tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39394114754315044182024-03-13T10:15:08.098+08:00On a Bento frenzyBento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.comBlogger686125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-29274489387228011402013-02-25T11:56:00.001+08:002013-02-25T11:56:43.926+08:00Hello 2013!It's been too long! Ever since I got my iPad, I have a long-lasting excuse that I couldn't post from it and I was too lazy to sit by the desktop to do any updates. Lazy Awards gooooooooo tooooooo ME!<br />
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I don't know what updates have taken place for the iPad but it seems I can post from it now. Friends and family have asked me to update my blog. But I notice a sharp decline of updates in the many blogs which I usually visit. Well, I guess people have their "moods" and phases. Mine comes and goes as it pleases too. Hardly have any control over it!<br />
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I am happy that my blog has at least benefitted my second daughter. She is in her second year doing music in UK. That one has all the "cook genes" from me. She loves to eat and cook as well. Many a time she would refer to recipes from my blog to satiate her palate.<br />
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I'm still packing food for the two other kids residing at home. The eldest who joined the workforce last September and the youngest who is in Form two. I am still happy and enjoy packing them their boxes and they seem to enjoy their food, so no complains here.<br />
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I need to get my photos in order to post them. Well, till the next post this is a wordy one! Looool!Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-37054362364721922292012-10-22T13:58:00.002+08:002012-10-22T13:58:54.557+08:00My little crisis!Face palm! It's been five months since my last post. Seeing the progress I've reached with bento-ing since the one I bento-ed for left for further studies hasn't exactly been much of a inspiration! Wah! That line was an awkward one. Lol!<br />
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I had tried to re-bento after my second daughter left for the UK to do her degree in Music. I tried packing for #3, but to really "bento" was impossible. She was too fussy and selective in her choices. Obviously the types of food she preferred was narrowed down to two fists full in terms of numbers. She would be happy with just chocolate chip cookies and tuna sandwiches the entire school term. Drives me crazy just making them!<br />
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#1 graduated in July, began working in August and since then, I've been up at 6.15am every morning to pack sandwiches for the two of them. Nope! I have not taken any pictures of the sandwiches. I'm always half asleep while packing their sandwiches. After seven weeks of "creating" sandwiches I have run out of ideas. How many types of sandwiches can one make? #1 doesn't want a regular box or tupperware so I use a foldable sandwich box. She says it takes up too much space and is bulky, but she still wants the sandwiches. <br />
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So I've made sandwiches filled with:<br />
Peanut butter and jam, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_jam" target="_blank">kaya</a>, tuna, nuggets, sausages, ham, roast chicken, beef slices, eggs cooked in all ways - fried, mashed, scrambled and hardboiled. The sandwiches are usually filled with salad, "no cheese please", mustard, onions, mayonnaise, tomato sauce (ketchup) and sometimes on the side, accompanied by some fruits or biscuits.<br />
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Sometimes #3 gets the same thing and other times, her regular menu! I am cracking my head at what else I can use to make these sandwiches. #1 said "please don't pack anything else mum!" "only sandwiches". So sandwiches, it's been! Aggrrhhh! The life of a mother!Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-82401293597297441202012-05-20T21:10:00.002+08:002012-05-20T21:10:18.323+08:00Bento 324<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My baby had Sunday School this morning after mass and I had a whole day session. I decided to pack some food for her so that she would not go hungry.</div>
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It was spaghetti and Parmesan cheese in the bottom box.</div>
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In the top box there was some cheese nuggets and seedless grapes I had just bought from a Japanese promotion at the newly opened ISETAN at One Utama. </div>
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<br />Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-67947635676458146182012-05-19T19:31:00.000+08:002012-05-19T19:31:42.263+08:00Bento 323<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, I haven't been posting bentos for most of this week. Not because I've not made them, but because there's no variation! My baby is one consistent eater. Only eat the same one dozen variety of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. </div>
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This is really no fun or incentive! (for me).</div>
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This box of sushi was the last bento for the week which made the cut on this blog! Boo hoo hoo!</div>
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Tonkatsu, some salad, kewpie mayonnaise and sakura denbu rolled in sushi rice and nori.</div>
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<br />Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-12917927037596655992012-05-17T14:46:00.000+08:002012-05-17T14:46:43.243+08:00Pork StewAbout a month ago, the family (3 of us, husband, youngest daughter and yours truly) spent 5 days in Krabi. We loved it there. It was relaxing, lazy, lazy and lazy! <br />
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Where we stayed, at Aaonang there was a great German open air cafe two minutes away. The owner is a German and calls himself Andy. The Thai food is scrumptious and the German food was dirt cheap and delicious. <br />
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I loved the porky dishes which he served and one evening I daringly asked Andy what he put in his pork stew. He was very accommodating and rattled the ingredients for me.<br />
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Yesterday I tried it out from memory. I plucked a whole lot of herbs from my garden again. There was parsley, sage, terragon, cekur, basil and thyme. The recipe simply calls for pork, chopped onions, mushrooms, carrots, garlic, tomatoes and a can of chopped tomatoes.<br />
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I seared the pork in my amazingly great-to-use Green Pan.</div>
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Then I cooked down the onions and button mushrooms. </div>
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Then I tossed the herbs and tomatoes together. </div>
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Added the carrots and garlic too. </div>
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Poured a can of chopped tomatoes and about a cup of stock.</div>
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Allowed it to simmer for one hour on low fire.</div>
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Added some freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste. </div>
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I think it tasted very close to Andy's recipe. </div>
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I shall add some red wine next time! </div>
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<br />Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-8679198979548678392012-05-16T16:06:00.001+08:002012-05-16T16:06:56.250+08:00Soap making<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last weekend, I brought my youngest daughter for a soap making class. It was a Groupon promotion and I'd delayed the class till the last lesson. Been busy!</div>
