Steamed Huat Kuih

My first huat kuih and I cheated by using Redman Huat Kueh Mix.


I added Pandan extract to one. Yellow coloring plus banana essence to the other and lastly just red coloring. "Swee bor?" (pretty or not?) :)


This is how the package looks like. It comes in this multi-colors one and the other is brown sugar only. Ingredients stated in the package are flour, sugar, baking powder and vanillin. All I need to add is water or coconut milk. Very easy! One package yields 12 small huat kuih.

I got one easy recipe for you to try. It's FenYing's Xiao Fa Gao recipe. Since all the ingredients can be found at home, why pay so much for a premix? I bought it earlier because I didn't know it's so easy to make. :P

Edit to add 02/27:
My conclusion: Use Gula Melaka for extra fragrant. If you want to make this colorful ones (more appealing to kids), use essence in addition to coloring (it tasted so much nicer). I thought of this while laying in bed:

~White color, add Coconut, Lychee or Almond essence.
~Green color, use Pandan extract or green tea powder.
~Yellow coloring, add Banana or Mango essence.
~Red coloring, add Strawberry, Raspberry or Rose essence
~Orange coloring, add orange essence.

Longevity Noodle & Bak Kwa

Nice or not, my Tangerines? CNY is in the air! :o)


My Longevity Noodle


My Homemade Bak Kwa

Just an easy yellow noodle stir-fry. CNY has to eat long noodle since it symbolizes long life. So, an easy dinner for us since I was too lazy to whip out other dishes. :P

Also trying Gan55 version of Bak Kwa which uses LKK char siew sauce, brown sugar and a little rose wine. Taste good too! Recipe can be found here.

Click here for my other bak kwa recipe. I strongly recommended this recipe as this is the best I have tasted so far and received rave reviews.

Deep-Fried Imitation Crab Sticks

Deep-fried Imitation Crab Sticks


Stored in a container


Is it a bit too brown (or chao ta, lol)? To ensure it is crispy, I have to fry mine until this color, if not it is kinda soft. This is very easy to do, just shred the imitation crab meats into pieces and drop it into a medium heat hot oil and deep-fry until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towel and when cool, keep in a container. Very yummy to snack on!

Note: My homemade one lasted only four days. It turned soft on the fifth day.



Check out my other deep-fried imitation crab legs with dessicated coconuts. This is a great appetizer or party finger food for your guests.

Goodies from Ray & Soo

How nice of Ray & Soo to send me a package of goodies for CNY and wished us Happy New Year. Evy grabbed for the Mamee as soon as I opened the box. She said all the Mamee are hers. LOL! As for me, I can't wait to try the Curry Laksa that people have been raving about.

If you miss your childhood snacks like Mamee, Fish Satay, Muruku, Twisties, Dodol Durian, etc. You can buy it at MyTOA. This online store also sells a lot of premixes and Old Town Ipoh 3 in 1 White Coffee. Believe me, that brand of White Coffee is the best! Hearing that he is going to import some M'sian ikan bilis, custard powder, Konnyaku powder, etc in the future. So do check out MyTOA for new products ya.

Ray & Soo, thanks for the yummy goodies! I just placed a big order at MyTOA. :o)

Xin Nian Kuei Le and Gong Xi Fa Cai ya! :o)

Pig Year - Oink! Oink!

Dear readers,

Hereby wishing you and family a Happy and Prosperous New Year and may this pig year brings you health, money and lots of happiness! :o)

Xin Nian Kuai Le &

Gong Xi Fa Cai &

Nian Nian Yo Ye!!

In addition to that, from my house to yours ~ my CNY cookies and goodies. Do help yourself ya!

My GoldFish Wantons

After seeing the Goldfish wantons at LeeLee's blog, I just have to try it. I love the idea of using the springroll wrapper and make it looks like little goldfishes, aren't they cute?

Oops, just noticed that mine look slightly different from hers because I didn't fold the meat into half. I forgot to recheck her pictures before I stated making mine, anyway still look good hor?



This is the closed up. I didn't have anything to use as garnish, so just simply borrowed the spring onions that was meant for stir-frying my bean sprouts.

Pictures Update of Evy

Mom, quick I wanna watch Arthur! (a cartoon series)


At her friend's birthday party recently.


Mummm...what?


Can we look at the magazine together?


Being funny!

Whole Wheat Buns

Basic Whole Wheat Dough recipe (using a BreadMaker):

2 3/4 cup whole wheat flour (King Arthur)

1 cup plain flour

1 tsp. bread improver

1 tsp. salt

1 Tbp. milk powder

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

220ml cold water

1/3 cup butter

1 Tbp. instant yeast

Method:

1. Add everything in according to your breadmaker manual. Turn on the dough function and let the breadmaker do the work.

2. When done, take the dough out, give it a few kneads and cut it and shape it whatever you like. For the above bun shape, roll the dough in cylinder shape, cut out individual portion, roll it into ball and place it on a baking pan lined with parchment paper.

Note: You can add any filling you like at this point as well.

3. When finished placing the balls of dough in the baking pan, leave some space in between for it to prove.  Cover with plastic wrap and let it proves for 45-60 mins depending on the temperature of your room (or til double in size). It is faster if you let it proves under the sun. [For us who lives in U.S. or other seasonal country, during winter I prove my bread/buns in a preheated 170'F (my oven lowest temp.) oven for 30 mins]

4. When double in size, brush the top with milk or egg wash (optional) and bake in the preheated 375'F oven for 10-12 mins. Or until golden brown on top.

5. Cool on wire rack and keep in an air-tight container.

Brahim's Kuah Kari Ikan (Fish Curry)

I have tried several Brahim's premix like rendang, honey chicken, etc but nothing to shout about. But I would recommend Brahim's fish curry as shown below. It is delicious and tasted like Indian curry and quite spicy. It's a super fast and easy to whip up dinner because all you need is water and freezer ready ingredients. My hubby "sapu" (finished) the whole bowl down to the gravy.



Ingredients:

2 fish fillets, cut ( I used Tilapia, you can use cod or mahi-mahi)
6 small toufu pok, cut into half
12 frozen whole okras
1 cup frozen cut green beans
1 package Brahim's kuah kari ikan
3/4 cup water

Method:

1. In a pot, add water and the Brahim's sauce, turn up the heat, stir to mix well and let it boil.

2. When boiled, add the frozen veggies and taufu pok. Turn the heat to low, covered and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Open the cover and add in the cut fish fillets, scoop some curry on top of the fish, covered and let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Serve hot with rice!



This is how the package looks like!