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Dinner With Friends: Rhubarb & Berry Consomm, Cantaloupe & Speck Ham with Arugula
It's a simple truth that we really enjoy having friends come to dinner. Winter nights are definitely cozier sharing a piece of chocolate in front of the fireplace. Summer evenings in our neighborhood...
Visit my blog for the rest of the story, pictures and delicious recipes!
Visit my blog for the rest of the story, pictures and delicious recipes!
Stuffed Ampalaya
Stuffed Ampalaya is a vegetable and meat dish that is composed of bitter gourd (also called bitter melon) and ground pork. The word Ampalaya is the Filipino term for bitter gourd. If we do some translation, this dish can also be called stuffed bitter gourd or stuffed bitter melon.
I would say that Stuffed Ampalaya is another version of the embutido. I know that it does not look like one, but the ingredients used in the ground pork mixture is pretty much the same. Although embutido is cooked differently, the taste of the meat is quite identical. The only difference is the bitter gourd, which makes the taste more bitter.
Many of us do not like the taste of bitter gourd. I was one of those people. I only forced myself to eat bitter gourd after reading an article about its health benefits (Health Benefits of Ampalaya). I started cooking bitter gourd dishes since then. Some of the best tasting ampalaya recipes that we have are Ginisang Ampalaya and Ampalaya con Carne. You should try these out.
There are some techniques applied to remove the bitter taste of ampalaya. My way is to rub some salt and let it soak for a few hours. I then rinse it with water while squeezing out the juice. Although this technique is effective in removing the bitter taste, some say that it also removes the nutrients. If you are into the health benefits of ampalaya, it recommended to consume it without taking out the juices. You will get used to it sooner or later.
Try this Stuffed Ampalaya Re! cipe and let me know what you think.
Ingredients:
2 pieces ampalaya (about 1 to 12 inches each), cored and sliced about 2 inches
1 lb ground pork
1 medium onion, minced
3/4 cup carrots, minced
1 cup bread, shredded
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 piece raw egg
Watch the cooking video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=So1FkBaOjBQ
Cooking procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground pork, onion, carrots, bread, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and egg. Mix well.Set Aside.
3. Stuff the mixture into the ampalaya slices.
4. Grease a baking pan, and arrange the stuffed ampalaya.
5. Place inside the oven, and bake for 22 to 26 minutes. Or until the meat is cooked.
6. Transfer to a serving plate.
7. Serve. Share and enjoy!Related Posts:
Ascidiacea
Doesn't the title sounds interesting? I bet you must be guessing that it is a name of an exotic plant, no?
Well, if you think it is an exotic plant, you're probably right. The picture above showcases the different kinds of ascidiacea. Don't they just look like the colourful plants that adorn your telly screen when you're watching some National Geographic documentary about the underwater world.
You might be thinking of why I have said that "you're probably right" instead of "you're right". Haha, see the picture below and tell me, if it is a plant or not.
There are actually not plants. Instead, they are sea squirts or sea pork.If memory fails me not, I've seen them being sold in Chinese restaurants in China and Taiwan. However, never in my mind I would dream of eating sea squirts. First, I don't know how one should cook sea squirt. Second, they look REALLY offensive. The picture above can basically speak for itself.
Having said that, I consumed sea squirts by accident. I was shopping in my favorite K-mart and saw this can of thing saying "sea squirts" (meongge). I thought the name was cute and the picture on top of the can looks very tempting. So, I bought it without hesitation. It costs around 7 to 8 dollars for a can, if I'm not mistaken. When I opened the can, I saw! that th ere were a bunch of curled up things. They look like macaroni-shaped meat. I drained the liquid, rinse the sea squirts and then worked my magic into the sea squirts. I prepared a Korean dressingand poured it on top of the sea squirt.
Macaroni shaped meatI popped the first sea squirt into my mouth, preparing for the worst. I do not know how it will taste like but ate it nonetheless. I chewed incredibly slowly, waiting for some strange, yucky mouth feel or a garish flavor to sweep through my senses. Miraculously, nothing happened. In fact, it does taste a little like pork and calamari combined. It's a very interesting flavor. Texture wise, it's slightly chewy but it won't break your teeth. The Korean dressing went very well with the sea squirts. In the end, I finished the entire can of sea squirt. It's packed in protein and a great food for dieting. It keeps you filled for hours!
So, have you ever tried something that you have normally not tried? What is it that you have tried and what did you think about it?
One Expensive Treat @ Restoran Loong Sing, Nilai
Many awards have been won by Loon Sing, the name is popular among the Chinese food lovers and many would travel to Nilai for Loong Sing's food. We took a detour on our way back to Kuala Lumpur.
I was not happy with the condition of the restaurant, the facility of the wash room is way out for an award winning eating place and air conditioning isn't working well. Something has to be done here immediately.
Fuzhou Rongchengs Buddha Jumps Over the Wall - the highlight of our lunch RM99.00 per individual bowl.
Stir fried veggie.
Salad Prawn Balls was recommended by the Captain.
Just like they called it in Malaysia Chinese Association (MCA) - the "Choy Tan" - the selected menu.
Steam fish fillet (Liu Yu) done the Teow Chew style.
