Escalivada

Still stuck at the office and I am started thinking of escalivada ;) Hmmm ....

 

Blueberry Clafoutis

Time for dessert! For those who has sweet tooth, Blueberry Clafoutis - a French cuisine traditionally made with cherry.



 
 

Escalivada anyone?

Hi guys!

I have been down with sore throat, cough .... etc. It seems like it comes in a package.  I have no appetite to eat, but last night I cooked Escalivada, which I enjoyed very much  

Escalivada is a typical preparation of Catalan (Spanish) cuisine that consists of several types of grilled vegetables, such as eggplants (genus Solanum), sweet red peppers (genus Capsicum), red tomatoes (Solanum esculentum), and sweet onions. Once well cooked on the grill, those vegetables are peeled and sliced in strips, the seeds removed, and seasoned with olive oil and salt, and sometimes with garlic as well. Escalivar means to cook in hot ashes. Typically the vegetables in an escalivada are grilled, and the dish is served with grilled meats. Mountain shepherds were adept at packing their rucksacks with some cheese and wine and building a hardwood fire near a revetment of their sheep's pasture where they could grill a medley of vegetables. (Source Wikipedia)

Last night I used aubergine, pumpkin, bellpepper (capcicum), tomatoes, garlic , and of course olive oil to brush the vegetables and finaly sprinkle some cumin.

This is how it looks like after the vegetable are cooked and before I peeled the skin of the vegetables:

 And, this is after the skin been taken out and it's ready! Yum yum ... You can add more olive oil, black pepper and salt.

Sometimes I replaced pumpkin with potatoes. You can just use any vegetables that you like. I tried using fennel bulb once (as suggested by the original recipe) but I don't quite like it, I don't know what such a big deal about fennel bulb. Maybe I haven't acquired the taste :)

Meet the new Chef in town!

 

I am changing career again.

No regret, I swear!

Been practicing a lot lately.

I am a very persistent cook (too shy to call myself Chef ) nowadays .... since my weight gone down to 42 kg (end of October)

Here's the resolution: Eat more cheese!

But the main problem is I_don't_like_cheese. And on top of that, I used to have Irritable Bowel Syndrome which very allergic to cheese and other dairy products. But the last 1 year or so, I have slowly included cheese in my diet (mostly because of HerbMaster, he loves cheese so much ).

It started with cheese biscuits which I ate while holiday in England last year and has fallen inlove ever since; and Herb brought me stock of cheese biscuits when he visited me April this year. After that I tried feta cheese , which according to Herb is a 'young' cheese that is not too strong in taste. And I kind of like that feta cheese though - even though it's not Herb's favorite cheese; he likes blue cheese that smell like a sock that has not been washed for months! .The new finding was eating feta cheese with celery stick! It's yummy and crunchy, I feel like a rabbit! Last month I bought cream cheese (it's expensive!! ) - which has milder taste than cheese and started looking for recipes that using cream cheese.

My first try was Spinach Potato Galette . I have also found the crispy version of galette which I would like to try someday.

Then followed by Spinach Cream Cheese Quiche

. .

Ingredients: for the filling - cream cheese, spinach, egg, cayenne pepper, mustard, nutmeg, chives.

The 2nd try , I still used spinach but I have added prawn (that was sauteed in butter with onion) and left out the chives and mustard.

The 3rd time was yesterday when I cooked Salmon quiche. I used fresh salmon that I boiled for 10 minutes before turning it into salmon flakes. If you look at the picture, I still use spinach - not just because I like spinach, Herb and I has also discovered that spinach is one of the 12 food that can keep you look young and healthy.

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Since yesterday was a public holiday, I have also cooked my all time favorite Roasted fruit with Honey.

Yesterday I used persimmon, peach, red pear and plum.

Ingredients for the caramel: honey, sugar, cinnamon stick - if you don't like the taste of cinnamon, don't use cinnamon powder!, cloves, vanilla, orange zest and juice, bay leaf, black pepper (after cooking it the fourth time I discovered that it tastes better with more black pepper ) and nutmeg.

