Vietnamese Balloon Fried Bananas

Ingredients:

1 bunch of SABA bananas

75g plain flour

50g rice flour

15g tapioca flour

10g cornflour

25g sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tbsp baking powder

250ml water (iced cold)

15g butter ~ melted

1 tbsp white sesame seeds

1 tbsp black sesame seeds

Oil for frying

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all the ingredients, except bananas and vegetable oil, until smooth.  Let the batter rest for 10 mins.
2. Peel the bananas, place them in plastic wrap, and slightly flatten them.
3. Dip the flattened banana into the mixture batter and deep-fry until it's lightly golden.
4. Remove from the hot oil, double coat into the batter, and re-fry until it's puffy and golden.
5. Transfer to a lined paper towel and enjoy!

Mango Crepes

Ingredients:

310g AP flour

100g sugar

625ml whole milk

4 eggs

30g butter ~ melted & cooled

Coulis

2 mangoes

1/4 cup water

100g sugar

Filling/Topping

355ml heavy/whipped cream

125g powdered sugar

100g mango coulis ~ room temp/chilled

Directions:

1. Slice the mango flesh off the seed and add it to a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth, then return the pureed mango to the empty pot. Place the pot over medium-low heat, add the sugar, and cook for 10-15 mins or until thickened. Stir constantly to keep the mango from bubbling. Off the heat, transfer the mango coulis to a clean bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature.
2. Prepare the crepes; add the flour, milk, eggs, sugar, and melted butter to a bowl or a blender and mix or blend until smooth.  Place a small non-stick pan over medium heat, grease with butter or non-stick spray, and add about 1/3 cup of batter to the pan.  Quickly swirl the pan to get an even layer of batter and cook for about 50-60 seconds or until the crepe begins to set, then flip with a spatula and cook for another 10-15 seconds.  Transfer the cooked crepe to a clean dish and repeat the process till the batter finish.
3. Use a hand mixer for the filling/top and beat until combined and fluffy.  Then add the cooled-down mango coulis and beat until combined.
4. Before assembling the cake, I cut all the crepes to the same size using a 7" or 8" ring cake. Then, I placed the first crepe inside the adjustable ring cake on a serving dish and added a dollop of mango whipped cream. I spread it into an even layer, top it with another crepe, and repeat until all the crepes have been used.
5. Lastly, top the prepared crepe cake with whipped cream, the remaining mango coulis, and chopped mango.  Place the cake in the refrigerator to chill for at least 3-4 hours or overnight before serving.

Banana Bread

Ingredients

3 medium ripe bananas

75 butter ~ melted

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

150g sugar/brown sugar

1 large egg ~ beaten

1 tsp vanilla extract

205g AP flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 160 deg C.  
2. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until completely smooth.  Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
3. Mix in the baking soda and salt.  Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract.  Mix in the flour.
4. Pour the batter into a loaf pan. Bake for 55-65 mins at 175 deg C or until a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

Thai Fried Bananas

Ingredients:

8 pcs Saba banana (Pisang Kepok)

1/3 cup shredded coconut

3/4 cup rice flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1-1/2 tbsp white sesame seeds ~ roasted

1/3 cup water

Oil ~ frying

Directions:

1. Peel the bananas, cut them lengthwise into 3 equal sections, and set aside.
2. Combine all the dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Add water and stir until well combined.
3. Add about 1-1/2 inches of oil to a pot and heat to about 160 deg C.  Dip the sliced bananas into the mixture batter and fry for about 5 mins until they are a deep brown color.  Drain on a paper towel.
4. Let bananas cool for several minutes before serving, and the coating will crisp up once cooled.

