Simply Cooking: Stir fry Chicken and Peaches

I've gotten back my history essay marks! I have to say, I'm happy and surprised of myself. On the downside, this means that I'm better off writing history essays and psychology lab reports. I don't know why but I just don't seem to have what it takes for writing lab reports. I keep getting a mix of H2Bs and H3s. There seems to be no improvement over the year when it comes to lab reports.

In comparison, my history essays have been sky rocketing from a Ps to H1s. My psychology exams are the ones that are saving my arse. Not sure if they can keep doing so because the 4th year program is based on writing a lab report from one's own research... I'm currently working on a lab report on binge drinking. At least, I have some interest towards this topic. This means that there is a chance to score well. Yet again, just another chance.

Today's weather is a great leap from last Monday's pouring skies. The sky is as blue as it can be and there are no clouds in sight. The weather is slightly chilly. Very comfy and ideal for staying in to cook up something refreshing, such as stir fry chicken and peaches.





Yes, you've heard it stir fry chicken and peaches. My sister did not fancy this dish (she prefers eating blanched foodstuffs) but I enjoyed the tropical goodness of this dish. If you like a fruity twist to your dish, you should consider this. Otherwise, stay away!


Recipe: Stir fry Chicken and Peaches (Serves 3)


A: Chicken and marinade
-3 chicken thighs, diced
-A pinch of five spice pepper
-A pinch of white pepper
-A tablespoon of Chinese rice wine
-A tablespoon of soy sauce
-A drop of sesame oil

B:
-1 teaspoon of olive oil
-2 cloves of garlic, crushed and finely choppe! d
-A handful of almonds
-2 stalks of broccolini, chopped in 1 cm lengths
-1 tomato, cut into 6 wedges
-2 medium sized peaches, deseeded and cut into 6 wedges

C: Sauce
-1 tablespoon of rice vinegar/lemon vinegar
-2 tablespoons of light soy sauce
-1 teaspoon of raw brown sugar
-1 tablespoon of Chinese rice wine
-A pinch of chicken bouillon powder
-A pinch of pepper

Instructions:

1. Marinate chicken at least 2 hours before cooking with ingredients from list A. Mix ingredients from list C together.

2. In a hot non-stick pan, place chicken thighs. Render fat from chicken thighs. Stir until chicken turns slightly brown. Remove and set aside. Some liquids will ooze our from the chicken. Pour the liquid away.

3. In the same pan, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Heat pan on medium heat. Add in garlic. Stir until fragrant. Add in a handful of almonds. Stir for 1-2 minutes.

4. Add in brocollini and tomatoes. Stir for 2 minutes. Add in chicken. Stir for another 2 minutes.

5. Add in peaches and sauce prepared from mixing ingredients from list C. Stir for 2 minutes. Peaches will soften slightly and turn into a darker colour. Turn off heat and plate dish. Serve with rice or noodles.


I find this dish a very refreshing offering. If you like chicken and mango stir fry, this will work for you. :)

Toast & Roast Hakka Mee & Char Siew @ SS2

I know Toast & Roast has been blogged to death. But surprisingly there are still quite a number of people (even PJ-ians) who are not aware of this small eatery located in the quiet neighborhood behind Tropicana City Mall. It is easy to drive past this row of shops and pass them as normal houses because they are quite hidden from view. And those whom I have brought here have been hooked on the Hakka Mee and Char Siew since.The good thing about Toast & Roast is the affordable price. They are basically charging the same price as any hawkers out there and the environment is better too being cleaner and not stuffy. A small bowl of Hakka Mee here is RM4.50 may it be topped with minced meat or char siew. Although they are generous with the toppings (minced meat/char siew/lard) the noodles portion is still quite small. So I usually order the large one at RM5.50 as shown here. For the extra portion of noodles given, the RM1 is worth spending.The Hakka Mee here is nicely done with just the right amount of seasoning. Usually, a dash of pepper is all I add to make it taste more interesting. Theres only one issue I have with the Hakka Mee, which is the inconsistency. On a good day, it would be lovely but dry and a little lumpy on a bad day. I do, however, notice that the bad would happen when I order the Hakka Mee big. That being said comes this dilemma of whether to have it small or big because ordering the former always leave me unsatisfied and wanting for more lol.

