Simply Cooking: Poached Salmon with ginger and soy; Steamed Chinese Cabbage with goji berries

Winter is sure as hell cold. I can feel icy pins tickling the undersides of my bones. To counter the winter chills or blues, I've been cooking lots of fatty fish like ocean trout and salmon (I prefer these two types of fish over tuna), and adding more goji berries and jujubes into my diet. According to Chinese medicine theory, goji berries and jujubes provide heat to your body. Not sure how it works but it sure does work.

The simplicity of this recipe allows you students to find an excuse to cook. Seriously, a student should eat healthy during winter instead of snacking on junk food. Junk food is really bad for your skin and stress levels!

Recipe 1: Poached Salmon with ginger and soy

-Ingredients:

A:
-2 salmon fillet (200 grammes each)

B:
-1 cm of ginger, skin peeled, finely sliced
-1 spring onion, finely chopped
-2 tablespoon of light soy sauce + 2 tablespoon of filtered water
-1.5 teaspoon of dark brown sugar
-A pinch of pepper
-1 drop of sesame oil

C:
-Pot, half filled with water
-1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder

-Instructions:

1. In a pot of water, add chicken bouillon powder. Heat water till there's smoke or small bubbles can be seen at the base of pot. You don't want the water to be boiling. Place in fish. Cover pot. Poach for 10-15 minutes on low heat, depending on size. The smaller the fillets, the shorter the poaching time.

2. Meanwhile, mix ingredients B in a small bowl. Microwave high for 10 seconds. Stir well.

3. In a bowl, place poached fish. Top fish with sauce. Serve it with rice and greens.

4. Alternatively, you can season fish with salt and pepper. Rinse off slime from skin. Place uncooked fish in a bowl. Po! ur mixed sauce on top of fish. Cling wrap the bowl, leaving a small opening. Microwave fish on 480 watts for 4 minutes, skin facing up. You'll achieve the same results. :)


Recipe 2: Steamed Chinese Cabbage with Goji Berries

Ingredients:

A:
-1/2 a wombok (Pick a medium sized one), cut off the bottom, chop into 2cm by 2cm pieces

B:
-1/2 cup of filtered water
-1 tablespoon of chicken bouilliion powder
-A tablespoon of Chinese rice wine
-1 teaspoon of oyster sauce/ 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce (Add more for a stronger punch)
-A handful of goji berries, rinsed

C:
-A drop of sesame oil
-A pinch of pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large pan, pour water. Make sure water covers the base of the pan. Add in chicken powder, rice wine, oyster sauce, and goji berries. Bring to boil

2. When the mixture is boiling, add in wombok. Cover the pan. Reduce heat. Let the wombok slowly cook. It will take no more than 8 minutes.

3. The wombok, when it's just cooked, should appear slightly shrunken yet not too limp. It will have a lovely yellow tinge to it. Turn off heat when it's done. Finish with pepper and a drop of sesame oil. :)



I hope you guys enjoy this simple recipe. It's also suitable for very busy professionals! It does not require a lot of steps. And for you Caucasians who want to impress your Asian friends, these two dishes are sure to impress. :)


Stay healthy peeps! XO

Eat more fruits during winter!