Nasi Daging Utara Air Asam

Ingredients:

3 cup basmati rice

2 tbsp ghee

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 yellow onion ~ sliced

3 garlic ~ sliced

1" ginger ~ matchstick

2 screwpine leaves ~ knot

2 tbsp rempah kurma

1 tbsp rempah briyani

1 cup full cream milk

3-1/2 cup beef broth

Salt & seasoning

Coriander leaves

Cooked beef cube

Spices

1 cumin stick

2 Anise-star

3 cardamon

4 cloves

Beef Stew

500g beef ~ cube

1/2 yellow onion ~ sliced

3-4 garlic ~ smashed

2 tbsp rempah kurma

2 tbsp rempah briyani

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1 litre water

Air Asam

1 onion ~ sliced

2 tomato ~ cut cube

3 red chili ~ sliced

1" roasted belacan

1/2 cup air asam jawa

2 tbsp fish sauce

2 tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp kerisik

Some key lime

Instructions:

1. Prepare the beef: Add water to the big pot and add all the ingredients to the beef stew. Cook until the beef is tender. Remove the meat and set aside.
2. Heat ghee and vegetable oil in a saucepan and add the spices, onion and garlic.  Saute till fragrant for about 2 mins.  Then add the rempah kurma and biryani; continue to saute another 2 mins until fragrant.  Add the rice and continue to mix well.  Transfer the coated rice to the rice cooker.
3. Add the cooked beef cube, broth, whole cream milk, and salt to taste. Mix well, then add the coriander leaves.  Stir a little to mix and cover.  Let the rice cooker cook as usual.
4. While the rice is cooked, let's prepare the air asam. Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and mix together. Set aside for later.

Korean Chicken on Skewers

Ingredients:

3 pcs boneless chicken thighs ~ remove skin

2 tsp grated fresh ginger

2 tsp minced garlic

3 tbsp light soy sauce

3 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tbsp rice vinegar

2 tbsp Gochujang

Chopped green onion (Optional for garnish)

Directions:

1. Cut the chicken into 1-1/2 inch cubes and toss in a bowl. Whisk together the remaining ingredients (except chopped green onion) in another small bowl to make the marinade.
2. Mix half of the marinade over the chicken to thoroughly coat it.  Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
3. Cover the remaining sauce and place it in the fridge to bast the chicken later.
4. Place the cubed chicken on skewers and line the chicken skewers on the baking tray with a rack.
5. Preheat the grill to medium heat; place the skewers on a lightly oiled grill once hot. Turn the skewers every 3-4 minutes until the chicken is cooked, about 20-30 minutes. During the last few turns, baste with the remaining sauce.
6. Remove skewers from the grill and serve with chopped green onions (optional) and your favorite side dish.

Putri Salat/Seri Muka

Ingredients:

3 cups glutinous rice

2 cups coconut milk

1/2 tsp salt

Custard

1 cup All-purpose flour

2 cups coconut milk

1-1/2 cups sugar

100ml pandan juice

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 egg

1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Soak the rice for at least 4 hours or overnight in water.
2. Drain the water, and place the sticky rice in a tray.  Pour in the coconut milk and salt; stir to mix.  Place the tray of sticky rice mixture in a steamer and steam on high heat for about 25-30 mins.
3. Take an 8x8-inch square tray and brush it with oil on the bottom and all sides. Cut parchment paper to line the bottom of the pan. This will make it easier to remove the rice cake from the pan.  Transfer the sticky rice to the tray, cover it with a piece of parchment paper, and use your palms to pack the rice down tightly to prevent it from falling apart when cut.
4. To prepare the custard, add all the custard ingredients and blend them into the fine mixture.  Add the cornstarch and blend again to thicken the batter.
5. Strain the custard mixture into a large saucepan.  Cook on low heat and stir until the mixture coats the back of the spoon for about 15-20 mins.  (Note:  If the custard happens to be lumpy, blend to smooth it)
6. Pour the custard mixture gently, using the ladle, over the pressed rice cake. Then, place two chopsticks on each side of the steamer pot.
7. Place the lid (wrapped with cloth) on top of the chopsticks to create some gap to allow some steam to escape so the surface can be smooth.
8. Steam on medium heat for 30-45 mins or until the top layer is no longer "jiggly." The custard may take longer to set because the crack on the lid opens during steaming.
9. Let it cool completely before cutting, about 4 hours or more. Loosen the edge with an oiled knife or plastic knife, then gently transfer the rice cake out from the pan and cut to the desired size.

