February 20, 2025

Chicken Soup with Bee Hoon (Chinese Style)


Ingredients:
1 packet vermicelli noodles/Bee Hoon (soak in water for 30 minutes)
1 whole leg chicken
5 pcs ginger sliced
1 packet meatballs
2 pcs Fu Chok (optional)
1 tbsp of fried garlic and garlic oil
2 cups of beansprout ~ blanched
Spring onion ~ chopped
Cilantro ~ chopped

In the soup
1 pcs star anise
1 pcs cinnamon stick
3 pcs cloves
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1/4 tsp white/black peppercorn
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp 5-spice powder
2 cilantro roots
3 whole cloves garlic
Rock sugar
1 tbsp salt

Seasoning
1 tbsp oyer sauce
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:
  1. Add the star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, coriander seeds, white/black peppercorn, white pepper powder, and five-spice powder to a tea bag and set aside.
  2. Place the chicken leg into a pot of room-temperature water with sliced ginger to blanch.  Bring the water up to a boil over medium-high heat.  Skim the impurities off the top as they rise to the surface.  Drain and discard the murky water once the water comes to a boil.
  3. Transfer the blanched chicken leg to another pot of water for the soup. Add the tea bag of mixed spices, cilantro roots, garlic cloves, rock sugar, white pepper, 5-spice powder, and salt. Stir and let it boil on medium heat for an hour.
  4. After an hour, remove the chicken leg from the soup and place it on a plate.  Tear the chicken meat and set it aside for later.
  5. Add the seasoning to the soup pot and remove all the spices.  Then add the meatball and cook for another 5 minutes or till the meatball is cooked.
  6. To assemble, put a handful of noodles in a medium bowl and arrange chicken and bean sprouts.
  7. Then, ladle the soup over the noodles and sprinkle chopped onion and cilantro.  Drizzle some garlic oil.
  8. Serve immediately with chopped bird's eye chili and light soy sauce on the side.

February 8, 2025

Bang Bang Chicken


Ingredients:
2 Boneless Chicken Thigh, cut bite-size
1/4 cup cornflour

Marinade
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sake
1 tbsp mirin
1 tsp sesame oil
2 clove garlic, minced
1" ginger, grated
Salt & pepper (to taste)

Sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Thai Sweet Chili sauce
1/4 cup Sriracha
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions:
  1. Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the marinade ingredients. Add the bite-sized chicken, coat it well, and let it rest for 30 minutes. 
  2. Dredge the chicken pieces in cornflour, shaking off any excess. 
  3. Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat. Fry the chicken in batches of 5-8 until golden brown, then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with the remaining batches. 
  4. Toss the fried chicken with the sauce and garnish with green onions and crispy chili oil. Serve and enjoy!

February 7, 2025

Big Mac Spring Rolls


Ingredients:
12 spring roll sheets
400g ground beef
1 Holland onion, chopped
1 tbsp ground black pepper
Salt (to taste)
12 sliced cheddar cheese

Sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp Ketchup/Tomato sauce
1 tbsp chili sauce
1 tsp mustard
Diced pickles
Diced onion (finely)

Directions:
  1. In a hot pan, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until it softens, then add the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper, and cook the meat thoroughly until it is browned all over. Remove from heat, drain any excess fat or liquid, and set aside to cool completely.
  2. While the meat cools, prepare the sauce and set it aside while you assemble the spring rolls.
  3. Place one sheet of spring roll wrappers in a diamond position. In the corner, place one slice of cheese. Add a spoonful of cooked meat and a dollop of sauce on top.
  4. Wrap tightly by folding the corner closest to you toward the middle. Next, fold the two corners along the sides and roll tightly to seal.
  5. Fry at 170 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

January 31, 2025

Fried Chicken Wing (Chinese Style)


Ingredients:
1/2 pound chicken wing flats
1 egg
4 tbsp rice flour
1/3 tsp baking powder.

Marinade
3 tsp chopped spring onion
2 tsp minced ginger
2 tsp minced garlic
3 tbsp boiling oil
3 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp white pepper

Directions:
  1. Use bamboo skewers or a fork to poke holes over the chicken wing flats.
  2. Place the chicken wing flats in a mixing bowl. Add all the marinade ingredients and gently mix for about 5 minutes. Let it rest for 20 minutes.
  3. Then, add the eggs, flour, cornstarch, and baking powder.  Mix well and marinate them for another 10 minutes.
  4. Add the oil to a pot over high heat until it reaches 150 degrees C. Carefully place the chicken wing flats inside, one at a time. Deep fry for 6 minutes until they are wholly cooked through. Remove and drain.