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Soap making seems like an easy process but one must not be deceived! It can be dangerous because of the use of Sodium Hydroxide a.k.a. caustic soda. </div>
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I enjoyed the two plus hours of demonstration and hands on lesson but cautious to begin on my own until I learn a little more.</div>
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My youngest daughter took some pictures which shows a simplified process of soap making.</div>
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Below are the oils, lye and utensils. </div>
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Pouring the lye into the oils and stirring continuously. </div>
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After 20 minutes of stirring, the mixture becomes thick and ready.</div>
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The balance half is mixed with some red yeast for coloring purpose.</div>
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Stir in the natural coloring.</div>
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Pouring the colored balance into the half filled containers.</div>
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Use a satay stick to make patterns. </div>
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After 24 hours, the content will harden enough for cutting.</div>
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Pieces of soap ready for curing purpose between 30-40 days.</div>
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My eldest daughter said that the soap looked like pieces of marble cake!!<br />
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<br />Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-2110560730492237742012-05-13T10:48:00.000+08:002012-05-13T10:48:00.525+08:00Bento 322<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Saturday was "Hari Anugerah" (Prize giving day) at baby's high school. She was part of the presenting Choir. It was an eventful day for her meeting with parents of friends and sharing joy with recipients of excellence certificates and book prizes.</div>
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I packed her some pancakes this morning. I actually fried the pancakes the night before so that I didn't have to wake up so early to do this. In the morning, I got it out of the fridge and smothered one pancake with Nutella and the other, I peppered some cinnamon sugar on it.</div>
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A simple box of "rolled" pancakes and seedless grapes again! :( </div>
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<br />Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-54333779496527179682012-05-11T14:23:00.000+08:002012-05-11T14:25:16.271+08:00Bento 321<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night my baby came back from tuition and made her tuna mix for this mornings break time box. I used to do this but since she learn to make it, she's been making it since.<br />
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It's basically just a can of tuna in Olive oil, some chopped large yellow onions, chopped gerkins, a hard boiled egg, mayonnaise, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. It's easy enough for a 13 year old to manage.<br />
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This morning I just had to split open two croissants, slip in a lettuce leaf and load up the tuna mix. Before I cut them into pieces, I had to secure the individual parts with some skewers. There was still some seedless grapes (which you will often see because that's about the only fruit or two which she consumes) and the box was done.<br />
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This box couldn't take both the croissants so the balance made up my breakfast before I slipped back into bed. <br />
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Freshly toasted croissants loaded with lettuce and tuna mix. </div>
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There's skinned, seedless grapes at the back of the top box.</div>
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<br /></div>Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-11959003592118135452012-05-10T13:16:00.003+08:002012-05-10T13:16:48.545+08:00Bento 320<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning I packed a homemade hamburger patty between a country multi-seed bun layered with salad and cheese. On the side was some seedless grapes and in the top box, some home made cornflake cookies a.k.a. melting moments.<br />
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Unfortunately I was in a hurry to pack the box (as usual) so when I took the picture, the burger and it's layers couldn't be seen. I'll try to do better next time! This box follows my youngest "baby" to school for her break time.</div>
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<br />Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-65879738914362569962012-05-09T19:16:00.001+08:002012-05-10T13:17:42.598+08:00Hello world!It's been eight months since my last post. Many of you who have been regular visitors over the last five years must be wondering what happened to this blog. I wonder too!<br />
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A lot have changed since I began blogging in 2007 for the sole purpose of packing lunches and meals for my children. My two elder daughters who were eating from the bento boxes from On a Bento Frenzy blog has progressed from high school to University students now.<br />
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My husband and I are blessed with our youngest daughter who is turning 13 this year and still living with us, regularly providing us the uncommon upheavals of teenage dramas.<br />
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I cook a lot less these days because there are only the three of us and our maid in the house (besides the two dogs, two turtles and a school of fish).<br />
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Life is a lot more relaxed and orderly (the way I like it). My middle child has been bugging me to re-start blogging. "When are you going to start blogging?, Why you not blogging any more?", Mummy! Your blog is dead! Start blogging!" These were some of the intermittent questions posted by my middle child during our Skype conversations.<br />
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I was intending to begin a new blog with new interests and new life but decided that it took too much effort! (laughs at self!). So, I thought that I'd try to re-invent this blog - not a very good idea but it suits me. The last eight months has seen me go back to my first love - crafting! Cooking with the "magic pot" has been quite a "magical" experience also. I've saved a lot of gas with some planning. I've managed to loose 5kg from some selective and specific meatless meal consumption which seemed a gradual and natural process. My diet is not completely meatless but at this point of my life I have a preference for more vegetables than the former. Nonetheless, do not be deceived! I eat most of what comes my way but in a more discerning manner.<br />
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I wake up at 6.15am on school day mornings to pack a break time box for my youngest "baby". It's her first year at high school. Canteen food to my children seem unpalatable! Besides, my baby is a picky eater. That boils down to the reason why I cannot focus this blog on her meals. (laughs out louder!). Any attempt to introduce new food into her diet would result in sulking, moody body language and an array of "l won't eat this" attitude.<br />
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I've made some changes to the blog skin of this blog. Pictures on the banner header depicts my current loves; magic pot cooking, packing meals and craft work. I cannot promise that I will blog daily but let's see what comes my way.<br />
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Cheers!! <br />
