Recipe: Spaghetti Napolitan

Whenever I feel like having pasta or hungry at night I cook this. Spaghetti Napolitan is like the national fusion dish of Japan. Besides Japan, ketchup pasta is also commonly served in food court, western food stalls and cafes here in Malaysia. I know Italians might be triggered but no harm trying as long as its tasty. In fact some butt hurt Italians did reluctantly admit it tastes awesome. So don't kick it till you try it. Here's my version of Napolitan...

Type: Main
Servings: 1 or 2 depending on your appetite
Type: Halal

Ingredients
A handful spaghetti (Nope I don't measure when I'm hungry)
2 chicken sausages
1/2 julienned onion
2 cloves garlic
1 slice cheese
2 tablespoon ketchup
1/2 tablespoon sugar
Olive oil
Italian mixed herbs
Salt
Pepper

Preparation
1. Boil spaghetti in salt water according to package instruction.

2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in pan and fry minced garlic, onion and sausage slices in pan for 2 minutes.

3. Pour in ketchup and stir for about a minute.

4. Put in the sugar for sweetness.

5. When pasta is al dente, scoop them into the pan.

6. You can ladle in some pasta water if it's too dry. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. After it's well blended, turn off the heat.

8. I like to put any available cheese which is usually cheddar but you can scrape some Parmesan.

9. Voila! It's ready to serve. Don't forget to sprinkle on some mixed herbs.

Recipe: Alicia's cheese fondue

Do note this is not the original Swiss cheese fondue due to non-alcoholic. I'm also using whatever type of cheese convenient to me. Traditionally cheese is served in a fondue pot with lit candle beneath the bowl to maintain texture but I don't have one.

Type: Sides
Servings: 2
Category: Halal

Ingredients
1 cup chicken broth
200g shredded mozzarella
200g cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preparation
1. Mix flour with shredded cheese.

2. Pour chicken broth into pot and simmer for 2 minutes.

3. Pour all cheese into pot and stir till melted.

4. Season with ground nutmeg and salt.

5. Voila! It's done! You can serve with anything you like. I prepared broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, crabstick, fries, nuggets, sausages, cherry tomatoes and leftover cheese poured on pasta. And I hate roti so no bread here but traditionally served with French bread lah.

Recipe: Alicia's meatloaf

Type: Side

Servings: 2

Category: Halal

Ingredients

350g ground beef or any meat of your choice

1 egg

1/2 chopped onion

2 cloves chopped garlic

1/4 cup diced carrot

50g breadcrumbs

20g grated cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon mustard

2 tablespoon tomato sauce

Mixed Italian herbs

Salt

Pepper

Preparation

1. Stir fry garlic and onion about 2-3 minutes till caramelized then add to ground beef.

2. Mix in diced carrots (I steamed to soften), breadcrumb, cheddar, a tablespoon of Italian herbs, mustard, brown sugar, salt and pepper.

3. Add a beaten egg to combine.

4. Pour mixture onto deep rectangular baking tray and even out surface.

5. Bake in oven at 180°C for 30 minutes.

6. Take out and pour tomato sauce onto surface and bake again for 15 minutes at 200°C

Recipe: Mac and cheese

Type: Main/side
Servings: 2
Category: Halal

Ingredients
200g macaroni
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon flour
200g cheddar cheese
30g grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoon melted butter
Salt
Pepper
Paprika/ chili flake

Preparation
1. Cook macaroni according to package then drain and set aside. I took 6 minutes to cook till al dente.

2. Melt equal part of butter and flour then stir till brownish but not burnt for about 8 minutes to make roux.

3. Stir in milk and all the cheese till thicken for about 10 minutes or so then add the boiled macaroni.

4. Season with salt (optional because cheese is already salty), pepper and a pinch of paprika.

5. Pour mac and cheese onto baking dish and sprinkle breadcrumbs and melted butter.

6. Bake in oven at 180°C for 20 minutes or till breadcrumb looks brownish and crispy.

Recipe: Thai inspired tuna fish cake

 Made with whatever I have in hand, this is not the authentic Thai fish cake.

Type: Side/snack
Servings: 2 or more
Category: Halal

Ingredients
1 can of tuna
2 cloves garlic
1 piece ginger
1 red chili
2 stalk chopped spring onion
3 kafir lime leaves
A handful of coriander
2 teaspoon fish sauce
2 tablespoon curry paste
2 eggs
2 tablespoon cornstarch
3 tablespoon flour
Salt
Sugar
Pepper
Oil

Preparation
1. Drain tuna and flake them in a bowl. Make sure your tuna is completely dry. Traditionally Thai use white fish.

2. Mince garlic, grate ginger, slice spring onion, mince coriander, finely chop chili and kafir lime leaves.

3. Add all the herbs and curry paste into the tuna. You may add green beans if you have. Usually Thai will grind in blender at this stage before adding green beans but I was lazy to take out my blender and clean it.