January 26, 2025

Ondeh-Ondeh Cookies


Ingredients:
225 butter ~ softened
65g granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tbsp Pandan Extract
300g AP flour
60g full cream milk powder

Filling
60ml coconut milk
200g gula melaka
100ml water
120g desiccated coconut or more

1 egg yolk ~ egg wash

Directions:
  1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Whisk in egg, followed by pandan extract. Fold in flour and milk powder until the mixture forms a dough ball.
  2. Combine gula melaka, coconut milk, and water in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Simmer for 3-5 minutes before adding desiccated coconut. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
  3. Wrap 12g of dough around 1/2 tsp of coconut and roll into a ball.   Arrange in the baking tray.  Apply egg wash.
  4. Bake cookies in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C for 15-18 minutes until golden brown. Allow them to cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store them in an airtight container.  

January 25, 2025

One Pan Bake Chicken & Potatoes


Ingredients:
4-7 pcs Chicken thigh w/bone or boneless
1.5kg potatoes ~ peeled & cut wedges
300ml chicken stock

Sauce
100g butter ~ melted
3 tsp paprika
2 tsp mixed herbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili flakes

Directions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 200 deg C.  Dry the chicken and potatoes well with a paper towel and place on the baking tray oven.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk the sauces combine together.  Drizzle over the chicken and potatoes in the baking tray.  Use your hands to evenly coat the chicken and potatoes with the sauce.
  3. Place the baking tray in the oven, then pour the chicken stock.  This makes the chicken and potatoes super delicious.
  4. Bake uncovered for 50 minutes.  After baking, remove the baking tray and spoon the juices over the chicken.  Add as much broccoli as you prefer.  Return to the oven and bake another 5 minutes until the broccoli is soft.
  5. Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.  Enjoy.

January 24, 2025

Penyaram Jawa Fritters


Ingredients:
300ml water
150g brown sugar/palm sugar
25g fine sugar
125g rice flour
100g AP flour
1/4 tsp salt
3-4 cup cooking oil ~ deep fry

Directions/Instructions
  1. In a medium-sized bowl, sieve the dry ingredients together.
  2. Combine dark brown sugar, refined sugar, and water in a small pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves, then let it warm and cool.
  3. Add the sugar water to the dry ingredients little by little until it forms a thick batter. Then, whisk with an electric hand whisk for about 5 minutes.
  4. Change to a spatula and add sugar water to form a light batter.  Let it rest for 4 hours or, best, overnight.
  5. Pour vegetable oil into a small wok (8"-10" diameter) over low heat. Then, pour 1 scoop of batter into the center of the wok. The batter will spread and float by itself.
  6. Let the edge expand fully before flipping.  Flip and prick the center of the cake to release some air and prevent it from exploding.  Fry until golden brown.
  7. Once done, place the "penyaram" upright on a kitchen towel before serving.

Mapo Tofu


Ingredients:
200g pork/beef minced
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp minced ginger
1 tsp ground Sichuan pepper or ground coriander+black pepper
2 tbsp spicy bean sauce
2/3 cup chicken stock
Cornstarch slurry (1/4 cup water + 1 tsp cornstarch)
600g silken tofu ~ cut into cubes
1/4 cup chili oil
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp caster sugar
2 spring onions ~ sliced.

Directions:
  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep saucepan or wok over medium heat.  Add the minced garlic and ginger, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Turn the heat and add the minced meat, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula.  Cook until golden brown, about 6-8 minutes.
  3. Stir in the ground Sichuan pepper (or coriander + black pepper) and spicy bean sauce and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Pour in the chicken stock and stir for 2-3 minutes.  Reduce the heat to medium and add the cornstarch slurry while stirring continuously until the sauce thickens.
  5. Gently add the silken tofu and chili oil, tossing carefully to coat.  Let it cook for 5 minutes, then stir in the sesame oil, caster sugar (adjust to taste), and half chopped spring onions.  Serve immediately with steamed rice garnished with the remaining spring onions.

January 21, 2025

Fruity Pebbles Shrimp Po Boys


Ingredients:
30-40 medium/large shrimp
Bread roll
2 cup shredded lettuce
1 tomato ~ thinly sliced
2 cup AP flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
4 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups fruity pebbles

Seasoning
5 tbsp Hungarian paprika
2 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp dried thyme
1 tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp celery salt
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp ground black pepper

Sauce
2/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp horseradish
1 tbsp Worcestershire
1 tbsp hot sauce
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Directions:
  1. Add all the seasoning ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix well. Store the seasoning in an airtight container.
  2. Prepare the sauce and set aside when ready to use.
  3. Mix the flour and cornmeal in another bowl with 2 tbsp of the seasoning. Then, add the eggs, buttermilk, and fruity pebbles. Mix well to form smooth batters.
  4. Dip shrimp into batters and deep fry till the shrimp turns golden or crisp.
  5. Cut the bread roll and spread it with mayonnaise sauce to assemble it. Top with shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes, and arrange fried shrimp. Drizzle some mayonnaise sauce and sprinkle some fruity pebbles. Enjoy!