As for the Char Siew I wouldnt say its fantastic but it certainly belongs to the better ones. A small portion is RM7 and pun fei sao is my favorite cut. I always feel that if those charred caramelized edg! es are n ot present in the char siew, then I would not enjoy it. A nicely done char siews charred parts would be savory and flavorful without a hint of burnt taste while the sinfully delicious fat would just melt in the mouth. This plate of char siew had all the characteristics so it was great.Crispy fish roll @ RM5 is a new dish here. The crispiness is perhaps the only thing I like, otherwise it was tasted kinda fishy with a smell I cannot quite put my finger on. Re-used oil maybe?Besides Hakka Mee and Char Siew they also serve green curries but on certain days only. The restaurant tends to get crowded real quick so come early to avoid any parking problems.

Toast & Roast (Char Siew available only 10:30am onwards)
No. 20, Jalan SS2/72
Petaling Jaya
Selangor
GPS Coordinates: N3 07.698 E101 37.675
Tel: 016-682 2249
Closed on alternate Tuesdays
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Chinese Nasi Lemak @ Hoi Kee, Segambut Kuala Lumpur

Kedai Kopi Dan Makanan Hoi Kee is a popular eating place with several good food stalls in it. I met a friend there from Melawati and asked him what he was doing at this place. Colonel Manjit has just sent his Toyota car for service. Hoi Kee is a good place to have breakfast while waiting for your car to be ready.
This is one good Chinese Nasi Lemak found in this coffee shop though it is milder in its taste in the sense of its sambal and the curry but it is delicious. The coconut milked rice is well prepared steaming warm and the grains are really kukus. I like the aroma of the curry chicken of light curry powder flavoured and the meat was tender and yummy.

Egg is popular in this stall where the omelettes were all sold out leaving only fried eggs or hard boiled eggs. Again the sambal does not look as appealing as those sold by Malay but it was nice to feel the taste of such sambal after a long while. Thumb up for this Nasi Lemak @ Segambut.! < /div>

Kedai Kopi & Makanan Hoi Kee
No. 2 Jalan Segambut Tengah
Segambut
51200 Kuala Lumpur

GPS : 3.185403,101.676325

How to Cook Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin Soup or Calabaza (kalabasa) soup is a rich and great tasting soup dish that can be served during any meal.

Although this pumpkin soup recipe makes use of calabaza squash, you can use other varieties of pumpkin depending on your preference. I used kalabasa for this recipe because it tastes sweeter compared to ordinary pumpkin. It is also a good source of Vitamin A.

I like this recipe because of its rich creamy flavor. There is nothing fancy going on with this dish. This makes it simple and easy to prepare. It is also a budget-friendly recipe.

Lets enjoy life by eating healthy foods.

Try this Pumpkin Soup recipe and let me know what you think.

Ingredients:

1 lb calabaza squash (kalabasa), cubed

2 cups chicken broth

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 medium onion, chopped

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

Cooking procedure:

1. Place the calabaza in a baking tray, and then sprinkle ground black pepper and garlic powder on the calabaza.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the calabazafor 18 to 20 minutes.

3. Remove the calabazafrom the oven and set aside until it cools down.

4. Place the calabazain a blender along with onions and chicken broth, and then blend until smooth.

5. Heat a cooking pot and pour-in the calabazapuree. Let boil.

6. Add salt and heavy whipping cream, and then cook for 15 minutes.

7. Turn the heat off, and then transfer to a serving bowl.

8. Garnish with dried parsley.

9. Serve hot.

10. Share and enjoy!

This recipe is good for 4 persons.Related Posts:


Vogue

Vogue's interior is eye-catching (though some might say it's more kitschy than kooky), with plenty of potentially titillating posters lining the walls.