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<br />Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-4634798049786588302011-09-25T16:47:00.000+08:002011-09-25T16:47:59.621+08:00Magic Pot cooking again!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been having a ball with my magic pots!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week I made some spaghetti sauce. Usually I would have to simmer the sauce over low fire for a couple of hours. This time, I tried using the Magic pot! The results were amazing as always!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the sauce before going into the Magic pot!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the sauce after 6 hours in the Magic pot. It tasted even better than cooking over the gas top!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /><br />See the delicious Bolognese sauce below!!!</span></td></tr>
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<br />Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-13569975295704908402011-09-25T16:35:00.001+08:002011-09-25T16:36:01.396+08:00Bento 319<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This bento was made last week! It's got spaghetti and cheese in it. There are pieces of mango and carrot cake! Yeah! In a desperate need to feed my child some 'vegetables', I made carrot cake! Obviously the little girl didn't know it was carrot cake because I didn't divulge any information. LOL!</div>
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The two boxes behind were filled with spaghetti for her friends! There was a small bottle of enzyme for her. I have since gone on to buy a small bottle to contain enzyme!Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-55764415064639996752011-09-14T21:23:00.001+08:002011-09-14T21:23:30.311+08:00Bento 318<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been a while since I made a Bento. It's also been a busy few months preparing #2 for Uni. Now that both the elder girls are off, I have a lot of time on my hands.</div>
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Today's bento was for #3 and I! UPSR ends tomoro and we'll have a lot of time to spend together doing fun stuff. Look out for some cooking experiments! LOL!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rBVlzyHzR2XIZjhEdSMcMjYpannsrOReN9rf6xSRaJZ-u79mSeQePjvVoCIqt-KnbU0ksJFoMve-hwxhEh35jpsguhSbiMYqhucXZYUpb-XiZ6YHBZL4In3QrfEaoiNb2anCN2x-ZXou/s1600/P9140015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rBVlzyHzR2XIZjhEdSMcMjYpannsrOReN9rf6xSRaJZ-u79mSeQePjvVoCIqt-KnbU0ksJFoMve-hwxhEh35jpsguhSbiMYqhucXZYUpb-XiZ6YHBZL4In3QrfEaoiNb2anCN2x-ZXou/s400/P9140015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet mangoes, <a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:mPPSGnN2kEsJ:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonkatsu+tonkatsu&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=my">Tonkatsu</a> and some delicious rice! Salad and cherry tomato for garnishing!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhAcKLJ-6KdpeC9bl2kWBokLZnCDOrg1scM1p0kiZHJdcisEgq_n72DgYvMsCynV7t34BU33EhuUASBcgrhiZsp_LSOQ1N5QnTW57cHzbWSIiLlvr29AWxvu8RhSLjTlcjdXXPgPNszAs/s1600/P9140018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhAcKLJ-6KdpeC9bl2kWBokLZnCDOrg1scM1p0kiZHJdcisEgq_n72DgYvMsCynV7t34BU33EhuUASBcgrhiZsp_LSOQ1N5QnTW57cHzbWSIiLlvr29AWxvu8RhSLjTlcjdXXPgPNszAs/s400/P9140018.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the two Bentos I made, from a different angle!</td></tr>
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<br />Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-28606607977142600652011-09-10T15:46:00.000+08:002011-09-10T15:46:08.303+08:00New Experiments!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been busy experimenting with dehydration! I've been successful dehydrating large Red and Yellow onions under the hot sun. I use them when I boil soup and it's really tasty and has a wonderful fragrant smell!</span><div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-z5O9R5QDO6YUT_VbyCR0zPvPCyN6wWoBGqMxCi7Ynxbg1RqfMEdcmO-fLAKH8MO4a1_CUJf0e2iK2rq0RO9qmn8ryRKWHeX5grAtn4yz51yqnBX2kIasrJywLV8ZTDjjbpC20c4ASj8/s1600/P9100067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-z5O9R5QDO6YUT_VbyCR0zPvPCyN6wWoBGqMxCi7Ynxbg1RqfMEdcmO-fLAKH8MO4a1_CUJf0e2iK2rq0RO9qmn8ryRKWHeX5grAtn4yz51yqnBX2kIasrJywLV8ZTDjjbpC20c4ASj8/s320/P9100067.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dehydrated Red and Yellow onions</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm drying ginger this time round. I was at Genting yesterday and managed to buy some ginger. Last night, my maid and I skinned, cleaned and sliced the ginger. We sorted it out nicely on these large basket like trays (compliments from my mother!). </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiZgtrkWx1N6DzriL_8wQ4tSGjqmaIDb8KdGARkCDzOtWXoDFBlxLa4PG3g8xELLi4sMITEi37roppAkeezQdzYnmjbJ1rZeDqNytIbJnx1DTsuldpgqWKukFQyh1yClIajCDaBbeJ7_0/s1600/P9100056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiZgtrkWx1N6DzriL_8wQ4tSGjqmaIDb8KdGARkCDzOtWXoDFBlxLa4PG3g8xELLi4sMITEi37roppAkeezQdzYnmjbJ1rZeDqNytIbJnx1DTsuldpgqWKukFQyh1yClIajCDaBbeJ7_0/s320/P9100056.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dehydrating ginger</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlNQhqGahKuzFKDg0dty2Dpd8u8PwmrQFT-apTMLtCO3XtNXhy5CloWYZMS-YiMPIKw4NdepMWh33yGlSwS5GPf4lgmx26UMuo29RlU8nYR69prwr3lhULycKPScTXJs1Nk-yJCksmuCY/s1600/P9100057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlNQhqGahKuzFKDg0dty2Dpd8u8PwmrQFT-apTMLtCO3XtNXhy5CloWYZMS-YiMPIKw4NdepMWh33yGlSwS5GPf4lgmx26UMuo29RlU8nYR69prwr3lhULycKPScTXJs1Nk-yJCksmuCY/s320/P9100057.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After one morning in the sun, it's a little shriveled up already!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGR6HBRsQWI6blMhiOl24fU2kgwsghYVeCq8CZiNaIJZ5O1k11qoMRJfqoSxoTU1BKOpmts01Yb6QUtAl8BiM6iinrINfB3FILvF4Kg06Fx76jOAVaZIJe20LSb6qPqLYDLd6GfrjPpuJ/s1600/P9100063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGR6HBRsQWI6blMhiOl24fU2kgwsghYVeCq8CZiNaIJZ5O1k11qoMRJfqoSxoTU1BKOpmts01Yb6QUtAl8BiM6iinrINfB3FILvF4Kg06Fx76jOAVaZIJe20LSb6qPqLYDLd6GfrjPpuJ/s320/P9100063.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does this look like an over rated "expensive" mop bucket?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've also been making "enzymes"!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My God son's mother introduced me to this "expensive" bucket which shortens the fermentation time to a quarter of the time required to "process" the enzymes! My eldest daughter went on a little 'rampage' and said that I spent a small fortune for a 'mop bucket'!!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hahaha! This is my second batch of enzymes! The first batch went too fast! This has become a fast family favorite! Well, after enjoying the first batch of enzymes, my children didn't have much to complain about the bucket except that the second batch wasn't ready as yet! LOL!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULNdTvmdSP3jx7BcoHlyeNucdSQrIq7PuBrT-Pfnl5EuE4w3VSwR6nM2g_9tj2fhtakQrOWSMbUlNFl5Og_HVL7-pSLG6Vw0aEOE8qFCuuyb8Go8s8a4Uz139ZMlTsN54uafnzs5kMzWr/s1600/P9100064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULNdTvmdSP3jx7BcoHlyeNucdSQrIq7PuBrT-Pfnl5EuE4w3VSwR6nM2g_9tj2fhtakQrOWSMbUlNFl5Og_HVL7-pSLG6Vw0aEOE8qFCuuyb8Go8s8a4Uz139ZMlTsN54uafnzs5kMzWr/s320/P9100064.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This bucket doing it "magic"!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBY8Nk_kIQU9UFTitmAuLJLohxBpFjimXmB_k1w02GJjxlmdRYiftYoN8xzkCXUpfFlEmkrdmL4WFhFof_B-XYDd_xj1ta0R2r5ORMStRnx-VBEHWw2VaKgFQ_-BhHH6UCgmt1UUu1ufn/s1600/P9100065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBY8Nk_kIQU9UFTitmAuLJLohxBpFjimXmB_k1w02GJjxlmdRYiftYoN8xzkCXUpfFlEmkrdmL4WFhFof_B-XYDd_xj1ta0R2r5ORMStRnx-VBEHWw2VaKgFQ_-BhHH6UCgmt1UUu1ufn/s320/P9100065.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-45224896174909031222011-08-25T18:55:00.008+08:002011-08-27T18:23:16.178+08:00More "Magic" cooking!<div style="text-align: left;">I used my Thermal "magic" pot to cook "Ham Yee Chee Yoke Farn" (pork slices, salted fish and rice).