How about Batchoy Sisig?

Who wants to try this delicious sisig?

This sisig dish that I made for lunch is one of the best sisig versions that I ever had. I am saying this not because I am the one who made it it is really good.

Would you believe that this dish is composed of leftover meat and innards from the batchoy that I prepared the other day? Yes, it is true. I intentionally added more meat and innards to the dish (dont worry, the batchoy recipe indicates the appropriate measurement) because I plan to make sisig out of the leftover as an experiment.

I segregated some cooked meat and innards from the batchoy and placed them in the freezer for future use. Since I am craving for sisig this morning, I minced the meat and innards after thawing then I did my thing.

The sisig recipe is simple: all I needed was cooking oil, chopped onion, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and mayonnaise. The first thing that I did was to saute the onion and add the minced meat. I like my sisig crunchy, so I tried to cook the meat longer. I then added the salt, garlic powder, onion powder,and pepper cooked it longer until it became crispy and added a teaspoon of mayonnaise. Oh, and I also topped it with crushed chicharon (pork cracklings).

It was so good to the point that I was able to consume 3 cups of rice. The experiment was a success. I guess that I will be doing this recipe often.Related Posts:


The Oxfam Trailwalker 100km Walk in June @ Brisbane

Those who follow me on Facebook and Twitter would have seen an announcement or two that I have decided to participate in the event.


What is it?


Essentially a 100km walk in 48 hours, all for the sake of charity.


Why?


If I survive this, it would be the greatest story that I can ever tell over dinner or a party. Apart from that, it is for charity, good for my karma, good for my increasingly heavy body.


What you can do?


One of the requirements to join the event is to raise AUD$1,000 for charity. For all those in Australia, donations are tax deductible. So your spare change has some benefits for you!


For those outside of Australia, I still appeal to you to for a charitable cause and you will get to see me blog about my progress during training and coverage on the actual day(s) which is slightly 2 months away.


Here is the link: OXFAMClick on my name: Zhi Jun Chen. Any amount is appreciated!


If you do make a donation, please remember to leave me an encouraging note too so I know who you are!


Don't disappoint me readers, surely you must have some spare change somewhere.

Hazelnut Spread (aka homemade nutella) on Waffles

A quick post to kick off Monday blues start a brand new week. :P And this new week marks some pretty interesting weeks ahead (at work) and just exactly 4 more weeks to go, we say hello to Kimchi-land :) ;holidays of course.

Its kinda crazy how Nutella has formed a cult; like peanut butter. But we all know, we all LOVE nutella, undeniably. Sorry if u have nut allergies or hate chocolate but this spread, this hazelnut chocolate spread is here to take over the world; if you dont mind :P And homemade means you can control how coarse you want the hazelnut to be, or how chocolatey u want it to taste.

Much to your concern, it is actually VERY easy to make. Its faster than you driving out to the supermarket, run to the shelves, queue, pay, get the car and come back home. Lol Easy to make but the setting time is torturous! Even this picture above, it is just almost 3/4 set hence a little more runny. I just cant wait. CAN NOT!

And it means, I didnt even let it set at all to use it. This was just 1 hr of setting time in the fridge. But of course, if you cant wait, use less milk *why silly me I didnt thought of that!* I just wanted crispy waffles and ooozey nutella. and there better ! be a pla te of it.

Lol, surely if you can resists temptations, make it in the evening, let it set in the fridge and eat it for breakfast the next morning ;) You can use it for spread on bread, waffles, drizzle on ice cream,or eat it just like that ;)

Homemade Nutella / Hazelnut Spread

(recipe adapted from David Lebovitz) makes 2 small jars

1/3 cup (40g) whole almonds
1 1/3 cup (160g) hazelnuts
1 3/4 cup (400g) whole milk *I would suggest to use just 300g*
7/8 cup (60g) powdered whole milk
3 tablespoons (40g) mild-flavored honey
pinch of salt
6 ounces (170g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
5 ounces (140g) milk chocolate, chopped (use one thats at least 30% cacao solids)*For both chocolate, I used dark*
1. Spread the nuts on a baking sheet, keeping the almond separate, and toast the nuts in a 350F (180C) oven, stirring a few times, for 10 to 15 minutes, until the hazelnuts are browned.

2. While they are roasting, warm the whole milk and powdered milk in a small saucepan with the honey and salt just until it starts to boil. Remove from heat.

3. In a clean, dry bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, or in a microwave oven, melt the chocolates together until smooth.

4. Once the nuts are well-toasted, remove them from oven and use a spatula to place the warm hazelnuts in a clean tea towel, then fold them inside the towel and rub them vigorously to remove any loose skins. They dont need to be pristine; just try to get as much off as possible.

5. In a food processor, grind the warm hazelnuts and almonds until theyre as fine as possible. You may not be able to get them completely smooth, depending on your food processor.

6. Add the melted chocolate and continue to process the mixture, stopping to scrape down the sides of the work bowl, as necessary.