Mojito & Brandy Alexander _ potent but pricey cocktails.

Still, there are too many empty seats for now to call this club a success. Let's wait awhile.

Vogue The Club,
Plaza Mont Kiara.

The Italian Restaurants in Jakarta


There is a wide range of Italian restaurants in Jakarta, from fast-food pizza chains to fine dining options.

I have tried, or heard of, the majority of the good places in Jakarta, and I hope this page will help you decide where you will find your favourite Italian food in the city.

Among the chains of restaurants, there are two names that are above the competition: Izzi Pizza and Pizza Marzano. The last one is actually a British brand, but they make thin crust pizza and they have a whole Italian menu. In none of these venues you will eat authentic Italian, but they have fair standards when it comes to quality and service. They can be found a bit everywhere, more specifically in malls, and the average price for a pizza is Rp80,000 and Rp60,000 for a plate of pasta.

In the same price range, I advise you to try Pepenero and Trattoria, two favourites among Jakarta expats. Without sacrificing taste, they offer excellent value dishes in a quite authentic atmosphere. If you are not looking for fine dining, but for a normal, affordable meal, these two places are ideal: Though I've been disappointed at times, they maintain high standards in their cooking and in the ingredients they use.

Toscana in Kemang is also in that category but more expensive. I consider it the best Italian in Jakarta as it manages to keep its prices at reasonable levels while offering excellent cuisine. It is ! always c rowded, especially with the Italian community in Jakarta.


More sophisticated than Toscana, there are numerous trendy Italian restaurants in Jakarta. For them, Italy is about fashion and style more than tradition. Though their prices are much higher than the previous venues, the food is not always superior in taste (if never). Some addresses should be avoided, others can be visited with moderation. My recommended addresses for chic Italian dining are:
Puro in the same building than Blowfish.
Sopra: In Pacific Place, popular with the high society.
Capoccacia: See review in my blog.
Luna Negra: Not visited yet but it has a lot of positive reviews.

The Italian restaurants of Jakarta's 5-star hotels offer similar high standards, but for a price of at least Rp350,000 for a meal. Though it is cheaper than flying to Rome, it cannot be a daily treat for everyone. I only tried Casa d'Oro in this price range, which I found overpriced (see review Casa d'Oro) but still worth it. I have also heard very positive comments from the following places:

- Rosso in Shangri-La
- I! l Mare in Mulia
-
Scusa in Intercontinental MidPlaza
- Bruschetta in Borobudur Hotel
- Lobo in Ritz-Carlton (but not 100% Italian)

The main problem with those venues is that the chefs do not stay very long, and from year to year, the quality may change a lot...

More italian restaurants are opening in Jakarta regularly so I will update this page with the best venues. You're welcome to leave comments or send a review if I missed an important one!

Izzi Pizza:

The list of branches can be found on their website: http://izzicompany.com/and their menu here: Menu Restaurant Izzi Pizza.

Pizza Marzano:
Idem at http://www.pizzamarzano.co.id/and the menu here.


Trattoria Kuningan
The East BuildingLobby Ground Floor #1-10
Jl. Lingkar Mega Kuningan Kav. E 3.2 No.1
Jakarta 12950
Phone number: +62-21 5793 8574
Fax: +62-21 5793 8594

Pepenero
Website:Pepenero Italian Cuisine

Menara Karya, Ground Floor,
Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said, Block X-5 Kav.1-2
Phone number: +62-21 5794 4727

Plaza Pondok Indah 2, Blok BA 25 - 26,
Jl. Metro Pondok Indah
Phone number: +62-21 750 0959

Gedung The Energy, Mezzanine Level,
Jl. Jend Sudirman Lot 11A, Kawasan SCBD
Phone number: +62-21 5296 4006