</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last night, I washed one and a half cups of brown rice and left to soak overnight. This morning I drain dry the rice. When I was ready to cook the rice at 3pm, I set it to boil in 2 cups of water over a medium fire (after it came to a boil) for 15 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In another pan, I fried some garlic, marinated pork (soy sauce, dark sauce and pepper), salted fish and some chopped carrot bits. When done, I added some freshly cut spring onions and a quarter cup of water. Add pepper and soy sauce to taste. Go light with the soy sauce if you are using salted fish! Once that is done, transfer all the meat and sauce into the pot of boiling brown rice (after cooking on the stove for 15 minutes).</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had dinner at 6.45pm and ta dah... rice in a pot...all ready! The rice was tender and didn't taste like brown rice in its original flavor at all! Tasted very much like the regular "Ham Yee Chee Yoke Farn!". </div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br />The last picture below shows a bowl of soup which I used my 5lt "magic" pot to cook! Yummy!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQUDlkbqjD98NMTloRefDXhLpJs6LXdHW-sflVBVIW1iM7xcxfy5fTqCNSt90QCrB1SE0lSfmN13eln7x2o3VF6SyzLeNB8kR3WdnY2790EIN9T_dBRMdsljvZFw3op6rRB2RwiJTe6-c/s1600/P8250038.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 655px; height: 489px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQUDlkbqjD98NMTloRefDXhLpJs6LXdHW-sflVBVIW1iM7xcxfy5fTqCNSt90QCrB1SE0lSfmN13eln7x2o3VF6SyzLeNB8kR3WdnY2790EIN9T_dBRMdsljvZFw3op6rRB2RwiJTe6-c/s320/P8250038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644745772672119330" border="0" />
<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQlueGic7yI2LAzDetM-qVRFBgvqwrS2898wqO20do9hHjBCaGELg6avgmkVvKshAvR-eLwD6Q6V07-Jnj814ffMAR-6LRnCjwPj0IfMyhsBRx4tk0w6XzhqxoYe7pYoA_-dV2EF7hb6X/s320/P8250040.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 655px; height: 489px;" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644745777817376738" border="0" />
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<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCqoqYgU1qnZzL07kLddNOtI1jWd9yc9CtJvK2bkGWZy2YF1-FbebePNqKG5vCIW1rEG3MLuET01dnhJ-1i3qqPpdxxtllJN1jTEDa2VzQfxyYhCwLLFCLEVTpmfwVLkSWdT_Ol-FkB_1/s320/P8250042.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 655px; height: 491px;" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644745783132093410" border="0" /></a><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>
<br /></u></span></div></div></div></div>Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-2718945409267891562011-08-25T01:07:00.006+08:002011-08-25T01:44:35.225+08:00Random<div>Sorry for the recent hiatus! My eldest daughter was home for the summer holidays and life has been one busy trail of "catching up" with friends, eating, shopping and planning.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I was browsing through some pictures from the time I last visited her and I found some more bento pictures amidst others! These were seen in London!</div><div style="text-align: left;">
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<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5crPoKBT5hFk6sLTeL_cJQYGcjpOvuSL11njdAlOnMCAa4RKQ5asye2WRQjt-z6U8NUCulmwYaDAL9XBkNtw4p7acKxsOgizH3VEpPtxp6qBk8v8hN3FjZ0ptQsRgRyU_Yj5MMw9I5goA/s1600/IMG00262-20110419-1425.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5crPoKBT5hFk6sLTeL_cJQYGcjpOvuSL11njdAlOnMCAa4RKQ5asye2WRQjt-z6U8NUCulmwYaDAL9XBkNtw4p7acKxsOgizH3VEpPtxp6qBk8v8hN3FjZ0ptQsRgRyU_Yj5MMw9I5goA/s320/IMG00262-20110419-1425.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644477582012407570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhyIjS5m3liTlBOT4mxtgqx2Umv4jmPl_yBe2r3Y-jrrfjyZOYip9rto2XsUFriNuXK5ouE0LOkLfpZE1IcbBBXw2GhOGpJEiPfIwF361QA3eQr6fT17W0UOwbD_g8hVMI1F5lyvCGOuM/s1600/IMG00261-20110419-1424.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhyIjS5m3liTlBOT4mxtgqx2Umv4jmPl_yBe2r3Y-jrrfjyZOYip9rto2XsUFriNuXK5ouE0LOkLfpZE1IcbBBXw2GhOGpJEiPfIwF361QA3eQr6fT17W0UOwbD_g8hVMI1F5lyvCGOuM/s320/IMG00261-20110419-1424.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644476931522942354" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></div></a>
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<br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbqd7rwmzSp3pYyBR0d8l4OaQL0u_L7fc1GvVrOe0602bZfH69k4utXEXHJ-KHSp_bebtnDNrykmecL2qIYwc15R3fMmbcRsDhlHal_8CSrZvTfNjLx9GG1o8EOTw9K62BAigF29FSR_y/s1600/IMG00260-20110419-1424.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbqd7rwmzSp3pYyBR0d8l4OaQL0u_L7fc1GvVrOe0602bZfH69k4utXEXHJ-KHSp_bebtnDNrykmecL2qIYwc15R3fMmbcRsDhlHal_8CSrZvTfNjLx9GG1o8EOTw9K62BAigF29FSR_y/s320/IMG00260-20110419-1424.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644476926858569090" />
<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-slI8MufXdDe0IN2KK1EbvwYTeeZ9z_12hLJAvovD0bi_GbwMNJn2u0kwSeT91e8guEhrc3hLIjF_T05vBYaDfkJRHDzLGD_F4dIwW-G4SWyFdZVkPlPxZEYSWwYGAkcd1ELmHtyIe-5/s320/IMG00263-20110419-1437.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644477587497517826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gn53HxtOkN2k-2RmmONSE-d7_ccXr2n7YHnZacNDZwJ5HD8KdjulSzlE4EQlZuxzqwcQwrZSqXnnTs9OcubkLmSqX-UZU0ru5U4ljGzCDH8ONeIls7J-vDLn1Zt3wk3bZLVyuRlXsjSz/s320/IMG00178-20110410-1810.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644476928071919874" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u>
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<br /></div>Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-35641443557512932522011-07-24T11:24:00.003+08:002011-08-28T00:34:04.893+08:00Dinner for the kids!<div>Last couple of Wednesdays, I've been cooking dinner for some of the kids in our youth group at Church. I was watching Martha Stewart on TV, on Wednesday morning when I decided that I would make "Chef Bao's" Sloppy Bao!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Check out this funny video:http://www.marthastewart.com/351496/sloppy-bao#</div><div>The recipe is here: <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/351496/sloppy-bao">http://www.marthastewart.com/351496/sloppy-bao</a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Below the shallots and lemon grass!</div><div>
<br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4p-aVUcp0Ukqxa5VJTPBd4KtIcGnEM2UbRc4-3e7eV-I-S266bVr0Qq76zX40N_9Hbl2u_cuTd7WyLccF5vlQuJdyZYca5vHdZkQnLKI1R3T0L7nJG1GIoogJq9nNiNb1Xs5JegGengQs/s320/P7200077.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632754994354184418" />
<br /><div>I improvised on the toppings, I just mixed them all together. I topped slices of baguette with this meat sauce and the kids loved it!! It's an amazing flavor!</div><div>
<br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TjFtbPr0jYLR60XUp1Jska9jZoFSehF5ivWtw3M63MrnQX9AZvr12BvwbBbeuue8eskbox6_rTNa8MAoiB9Wt6BIf_5AMssYFvCyc6epkmW9BHe0if54qoS7GnB-EKuvSwjV-rIUFoNJ/s320/P7200078.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632754998642226258" />I also made macaroni cheese today. I used my magic pot to cook the macaroni by putting it aside for 6 minutes (per instructions on the package) only after it came to a boil on the stove.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Result? Perfect macaroni!</div><div>
