Pork Ribs

I didn't have the slightest inkling what I wanted to cook for dinner tonight. Midday, I taught my new help to boil ABC soup in the crockpot (slow cooker). Then I rummaged my freezer and found a block of pork ribs. Honestly, I had no idea what I was going to do with the pork ribs. Decided to check for recipes on the internet - typed in "Pork ribs" and a list of web sites popped up. Selected one and then a second one and

found this - Simple Pork Rib Dry Rub (Picture from recipe web site)

Sometimes, I cook and cook Chinese food in the kitchen like a mad woman and there is hardly a compliment. Here, I took five minutes to put together the ingredients and shoved it into the oven to bake for 45 minutes and everyone is raving about how delicious it is!!! I am dumbfounded!!

Daifukumochi

#2 and I are great fans of this Japanese dessert. Where she prefers the plain Anko daifuku (red bean mochi), I am inclined towards the Ichigo daifuku (strawberry mochi). I've made this many times and I've tried various recipes. I make my own Anko because I don't like the can ones available in Jaya Jusco - it's incredibly sweet.

I still prefer the recipe given to me by my friend Alice.

Recipe:

150g Joshinko (Loh Mai Fun/rice flour)
80g Fine sugar
270ml water
kinako or katakuriko for dusting
5 - 8 strawberries (depending on size)

Method:
1. Put Joshinko, sugar and water into a microwaveable bowl and whisk till all ingredients are combined. (Optional: You can add a few drops of pink coloring if you want).
2. Put into microwave at medium heat for 3 minutes. After that bring out and mix paste well.
3. Put back into microwave for another 3 minutes on medium. Bring it out and mix the paste well again.
4.Put back into microwave for another 1 minute on medium.
(While in the microwave for the second and third time, the mochi paste should expand and deflate like a balloon). When ready, the mochi looks semi-transparent and is pliable.
5. The mochi is very hot and you have to be careful because you need to work with your hands.
6. Dust hands and tools with katakuriko.
7. Dust a stiff plastic spatula with katakuriko, cut up about a 'golf ball' size of mochi and use hands (dusted with katakuriko) to flatten the mochi out and fill with Anko and Strawberry (optional). Wrap up by picking up the opposite corners and pressing them together to seal it.
8. Roll in katakuriko before packing in a box and into fridge.
9. Enjoy!!!

Donburi - a balanced and fast meal

Donburi is not as popularly known as sushi, teriyaki, or some other well-known Japanese dish. Donburi simply refers to a large, thick rice bowl that often comes with a lid. Wikipedia explains Donburi as meals that are served in oversized rice bowls. Donburi are sometimes called sweetened or savory stews on rice.

This all-in-one meal is popular because everything is in one deep bowl, saving time in preparation and cleaning up. There are endless variations of donburi. On a personal level, I've not cooked a single meal for lunch for the past six months. Don't get me wrong, I love cooking, it's the washing up that I loath. My change of maid has been a constant nightmare and I thank God that my agency has finally got another change for me. My new help is a breath of fresh air. She understands and is able to carry out instructions without making a complete mess of things.

This is my first lunch meal I've cooked in half a year. SueSue asked me a question that triggered me to cook Donburi.

For me, cooking lunch must be fast because it's the busiest time. I have three school/college going children who have completely different time tables and schedules. The youngest one goes to day care after school and I send lunch over everyday (ta-pau/packed).

The second one is the busiest of the lot with an irregular schedule because of extra curricular activities like Choral singing, Debate brainstorming sessions, Music classes, Dance practices, etc, etc.

The eldest goes to college and we spend pretty much time having long breakfasts/brunches and coffees whenever her classes commence midday. All said and done, I would have done very well in the "Limousine business" if I had not been a stay at home mum!! LOL!!

Today's menu:

Salmon Steak Donburi and Miso soup
(for 2 persons)

1 salmon steak - marinate with salt and pepper
10 pods of snow peas (remove the fibrous string)
Toasted sesame seeds
2 bowls of hot Japanese short grain rice (Cooked)
Some lemon slices
1 tbsp of Kikoman shoyu
1 tbsp of lemon juice
One square inch of butter (less if you wish)
1-2 tbsp all purpose flour

Method:
1. Dust the marinated salmon steak with all purpose flour and fry it in melted butter.
2. Meanwhile boil a small pot of hot water and add salt and blanch the snow peas.
3. While frying the salmon, turn it once only and drizzle in the soy sauce from the side of the pan and add the lemon juice.