Brownie Cookies (Raya)

Ingredients (A):

100g butter/margarine

350g dark chocolate compound

(B)

3 eggs (Grade A)

1 tsp vanilla essence

200g icing sugar

(C)

100g All Purpose flour

15g cocoa powder.

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, add the eggs and vanilla essence.  Mix well to combine.  Then, sieve in the icing sugar.  Continue to mix well till the icing sugar dissolves/combines.
2. Double-boil the ingredients (A) till all melted.  Pour the hot melted chocolate immediately into the egg mixture.  Be sure the melted chocolate is scorching to have wrinkles on the surface of the cookies.  Continue to mix to combine.
3. Next, sieve the ingredients (C) into the batter and mix well to combine.
4. Transfer the brownie batter to piping bags, trim the edge of the piping bag, and pipe it into the macaron baking tray.
5. Bake in the oven at 155-160 degrees C for 25 mins.

Chocolate Brownie Cookies

Cookie Crust

115g butter/margarine

40g fine sugar

140g brown sugar

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

200g AP flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

Brownie

75g dark chocolate (Compound)

45g butter

1 egg

75g icing sugar

50g AP flour

17g cocoa powder

Directions:

1. Cookie Crust: Place the butter in a small saucepan and set it over medium-low heat.  Use a silicone spatula to stir and scrape the butter from the bottom and sides of the pan every 10-15 seconds.  Continue to cook the butter, occasionally stir and scrap until the butter begins to take on color, about 10-15 mins.  Once the butter is golden brown, remove it from the heat.
2. Brownie: Pour the brown butter into the sugar in a medium mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla and stir to combine. Sieve in the dry ingredients and mix well. 
3. Put the cookie dough in the refrigerator to chill while filling the brownie.
4. Brownie: In a large bowl, add the eggs and vanilla essence.  Mix well to combine.  Then, sieve in the icing sugar.  Continue to mix well till the icing sugar dissolves/combines.
5. Double-boil the dark chocolate and butter till all melted.  Pour the melted chocolate immediately into the egg mixture to combine.
6. Next, sieve the ingredients into the batter and mix well to combine
7. Assembly: Evenly divide the cookie dough (22g each). Press the cookie dough in the middle of the dough to create a thin tart shell.
8. Divide the brownie batter evenly between the tart shells and sprinkle with chocolate chips on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 175 degrees C for 15-18 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the tarts cool in the muffin pan.

Snowball Cookies

Ingredients:

375g All Purpose Flour

125g icing sugar

200g Ghee

Coating

30g icing sugar

30g milk powder

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix the ghee and icing sugar to combine. Then, sieve in the flour and mix it into a soft dough. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
2. Use 1 teaspoon metric spoon to scoop the dough and roll it into a ball.  Arrange on the baking tray.
3. Bake the cookies in the preheat oven at 160 deg C for 15-20 mins.  Remove and let it cool completely.
4. Mix the coating ingredients in another bowl and coat the baked cookies with the coating.  Place the cookies in a mini paper cup and store them in the air-tight. 

Spicy Baked Teriyaki Nuggets Sushi Cup

Ingredients:

300g chicken/nuggets ~ chopped

2 tbsp thick teriyaki sauce

Nori Sheets

Cooked sushi rice

Sriracha Mayonnaise

1 Green onion ~ sliced

2 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Directions/Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 220C/200C fan-forced.  Combine chicken and teriyaki sauce in a small bowl.  Set aside until required.
2. Cut nori sheets into 4 even squares to form 12 squares in total.  Top a nori sheet with 1 spoonful of rice and spread out slightly.  Place the square into one hole of a 12-hole muffin pan, pressing down gently so that the rice is in the middle and the edges of the nori come up the sides.  Repeat with remaining nori sheets and rice.
3. Top evenly with marinated chicken.  Bake for 15-17 minutes or until chicken and nori are crisp.  Remove sushi muffins from the pan and serve topped with mayonnaise, onion, and seeds.