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<br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJIFzUSiyBJfXTM1JwzVhn3pdFRyASK49XnaiKT3mpB0kD9NfD2t7lW8wyTdk6pP6v-IS4NB1Q07i_Kb2GvXiub-qhruz3sgfCLFZX1EYVqIgV0G_SHdSzYmDsSasrmBTlYNEdsvFKC0f/s320/P7200075.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632754989861180690" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Baked macaroni cheese!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufUnN_jbrXlYGxXmKo0S-eR46fk94-x0ONqZms-T0Miu2Dc0gt93F12ugfSePVd4rcWX1b5SajrHpP-FJMfTy4RR2zX7NiXPYxMk8_lKTZZIjg7bbvDdpjAoT0KWCGg_Kg4T-qmD4ptrM/s1600/P7200080.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufUnN_jbrXlYGxXmKo0S-eR46fk94-x0ONqZms-T0Miu2Dc0gt93F12ugfSePVd4rcWX1b5SajrHpP-FJMfTy4RR2zX7NiXPYxMk8_lKTZZIjg7bbvDdpjAoT0KWCGg_Kg4T-qmD4ptrM/s320/P7200080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632755003657627970" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Fried some Chinese style meehoon too!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGjKigy_LZJvFpIkiMuJXfcLdSQRir8rqhtl7OX2X9r6xxZJAVhyphenhyphengtoji64_vF4I645v8Rs9a0gQTRxvsPyEcnvqfPwdbq0Ser7avx4hajpt0bNK6Y-cthQXTp8NLwQL-adWXodQPXtWG/s320/P7200079.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632755000485919874" /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div></div></div></div></div>Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-55021996311561642862011-07-24T10:57:00.005+08:002011-07-24T11:40:50.699+08:00Sarawak Laksa<div>My friend gave me a few packets of Sarawak Laksa paste and it's been in my freezer for a while. I have no idea how to cook Sarawak Laksa!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Definition from Wikipedia:</span></i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Sarawak laksa</b> (Malay: <i><b>Laksa Sarawak</b></i>) comes from the Malaysian state <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarawak" title="Sarawak" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; ">Sarawak</a>, on the island of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borneo" title="Borneo" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; ">Borneo</a>. It is actually very different from the curry laksa as the soup contains no curry at all. It has a base of <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambal" title="Sambal" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; ">Sambal belacan</a></i>, sour tamarind, garlic, galangal, lemon grass and coconut milk, topped with<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omelette" title="Omelette" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; ">omelette</a> strips, chicken strips, prawns, fresh coriander and optionally lime. Ingredients such as bean sprouts, (sliced) fried tofu or other seafood are not traditional but are sometimes added.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Last weekend at the coffee morning sales, my stall was sold out quite early so I had time to sit around to chat with some old friends from Sarawak. Gina who is the grandmother of my Godson taught me how to cook the Sarawak Laksa.</div><div><br /></div><div>I cooked the pork bones and chicken stock in my magic pot one day ahead. I used my 8 L pot, brought the water to a rolling boil, added the bones and kept it boiling for 10 minutes. I left it in the magic pot for more than 10 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>The stock turned out excellent and clear!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1ySsCW8Y6h1SYnUN9gopBpsQtPEcz-Ria5SLfThLh6XGG7PO338ENq756JdXSm5yHBtQIZbBPD6qzS55FsjwlHKMPTtXlcAoZN4dGg1BeMVz5nhXEj1GaeO4tSHRq4ldnw5bHqeSITrC/s1600/P7180068.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1ySsCW8Y6h1SYnUN9gopBpsQtPEcz-Ria5SLfThLh6XGG7PO338ENq756JdXSm5yHBtQIZbBPD6qzS55FsjwlHKMPTtXlcAoZN4dGg1BeMVz5nhXEj1GaeO4tSHRq4ldnw5bHqeSITrC/s320/P7180068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632747981291926962" /></a><br /><div>After clearing the scum, look at the clear soup!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIX1zK-DUiQx3VmEIlcJFzzya66_96-OvHYodBqRBdmgKkodDV5OIZoVYOb6NowbK5iChjhr_ahxTBJ9I3oXbQOQ25bbWpAKUlz09_vYIgZ6qTnuyaH-aXaXKfsdcP9N6awEoXNOE_2O-Q/s1600/P7180070.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIX1zK-DUiQx3VmEIlcJFzzya66_96-OvHYodBqRBdmgKkodDV5OIZoVYOb6NowbK5iChjhr_ahxTBJ9I3oXbQOQ25bbWpAKUlz09_vYIgZ6qTnuyaH-aXaXKfsdcP9N6awEoXNOE_2O-Q/s320/P7180070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632747978010405346" /></a>Look <a href="http://www.deliciousasianfood.com/2006/08/25/sarawak-laksa/">here </a>for a similar recipe. I am lazy to re-write everything and this recipe posted by <a href="http://www.deliciousasianfood.com/2006/08/25/sarawak-laksa/">Hochiak! </a>seems similar to how I cooked the Sarawak Laksa.</div><div><br /></div><div>I cooked a sambal which Gina taught me. </div><div>1 packet of chili boh</div><div>1 cup of dried prawns</div><div>some oil from the Sarawak Laksa</div><div><br /></div><div>Method:</div><div>1. Cook the chili boh in some oil from the Sarawak Laksa.</div><div>2. Soak and pound dried prawns coarsely.</div><div>3. When chili boh darkens to a dark red/maroon color and smells fragrant, add the dried prawns and cook for a while. Add salt to taste if necessary!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGCdzyzKFKpxh2EiKyfLW-qGoXvJInwkgBo234RHsWXDlZpB22z2Tv2YG6-bGoMnlMzx6SEjlbp4JbPU2TqYZ0Oe0Uc5gRdg-vQ5qMYoDHOguj5oBtOlnjAgvNVqANL_9G8tKy7V3NxVn/s1600/P7190071.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGCdzyzKFKpxh2EiKyfLW-qGoXvJInwkgBo234RHsWXDlZpB22z2Tv2YG6-bGoMnlMzx6SEjlbp4JbPU2TqYZ0Oe0Uc5gRdg-vQ5qMYoDHOguj5oBtOlnjAgvNVqANL_9G8tKy7V3NxVn/s320/P7190071.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632747972711934418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNa49QikPEdNmg80DT0ZgBU59bKcigkvc5yDJSY3BxVubllEyub5UBeedlBbiY2_WDP24vP6YrWWu-qBmdqvqRt8gam2F3EdRis4Hv0llPFIxJf6ixGna497vcezCSrGI3jE4SYcz2S__z/s1600/P7190072.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNa49QikPEdNmg80DT0ZgBU59bKcigkvc5yDJSY3BxVubllEyub5UBeedlBbiY2_WDP24vP6YrWWu-qBmdqvqRt8gam2F3EdRis4Hv0llPFIxJf6ixGna497vcezCSrGI3jE4SYcz2S__z/s320/P7190072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632747969952932018" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-89648820211282284792011-07-24T10:50:00.002+08:002011-07-24T10:56:23.951+08:00Coffee morning sales<div>Last weekend I sold American Breakfast at our Church coffee morning sales in aid of the parish PIHD (Parish Integral Human Development) fund.</div><div><br /></div><div>My target sale was for 100 pax. It was a fun morning! </div><div><br /></div><div>Below is a tray of mixed vegetables which I boiled in salt water and coated in butter. Next is a tray of scrambled eggs.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgpIjvpmUlQcwulWOfzKA2A6yO8MZlFqkkjJKjrYG4wryDCtIIJTgTJv0R7GBWqqbElae9qD9ouJ1nPj7cvbCazhEsZ7-dwSjqh1m4n6Hl1EaSx_U0qQY29o-zwhyphenhyphenZC31uCP49nzCFOY5/s1600/P7170013.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgpIjvpmUlQcwulWOfzKA2A6yO8MZlFqkkjJKjrYG4wryDCtIIJTgTJv0R7GBWqqbElae9qD9ouJ1nPj7cvbCazhEsZ7-dwSjqh1m4n6Hl1EaSx_U0qQY29o-zwhyphenhyphenZC31uCP49nzCFOY5/s320/P7170013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632745946923884786" /></a><br /><div>There were chicken nuggets, sausages, baked beans, fries and not forgetting a huge hamburger bun! (not in picture).</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDYs3m_bQxd8SFkBiHIf7Gba3BehDMqcXd03WgtsWvZzw5BU5DcdiYukyZfgAWSXflT_i5PYilVnZsE1r-1hStrQkyXQlrdaytYffRFacc4o-08YXJAFvBjNQ8pumTFnvgTXpECw0vwP2/s1600/P7170012.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDYs3m_bQxd8SFkBiHIf7Gba3BehDMqcXd03WgtsWvZzw5BU5DcdiYukyZfgAWSXflT_i5PYilVnZsE1r-1hStrQkyXQlrdaytYffRFacc4o-08YXJAFvBjNQ8pumTFnvgTXpECw0vwP2/s320/P7170012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632745943674781954" /></a><br /></div><div>Sold out by mid morning.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-54951893206721495062011-07-14T16:48:00.003+08:002011-07-14T16:55:53.907+08:00Thermal Magic Pot curry chicken<div>I decided to cook curry chicken today in my Thermal Magic Pot. I actually did the cooking in another clay pot first before transferring the contents into the insert pot.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the clay pot, I sauteed some ground shallots, ginger, garlic, star anise, cinnamon, cloves and chicken curry paste until fragrant.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I tossed in the chicken, the coconut milk, potatoes and salt and allowed the contents to come to a boil. Immediately, I transferred the contents into the insert of the Thermal Magic Pot and allowed the curry mix to come to a boil. </div><div><br /></div><div>As soon as it came to a boil, I covered the insert with it's lid and transferred it into the outer pot.