Cooking this roasted fruit is easy, but occasionally - like every 10-15 minutes - you need to bathe the fruit with the honey mixture. Not just the fruit taste better after being roasted, the whole house smell heaven while the fruit being roasted! (imagine the aroma of vanilla, orange zest and cinnamon - in fact you MUST NOT omit orange zest ! )

The other day I tried roasted pumpkin with mixed vegetables and shrimp. Did I tell you that I am a pumpkin eater I also like butternut squash - but it is not easy to find it in Malaysia and very expensive too.

So, having tell you my secrets ..... do I look like I have put on some weight? I am now almost 45 kg!

Note: If you have any home made recipes that you would like to share please feel free to do soo! Your contributions to me putting on weight are very much appreciated and will be fondly remembered!

 

Foods for your brain?

Having difficulties to focus lately? Let's hear what expert has to say:

Caffeine Can Make You More Alert

There's no magic bullet to boost IQ or make you smarter -- but certain substances, like caffeine, can energize and help you focus and concentrate. Found in coffee, chocolate, energy drinks, and some medications, caffeine gives you that unmistakable wake-up buzz -- though the effects are short term. And more is often less: Overdo it on caffeine and it can make you jittery and uncomfortable.

 

Sugar Can Enhance Alertness

Sugar is your brain's preferred fuel source -- not table sugar, but glucose, which your body metabolizes from the sugars and carbohydrates you eat. That’s why a glass of something sweet to drink can offer a short-term boost to memory, thinking processes, and mental ability. Consume too much, however, and memory can be impaired -- along with the rest of you. Go easy on the sugar so it can enhance memory, without packing on pounds.

 

Protein & Brain Function Connection?

One of the great benefits of protein is that it generally makes you feel satisfied longer than carbohydrates and fats. Eating a diet rich in lean and low-fat protein is good for weight loss and overall health -- though it's hard to draw a connection with brain function.

 

Fish Really is Brain Food

A protein source associated with a great brain boost is fish -- rich in omega 3 fatty acids, essential for brain function and development. These healthy fats have amazing brain power: higher dietary omega 3 fatty acids are linked to lower dementia and stroke risks; slower mental decline; and may play a vital role in enhancing memory, especially as we get older. For brain and heart health, eat two servings of fish weekly.

 

Add a Daily Dose of Nuts, Chocolate

Nuts and seeds are good sources of the antioxidant vitamin E, which is associated with less cognitive decline as you age. Dark chocolate also has powerful antioxidant properties, and contains natural stimulants like caffeine, which can enhance focus and concentration. Enjoy up to an ounce a day of nuts and dark chocolate to provide all the benefits you need without excess calories, fat, or sugar.

 

Add Avocados and Whole Grains

Every organ in the body depends on blood flow, especially the heart and brain. Eating whole grains and fruits like avocados can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and enhance blood flow, offering a simple, tasty way to fire up brain cells. Whole grains, like popcorn and whole wheat, also contribute dietary fiber and vitamin E, while avocados have fat -- but a good-for-you, monounsaturated fat that contributes to healthy blood flow.

 

Blueberries Are Super Nutritious

Research in animals shows that blueberries help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Studies also show that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacity and motor skills of aging rats, making them mentally equivalent to much younger rats.

 

Benefits of a Healthy Diet

It may sound trite but it's true: If your diet lacks essential nutrients, it can decrease your ability to concentrate. Eating too much or too little can also interfere with your ability to focus. A heavy meal may make you feel lethargic, while too few calories can result in distracting hunger pangs. Benefit your brain: Strive for a well-balanced diet chock full of a wide variety of healthy, wholesome foods.

 

Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements?

Store shelves groan with supplements claiming to boost health. Although many of the reports on the brain-boosting power of supplements like vitamins B, C, E, beta-carotene, and magnesium are promising, they’re inconclusive. Researchers are cautiously optimistic about ginseng, gingko, or vitamin, mineral, and herb combinations and their impact on the brain. A daily multivitamin is OK, but check with your doctor before taking other supplements.