4. Prepare two donburi bowls and place cooked rice in each of the bowls. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds onto the rice.


5. Cut the Salmon into several pieces and arrange them alternating with a slice of lemon each.
6. Scoop some sauce mixture of butter, shoyu and lemon and drizzle onto the salmon.
7. Arrange the snow peas beside the salmon and you enjoy a fast and delicious lunch. Itadakimasu!

GYOZA

I surfed Terri's blog a couple of days ago and was trilled with her post on Shuijiao a.k.a. Gyoza, Peking Ravioli, Chinese Pierogi, Potstickers. The list is endless.

I have tried making Gyoza several times. While the filling is always delicious, the skin has been less than successful. I succumbed to buying the Gyoza skin from Jaya Jusco which cost quite a bit if Gyoza is the main course for dinner.

I realized that other recipes did not state anything about allowing the dough to rest. That was the 'trick' that was missing from my previous attempts. I've tried it three times since that fateful day I read Terri's post. The whole family has been stuffed on Gyoza for three consecutive days and still loving it.

If you want a fool's proof recipe, go to Terri's blog and you won't regret it!!

I'm giving you the recipe for the dip here:

1/3 cup of Kikoman shoyu
1/3 cup of vinegar
1 tsp of Japanese sesame oil
Lots of julienne cut young ginger.

Christmas Fruit Cake

I know Christmas season is over but I thought I'd share this very easy Christmas fruit cake recipe. I was cleaning out my fridges today and found a left over fruit cake from last Christmas. When cut, the fruit cake was still moist and I could still taste the Brandy. My mum has little to compliment me on my cooking skills but she raves about my fruit cake!! So it must be pretty good!! Hehehe!!

Christmas Fruit Cake

Ingredients:

(A)
375g Sultanas
250g Yellow Raisins
300g Black currants
130g mixed peel
130g glazed red cherries (halved)
130g apricot


250g Anchor Butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup Brandy
1/2 cup water

(B)
5 eggs
1 tbsp treacle
2tsp grated orange rind
2tsp grated lemon rind


1 3/4 cup plain flour
1/3 cup self raising flour
1/2 tsp soda bicarbonate

1. Chop ingredients (A) and mix them up in a thick, heavy bottom pot.
2. Add brown sugar, Brandy and water.
3. Put the pot over medium fire and add the block of 250g Anchor butter. Allow butter to melt and glaze the fruits.
4. Leave aside to cool.

When the cooked fruits has cooled down, mix (B) into it.

5. Fold in the flours and bake for 2 hours and 45 minutes @120 degrees C.
6. When fruit cake is ready and cooled down, wrap in foil paper and leave in a cool place (no refrigeration) and cut after at least one week.


My mum's tea today!!

What a week! (Part 2)

And so the story continues from here.

In the morning of the second day, the surgeon confirmed that it was appendicitis and #2 had to go for surgery immediately. In today's advanced technology, the removal of appendicitis is a simple and quick procedure. One needn't undergo an operation to remove it and have a six to eight inch scar for a souvenir anymore.

The surgeon recommended a Laparoscopic appendicitis procedure which entails three small incisions. A one inch incision is made in the umbilical for the laparoscope (a camera like device) connected to a huge projection screen for the surgeon to 'see' the inside of the abdominal area. The abdominal area is first pumped with Carbon dioxide to bloat it up like a balloon to create 'space' above the organs for the surgeon to carry out his craft. Another two small incisions are made for the instruments. One incision below the bikini area and one on the lower left. Dato' Haron was very specific in his explanation of the procedure and assured us that it was a quick and simple process.

I was still quite tense and #2 whispered to me and said that she wanted to move over to SJMC where her pediatrician's clinic was. I didn't quite have enough time to digest when I realized that hubs had already signed the necessary documents to go ahead with the Laparoscopic appendicitis procedure in DSH. I was a little concerned because she had to go under general anaesthesia. I've heard some fatal stories and I couldn't but help to worry of the risk involved.