4. Season with salt, pepper, a little sugar and fish sauce. I only agak-agak in this recipe.

5. Add eggs to bind. I also added cornstarch to make them crispy and flour to thicken because I did not blend into thick consistency.

6. Add generous amount of oil onto pan. When it's heated, add tuna patties. You can shape the patties into circles but being lazy, I just scooped with spoon onto pan.

7. Fry for 3-4 minutes or till brown then turn to the other side and done!

Chinese New Year 2016

Gong Hei Fatt Choy and Happy Cap Goh Meh!

In case you didn't know, Cap Goh Meh literally translates as 15th night in Hokkien that is the last day of Chinese New Year. Here's a recap of highlights throughout my 15 days of CNY. Click and play the videos to experience a piece of my exciting life.

Gorgeous take of Kek Lok Si by my husband.

Recipe: Thai prawn glass noodle (Goong Ob Woonsen)

                     The amount in picture is for 5-6 persons but the below recipe is for 2.

This is just something I put together with the leftover ingredients for CNY eve reunion steamboat. And it was so awesome not to be shared! Do note that this is Thai inspired and not authentic because I don't have specific ingredients and a claypot.

Type: Mains
Servings: 2
Category: Halal

Ingredients
200g glass noodles
6 pieces of prawns
150ml chicken broth
2 garlic cloves
2 slices ginger
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro roots
2 tablespoon oyster sauce
2 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 tablespoon black peppercorns
vege of your choice

Preparation
1. Soak glass noodles in water for about 15 minutes till they are soft.

2. Prepare marinade by mixing chicken broth, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil and sugar in a bowl.

3. Pour out water from glass noodles.

4. Marinade glass noodles and prawns with the sauce for half an hour. It's up to you if you want to peel the prawns or not.

5. Pound together black peppercorns, garlic cloves, cilantro roots and ginger slices.

6. Start by heating up normal cooking oil then stir fry the pounded ingredients till fragrant.

7. Pour in the marinated glass noodles and prawns and stir fry for 15 minutes till prawns are cooked. The marinade may dry up so you can add water occasionally.

8. In between, add vegetables of your choice or choose to leave it. And it's done...so simple right?

Recipe: Pesto Pasta

Type: Mains
Servings: 1
Category: Halal

Ingredients
150g pasta
1/2 cup of basil
2 tablespoon pine nuts
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
salt
pepper

Preparation

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. Cook the pasta in the boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Mine is usually 6-7 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, combine the basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil in a blender and blend to a puree.

4. Add the cheese, salt and pepper, and blend again.

5. After pasta is cooked, drain and transfer into bowl.

6. Add the pesto paste and toss.

 Homegrown basil from my garden. Thanks mum for the plant.

5-course Christmas dinner

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I know its too late coz I've been such a sloth lately. I was lazy to get things done since it's the holiday season but anyway I did put some effort in preparing a home cooked 5-course meal for hubby and myself.

My customized Christmas tree devian art on the the napkin. Yeah, I drew that myself.

Recipe: Big English Breakfast

Type: Mains
Servings:1
Category: Non-halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
1 egg
2 bacon strips
2 sausages
2 cherry tomatoes
1 sliced mushroom
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
pepper
olive oil

Preparation

Bacon and Sausage
1. Start with a cold pan and lay the bacon strips.
2. Fry each side for about 5-8 minutes depending on how crispy you want them to be.
3. Make shallow slices along the sausages to cook faster.
4. Fry the sausages for about 10 minutes or until brown.

Egg Nest
1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Separate egg white and yolk.
2. Beat egg white till fluffy with stiff peaks.
3. Make a nest shape with the beaten egg white with a shallow hole in the middle on baking tray.
4. Bake for 3 minutes.
5. Place the yolk on he center and bake again for another 3 minutes.

Sauteed Mushrooms
1. Heat olive oil on pan.
2. Fry garlic till fragrant.
3. Add sliced mushrooms and halved cherry tomatoes.
4. Pour half a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce and some pepper then stir fry for 5 mins.
5. I served them on potato skin which I have used the inside for something else like soup or mashed potato.

Recipe: Eggs Benedict

Type: Side dish
Servings: 1
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
1 Egg
1 Egg yolk
2 drops Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon melted butter
salt
pepper
vinegar

Preparation

Holandaise sauce
1. Fill the bottom of a double boiler halfway with water. 
2. Bring water to a gentle simmer and on top of the double boiler, whisk together 1 egg yolk, lemon juice, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and 1 teaspoon water.
3. Add the melted butter to egg yolk mixture while whisking yolks constantly. 
4. Whisk in salt then remove from heat.  