Filipino Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

2-30oz can mixed fruit cocktail

1-15oz can of shredded young coconut or Nata de 

1-8oz can Nestle Cream

1/2-14oz can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

pinch salt

Directions/Instructions:

1. Set a strainer over a large bowl, and pour the mixed fruit cocktail and canned coconut into the strainer.  Drain and discard the sugary liquid.
2. In another bowl, whisk the nestle cream to remove any lumps.  Add sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and salt.  Whisk until well combined.
3. Fold in drained fruit mixture until thoroughly coated with cream mixture.  Cover and keep chilled in the fridge for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.
4. Stir before serving.  Serve chilled.  Garnish with maraschino cherries, if desired.

Pork Chop - Din Tai Fung Style

Ingredients:

3 pork chops

4 tbsp cornstarch

1/2 tsp five spice powder

1/2 tsp white pepper powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tbsp sugar

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tbsp light soy sauce

2 tbsp Hua Tiao wine/Chinese Cooking wine

2 tsp ginger juice

Oil for deep frying

Directions/Instructions:

1. Make a few cuts on the edge of the pork chops to prevent them from curling during deep frying.  Tenderise the pork chops with a fork.
2. In a mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and mix well.
3. Coat pork chops into the marinade.  Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
4. Heat up oil to medium-high heat.  Deep fry the marinated pork for around 8-10 minutes until golden brown and cooked.
5. Remove from oil and rest on a rack.  Sliced the pork chop and serve with egg-fried rice.

Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Belly aka Thit Kho

Ingredients:

500g Pork Belly

4 cloves garlic ~ crushed

3 shallots ~ crushed

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp granulated sugar

2 tbsp water

1 tbsp cooking oil

4-6 tbsp fish sauce

3 cups fresh coconut juice

6-8 boiled eggs

Directions/Instructions:

1. Slice pork belly into 1-inch thick or slightly thicker pieces.  Toss the pork with crushed garlic, shallots, salt, and pepper in a bowl.  Marinade and set aside at room temperature for 10-20 mins.
2. Add sugar and water in a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil, the sugar will fully dissolve.  Lower the heat to medium and continue to simmer.  The mixture will then turn from clear to yellow and darker as simmers.  When it has a honey color, reduce the heat slightly.  Keep watching closely until it has a dark caramel color, turn off the heat, and carefully add 1 tbsp of coconut water.  Swirl the saucepan or stir to combine and remove it from the stove.  Set aside.
3. Place a heavy-bottom pot over medium heat and add some cooking oil.  Add the marinaded pork belly and caramel sauce.  Stir and cook to coat the pork with the caramel sauce, then add fish sauce.  Continue to stir and cook.
4. Once the outside of the pork is no longer pink, add coconut juice to cover the meat.  Bring it to a boil, skim off all the foams, then lower to a simmer.
5. Cover the pot with the lid slightly askew and simmer until the pork is almost tender to your liking for about 75-80 minutes.  Stir occasionally for even cooking.
6. Once the pork is almost tender, add the boiled eggs.  Cover and simmer for about 10 more minutes.
7. Transfer the caramelized pork belly, eggs, and sauce to a shallow serving plate.  Serve hot with steamed white rice.

