Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Crispy Honeyed Bitter Gourd


Bitter gourd!!! No one likes Bitter gourd because of it's bitterness.  As always, no one likes those things that good for our health. I still remember those days where mom used to cook 'Paavakkai Perattal' and forced us to eat it. Then, slowly she changed the recipe and made 'Paavakkai Poriyal' which we still hate it. Time flies and mom stopped cooking 'Paavakkai' at home. Or should I say that my sister take over the cooking task........ Whatever it is.......... now when I started to cook for the two of us, I used to do this Crispy Honeyed Bitter gourd at least once in a month. Don't think that I've started to love eating it. Actually, I 'll do this whenever I feel lazy to cook :P 
 
 
This recipe is quite easy and by adding honey, you will be able to make those Bitter gourd hater to eat it.
 

 
Ingredients :-
 
 
2 Bitter gourd
2 tbsp rice flour
1/2 tbsp corn flour
1/2 tbsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
10 tbsp water
5 - 7 tbsp honey 
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying
 
 
Method :-
 
 
  • Slice the Bitter gourd as thin as possible and set in a bowl.
  • Mix rice flour, corn flour, chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and water.
  • Heat oil and fry on a medium flame. It should not stick to each other when you fry.
  • Drain on a paper towel.
  • Pour honey on the fried Bitter gourd and serve.



Sunday, August 11, 2013

Purple Cabbage Salad


I got this purple cabbage staring at me each time I open the fridge. I've got no idea what to do with it. So, I started to Google for the recipes. Unfortunately, nothing attracts me to try. At last, ended up with this easy, simple yet delicious salad. This was the easiest recipe (I guess) that was taught by Latha Chitti and I just love it.

Do you know, that colors are important in our daily life as it can affect our mood. Thus, instead of having the same typical cabbage let's give a try with this purple cabbage. This cabbage is rich of Fiber, Potassium, Vitamin C & Vitamin A. Let us take a look at what does this minerals and Vitamins can do.......
 
  • Fiber prevents excess cholesterol from entering your bloodstream
 
  • Potassium keeps your body's fluid level from fluctuating to unhealthy volumes, preventing potassium-related blood pressure disorders.
 
  • Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant 
 
  • Vitamin A produces retina pigments for your eyes, maintains vision health and improves vision at night.  
 
So...........what are you waiting for??? Grab the purple cabbage at the market and get ready to prepare the salad which can be ready in minutes.
 
 
Ingredients :-
 
 
1/2 head of purple cabbage - shredded
4 tbsp. of real mayonnaise
 
 
Method :-
 
 
  • Set the cabbage in a large bowl and add mayonnaise.
  • Mix well. Then place in the refrigerator to cool.
  • Serve chilled




 
 

Friday, August 09, 2013

Steamed Layer Cake @ Kuih Lapis

Today is the second day of Eid. Eid is celebrated by the muslims all over the world on the 1st day of Syawal that ends the fasting month of Ramadan. When talk about Ramadan, the main thing that goes straight to my mind will be the Bazaar. I will be very excited, because this is when I can see a lot of stalls along the street selling varieties of Kuih-Muih and colorful drinks. I might  be absence to work but not to the Bazaar. That is how crazy I am about the Bazaar (actually the Kuihs). And, I will be greedy too at that time till I buy almost everything that looks nice and delicious to me. Oh! Come on, I am a human just like you and I got tempted.
 
 
Talking about the Kuih, Kuih Lapis will be one of my favorite. Do you know why? The taste…….  :P Hahaha…. I don’t want to lie, it’s actually because of the layers. I love to peel the layers. I used to think that, it must be very difficult and time consuming to make the Kuih Lapis. But, not anymore once I have tried on my own. I was very happy as this was my first time making the Kuih Lapis and it comes out so perfectly. I was even happier when Jaya akka asked for the recipe from me. J So, Jaya akka here is the recipe for you…….    
 
 
 
 
Ingredients :-


All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cup
Rice flour - 2tbsp
Corn flour - 2tbsp
Coconut milk - 3 cup
Sugar - 3/4 cup
Red colour - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste


Method :-

  • Mix the flours, sugar and salt in a bowl.
  • Add the coconut milk and mix well.
  • Divide into 2 portions.
  • Add the colour to one of the portion.
  • Grease the pan and heat.
  • When the pan is hot pour 1 cup of the plain batter and steam for 5 minutes.
  • Then, pour 1 cup of the coloured batter and steam for another 5 minutes.
  • Repeat till you are done with all the batter.
  • Once you are done with all the batter, remove the pan and let it cool.
  • Cut into slices and serve with your favorite tea time drink.