7. Once the mixture is smooth, add the warm milk mixture and process until everything is well-combined.

(The original instructions here said to strain the paste, which I didnt do because I dont mind the little bits of toasted nuts, but you can.)

9. Transfer the mixture into two jars and refrigerate until ready to use.

Storage: The Chocolate-Hazelnut Paste will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.

As you can see the different size of waffles, this batch was made later hence the spread was more firm, but still just about 3 hours of chilling time.

So for waffles, yup I have like two sweet waffle recipes here, yeasted and burnt butter. I tried another recipe and this one was pretty good except that I was a little to heavy handed on the salt (my fault lol)

Simple Waffles

(adapted from Daniel Tays Just Desserts)

makes 8 pcs square waffles from Cuisinart waffle maker

200g plain flour
15g baking powder
pinch of salt
3 egg yolks
1 cup (250ml) milk
190g unsalted butter, melted

3 egg whites
20g caster sugar

Method.

1. Combine sifted flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl, mix well and set aside.

2. Add in eggs and milk and whisk unti! l well c ombined and a little fluffy.

3. Gradually stir in melted butter. Let it rest in the fridge while you prepare the meringue.

4. Whisk egg whites in a mixing bowl until foamy. Gradually add sugar and continue to whisk until soft peaks.

5. Fold egg whites into the batter in 2 batches until fully incorporated. Pour batter into a heated waffle iron and cook until golden brown or as per machines instructions.

6. Serve hot with a spread of homemade nutella and drizzle with honey or maple syrup.

mail

ARSE 3: The Wines

linton park cabernet sauvingon 2008

What I should have said was something along the lines of...

"Many thanks everyone for coming along today. As you can see from the list in front of you we are about to be spoiled by a tasting of Linton Park Wines from South Africa. It is my pleasure and delight to introduce the Cellar Master of Linton Park, Hennie Huskisson, who has been bribed royally to come along today and take us through his wines"

My mumbled introduction was more along the lines of "ummm, South African wines... ahh, cough, from Linton Park... South Africa and, um, we have Hennie Huskisson.. over to you..." or somesuch nerves-deflated nonsense. Public speaking just aint by strong point. Still the wines were the stars for this, the third outing, in the ARSE series - Andrew's Really Secret Tasting.

Overall the wines were stunning; as was fitting for the assembled tasters - the pinnicle of the wine and food blogging/writing fraternity - the wines were at the upper echelons of the estates range. As I was diverted with 'organisational issues' my notes were a little light-weight and it was only when relaxing after the highly enjoyable tasting, that I realised just how scrumptious they all were. The reds showed certain stylistic similarities - lovely balanced, weighty palate and pure flavours with a precise New World style fruit but one tempered by an Old World nod towards drinking with food.

One surprise across the tasters was just how delicious the lightly wooded Chardonnay was. I'm as guilty as the next for hunting out the obscure and neglected grape variety from some forgotton backwater but tasting the Linton Park Chardonnay 2009, with its pear, ! fig and melon flavours, reminds one just why Chardonnay is such a popular wine, especially with an edge of oak.

Of the reds it was the Linton Park Reserve Shiraz 2007 that really impressed. Described as a "brazen New World style Shiraz" it certainly captivated me with a chocolate edged meatiness, plenty of peppery fruit and a lovely mouthfeel. The recommended retail price is perhaps a quid or two above what I'd expect to pay, at 19.99, but heck, what's two quid?? But go to the SAWinesOnline website, the only UK retailer of this range at the moment I believe, and they have it listed at 13.99. Bargain.

While there is no legal definition of 'reserve', at Linton Park they have utilised superior quality fruit to give their 'reserve' range a boost in the quality stakes. There is a noticable step-up in terms of definition, balance and flavour profile between the non-reserve wines and their higher quality range. Which is not to say the non-reserve range is not worthy of attention; in fact I actually perferred the fruitier 'normal' Merlot over the Reserve bottling. Worth trying both.

Jez, the Wine Twit, has also compiled a post on the event. Hopefully others who came along will do the same and give these lovely wines a little publicity.

The Wines with some food suggestions from the estate:

Linton Park Sauvignon Blanc 2008, [Adegga / Snooth]
"Chicken Saltimbocca mothered in parmesan cheese and rolled with mozzarella and prosciutto and backed in white wine"

Linton Park Chardonnay 2009 [Adegga / Snooth! ]
"spinach salad, toasted almonfs and bits of dried cranberries are tossed together in a bowl and dressed wth a sweet and tangy vinegar and oil dressing full of sesame and poppy seeds. An absolute must is salmon with a creamy dill sauce"

Linton Park Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 [Adegga / Snooth]
"A delecatbale demi-glace of slowly simmered lamb trimmings, garlic, onions, celery, port, red wine, chicken broth, rosemary and mint"

Linton Park Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 [Adegga / Snooth]
"Roast and any red meat cuts for barbeque"