Stir Fry Bok Choy

Ingredients:

300g bok choy

2 tbsp cooking oil

4 cloves garlic ~ minced

Thin Sauce

3 tbsp oyster sauce

1/4 tsp sugar

Thick Sauce

2 tbsp water

3 tbsp oyster sauce

1 tsp sugar

3 dash ground pepper

Directions/Instructions:

1. Wash and drain the bok choy to remove grit and dirt.  Drain and set aside.
2. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil.  Salt generously blanche the bok choy by placing them in the boiling water.  Cook briefly for about 30 sec to 1 minute until the leaves are bright green and the stems are just cooked.  Drain and set aside. 
3. Thin sauce:  In a wok or large pan over medium heat, add the cooking oil and garlic and saute until fragrant.  Immediately add the prepared bok choy.  Toss and stir fry briefly to coat the bok choy with garlic.
4. Season the bok choy with oyster sauce and sugar.  Stir fry the bok choy until evenly coated with sauce and everything looks evenly combined.  OR
5. Thick sauce:  Add the oil in a wok or large pan over medium heat and saute the garlic until fragrant.  Mix the prepared sauce well and pour it into the work or pan. Heat up the sauce until it becomes thickened and glossy.  Make sure to stir frequently, especially when the sauce starts to thicken so that the sauce can thicken evenly.
6. Once the sauce has evenly thickened, pour the sauce over the prepared bok choy and toss until everything is evenly coated with sauce.

Homemade Seaweed Shaker (Fries)

Ingredients:

2 pack of seaweed snacks

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp chicken powder

1/4 tsp salt (Optional)

Directions/Instructions:

1. Use a grinder and grind the seaweed snack until powder.
2. Place the seaweed snack powder, garlic powder, chicken powder, and salt into a container.
3. Cover it tight, shake it to mix well, and store it in an air-tight container.
4. Fry the fries as usual, drain, and pour in the seaweed shake mixture.
5. Fold the bag down, leaving some air inside, and give it a few good shakes like McDonald's Shaker Fries, or use an enormous container, cover the lid tight, and shake well.

Chicken Hamonado (Filipino Style)

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken ~ cut 12 pcs

2 clove garlic ~ chopped

1 medium onion ~ sliced

1-2 Thai red chili ~ sliced

1/2 tsp chicken powder

2 pcs dried bay leaves

2 tbsp tomato ketchup

1/2 cup pineapple cubes

Marinade

1 tsp black ground pepper

2 tbsp dark soy sauce

1 cup pineapple juice

Directions/Instructions:

1. To clean the chicken, rub with 2 tbsp coarse salt thoroughly.  Then wash, drain, and pat dry.
2. In a container, add all the marinade ingredients and combine thoroughly.  Ensure the meat is in the marinade sauce.  Seal and put in the fridge overnight.
3. Next day, drain the marinade sauce through a strainer and save the marinade sauce for later use.
4. Heat 2 tbsp veg oil in a saucepan over medium, sear the chicken.  Searing the chicken is an essential step for flavor; it will caramelize the natural sugar in the meat.  
5. Once the chicken has a rich brown crust on the surface of the meat, dish it out and set aside.
6. Add the chopped garlic in the same saucepan and saute for 1 minute or until the aromatic.  Then add sliced chili and chopped onion, and continue to saute until the onion caramelizes.
7. Then, return the cooked chicken to the saucepan and coat well.  Add the marinade sauce, chicken seasoning, and bay leaves.  Stir to mix, cover, and bring to a boil and reduce the flame to lowest.  Simmer for 20 mins.
8. After 20 minutes, remove the lid and stir to avoid burning.  Then add the tomato ketchup and sugar (optional).  Stir well and adjust the flame to medium.
9. Add the pineapple cubes/bites, and cook for a few minutes or more till the desired thickness is achieved, do not cover.
10. Lastly, garnish with fresh-cut red chilies.  Served immediately with steamed cooked rice.