Poach egg
1. Break egg into a small bowl.
2. Fill a large saucepan with 3 inches of water. 
3. Bring water to a gentle simmer then add few drops of vinegar.
4. Stir water in circular motion then place egg gently into simmering water and allow to cook for 3 minutes. 5. Yolks should still be soft in center. 
6. Remove eggs from water with a slotted spoon and set on a warm plate.
7. You can spread toasted muffins with softened butter followed by one poached egg and drizzle with hollandaise sauce.

Recipe: Omurice

Type: Mains
Servings:1
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
1 cup cooked Japanese rice
1 diced chicken breast
1/2 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1 clove garlic
1/4 diced onion
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 eggs
1 tablespoon milk
olive oil
salt
pepper

Preparation
1. Cook rice overnight and store in fridge to absorb moisture.
2. Heat the oil in a non-stick pan and sauté the onion and garlic until translucent.
3. Add the chicken and cook until no longer pink.
4. Add the mixed vegetables and season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the rice and break into small pieces.
6. Add ketchup and soy sauce and combine everything evenly with a spatula.
7. Transfer the fried rice to a plate and wash the pan.
8. Whisk the eggs and milk together in a small bowl.
9. Heat the oil in the pan over medium high heat.
10. When the pan is hot, pour the egg mixture into the pan and tilt to cover the bottom of the pan.
11. Lower the heat when the bottom of the egg has set.
12. Put the fried rice on top of the omelette.
13. Wrap omelette around the rice then slowly roll on to the plate. It takes some skill to do so so all I did was place my plate over then flip the pan upside down.

Recipe: Rice Burger

Type: Mains
Servings:1
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
1/2 cup cooked Japanese short grain rice 
2 eggs
50g ground chicken/ beef
1 piece cheddar cheese
2 sliced onion rings
2 tablespoon chopped onion
1 piece lettuce
2 sliced tomato
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Sesame seeds
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce
Any sauce you like (mayo/ketchup/chilli/black pepper etc)


Preparation

Patty
1. Mix ground meat with chopped onions, egg, cornstarch, salt, pepper and a few drops of Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce.
2. Pound the blended meat to reduce air.

Rice bun
1. Sprinkle about a tablespoon of starch into the cooked rice and this will act as the binder.
2. Next add a pinch of salt for taste and sprinkle in sesame as well.
3. Shape into bun patties.

Cooking
1. Heat the pan with a tablespoon of oil.
2. Scoop out the meat mixture from the bowl and place it on the pan.
3. Cook each side for about five minutes.
4. After both sides are fully cooked, glaze both sides of  patties with water and cover lid for about 5 minutes.
5. Fry your egg sunny side up or make a small circle omelet.

Serving
Layer your burger: 1st rice bun, 2nd lettuce, 3rd meat patty, 4th cheese, 5th egg, 6th tomato, 7th onion rings and finally top with another rice bun. You may add your choice of sauce in between layers.

 Additional Video

 Video is not the exact recipe because did not have rice patty but it is somehow similar.

Recipe: Cheezy Salisbury Steak

Type: Mains
Servings: 2 patties
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
100g ground chicken or beef
1/4 cup bread crumb
1 stick cheese (Swiss, Mozzarella, Cheddar)
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/2 diced onion 
2 diced mushroom
1 sliced mushroom
1 teaspoon soy sauce 
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup of chicken/ beef broth
Mustard 
Mixed herbs
Salt
Pepper
Butter 
Flour

Preparation
1. Fry diced onions, garlic and mushroom. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Mix the fried onions, garlic and mushroom into the ground meat.
3. Mix 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, 2-3 drops of Worcestershire sauce, 1 drop of mustard and a dash of mixed herbs and cheese into the meat mixture.
4. Mix in a tablespoon of cornstarch.
5. Heat a tablespoon of butter on pan.
6. Shape into two or more patties and fry both sides for 5 minutes.
7. Pour a bit of water and cover for 5 more minutes then serve.

Gravy
1. Do not wash the pan after you fry the patties. Add a bit of butter if necessary.
2. Fry some mushroom slices.
3. Sprinkle some flour to make rue about 1:1 ratio with the butter.
4.  Add broth then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened and the steaks are cooked through about 10 minutes.

Additional video

Video is not the exact recipe because did not have cheese in the meat patty but it is somehow similar.

Recipe: Mushroom Risotto

Type: Main
Servings: 2
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
200g risotto rice
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
150g porcini mushrooms
500ml chicken stock
1/2 chopped onion
40g parmesan cheese
salt and pepper

Preparation
1. Heat olive oil on medium heat and stir fry chopped mushrooms.
2. Add butter and saute onions.
3. Add rice and stir until fully coated about 2 minutes.
4. Add a ladle of chicken stock stiring constantly until becomes almost dry.
5. Continue adding stock one ladle at a time for about 10 - 15 minutes until risotto is al dente. The texture should be thick and not too soupy or dry.
6. Stir in grated parmesan.
7. Season with salt and pepper. If it's already salty to your taste, omit the salt.
8. Best served immediately.