 

Get Ready for a Big Day

Want to power up your ability to concentrate? Start with a meal of 100% fruit juice, a whole grain bagel with salmon, and a cup of coffee. In addition to eating a well-balanced meal, experts also advise:

• Get a good night's sleep.
• Exercise to help sharpen thinking.
• Meditate to clear thinking and relax.

[Source: WebMD]

What's for lunch?

Few years back, a Johorean friend introduced to me "Asam Tumis" or "Asam Pedas" Johor with pickled cabbage. I used to eat Asam Pedas Johor that is cooked with ladies finger and/or eggplant (aubergine). So, pickled cabbage is something new ... but I fall in love with it ever since.  Every now and then whenever I have pickled cabbage, I'll sure cook 'Asam Pedas'.

Today, I explore my Asam Pedas with something else ... gerkhins! I don't know much about gerkhin until last August when I was on the flight to Manchester. During breakfast this 'small cucumber like' thing was served - I didn't ever know it's name! But I enjoyed the taste. So, later I asked Herb .... and that's how I was introduced to gerkhins - when I was at Herb's house, we ate gerkhins almost everyday!

When I am back in Malaysia I've been trying to look for gerkhins at the nearby hypermarket but couldn't find any until yesterday! So, here I am today cooking 'Asam Pedas' with gerkhins and egg plant!

October 02, 2007: Stuffed Vine Leaves (Dolmades)

Never tried it before! Anyone?

Maybe I should try cooking it - I am a big fan of rice! Any good recipe?

How about this one from BBC Food :

" Whenever I am in Greece I can't stop eating these. There's loads of different varieties - meaty, herby, veggie and these, which have sultanas and pine nuts. Serving them with the delicious tzatziki is essential. " ... Simon Rimmer

Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
3 shallots, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
125g/4½oz short-grain rice, rinsed and drained
50g/2oz sultanas
50g/2oz pine nuts, toasted
1 lemon, juice only
175ml/6fl oz water
1 bunch of spring onions, finely chopped
handful of finely chopped fresh mint leaves and parsley
20 preserved vine leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the tzatziki
1 cucumber, peeled, deseeded and coarsely grated
200ml/7fl oz Greek yoghurt
4 garlic cloves, crushed
handful of freshly chopped mint leaves
½ lemon, juice only
extra virgin olive oil

Method
1. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the shallots and garlic until soft. Add the rice, sultanas, pine nuts and lemon juice and fry for one minute. Season, then add the water.
2. Cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes, then turn off the heat and leave to cool.
3. Once the mixture is cool, add the spring onions, mint and parsley.
4. Rinse the vine leaves in water, then place them shiny side down on a board. Put about two teaspoons of the cooled stuffing on each leaf and roll into a tight parcel. Chill until ready to eat.
5. For the tzatziki, mix the cucumber with the yoghurt, garlic, mint, lemon juice and seasoning. Tip into a serving bowl and top with a dash of olive oil.
6. You can serve the dolmades either cold or warm (just heat them in a steamer). Put them on a large plate with the tzatziki in the middle and get stuck in.

July 17, 2007: Yogurt Anyone?

I plan to prepare "Fruit and Yogurt Parfait" for breaking fast this evening. Do you have other recipe of how you serve yogurt? Please feel free to share.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium ripe fresh peach or nectarine or 2 medium kiwifruits (I'll use mango instead)
• 1 8-ounce carton plain low-fat yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup bite-size shredded wheat biscuits, coarsely crushed
• 2 teaspoons sugar-free pancake and waffle syrup or light pancake and waffle syrup product
• 1 tablespoon sliced almonds, toasted
• Dash ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. If desired, peel fruit; pit peach and nectarine. Chop fruit, reserving 2 wedges for garnish. Set aside.

2. Combine yogurt and vanilla. Spoon half of the yogurt mixture into two 8- to 10-ounce parfait glasses. Top with half of the crushed cereal, all of the chopped fruit, syrup, remaining yogurt mixture, and remaining crushed cereal. Sprinkle with almonds and cinnamon. Garnish each serving with a reserved fruit wedge. Makes 2 servings.