp paprika powder, 1/2 tsp ginger powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1 tsp dried oregano. Mix them well.
  3. Beat 1 egg in another bowl. Also prepare some flour.
  4. Dip chicken in flour first. Shake off the excessive. Then egg and seasoned bread crumbs at last.
  5. Deep fry chicken till golden brown and crispy.

Out layer is crispy and full of seasoning flavor.

https://flic.kr/p/TzPqyC

Meat inside is very tender and juicy.

And of course, my husband loved them.

Fish

Sweet & Sour Fish (糖醋鱼)

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Finally, I got the chance to try this sweet & sour fish (糖醋鱼，tang cu yu). Before everything, I want to give you a little warning here: this dish requires too too much oil to fry the fish. That’s also why I didn’t dare to try it.

Yesterday, my husband and I went to shopping for groceries. I was too busy recently. Some of my blogs were done maybe days ago, or even months ago. I wrote them when I got time and was not feeling lazy. Then when I was busy and had no time for blogging, I would just publish my draft done before.

But I did cook this dish today. Yesterday my husband chose sea bass at the supermarket. I’ve done steamed fish, braised fish, roasted fish, fried fish before. I also cooked sweet & sour fish fillet before. But I never did this whole sweet & sour fish. It’s a very popular fish in China. But it’s not an easy dish to make at home, since it requires cutting skills and too too much oil. So most people order it at the restaurant.  My husband had this dish when he was in Dalian, He loved it. My brother is also a big fan. I was planning to learn this dish and cook for my brother when I go back home.

  1. Prepare a sea bass, you can also choose carp. My fish was cleaned at the supermarket. So I just need to wash it again. Then  use a sharp knife to cut about 4 cm below the gill. Make several more cut every 4 cm. When cut the fish, first cut it vertical to the bone, then horizontal to make a crescent moon shape. Do the same to the other side.
  2. Marinate fish with 2 tbsp cooking wine, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper for 10 mins maybe.
  3.  Dust fish with potato starch and shake off the excessive.
  4. Prepare batter: 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 cup potato starch, 3/4 cup water. Mix well. You can test batter by scooping some batter up. If it can flow like tiny stream then it’s good. Add more flour if too thin. Add more water if it’s too thick.
  5. Heat oil. To save oil, you can just add in enough oil that can cover half the fish. Dip fish in the batter. Make sure whole fish is coated with batter completely, especially the cut part.
  6. When oil is hot, grab fish by head and tail with 1 hand.  Fry the fish for a little while to let the fish get firm. Then drop whole fish gently into the pot. Use a ladle to scoop and pour hot oil over the fish. Flip fish if one side turns golden brown. Fry for about 5 mins or till whole fish turns golden color. That’s how to make fish crispy.

https://flic.kr/p/2fH4neM

This is how my fish looks after frying. Fin is really crispy.

7. To make sauce: Heat a pan. Add in 1 tbsp oil. Then add in 4 tbsp tomato sauce. Stir fry to make tomato sauce fully mixed with oil. and color will be brighter. Add in 3 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp vinegar and 2 tbsp water. Simmer with low heat. Dissolve 1 tsp starch in a little water and add into the sauce. Reduce sauce to condensed.

8. Pour sauce over the fried fish.

https://flic.kr/p/2fH4n7c

When I put the fried fish into a bigger plate, I accidentally broke its tail. Poor fish 😦

I have to let it lie down in the plate. I also garnish fish with green peas.

My husband gave me thumps up. The fish is really crispy outside, but tender and juicy inside.

https://flic.kr/p/2fH4n7H

Yum!

baking, blueberry, Cake, Uncategorized

Blueberry Lemon Cake

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My husband and I are not big fans of fresh blueberry. But we both like food made from blueberry, like jam or cake. So if I buy blueberries from supermarket, it means I will bake something with blueberry.

Preheat oven to 180 degree C.

Ingredients:

Butter 130g

Sugar 120g

Vanilla 1 tsp

Egg 1

Flour 190g

Baking powder 1 tsp

Salt 1/4 tsp

Zest of 1 lemon

Milk 1/2 cup

Blueberry 2 cups

Flour 1 tablespoon

Lemon juice 1 tablespoon

1. Cream butter with sugar till light and fluffy.

2. Add in vanilla. And eggs one by one.

3. Mix fry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt and zest of lemon) together.

4. Add flour and milk into butter mixture alternately. 1/2 flour and 1/2 milk one time.

5. Add 1 tablespoon flour and lemon juice into blueberries. Toss a bit.

6. Place 1/2 batter into baking pan. Over it spread 1/2 blueberries. Then add in the rest batter. And top it with rest blueberries. Light press blueberries into the batter.