Scallops and balsamic vinegar in the picture are optional.

Recipe: Cream of Wild Mushroom

Type: Soup
Servings: 2
Category: Halal, Vegan

Ingredients
Wild mushrooms:
20g shiitake mushrooms
20g portobello mushrooms
20g oyster mushrooms
20g porcini mushrooms
 or any kind of mixed wild mushrooms you like

25g butter
1/2 chopped onion
1 chopped garlic clove
400ml vegetable stock
100ml heavy cream
2 tabespoon all purpose flour
thyme
chives
truffle oil
salt & pepper

Preparation
1. Heat butter in saucepan.
2. Stir fry onions, garlic and thyme for 5 minutes.
3. Add all the sliced mushrooms.
4. Add equal ratio of flour as the butter to create rue.
5. Stir for a minute then add vegetable stock.
6. Stir in heavy cream for about 5 minutes then add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Blend the soup in a blender.
8. Serve with croûtons and chives and drizzle with truffle oil.

Recipe: Onsen Tamago

You can serve it on top of noodles or simply eat by itself.

Type: Sides
Servings:4
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
4 room temperature eggs
1 liter tap water for boiling
200ml room temperature tap water

Preparation
1. Pour 1 liter of water into a pot and bring to boil until bubbly.
2. Turn off the stove.
3. Pour 200ml of room temperature water into the pot to bring the temperature down. Onsen means hot spring so ideally it should be 68 - 71°C.
4. Laddle in the eggs one by one and close the lid of the pot.
5. Set timer for 12 minutes.
6. After 12 minutes, take out the eggs from the pot and set aside for 5 minutes.
7. After 5 minutes you can put them into cold water if too hot to hold or you can immediately crack them.
8. The yolks are meant to be soft but not runny. If still runny try 13 or 14 minutes. I have trial and error many times.

Recipe: One ingredient Dulce de leche

Dulce de leche is caramel made out of milk and sugar unlike the traditional caramel. The taste is mind-blowing.

Type: Dessert sauce
Servings:as much as you like
Storage: A month in the fridge
Category: Halal

Ingredients
1 can of condensed milk
(I used Gold Coin Kopi & Teh Tarik coz mamak stalls use them so I thought it's more fragrant)
As much water as needed

Preparations
1. Remove label from can.
2. Place can in a large pot.
3. Fill pot with water until covers the entire can or risk explosion.
4. Simmer for 2 hours on high heat.
5. Always check water level and pour more water if it no longer covers the can.
6. To achieve the toffee colour like mine 2 hours is enough but if you want darker colour can boil for 2.5hours.
7. Do not attempt to open can while it is still hot due to pressure. I wanted to let the can cool for at least 3 hours but in the end I set it overnight in fridge and still came out awesome.
7. For my dessert, I just layered a scoop of hazelnut ice cream with slices of bananas topped with cocoa powder and drizzled some dulce de leche. Enjoy!

Second attempt came out more perfectly caramelized. Optical illusion test: is my jar fully circular or squarish with rounded edges? I was asking myself since when did I have a square jar?

Oh and you really gotto make dulce de leche lava cake. Its heavenly. Get recipe from Tasty's YouTube.https://youtu.be/4S7mWOkpLDE

Recipe: Chocolate Lava Cake

Type: Dessert
Servings:1
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
1/4 cup chocolate chip
2 tablespoons butter
1 egg
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
few drops vanilla extract

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Prepare double broiler then melt chocolate chips with butter until smooth.
3. Next add sugar and vanilla extract.
4. Remove mixture fro broiler and allow to cool then whisk in egg.
5. Mix in all purpose flour.
6. Coat ramekin with butter and pour the cake mixture.
7. Optional: I like to add a piece of chocolate into the middle of the batter.
8. Bake for 10 minutes at 200°C.
9. Serve by covering the ramekin with a plate and gently turning over.

Recipe: Baked Scallops Wrapped in Bacon

Type: Appetizer
Servings: 1
Category: Non-halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
6 large scallops
6 bacon strips
6 cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Pepper to taste
A dash of mixed herbs
6 toothpicks

Preparation
1. Soak toothpicks in water to prevent from burnt.
2. Prepare marinade by mixing ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, pepper and sugar.
3. Preheat oven to 170ºC and grease baking tray with butter.
4. Brush the scallops with marinade on both sides.
5. Wrap each scallop with bacon and secure it through center with toothpick followed by a cherry tomato.
6. Place scallops onto tray and bake for 7 minutes while turning them occasionally.
7. Garnish with some leftover marinade and mixed herbs.