January 15, 2025

Taco Cupcake/Muffin Wonton


Ingredients:
1lb pound ground beef
1/2 yellow onion ~ chopped
4 tbsp Taco Seasoning
1/4 cup water
250g cheddar cheese ~ shredded
1 packet of wonton skin
Sour Cream
1 tomato ~ diced
1/2 yellow onion ~ diced
1 stalk spring onion ~ chopped

Directions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the beef to the pan. Use a spatula to break up the meat while stirring constantly. Add taco seasoning and salt to taste. Cook the beef for 4-5 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.
  3. Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Place one wonton wrapper at the bottom of each muffin cup.
  4. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of meat into each cup and top with 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese. Add a second wonton layer on top of the cheese, then distribute the remaining beef and cheese among all the muffin cups.
  5. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the edges are browned and the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes.
  6. Top each taco cup with a small dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped scallions and tomatoes, then serve. Enjoy!

Fried Crispy Enoki Mushrooms


Ingredients:
1 packet Enoki mushroom
1/2 cup AP flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold water

Directions:
  1. Rinse and dry the enoki mushroom bundle.  Slice the bundle into 1/4-inch sections.  Set on a paper towel.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.  Gradually add cold water and whisk until the batter is smooth and thin.
  3. Heat oil in a deep pot over medium heat until it reaches 180 degrees C.
  4. Dip the noki mushrooms into the batter, ensuring they are lightly coated.  Carefully place the coated mushrooms into the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden and crispy.
  5. Remove the mushrooms and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate.  While still hot, sprinkle it with salt and furikake.  Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.  Enjoy!

January 4, 2025

Crab Seafood Salad


Ingredients:
1 packet imitation crab meat
4 oz cooked shrimp ~ roughly chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp mustard
2 stalks celery ~ chopped
1 red bell pepper ~ chopped
1/2 red onion ~ chopped
1/2 tsp Old Bay spice (optional)
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
  1. Chop the imitation crab and cooked shrimp into bite-size pieces. Add the diced celery and bell pepper to a bowl and set aside. 
  2. Combine mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay spice, cayenne, and red pepper in a separate bowl. Add salt and pepper, and mix the ingredients until combined. Next, add all the chopped mixture of crab meat and coat it well. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. 
  3. When ready to serve, slice the croissant or bun and spread some butter. Top with any green vegetables and scoop the crab seafood.

January 2, 2025

Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies


Ingredients:
3/4 (90g) cup AP flour
1/2 (42g) cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 (113g) cup unsalted butter ~ softened
1 (198g) cup packed dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1-1/2 tsp honey
1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 (170g) cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks
Flaky salt

Directions/Instructions:
  1. Heat oven to 180 degrees C.  Set aside two baking sheets (no need to line with parchment)
  2. In a large bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients.  Set aside.
  3. In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until combined.  Scrape down the bowl and add the egg, honey, and vanilla.  Mix until just combined.
  4. Scrape down the bowl again and add the flour and cocoa mixture simultaneously.  Mix on low until just combined and no flour streaks are visible.  Turn off the mixer and fold in the chocolate chunks.
  5. Refrigerate the batter for 30 minutes. Scoop batter using a 1-1/2" ice cream scoop. Drop batter on baking sheet 2-inch apart.
  6. Bake for 12 mins or until cooked are flat and surfaces begin to crack.  Remove from oven.  Sprinkle with flaky salt.  Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

December 26, 2024

Brazilian Cheese Rolls (Quick & Easy)


Ingredients:
195g Tapioca Starch/Flour
1 cup milk
1 cup neutral oil
3 eggs
80g shredded cheese (any)

Directions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C. Spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick spray or rub it with butter.
  2. Place the egg, milk, oil, tapioca starch/flour, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth. Then, add the cheese and pulse just a couple of times.
  3. Immediately pour the batter into the mini muffin pan, filling each well about 3/4 full. If Sprinkle shredded cheese on top. if desired
  4. Bake for 15-20 mins until puffed and golden. Remove from the oven and cool for a few minutes before removing the rolls from the pan. Serve warm.

December 6, 2024

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!

December 4, 2024

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.

December 3, 2024

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.

August 7, 2024

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.

August 3, 2024

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. Add the spices, onion, and garlic. Saute until fragrant for about 2 minutes. Then add the rempah kurma and biryani; continue to saute for another 2 minutes 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 cooking, prepare the air asam. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Set aside for later.

July 27, 2024

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 the chopped green onion) in another small bowl to make the marinade.
  2. Mix half of the marinade into the chicken to thoroughly coat it. Cover and refrigerate 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. Once hot, place the skewers on a lightly oiled grill. 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.