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoOR7zctRaebzfIQSt2xx4l_1dKjTIN1Akr2STJEeh8k1C5fIaCRX2V4dgwQdSBIxpcW_rLjK1gkDRbleP959GorXDc8EZcTemsdk_FX-6Gk8RUoRt6Hl-Q7zGwR8giGXNcqCuLNARCgq/s1600/P7140023.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoOR7zctRaebzfIQSt2xx4l_1dKjTIN1Akr2STJEeh8k1C5fIaCRX2V4dgwQdSBIxpcW_rLjK1gkDRbleP959GorXDc8EZcTemsdk_FX-6Gk8RUoRt6Hl-Q7zGwR8giGXNcqCuLNARCgq/s320/P7140023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629127363160705938" /></a><br /><div>Three hours later, the curry is cooked and delicious!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Xo6IPA5eY3mAzBshnO8yYvaBK2gRdR8MOJE9KZzEsPbMGVX6Tg_v0ssBmlwQuOBg9ZD5L9quDW2SJzXoSPkq1DEFjzSaNAOPW5ZQKfCRWY3_LKB8g0JooIgOdpo-V_trTlZYu_s9WtBA/s1600/P7140030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Xo6IPA5eY3mAzBshnO8yYvaBK2gRdR8MOJE9KZzEsPbMGVX6Tg_v0ssBmlwQuOBg9ZD5L9quDW2SJzXoSPkq1DEFjzSaNAOPW5ZQKfCRWY3_LKB8g0JooIgOdpo-V_trTlZYu_s9WtBA/s320/P7140030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629127354076499794" /></a><br /></div><div>I tested the potato, it was intact but soft in the center. Perfect cooking.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNl4VUZAAYf7-7_SOgmQflcPHFqUR4MeKSfQ-bx6M2MQA9RadW91iH-iS5Kp4PykZrxoKsjQHDJVb2fa_ZNaOqVFYjIVaLyJzxE9Zl2wjxYMEVn1iDNTKF1WgN3Txcb2sibHJIQi_KDGN/s1600/P7140033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNl4VUZAAYf7-7_SOgmQflcPHFqUR4MeKSfQ-bx6M2MQA9RadW91iH-iS5Kp4PykZrxoKsjQHDJVb2fa_ZNaOqVFYjIVaLyJzxE9Zl2wjxYMEVn1iDNTKF1WgN3Txcb2sibHJIQi_KDGN/s320/P7140033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629127350776231298" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Life can be a breeze with a little planning!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-42209976517361932742011-07-14T14:13:00.005+08:002011-07-14T14:41:36.389+08:00HijikiToday, after a long time, I decided to cook <a href="http://onabentofrenzy.blogspot.com/2007/08/hijiki-aburaage-ni.html">Hijiki</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-Wr5Lh16rzrkqof_BIgsi1PAgDYyarSo7g7WWdJe7QulqTUTiqxGNysy0FuXw3HCxgfR_KTVmpVzizlcig7PZsMfml9VJ-WWxp_2VCDw_mbCzsTJbrt4bhJs6ZqvDORzZ1gj5x1uBfP6/s1600/P7140025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-Wr5Lh16rzrkqof_BIgsi1PAgDYyarSo7g7WWdJe7QulqTUTiqxGNysy0FuXw3HCxgfR_KTVmpVzizlcig7PZsMfml9VJ-WWxp_2VCDw_mbCzsTJbrt4bhJs6ZqvDORzZ1gj5x1uBfP6/s320/P7140025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629087816734581026" border="0" /></a><br />Perfect brown rice cooked in Thermal Magic pot!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqDNE_pLTYeClG-H0nIQUSgTq1Pp2adxjkiefMroZRV5LuM1rQClYjMU-1ZTWGikzAMJ9wewi5p1QohNv7HmA4eiwyznCy7vnyhUlgN5TmI89XFVBdvyNcy9B1BmJqjq3uMtApHeHUk3B/s1600/P7140024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqDNE_pLTYeClG-H0nIQUSgTq1Pp2adxjkiefMroZRV5LuM1rQClYjMU-1ZTWGikzAMJ9wewi5p1QohNv7HmA4eiwyznCy7vnyhUlgN5TmI89XFVBdvyNcy9B1BmJqjq3uMtApHeHUk3B/s320/P7140024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629089777439157442" border="0" /></a><br />This was my lunch today. Home cooked Hijiki, store bought Korean Kim Chi and brown rice topped with some toasted sesame seeds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyw1jAmX7wDzNu46nlv8NS-YsHeuCRMvKcI02GsRDRM6pbLd4KRP4BUjBi-G92yO04FsQ6vbjKEibeMZUMbf3zs0IAIlB0WjH1j57RlrzvTm1_0ILF7fCEFnbWnLLbYGkFV3Ux1DQ_eGyI/s1600/P7140026.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyw1jAmX7wDzNu46nlv8NS-YsHeuCRMvKcI02GsRDRM6pbLd4KRP4BUjBi-G92yO04FsQ6vbjKEibeMZUMbf3zs0IAIlB0WjH1j57RlrzvTm1_0ILF7fCEFnbWnLLbYGkFV3Ux1DQ_eGyI/s320/P7140026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629087813445289874" border="0" /></a><br />Close up on the Hijiki.<br />Note: I cooked the Hijiki minus the sugar and mirin for a healthier version by adding only shoyu and a dash of sesame seed oil.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsAI4hqlvKvz-gFUPs_p46nukP9vJLDPd1QL_XkhnBTI4mZmJmyCQ85cWbTLOn7ZFwJf4Hl2cqX38DjQCewE8XDfuFVQFJ6V9Wa4mb3HcaGXcXulpnpY7W2LJcXfbTarPCB3WznhmJtdj/s1600/P7140027.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsAI4hqlvKvz-gFUPs_p46nukP9vJLDPd1QL_XkhnBTI4mZmJmyCQ85cWbTLOn7ZFwJf4Hl2cqX38DjQCewE8XDfuFVQFJ6V9Wa4mb3HcaGXcXulpnpY7W2LJcXfbTarPCB3WznhmJtdj/s320/P7140027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629087806028718258" border="0" /></a>Kim chi.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1kcarm0AllqFrhg7M-e_PggwgH_DcrgE-w7FM2hR8dlfxpCu6zydfETlufiNQ-_Evk486iaIbN8Qv1WiXM6BT3ICaTL4kjooMcNcCfrtMsEGSoBW5_m2J1Oe0EnX2dYdCEofM6gNUqqs/s1600/P7140028.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1kcarm0AllqFrhg7M-e_PggwgH_DcrgE-w7FM2hR8dlfxpCu6zydfETlufiNQ-_Evk486iaIbN8Qv1WiXM6BT3ICaTL4kjooMcNcCfrtMsEGSoBW5_m2J1Oe0EnX2dYdCEofM6gNUqqs/s320/P7140028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629087800962771730" border="0" /></a><br />Consuming brown rice makes me feel good!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zE55FK7zWIa0U6tWTEiCu6pI_2rjlagz_JCfGGUzz3X-eegGZ9XGsJGW62G6tiUpcm3IKvhmVXgklEKbqcZ7Lv8XstlJBLqp1ad5fUUMUV1zLrZxbYjEfaGiZfzelAkHp4Ok5Q1P6H0X/s1600/P7140029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zE55FK7zWIa0U6tWTEiCu6pI_2rjlagz_JCfGGUzz3X-eegGZ9XGsJGW62G6tiUpcm3IKvhmVXgklEKbqcZ7Lv8XstlJBLqp1ad5fUUMUV1zLrZxbYjEfaGiZfzelAkHp4Ok5Q1P6H0X/s320/P7140029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629087793555707154" border="0" /></a>Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-55255348346366744192011-07-14T14:02:00.002+08:002011-07-14T14:08:34.098+08:00Onigiri to goI made some Onigiri to go yesterday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZAz3SugnTg6ZbYBzeZwzJLM5zhK54QVbKiYEGGJdVnXDpE8P81eTBO-RGHs1ppgZAj01ePbVqsaUMWu45HTQKyLh7oCKcp7h_151o_sSTqHyMr1RdP6CiBGOFRQfYAFCCs57TOcai1m1/s1600/P7130017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZAz3SugnTg6ZbYBzeZwzJLM5zhK54QVbKiYEGGJdVnXDpE8P81eTBO-RGHs1ppgZAj01ePbVqsaUMWu45HTQKyLh7oCKcp7h_151o_sSTqHyMr1RdP6CiBGOFRQfYAFCCs57TOcai1m1/s320/P7130017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629084880173912738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I was in a hurry and so I used the plastic molds to make the Onigiri. It's got a Salmon filling inside and sesame seeds and salt in the rice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTSfiNbKeIIg4evnnrSxHy1ujvHKrML1bHeCuwH0wyVichL2add5tkFcSC5_YukKu4NEd1svIq8BavrmBKsPeN-J8ccIxOiJ7T1Br6PPYOxlFbIpOn1bdVXIUJIDEYqD-tYvdbcDwQUmh/s1600/P7130016.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTSfiNbKeIIg4evnnrSxHy1ujvHKrML1bHeCuwH0wyVichL2add5tkFcSC5_YukKu4NEd1svIq8BavrmBKsPeN-J8ccIxOiJ7T1Br6PPYOxlFbIpOn1bdVXIUJIDEYqD-tYvdbcDwQUmh/s320/P7130016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629084884285737874" border="0" /></a><br />I cooked the Calrose rice in my large Thermal Magic Pot and it turned out perfect! I packed them in the Onigiri plastic wrappers I bought from Daiso. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhkxjJkmIENUWWUVb_VmOvtbs1MYpYqr-HH9kk6drw7uuC4nQt5SgifGQAzBkgTitnVQ4yvIjF88dnoRdc4kju9bwUw_MNghxUphHSeQOoHnyOwKoz5XLvVGeYxR3CCd_3sC1bOok7c5q/s1600/P7130020.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeh3XOq6Bt03BjktF2HNEvphFTS8_7zmTmeeSjZxA8iRzwPXngkg2mbEdHffXyLAF-Fh2HgOaR0zwZeTpzynV133lkoWREGfsKBqZ2oXGheJm8w-v_RT9dSIcRt1TXmtAmwH1fIWW1mvgB/s1600/P7130021.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeh3XOq6Bt03BjktF2HNEvphFTS8_7zmTmeeSjZxA8iRzwPXngkg2mbEdHffXyLAF-Fh2HgOaR0zwZeTpzynV133lkoWREGfsKBqZ2oXGheJm8w-v_RT9dSIcRt1TXmtAmwH1fIWW1mvgB/s320/P7130021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629084857648071890" border="0" /></a>Convenient stuff to bring around!Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-25936066846758976652011-07-14T13:42:00.004+08:002011-07-14T13:53:14.136+08:00Cooking soup with my Thermal Magic PotI cooked pork bones soup on Tuesday. Very simply blanch the pork bones in a smaller pot of hot water and transfer into the insert pot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVMsFDUtar2Blg8NvUqTIcK5y1ztJSKQwmH9kWR0mDrwHPv5QscaXWKeuXSn-1Ea76Nv8WC_S0BKJRcWXiPoyUu72I0paHNf1YJ0Jdacp5J3OsbAtJnNIA-Ks768wVCllLd1A1VgdgOru/s1600/P7120009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVMsFDUtar2Blg8NvUqTIcK5y1ztJSKQwmH9kWR0mDrwHPv5QscaXWKeuXSn-1Ea76Nv8WC_S0BKJRcWXiPoyUu72I0paHNf1YJ0Jdacp5J3OsbAtJnNIA-Ks768wVCllLd1A1VgdgOru/s320/P7120009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629081114703003394" border="0" /></a><br />The ingredients for today's soup!