By mid day #2 was being wheeled to the operating theater. As we were leaving to get some lunch, one nurse came running towards us and said that we hadn't signed the documents for the administration of GA. Agggghhhhhh.....!

So we followed her to the operating theater and waited for the anesthesiologist. I already had an issue with GA and now had to face with waiting for the anesthesiologist. I was a bag of nerves. I just continued praying in my heart and praying and praying.

Finally the anesthesiologist arrived after being paged for. I was relived to see a very fatherly figure of an anesthesiologist. He asked several questions in relation to allergies, health and drug consumption. After that, I felt the burden lift from my heart and realized that God had again answered my prayers. By 3.00p.m. she was back in her room feeling very tired and sore. She survived well and was a very good patient. No tantrums or whining. She had, had no food for more than 32 hours and was not allowed solid food. She just survived on sips of water.

That night, #1 stayed a second night with #2. In the middle of the night, #1 began to vomit. Early morning on the third day, #1 called and reported her state of condition. I rushed to the hospital. "I just need to go home to rest mum" #1 reports to me and zooms off home.

I stayed with #2 she had visitors coming in and out the whole day. It was heart warming to know so many people care and love her. I think she enjoyed receiving the little 'pressies' she got along with the visits!

Meanwhile, #1 comes back in the afternoon, to my surprise. The two of them often 'rolls eyes' at each other and have their differences. Surprisingly in a situation like this, they can't be out of sight of each other for too long! That's cool.

Hubs dragged #1 to the Emergency center to see a doctor about her vomiting condition. The doctor immediately ordered her to be put on the drip because she's dehydrated. When the nurse tries to administer the needle to the vein on the back of her hand, she asks "Kak, sakit kah? Adik saya cakap sakit lah". The nurse replies "tak lah". And so the nurse pricks into the vein and hooks up the saline solution and asks her to lie down to relax for an hour. When all is done, she comes back upstairs to #2's room and freaks out about how painful it was! #2 sheepishly replies "Yeah Cheah (sister)! Only last night you told me to shut up and go to sleep! See, now you get to experience it yourself!" #1 grins....lol!!

#2 was in the hospital for four days and we celebrated with Haagen Dazs ice-cream on the way home!!

What a week! (Part 1)

My #2 has been very busy in her school activities since school commenced in January. She's going to be 16 this year and already determined to make her career in music.

I picked her up from school (as I always do) last Tuesday. We decided to celebrate the triumph of an inter-school debate together with #1 and my mum. All excited, we went to "Canton-i", the sister of "Drangon-i", I'm told. We were enjoying our food when #2 bends and squeezes her tummy and says "Owwww... stomach ache, I need to go to the toilet". As always, I don't allow the girls to go to public toilets alone so, together with #1 she went.

The tummy ache didn't get better, in fact it got so bad she almost couldn't walk to the car. I wanted to bring her to the doctor but she insisted that she wanted to go home, all the time sitting bent forward and hands holding her tummy. At home, things are not better. She hides under the blanket and tries to rest with no avail.

Finally the pain was so bad, I got #1 and her friend (who came to work on a project with #1) to send #2 to DSH (Damansara Specialist Hospital). I had to pick #3 from tuition and I assumed that it was some food poisoning or gastritis.

Some two hours later, #1 called me and summoned me to the hospital because "the doctor didn't want to tell me anything and insists that he wanted to speak to you (the mother)". I panicked a little when I heard that because it didn't sound quite right! Immediately I informed my husband and I drove towards DSH in the terrible storm and peak traffic jam at about 6p.m.

My mind was filled with all thoughts and possibilities. I calmed myself and started to pray in the horrendous traffic jam. As I did that, my thoughts cleared and I was prompted to take a route that I was unsure of. I spoke to myself and said "Oh no! I'm not going to get myself into a situation where I'd get lost and then delay getting to the hospital". The prompting was strong and I was desperate in the thick of the traffic jam.

I relented and took the risk. Thank God, I did because the entire road leading to the hospital was completely clear albeit some cars from the opposite direction. #1 introduced me to a Dato' Haron, I found out that he was a surgeon (panic some more). He explained that he wanted #2 warded for a night for observation because he suspected Appendicitis (relief, relief, relief)!
The GP who first saw #2 administered a pain killer because she was in excruciating pain when she got in and the surgeon was summoned to confirm the diagnosis which was not to be because of the pain killer. After an exchange of questions and answers, I agreed to have her warded.