Mee Goreng Basah

Ingredients:

1kg egg noodle

2-3 pcs fish cake ~ sliced

10 pcs fishballs ~ cut halves

1 pcs fried tofu ~ cut cubes

10-15 pcs prawn

1-2 tomatoes ~ cut roughly

4 cloves garlic ~ chopped

1 tbsp chili paste

3-4 tbsp chili sauce

2-4 tbsp sweet soy sauce

2 tbsp oyster sauce

3 cup prawn stocks

1 tsp ground white pepper

Bunch of mustard leaves (Sawi)

1 cup beansprout

Directions/Instructions:

1. Add 3 cups of water to a pot with 1 clove of garlic minced and prawn heads and shells to prepare a prawn stock.  Bring the pot almost to a boil, then reduce the heat so the water barely simmers.  Simmer, uncovered for 30 mins.  Set aside for later use.
2. Wash the egg/yellow noodles with cold water., drain it and set aside.
3. In a wok, add vegetable oil and fry the chopped garlic till fragrant or golden brown.  Then add the chili paste and stir fry for 2-3 mins or crisp.
4. In the next step, add the chili sauce, sweet soy sauce, and oyster sauce and cook to combine for 2 mins.  Add the fish cakes, fish balls, and mustard stems.  Continue to cook to combine.
5. Add the prawn stock and grown white pepper, and boil.  Once boiling, add the prawns and cook till the prawns turn pink.
6. Add the yellow noodles and mustard leaves and mix to combine.  Add more chili sauce and sweet soy sauce if you like.  Lastly, add the fried tofu and beansprout.  Mix well again till combined.
7. Garnish with fried onion, sliced scallion, red/green chilis, and sliced lime.

Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce (Ssamjong/Sesame oil & salt/Cho Ganjang)

Ssamjong

2 tbsp Doenjang (Fermented soybean paste)

1/2 tbsp Gochujang

2 tbsp chopped onion

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp rice syrup

1 clove garlic ~ chopped

1/2 tsp sesame seeds

Direction:

• Combine all the above ingredients in a bowl.  Stir thoroughly and mix.  Taste and adjust based on your own preference.  For more saltiness, add more doenjang.  For more heat, add more gochujang.  For more sweetness, add more rice syrup or honey.

Sesame Oil & Salt

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tsp kosher or sea salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

Direction:

• In a small bowl, combine the above ingredients and thoroughly mix.

Cho Ganjang (Brisket sauce)

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp water

1/2 tbsp rice vinegar

1/2 tbsp sugar

1/2 clove garlic ~ sliced thinly

1/4 Jalapeno ~ sliced thinly

Direction:

• In a mason jar, combine all the ingredients and cover with a lid.  Shake until the sugar has dissolved or in a bowl and use a whisk to stir until dissolved.  Taste and adjust based on your preference.  For more salt, add more soy sauce.  For more acid, add more vinegar.  For more sweetness, add more sugar.  If the sauce is too strong, add half a teaspoon of water and adjust as you taste.  Serve immediately or place in the fridge until use.

Korean BBQ Short Ribs (Galbi/Kalbi)

Ingredients:

3-4 pounds cross-cut beef short ribs ~ 1/2" thick

Marinade

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup sugar or Korean plum syrup

2 tbsp honey

1/4 cup mirin/cooking rice wine

2 tbsp sesame oil

1/2 Asian pear or 1/4 cup pineapple juice

1/2 medium onion ~ grated

2 tbsp minced garlic

1 tsp minced ginger

3 scallions ~ thinly sliced

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)

Directions/Instructions:

1. Rinse the ribs to wash off bone dust, and drain well.  Pound the meat lightly with a meat tenderizer or stretch it out with your hands.  This step helps tenderize the meat but you can skip it.
2. Mix all the marinade ingredients well.  Marinate the meat for 6-8 hours or overnight for best results.  The thickens the meat, the longer it takes to marinate.
3. Preheat the grill over medium-high heat.  Grill the short ribs, turning only once, 2-3 mins on each side.  Or a grill pan over the stove top works well, too.