Toscana
Jalan Kemang Raya 120
Cilandak, Jakarta
Phone number: +62-21 718 1216

Website:http://www.toscana-italianrestaurant.com/jakarta.html


Pu! ro (Blow fish)
City Plaza at Wisma Mulia
Jl Jend Gatot Subroto Kav 42, Jakarta, Indonesia
Phone number: +62-21 5297-1234
Website:http://www.ismayagroup.com/puro



Sopra
Pacific Place, Level 1
SCBD, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 52-53
Phone number: +62 2 5140 0557
Website http://www.sopraristorante.com



Capoccacia Pacific Place
Pacific Place Mall
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 52-53
Tel: +62 21 5797 3658
Fax: +62 21 5797 3659
Website: Capoccacia Jakarta


Luna Negra
Plaza Bapindo, Citibank Bulding, GF
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 54-44
South Jakarta
Tel: +62 21 2995 0077
Website: http://www.lunanegra.co.id

Casa D'Oro
Hotel Kempinski - Ganesha Wing
Jalan MH Thamrin No.1
Jakarta Capital Region 10310, Indonesia
Phone number: +62 21 2358 3896
Email: casadoro.jakarta@kempinski.com
Website: Kempinski Dining

Scusa
Hotel InterContinental Mid Plaza
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta Pusat 10220, Indonesia
Phone number: +62-21 251 0888 ext. 6996
Website: Intercontinental Dining




Rosso, Hotel Shangri-La
Kota BNI
JL. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 1
Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Phone number: +62-21 570 7440
Fax: +62-21 570 3530
Website: Shangri-La Rosso


Il Mare
Hotel Mulia Senayan
Jl Asia Afrika, Jakarta, Indonesia 10270
Phone number: +62-21 5753272/5747777 Exr. 4708, 4588
Website: http://www.hotelmulia.com/



Bruschetta
Hotel Borobudur
1 Jalan Lapangan Banteng Selatan
Jakarta Capital Region 10110, Indonesia
Phone number: +62-21 380 5555

Lobo
Ritz-Carlton
JL. Lingkar Mega Kuningan Kav. E.1.1 NO.1
Mega Kuningan, Jakarta 12950 Indonesia
Phone number: +62-21 2551 8888
Fax: +62-21 2551 8889
Website: Lobo Restaurant



Dance, Music, Photography and Food at 6th Venezuelan Week 2011 Malaysia

Fascinating Venezuelan dance, music, photography and more this coming April 20th at the bicentennial celebrations in conjunction with Venezuelan Week 2011.

This is the 6th time where the embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela organizing their arts and culture festival that is synonymous with Venezuelan heritage and traditions. All Malaysians are invited to celebrate with them where you will have the opportunity to experience their culture and foods.

Opening Speech by H.E Manual Guzman

This year, as Venezuela commemorates its bicentennial celebration, marking two centuries of independence and freedom from colonial oppression, the Embassy has gone to great lengths to commemorate this special event by ensuring Malaysians have an opportunity to participate in the various activities which include Venezuelan dance workshops, a charity bazaar organized by Wisma Putra and a phenomenal advantage to sample their foods to be held at The Samplings On The Fourteenth Restaurant at Berjaya Times Square from April 20th till May 8th.

The launching night were started with a casual party where we were served with some Venezuelan Tapas, Booze, Live Band (Flew in From Venezuela) and Dance performance.

This is the famous local cocktail drink from Venezuela. It may look harmless with the orange juice but you will pass out real fast if you cant hold your drink.

It is mixed with Venezuelan Rum and it is pretty strong. It taste pretty much like vodka with orange but this one smell less strong.

At the same time, Chef Carmen Rawstron, a Venezuelan who recently launched her book entitled My Venezuelan Cuisine were officiate by the ambassador Mr Manuel Guzman in this event.

Chef Carmen Rawstron answering questions from the press and media

The book were officiated by H.E Manuel Guzman and wife, GM Of Berjaya Hotel Mr Adrian Chung and Chef Carmen

We were then served with a gorgeous dinner prepared by Chef Carm! en which I would say very healthy one.

The menu of the night