Saturday, July 27, 2013

Mango Vanilla Milkshake

Think about teatime, what comes to your mind? Tea..... Coffee..... Cappuccino..... Mocha..... Come on guys............. don't you feel bored of having the same tea or coffee for your teatime? You know something....... The average temperature in Malaysia ranges between 24C to 34C. So, don't you think you need something cold to chill you after a whole tiring day............. Yes!!! Did you say YES just now??? Yes, I heard that. Ok...... let me introduce you a delicious yet filling Mango Vanilla Milkshake. This rich, thick and creamy shake ready in minutes. Here's the recipe for you............


 
 
Ingredients :-
 
1 ripe mango - peeled and cubed
250 ml milk - cold 
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
5 ice cubes  
 
 
Method :-
 
  • Mix all the ingredients together
  • Blend it in the juicer for two minutes
  • Serve it cool


Friday, July 26, 2013

Spicy Prawn with Stink Beans

Do you love stink bean? If yes, this recipe is for you. Before we look at the recipe, do you know that stink bean is also known as Parkia speciosa? Yes, the science term for stink bean is Parkia speciosa.

 
 
It is proven that stink bean helps to lower blood pressure and to relieve stress. This will be a good news for those love stink bean. Okey.... let us look at the recipe now.
 
 
 
 
Ingredients :-
 
 
1 small bowl of stink beans
300gm prawns
20 dry chillies
5 cloves garlic
1 large onion - sliced
1 stalk lemon grass
1/2 cup of water
3 tsp oil
salt to taste

 
*Blend dry chillies with garlic into a paste
 
 
Method :-
 
  • Fry the stink beans till half cooked and keep a side.
  • Heat oil in a wok. Add lemon grass and onion. Saute a minute or two.
  • Add chilli paste and cook till the oil separates.
  • Add the prawns and stir-fry for a few minutes. Add the water and bring to a slow boil. 
  • Add stink beans and salt. Stir-fry for about 3 minutes. Dish out and serve. 
  •  

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Creamy Chicken Curry

Talk about fresh market I usually prefer to go to Kip Mart, Tampoi. We can get fish, chicken, vegetables and etc quite cheaper there. But.... it's too far from my place. Last Friday, for a change we went to Pandan Wholesale Market. Guess what??? Prices of fish and poultry are relatively much more cheaper here. Moreover, the fish were fresh. So.... now onwards we gonna get the groceries from Pandan Wholesale Market.
 
Now, back to today's recipe..... Creamy Chicken Curry. I got the recipe from a book. I got this book with me for the past few years.... but just recently I tried the recipe...and my hubby love it. 
 
 
 
 
 
Ingredients :-
 
 
1kg chicken - cut into small pieces
4tsp ghee
1tsp chilli powder
1/2tsp turmeric powder
1 big onion
2cm ginger
2tsp coriander powder
250gm coconut cream
1 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1 potato - cut into 4 or 6
1 cup water
1 cinnamon stick
1 strand curry leaves
2 star anise
salt to taste
 
*Grind onion and ginger  
 
 
Method :-
 
  • Heat the ghee and fry chicken till half cooked. Keep a side.
  • Saute the grinded onion and ginger in the ghee till the aroma is in the air. Add the cinnamon stick, star anise & curry leaves. Then add turmeric powder, chilli powder & coriander powder.
  • Add potato, chicken and pour a cup of water. Cover the pan and cook for 15 minutes.
  • Finally, add the coconut cream, garam masala and salt. Cook for another 2 minutes.
 
 
 

 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Chicken Varuval

 
Hubby's birthday is around the corner. I can't afford to buy luxury gift for him since am not working at the moment. Moreover each time I wanted to present him something, I'll need to crack my head on what to buy for him. He loves Samsung Note 2 and I bought it for his birthday last year. So..... this year I planned to cook special dishes for him. One of it will be Chicken Varuval. This is the first time I tried this and it comes well. Let me share the recipe here....
 
 
Ingredients :-
 
1 whole chicken - cut into small pieces
10 small onion
6 garlic cloves
1 1/2 cm ginger
2 1/2 tsp chilli powder
1 2/2 tsp cumin seeds - dry roast till the aroma is in the air
7 dry chillies - cut into half
2 strand curry leaves
2 cinnamon stick
few cloves
3 tsp oil
salt to taste
 
 *Grind onion, garlic and ginger into a paste
 
 
Method :-


  • Mix chicken pieces with the paste and salt, leave for an hour.
  • Pour oil in a wok, once heated, add cinnamon, cloves, curry leaves, dry chillies and fry.
  • Add the chicken mixture with 1 1/2 cup water in the wok and cook in medium flame.
  • Once it turns dry, add chilli powder and cumin seeds.
  • Cook till the oil separates.

 
 
Do try this recipe and share with me. If you have suggestions, feel free to leave a comment.
 
GOOD LUCK!!!