Linton Park Merlot 2007 [Adegga / Snooth]
"Elegant stuffed veal medaillions made with asparagus and provolne cheese breaded and fried, then slow cooked to a brilliant finish in a mushroom wine sauce"

Linton Park Reserve Merlot 2005 [Adegga / Snooth]
"Beef and lamb roast and game birds"

Linton Park Shiraz 2008 [Adegga / Snooth]
"Roast turkey seasoned with salt and pepper and basted with turkey stock"

Linton Park Reserve Shiraz 2007 [Adegga / Sno oth]
"Springbok Carpaccio, duck, oxtail and lamb cuts"


Linton Park Wine tasting



Magma

If not for the picture of a purple potato mash that got my previous TimeOutSingapore (and Istanbul) donor salivating, I wouldnt have paid much attention to Magma, a German bistro located at Bukit Pasoh. Not that German cuisine is uncreative or boring, of course. Or that German restaurants are now as populous and common as their French counterparts. My first Deutsche meal was certainly exhilarating. The selection of beers, pork knuckles, sausages (lots of them!) and sauerkraut they were all I dreamtsch about for awhile. A few Oktoberfests later, I was no longer the curious, excited virgin I used to be. Im sure its just me settling with equivalents (well, sort of) that I feel resonate best with my tastebuds; like a pint of Guinness, siow bak (Chinese roast pork belly), lap cheong (Chinese waxed sausages) and kimchi. Magma was my first proper German meal since my birthday a few years back, if I correctly recall. And it was a good one, no doubt.

You'd think that business was brisk on a Saturday evening, since it's good. Throughout the night, only 5 tables were occupied. We're not complaining, for the ambiance was excellent; a relieving contrast to the chaotic, congested restaurants in town. This called for a celebration. We had a bottle of sparkling "Secco Festival" Riesling with a touch of peach that came at just S$33. For that pleasant price and taste, it made us really happy. I should thank the attentive and cheerful staff (and The Local Nose) for the recommendation.

As for the dishes, I can't decide if I liked the flammkuchen or the pork knuckle more. The thin, crispy flatbread with a sour cream base (appetizing!) and sprinkled generously with apples, onions, to! matoes, chicken and cheese was a plethora of textures and tastes. Perhaps it's a norm in some regions to combine apples and onions in their recipes, but it did seem strange to me, initially. Now, I think this combination works deliciously well. To add apples to curries, burgers and stir-fries...now that's an idea! The pork knuckle was exemplary, I thought. A bite unravelled 3 distinctive layers that blended perfectly right - savoury, pink, flaky meat beneath golden, crackling roasted skin glazed with honey. Condiments like beer gravy and German mustard provided an extra kick to the meat.

In the midst of such pleasures, the purple potato mash had completely slipped off our minds. That's okay. The dinner itself was a privilege, for not only was the food good and relatively affordable, we'd also enjoyed a really rare, serene weekend dinner with affordable bubbly and wonderful smiles. We must have done something right to deserve this.

Magma
2-4 Bukit Pasoh Road
Singapore 089816
Tel: (+65) 6221 0634
Website: http://www.magmatc.com/


Chef David Chang launches quarterly food journal

Ramen is the theme for the inaugural issue of Lucky Peach. AFP/Relaxnews picNEW YORK, April 17 New Yorks chef-darling David Chang and the producers of Anthony Bourdains irreverent travel and food show No Reservations have teamed up to create a quarterly food journal thats now available for pre-order.After months of whispers and rumours, Lucky Peach has materialised with promises of full-colour pages and a platform for unorthodox authors like Bourdain.The journal, described as a collection of travelogues, essays, art photography and rants will be edited by Peter Meehan, co-author for Changs cookbook Momofuku, Chang himself and Bourdains producers Zero Point Zero Production.Its now available for pre-order on literary journal site McSweeneys. Its also being developed as an iPad app and word is it will be out in May.Each issue will focus on a theme. The inaugural issue zeroes in on ramen as the centrepoint, around which the rest of the content will revolve.Bourdain discusses Changs career trajectory through films like Ramen Girl and Tampopo; food scientist Harold McGee explores alkaline noodles, MSG and the concept of molecular gastronomy; and a constellation of revered chefs lends the journal innovative new recipes.The first issue has already secured the contributions of Spanish chef Juan Mari Arzak, who this week was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award for founding New Basque Cuisine by the S. Pellegrino Worlds 50 Best Restaurants, and Wylie Dufresne, chef of wd-50 in New York, known for its zealous use of science in the kitchen.Chang isnt the first to give writers and epicureans an elevated platform from which to wax poetic about food. New York-based publication Alimentum is five years old and purports to be the only literary review about food. Story topics in this winters issue includes why coffee and writing go together; shrimp obsessions; a corn muffin addiction; and murder by eggplant.The! journal can be ordered for US$28 (RM85). AFP/Relaxnews