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscKn8lXCEEiYxDOZiQN1jE4Gf9JjcnWQw6lIypX6kj937ODG7nZAQbUjevpfC30IQCJw4oJm6LHgeJhyphenhyphen-HnS48KRC8DSYBZk_xxEwy0Usek_IVD13IpJ0YTI6zG-zZOjFUwAPjFoFHklf/s1600/P7120004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscKn8lXCEEiYxDOZiQN1jE4Gf9JjcnWQw6lIypX6kj937ODG7nZAQbUjevpfC30IQCJw4oJm6LHgeJhyphenhyphen-HnS48KRC8DSYBZk_xxEwy0Usek_IVD13IpJ0YTI6zG-zZOjFUwAPjFoFHklf/s320/P7120004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629080007919174226" border="0" /></a><br />I added Arrowroot, some dried oysters, dried scallops, some red dates and dried octopus.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iMTcYDJkjeK2hy1mzj5Lgvq03ZZkKpDrwVt-q9eaiytYkHHCW6n4WwEoTBG9Lw5agKWqTOAArIvnsJb8bhdY8zEXNipwYOQzWbnc9i05wU9qpv_JsDGRMmnIvGei0_rxI7z-h-Mjjx0B/s1600/P7120005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iMTcYDJkjeK2hy1mzj5Lgvq03ZZkKpDrwVt-q9eaiytYkHHCW6n4WwEoTBG9Lw5agKWqTOAArIvnsJb8bhdY8zEXNipwYOQzWbnc9i05wU9qpv_JsDGRMmnIvGei0_rxI7z-h-Mjjx0B/s320/P7120005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629080002906965298" border="0" /></a><br />Bring the pot of soup to a rolling boil and remove the scum.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLY4YePDtjQsohjf5A_vMrA4L_eB19dI9cQ3GkLU7pUuDX5EAzXc8e50SZ_hoYbMyRpYMHxu30gXHm9I3XR-w1A0hHZfpN3LE9GFu6TAqpdp9jjXmxtFY1i7ZRxqqW3n42OtOrL1DFfNk/s1600/P7120007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLY4YePDtjQsohjf5A_vMrA4L_eB19dI9cQ3GkLU7pUuDX5EAzXc8e50SZ_hoYbMyRpYMHxu30gXHm9I3XR-w1A0hHZfpN3LE9GFu6TAqpdp9jjXmxtFY1i7ZRxqqW3n42OtOrL1DFfNk/s320/P7120007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629080001671286978" border="0" /></a><br />About six hours later...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GBqUj1fIn3IOT7AEnfCQ3xj_10gWrPR3DmvcGl4nBxXzMAo5l_fK9PVwn_uPEbL9mGYTpVdZYePWwDW7YK9NcbHnD9SdXdCLrHiRB1DSo_8BlB9z5HFVCMdJemFk4PbJI89oBzzl_Nr7/s1600/P7120015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GBqUj1fIn3IOT7AEnfCQ3xj_10gWrPR3DmvcGl4nBxXzMAo5l_fK9PVwn_uPEbL9mGYTpVdZYePWwDW7YK9NcbHnD9SdXdCLrHiRB1DSo_8BlB9z5HFVCMdJemFk4PbJI89oBzzl_Nr7/s320/P7120015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629079986843127426" border="0" /></a><br />I removed the scum, brought it back to a rolling boil and added some salt to taste. Delicious hot soup.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnsgl98X5FI0BXbv-ImIlU7fVvyUlOHiwgfmPcr1-O6RC9D1zSLs8DSX5MDpUovnitTulGbngAXdFe065Mi2HTXk0JA60Q5nE_P3oDd_clbdKIqiTNfOl7EVyKEzIGREz3CzfRkAo_5fe/s1600/P7120012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnsgl98X5FI0BXbv-ImIlU7fVvyUlOHiwgfmPcr1-O6RC9D1zSLs8DSX5MDpUovnitTulGbngAXdFe065Mi2HTXk0JA60Q5nE_P3oDd_clbdKIqiTNfOl7EVyKEzIGREz3CzfRkAo_5fe/s320/P7120012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629079979134542562" border="0" /></a>Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-20553624482218222292011-07-11T21:59:00.007+08:002011-07-11T22:29:48.694+08:00Experimenting with my Thermal Magic Pots<div>Today, I experimented with my Thermal Magic Pots again! This morning I did a quick run to the supermarket to pick up some topside cubes. Most of what I needed was in my fridge, so when I got home mid morning, I began preparing to make a beef stew.</div><div><br /></div><div>Usually, I would sear the beef over the stove or in the oven and cook the other vegetables a little before simmering the beef stew over the stove or in a crock pot for three to four hours. This time, I simply cut up the vegetables, like you see in the picture below.</div><div><br /></div><div>Clockwise: cherry tomatoes, chopped celery, one potato, a box of button mushrooms, one carrot, one yellow onion and some herbs. On the side was a pack of beef topside.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfwQ6vxmCfG3G0jdquN7oIlLrrlp_kG3AmdPkcKmBJ6cHWM7xfeIuKTEidxdOTSL2afBz6mNyvBDF1eaeC42aR4NewewdK1-ahuSREbYbhEau00jvyXuLDnk5aOnLpa9OvcR-JCgNeChB/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfwQ6vxmCfG3G0jdquN7oIlLrrlp_kG3AmdPkcKmBJ6cHWM7xfeIuKTEidxdOTSL2afBz6mNyvBDF1eaeC42aR4NewewdK1-ahuSREbYbhEau00jvyXuLDnk5aOnLpa9OvcR-JCgNeChB/s320/IMG_0552.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628096618417356194" /></a>I have very poor photography skills, neither can I figure out what to do with a camera other than make sure it's on auto and press the button as instructed. Sorry for the blur pictures which follow!<div><br /></div><div>Fill 1/5 of the insert pot with water.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuTcdMAj9GaQe9tEsmtJ14Vdy8eFk67QHLlbQicmCA6syreccX5WpW9m8hUXMg07J9Z-AqGahOo6tCwcp2qeKZXFyl5MJif5O05vYdTttezDvZM86gZ3ajrQewoEZ-1Lhud2QvRHVTuzF/s1600/IMG_0554.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuTcdMAj9GaQe9tEsmtJ14Vdy8eFk67QHLlbQicmCA6syreccX5WpW9m8hUXMg07J9Z-AqGahOo6tCwcp2qeKZXFyl5MJif5O05vYdTttezDvZM86gZ3ajrQewoEZ-1Lhud2QvRHVTuzF/s320/IMG_0554.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628096615918447810" /></a>Add all the vegetables and beef cubes into the pot.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTA9dm6ek1H5ga4xLfUiTjp5dZR-8EIC0bSzpCBoENStN_p0_9hZt4qnk6dPbNUqvvkl7AL7UACZ-KL1naNcJgWUEP0qqhspZv0-ZyGWDSHsOiyZK1IrE_kPtM6CfMvQkvCnEufSMKa1IS/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTA9dm6ek1H5ga4xLfUiTjp5dZR-8EIC0bSzpCBoENStN_p0_9hZt4qnk6dPbNUqvvkl7AL7UACZ-KL1naNcJgWUEP0qqhspZv0-ZyGWDSHsOiyZK1IrE_kPtM6CfMvQkvCnEufSMKa1IS/s320/IMG_0559.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628096606396718018" /></a><br /></div><div>Bring to a rolling boil. Scoop away the scum.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6TNTn58mtk1Y9rjmOKRhasCKMlOUYqm7xlr-UGsWkMxTsQeXaDFPNSpsTEYNjHzhZ3E9AzI_Bhyphenhyphen3aaLQjZzBWEVaHH0gFdwM6-x0IUXmf-lUWymNS14h_ewkecNEb12VvgFB2ochgIh8/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6TNTn58mtk1Y9rjmOKRhasCKMlOUYqm7xlr-UGsWkMxTsQeXaDFPNSpsTEYNjHzhZ3E9AzI_Bhyphenhyphen3aaLQjZzBWEVaHH0gFdwM6-x0IUXmf-lUWymNS14h_ewkecNEb12VvgFB2ochgIh8/s320/IMG_0561.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628096600828121394" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Put the insert into the outer pot. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosqcm0uJzQMammddq93sX2kgRlmXpuxVynY29ee5fuje1YZXOSOUKzL6VJ1blEsB6lDsUL1fwlU88Uys8NX-CRpoXKV5MpnPVoI-Ta0N6CndhiofjbHblQJ339VChNKe1X9uWA5OFNRYR/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosqcm0uJzQMammddq93sX2kgRlmXpuxVynY29ee5fuje1YZXOSOUKzL6VJ1blEsB6lDsUL1fwlU88Uys8NX-CRpoXKV5MpnPVoI-Ta0N6CndhiofjbHblQJ339VChNKe1X9uWA5OFNRYR/s320/IMG_0563.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628096180946345202" /></a><br /></div><div>I left it for six hours. This was the result.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ0T8hHd7dc8tP14mfk8GgVPBxaeQ0hrOoJig8N2J5g8RsQFktGdA3KKZ9NUZRelLuxmMJBg5rWwrfGHk_w4oy4z9P0Vphevr9OMEqK4DTKUVCCIrdisW1y8p4_SzNjfxPmRXAu8Tacdg/s1600/IMG_0582.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ0T8hHd7dc8tP14mfk8GgVPBxaeQ0hrOoJig8N2J5g8RsQFktGdA3KKZ9NUZRelLuxmMJBg5rWwrfGHk_w4oy4z9P0Vphevr9OMEqK4DTKUVCCIrdisW1y8p4_SzNjfxPmRXAu8Tacdg/s320/IMG_0582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628096176222571458" /></a><br /></div><div>A closer look at the beef stew. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtzqNGdsKcuObo6jbpeSaE-Gvh7EC1aJCbSY0ajW6miH3xfG85-qCW-o73XtWwGIoPU5xqt0Nm2brxJYE_JfQTXuouiL60aUc9VCwgF6wrNU6w6GpS4GU_lsDyvOliykEoWmZx2PbKwT-/s1600/IMG_0584.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtzqNGdsKcuObo6jbpeSaE-Gvh7EC1aJCbSY0ajW6miH3xfG85-qCW-o73XtWwGIoPU5xqt0Nm2brxJYE_JfQTXuouiL60aUc9VCwgF6wrNU6w6GpS4GU_lsDyvOliykEoWmZx2PbKwT-/s320/IMG_0584.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628096174958878786" /></a>I tried cooking brown rice using the Thermal Magic Pot. I had soaked the brown rice for 3 hours prior to cooking. After 3 hours, when the water came to a rolling boil, I allowed it to cook for 10 minutes on a simmer.