#1 and her friend started to share with me the series of questions they asked the GP and surgeon before being told to summon 'the mother or father' to come to hospital. Apparently #1 had asked the GP "Doctor, how sure are you my sister has appendicitis?" The doctor mumbles something about not being able to confirm because of the pain killer and that tests they had to run. #1's friend asks again "Doctor, if you can't confirm it's appendicitis, then how are you going to be sure of it? (something in that context).

I gawk at them as they recount their conversation with the doctor. In my heart I was telling myself - no wonder the doctor wanted to see the mother or father. Which doctor could withstand such interrogation from two young 19 year olds? Don't get me wrong. They are two very wonderful and caring young girls but green in the dealings of the world.

#1 stayed over in the hospital to accompany #2, both shared the same bed. In the night when the nurses came at 1a.m., 3a.m. and 5a.m., these were the questions:
"Siapa sakit?" (Who's the one sick?) - both were sleeping in the bed.
"Check temperature, Siapa?" (Who's supposed to check temperature?)
"Anak kembar ke?" (Twins?)
Meanwhile, #2 was complaining about the needles in both side of her hands. #1 brushes her off and tells her to "keep quiet and sleep!".


to be continued in the next post...

"Awed or Shocked?"

An amazing 'ear full!'

BENTO #59

Today, I made Onigiri. Normally, I would cook fresh rice in the morning, but I was running late and decided to zap some left overs in the microwave oven and it worked! I used my regular furikake, mixed it into hot rice and shaped them.



I think there is some level of monosodium glutamate in furikake and if you are wary about buying the commercially packed ones, you can just use sesame seeds and bonito flakes and salt and it'll taste great with a tuna mayo filling in the middle.

I particularly like this furikake which is about the only one other than the salmon furikake which I buy. I've tried others but some tastes quite wierd and doesn't seem very palatable.

I want to thank all my blog readers especially the regular readers for coming back to visit even though I have not been able to respond to you. I am grateful for your patience. I miss surfing your blogs and when I do, I do so with lightning speed so it leaves me no time to leave you comments.

This year started off on 'Turbo drive' and it hasn't slowed down. I pray that you bear with me and enjoy my blog as I enjoy de-stressing by blogging.

BENTO #58

Much as I love this new Bento Box because it is compact, and is able to keep at least one dish hot, I also find it very constrained because there's not much space for more variety!

As you can see, the left container keeps the 'hot' stuff! I filled it with Oden and filled the other two boxes with rice and Hiziki.

The square box of fruits consisting of seedless grapes and Persimmons and the Bento box belongs to #2 who has to stay back at school up to 4.30p.m. today.

The pink rectangle box of fruits goes with #1 to college from 8.00a.m. - 9.30a.m. Then when she's back we're off to a nice long lunch!! *Girls time together*!!

Brownies

I made some brownies today for #2 to bring for a 'do' tonight. #1 used sugar paste flowers which she made, to decorate the usually dark looking brownies. I thought the effects were really nice! #1 told me that the flowers could be used to sweeten coffee (like sugar cubes) because they are basically made from icing sugar. Okay, I've learnt something!

Saba no Teriyaki - Broiled Mackerel

You know, I never learn! I almost always forget to take pictures!! I haven't reached the stage where I plan what pictures I should be taking under what light or background. I just do what I have to do and suddenly... I remember I have to take pictures to keep my blog alive. The result? Half baked pictures!! Look at this one below. I only remembered that I had to take pictures after I started grilling the other three pieces of Saba fish! *Sigh* Luckily there was one piece left because the pan couldn't accommodate all four pieces.

I love, love Saba fish because it is so delicious when grilled properly. It is juicy and the mackerel literally melts in the mouth. Mmmmm......

Very often in the Japanese restaurants, they serve Saba Shioyaki (salt grilled Mackerel). I love this very much too, especially when grilled to perfection and dipped in wasabi, shoyu and served with hot Japanese rice.