The batter is done:

After 60 mins.

Cool down for a while.

I was too lazy to make any glaze. So i just sprinkle icing sugar over the top.

Cake is very moist.

Pork, Uncategorized, Vegetables

Pork & Vegetable Pot

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My husband had dinner with a friend. Somehow they talked about Spanish Iberico Pork. His friend said this kind of pork is very delicious. And my husband told me immediately after that dinner. Then when we shopping for groceries the other day, he found that Spanish pork in the frozen counter. What a coincidence. So we bought it and I didn’t even know how to cook it. And yes, we just bought it.

Usually this thin pork slice is ideal for shabu shabu or hot pot. But my husband strongly recommended to cook it in simple way without any strong spices or condiments. He wanted to keep the original flavor of the pork. He may not know much about cooking, but he’s very good at giving me instructions. I decided to make pork & vegetable pot.

skillet is a good choice for the port.

Here are the main ingredients I used: Spanish Iberico pork, 1/4 head cabbage, Slices of 1 onion, slices of 1 medium carrot, several shiitake mushroom, brown mushroom, tofu (cut), french beans and chopped spring onion. Oh, and vermicelli in the bowl (already boiled in hot water).

  1. Heat the skillet. Brush skillet with oil. Put  2 or 3 pork slices in to sear them.

https://flic.kr/p/2cXLZeV

2. Put the rest pork in, and arrange all the vegetables in the pot.

https://flic.kr/p/2dfwdx5

3. In a bowl, add in 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 1/2 tbsp sweet cooking wine, 1 tbsp sugar and 1/2 tbsp water. Mix well.

4. Spread sauce (maybe 1 tbsp ) over all ingredients. Slightly stir them in order not to be sticky to the pot.

The pork looks so great.

5. Put the lid on for 2-3 mins. Stir gently to flip all the ingredients. Add in more sauce if needed.

https://flic.kr/p/QAgLqn

6. Lid on for another 3 mins or till pork and vegetables are fully cooked.

My husband  loved the pork so so much.

spinach, tofu

Vegan Stir-fry (Thin Tofu Sheet & Spinach)

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This kind of thin tofu sheet is called Qianzhang （千张）in Chinese. Qianzhang literally means thousands of layers, which quite matches how it looks. I guess it’s not very popular in Singapore, cos when I first cooked it, my husband was very curious what it is. There are so many kinds of tofu products, qianzhang is just one of them.

This dish is vegan. Main ingredients are Qianzhang and spinach. It’s also very simple.

  1. Cut Qianzhang into medium strips. (The original one inside the package is a very big sheet). And separate them by tossing a bit. Also wash the spinach and trim off the root and cut into medium strips.
  2. Prepare chopped ginger and chopped garlic. If you want it to taste a bit spicy, then also prepare 2 dried red chili.
  3. Boil some water. Blanch Qianzhang in hot water for about 1 min. Then soak them in cold water and drain.
  4. Heat a pan, add in 1 tbsp oil. Saute chopped garlic, ginger and red chili first. When spices are aromatic, add Qianzhang in. Stir fry evenly for about 1 min.
  5. Add in spinach strips. Stir fry for another 2 mins or till spinach becomes soft and dark green.
  6. In with 2 tsp light soy sauce and 1 tsp sugar. Quickly stir fry evenly.
  7. Season with salt.

Soup, tofu

Clam Soup With Tofu & Egg

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Ingredients:

Clam meat

1 egg

tofu cubes

water

salt

oil

  1. Heat a little oil in the pan. Add in clam meat, and stir fry till aromatic.
  2. Pour in 2 cups of hot water. Also cut in tofu cubes. Water will become milky white in color.
  3. Bring soup to boil. And simmer for 3- 5 mins.
  4. Beat 1 egg in a bowl. Add egg into the  soup. Bring to boil again.
  5. Season with salt.

You can serve with a drop of sesame oil and coriander or chopped spring onion.

My husband loves it.

Quick recipe, Uncategorized, Vegetables

Celery & Bacon Stir-fry

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I seldom buy local celery, which is the thin type. But I think this stir-fry is a good way to cook local celery.

  1. Cut celery and bacon into small bits.
  2. Heat a little oil in the pan. Sear bacon bits first.
  3. When bacon turns a little brownish, add in celery. Stir fry for 1 minute.
  4. Drizzle in 1/2 tsp light soy sauce and also add in 1/2 tsp sugar to taste.
  5. If you want it to be a little spicy, you can add in chopped chili.
  6. Quickly stir fry for another 2 minutes.
  7. Season with salt.