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCw1XaNAkvcpFk7hY_TEDs5mhlj-wU_jKaODvgzb0vN1I9L_Fk3Ni1sK1fwCJQS3CUzYKxD6UlG-KY7kC2SmBl-SLe9_ADJsBoAeyQVCyxJYzyNma1ZO8HLTcY01gdHgiki3RnlJwCRbl/s1600/IMG_0586.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCw1XaNAkvcpFk7hY_TEDs5mhlj-wU_jKaODvgzb0vN1I9L_Fk3Ni1sK1fwCJQS3CUzYKxD6UlG-KY7kC2SmBl-SLe9_ADJsBoAeyQVCyxJYzyNma1ZO8HLTcY01gdHgiki3RnlJwCRbl/s320/IMG_0586.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628096163246952850" /></a>After two hours in the outer pot, the rice turned out "PERFECT!" I was completely surprised! I couldn't believe it! Brown rice is a tricky grain to cook but this is too good to be true!!!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkcLUHWYsHHLc_SW2qTtmCynGoNeNycRhpJInXhj7twW_JKnzJ_jlbWijDxDN6nGHoK7MdlNzFQzN2z4yWvW3XoEgtlK8S9EdVoSVnpPcIFFSUDMRQyXzOs_HWCfjLfFpXrZjzyDyrIFm/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkcLUHWYsHHLc_SW2qTtmCynGoNeNycRhpJInXhj7twW_JKnzJ_jlbWijDxDN6nGHoK7MdlNzFQzN2z4yWvW3XoEgtlK8S9EdVoSVnpPcIFFSUDMRQyXzOs_HWCfjLfFpXrZjzyDyrIFm/s320/IMG_0591.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628095668821598642" /></a><br /></div><div>Look at the fluffy and not too wet brown rice!!! It was cooked through!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyv5Jntx_lq2gCsWhllY5RXJu0eIbKdwg14lL8jUk5naRByT4PWI15vmFohs27ohco3JNdrLkUEpw_n8iB2fmr6MBXbAs-qAH3UsE5_tlgZFRKku3Qw3FS1xNbI0Nl8r88n4gwzbVxkv8/s1600/IMG_0592.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyv5Jntx_lq2gCsWhllY5RXJu0eIbKdwg14lL8jUk5naRByT4PWI15vmFohs27ohco3JNdrLkUEpw_n8iB2fmr6MBXbAs-qAH3UsE5_tlgZFRKku3Qw3FS1xNbI0Nl8r88n4gwzbVxkv8/s320/IMG_0592.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628095666657822194" /></a>Aghhh!!! I don't know why the color of this picture turned out like this!!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Tog6rKnV65mrmr43tHsdi-gB7D4w6p4sDs-ZvVu13mFIhh9vdNg0M14h54MO2MmcbWe2O99X1GBGcqq4w3epHQxyBA62lVhPzTDPsIWePrzfvw8Yx2szSf6ysNRgq7eaHovVBiVh5LZF/s1600/IMG_0594.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Tog6rKnV65mrmr43tHsdi-gB7D4w6p4sDs-ZvVu13mFIhh9vdNg0M14h54MO2MmcbWe2O99X1GBGcqq4w3epHQxyBA62lVhPzTDPsIWePrzfvw8Yx2szSf6ysNRgq7eaHovVBiVh5LZF/s320/IMG_0594.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628095648994561058" /></a>Look at the beef, tender and delicious. All the vegetables weren't mushy and well cooked through! What a successful attempt! I LOVE THE THERMAL MAGIC POTS!!!!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0puzynbjLQtO2wPHMsPEipw44Fixqs0-lJfULnejaodHJ7EbYrYizz2N09iY-zCHIKqTPQuRpKnUsj7D2x4PfKGbbCHQKyK2tjw64djChdyYG9fkL9cn16Yp4tviA8Oh2QwHi5KFBjGAo/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0puzynbjLQtO2wPHMsPEipw44Fixqs0-lJfULnejaodHJ7EbYrYizz2N09iY-zCHIKqTPQuRpKnUsj7D2x4PfKGbbCHQKyK2tjw64djChdyYG9fkL9cn16Yp4tviA8Oh2QwHi5KFBjGAo/s320/IMG_0600.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628095634532248418" /></a>The beef stew was delicious and the brown rice was cooked beyond my expectations!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div>Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939411475431504418.post-45844152630077377232011-07-09T15:45:00.005+08:002011-07-09T17:19:51.082+08:00Thermal Magic cookers<div>My friend <a href="http://emilys-stitch-in-waiting.blogspot.com/2010/05/thermal-magic-cookers-organic-farming.html">Emily</a> introduced<a href="http://emilycookingforays.blogspot.com/2010/05/thermal-magic-cookers.html"> Thermal Magic cookers</a> in her blog sometime last year. I was curious and asked that she help me purchase two pots.</div><div><br /></div><div>Being first time user, I obviously didn't read enough how the pot worked to attempt continuous usage! What a waste!</div><div><br /></div><div>I gave one pot to my mum which she uses to cook rice and I found use for mine, making yogurt! The yogurt is really easy to make in this pot and it turns out like magic! LOL!</div><div><br /></div><div>Just fill the inner pot three quarter way with whatever type of milk you like and heat over the stove. Test the temperature over the back of your hand and if it feels warm then it's ready to add the yogurt "mother". Turn off the fire, stir in the "mother", close the lid and pop it into the outer pot and 'lock'. Leave for about 4-6 hours and you get deliciously smooth yogurt.</div><div><br /></div><div>My mum gave me a 5L pot last year which was kept on my kitchen shelf. I had surfed the net about using the thermal pots and I didn't find very much encouraging information.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, more than a year has passed and why all the sudden interest? I met a friend last week end and saw that she was using a 6L thermal pot. I was curious and asked her if it really worked?</div><div>She was a world of inspiration, recounting all the different methods and recipes which she had used the thermal pot. I was awed and my jaw dropped. To imagine that the thermal pot could actually do all that and save so much cooking gas? Seriously? I had to try it out!</div><div><br /></div><div>I woke up the next morning and began preparing to cook a fish stock for dinner that night. I didn't know what to do so I just brought the water to boil in the inner 5L pot. I added the fish bones, two onions, some ginger, some ikan billis and freshly pounded white pepper. I allowed the water to come to a rolling boil for 5 minutes and popped the inner pot into the outer pot. Left it there for 6 hours before I opened it. Actually I was ready to bring the family out for dinner if this became an epic failure. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lqMYjPgxIztIqPZ8N-XucwugeeguCPofAtYOkoDtVP5LmisTjYuBh-qpsLKD8eXgdGAOJRL_onZfwS10UZwwLm0d6RZIviiEPJP1xkXD5Lu9dOGKOscl1KS_MjiMZQ71tQzoYzuARyrR/s320/P7040140.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627255847164939250" /><br /><div>The result was a great surprise because after I scooped out the scum from the top, I tasted a clear and delicious soup! I was immediately sold to cooking soup in thermal pots!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WQogv7jikV7QZ5Y2azLIIYLXqzZz8LZk6GEYea7Z0L6x2CSIOqq8o0iV4b9oTgnDg0Cr6pulIhAiW1s2TRlGxFV_ku68OkHy5G-OYxN9LoeeygrtOaS2yDWL3eMTOt6zeQHEHf3isP6D/s320/P7040141.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627255851951098850" />In my home, we drink soup every night at dinner. Regardless of whether it's a Chinese, Japanese or Western meal, we'd have miso soup or mushroom soup or something soup! When I boil soup <i>a la Chinese</i> then I usually boil the soup over a gas stove for at least 3 hours. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the same day I tried cooking rice for lunch and so I washed one cup of rice and added one and a half cup of water, brought it to a rolling boil over the stove. Popped it into the outer pot and left it for 2-3 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>The rice turned out deliciously fluffy.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jqXNoVDd3Pd9bVdrH-ghriSPSjgf495OAMuCnUWELFBG7T6VPI64qAteBAdq70L7py6lOGZvjyojdSmX_6tKN7qQsDB2q5gpwpPMZWO0vdSnkgvQLR4jVne4UQsVFpV9UWt3D1e9RGq_/s320/P7040134.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627255842079357154" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A closer look at the fluffy rice!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCM2bkFR-D5HJfoylwRA41FlLISEhXYCIUqbWVi2pWhSz9fRfVkLyzSCIofnOXqW2uxUIIYoaETqYnGlbAgBusxMZy8KR9520_62KGo7QJYAeocccnWCQ9GcKympm6Ue4yXjL-ZKfwOi4/s320/P7040133.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627255837574345202" /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since then, I've experimented with three different soups and each turned out surprisingly delicious. I've cooked chicken, ginger in sesame seed oil, soy sauce pork and more rice in the smaller pot and each time the dish turned out really nice!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I need to experiment more! *grinning happily*</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Bento Pethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712867596618586380noreply@blogger.com6