I like a variation sometimes, and Saba no Teriyaki is delicious. It is very easy, here's the recipe:
1 whole mackerel - filleted to four pieces
Marinate:
1/4 Cup soy sauce
1/4 Cup mirin
1 T sugar
1/2 T grated fresh ginger root, pounded and juice squeezed out
Method:
Wash and pat dry Mackerel with paper towel and soak in marinate.
Leave to marinate for at least one hour (I leave it in the fridge for half a day)
Broil over stove or oven and baste occasionally while broiling.
Serve with Lemon and grated daikon.
You can use Salmon, Yellowtail or Tuna for more variation.

The picture below shows you the three pieces of Mackerel being broiled!



Ahemm....yours truly was in such a hurry to serve dinner to the family that the final picture was completely FORGOTTEN!!!
Anyway it was delicious and it looked exactly like a juicy piece of grilled fish.....lol!!

Sakura Denbu

Ingredients: cod fish, sugar, glucose, wheat flour, cochinille

Sakura means cherry blossom in Japanese, and the pink color is similar to the color of cherry blossom.

It is made from cooked cod fish which is pounded, dried, and flavored with salt, sugar, soy sauce etc, and finally colored with food red coloring. It is often used in sushi because it makes sushi vivid and beautiful.

Manufactured by Nishimoto trading Co., LTD.
Product of Japan

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I've run out of Sakura Denbu for months! It's been out of stock at all the Jusco outlets!! Yeah! I've gone on a rampage search everywhere and today when I was at Mid Valley, the staff at Jusco informed me that they have stopped ordering this.

*Sigh, faints slightly* I love this because it gives the sushi a nice sweet flavor besides making it look good. I'm not giving up yet. Still searching!!

BENTO #57

It's been ages since I posted anything on Bento. I acquired this new Thermos Bento from a sale at Parkson. It was on a 20% discount. I thought it was a pretty good deal and very compact. It maintains the heat in the rice thermos for a few hours.

This was #2's lunch today.


From left: Fried Kai Lan, Chicken Katsu with Bulldog sauce and white rice. Put them all in the bag provided and slotted a pair of chopsticks on the top of the bag.

This is how it looks with it's containers stacked in the bag. On the left is a thermal flask to keep hot the food you fill in - it could be soup, rice or stew. There are two other side dish containers that are stacked one on top of the other. It come with a pretty bag and now I'm inclined to cook hot food for #2 to bring to school.

This is how the Thermos bento looks zipped up! Cool eh?

Pancakes!

My kids favorite breakfast are pancakes. We love Paddington house of pancakes (PHOP) in One Utama. We've been patronizing this place since it's inception. The outlet at The Curve was the first to open but unfortunately we had some bad experiences with the hygiene of that outlet and we never went back until PHOP opened in One U.

We love all the different pancakes and eat there almost weekly. Unfortunately being quite regular makes one aware of very jarring changes that has been taking place in this place. Firstly, the service is deteriorating - the waiters are always messing up the orders. Their facial expressions are so glum that one would think that they'd be better off working as 'undertakers' and not waiters! Secondly, the chef's sometimes, don't deliver you what is stated on the menu - you have to ask for it! (when you are regular enough, you know what's missing from your order!)

Thirdly, the tables and cutlery are not as clean as they should be. The three girls, or should I say, the two elder girls and I, have, time and again been very irritated with the waiters (who seem to be new, all the time) who keep getting our orders wrong - sometimes, they miss out on one item or they bring us extra drinks we didn't order or something.

I made a point to complain in the comment card that they have but seems like there was no action taken and we noticed that the place was more and more quiet (no customers) every time we were there.

Last weekend, we were there again and were disappointed again. Call us dumb, but we love the variety that PHOP serves there.

I went home and taught #1 how to make basic pancakes. I don't think PHOP deserves another chance at earning our $$$! See! It's so easy!

110 g flour - sieve
2 eggs
Make a well in the middle of the flour and stir in eggs!
Add in 200 ml of milk and 75 ml of water and beat till smooth. Add 2 tablespoons of melted butter and a pinch of salt.


Oil a flat pan . Pour batter into the hot pan and toss over .


Finished!! Butter, Maple syrup and Cinnamon Sugar!! Delicious!!

No hassle and no stress!!