Restoran Loong Sing
PT 2484, Kawasan Perindustrian Nilai 2
Block D
Nilai
Negeri Sembilan
Tel : 06-799-7787
GPS : 2.825994,101.807016
Homemade Churros with warm dark chocolate sauce
Once upon a time, as a young youth with frizzy hair and giant teeth, I went to Disneyland with my family.
We went on rides. I saw Michael Jackson as Captain EO, and tried to replicate his dance moves for the rest of the day. We got popcorn, I secretly made faces at other children standing in line (I was not trying to make friends I was simply being a major weirdo), and I remember some sort of parade. Theres always a parade at Disneyland.
We watched watch the Abraham Lincoln show, which as a young youth is the most boring thing I could possibly experience. We stood there as a statue of President Lincoln was illuminated and some prerecorded speech about freedom was played. I think maybe I dont remember this correctly. Since I was not shoveling sour candies into my face, I was sure that this show was going to make my eyes bleed from boredom. I was sure it was possible.
Just after the show, as we were exiting, my aunt (who has always been the pillar of clumsiness) stumbled down the stairs and sprained her ankle. Good grief, I thought. I totally should make my mom buy me sour balls for having to endure this inconvenience to my funtime awesomeday.
Do you know what happens when you fall at Disneyland (back in the 1980s before everyone sued everyone else)?? Ill tell you its awesome:
They take you to the backstage/secret/red alert/ whats even back there anyway/ Disneyland area. The place where Goofy walks around without his head on, and Snow Whites could care less, and Tinkerbell is smoking a cigarette (ok that didnt happen but I SO wish it did)!!! They take you and your family backstage, and sit you down, and give you juice, and ask you if youre ok, and bring you medical attention AND YOU GET TO SEE GOOFY WITHOUT HIS HEAD ON!!! Clearly this! left a lasting impression on me. as a young youth.
What do kids have these days? Lawsuits and Disney cruises. Pffft. Weak.
Anyway Um.
Churros remind me of Disneyland.
So. yea.
This churros recipe might be different than anything youve ever made.
These are my notes I know, a little kooky.
There will be several point throughout this recipe where you might curse my name, and insist that Ive made you mess up a recipe and waste ingredients.
Dont yell. I cant hear you.
We can get through this together. Promise.
We start my boiling water, butter, sugar, and salt.
If this feels weird thats because it is. Melt down these ingredients, whisk em up, and turn the heat to low.
With me?
Over low heat, stir the flour into the hot butter mixture. Stir it up with a spatula. Do not freak out.
Stir through the lumps. Keep the pan over low heat. Trust in the process. After about 30 to 45 seconds, the mixture will form a loose ball, like the one pictured above.
Phew! You did it!
Lets stir in the eggs. You might freak out again. Stay with me.
Place the dough into a large bowl. Let rest for 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring in with a spatula.
Halfway through stirring in the eggs, the batter will look like this. I know not cool. Keep stirring.
This will happen. This is exactly what you want to happen.
Sticky, eggy dough. Perfect.
Youll need a large star tip and a pastry bag, or big ZipLock bag.
Oh! And scissors too!
See, youll squeeze the batter into the hot oil, and slice the dough off with the kitchen scissors.
Totes.
Theyre a little funny looking.!
B y funny looking, I mean totally delicious!
Oh. also my cat is INSANE.
After being tossed in cinnamon and sugar, these churros are the perfect food.
I like these dipped in warm chocolate sauce but I like everything dipped in warm chocolate sauce. So. Yea.
Homemade Churros and Hot Dark Chocolate
makes about 20 small churros
from The NY Times
For the Churros:
canola or vegetable oil, for frying
1/2 cup, plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
For the Chocolate Sauce:
1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks
scant 1 cup heavy cream
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
Add enough oil to a large saucepan or deep skillet to measure 2-inches deep. Attach a candy/deep fry thermometer to to side of the pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cups sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter, water, 1 tablespoon of sugar and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add flour all at once. Quickly stir together with a spatula until no lumps remain, and the mixture begins to form a ball. This will take about 30 to 45 seconds. Remove from heat and place loose dough ball in a large bowl.
With a spatula, beat the eggs into the dough one egg at! a time. The mixture may appear to be a broken mess, but keep stirring. Keep the faith.
After the eggs are added, the mixture will be slightly gummy and slightly thick. Thats perfect.
Spoon batter into a large pastry, or strong Ziplock bag with a Aceto 829 (large open star) tip attached.
Heat the oil, over medium heat, to 350 degrees F.
Carefully pipe about 4 inch long dough segments into the hot oil. Use a pair of kitchen sheers to cut the dough from the star tip. Its hard not to splash yourself with hot oil, just be as careful as possible.
Fry dough for 5 to 7 minutes. This might seem like a long time, but the dough through the center needs to cook through. The churros will be a deep golden brown, and may split slightly when cooked. Keep an eye on the timer. Remove churros from hot oil and place on a paper towel. After slightly degreased, toss in cinnamon sugar mixture and place on a plate to serve.
To make the chocolate sauce:
Place chocolate chunks, pinch of salt, and espresso powder (if using) in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil. Pour the heavy cream over the chocolate pieces. Let rest for 1 minute before whisking. Whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Serve warm with warm churros.
Churros are best served just after they are fried. So much yum.
Toastina
Toastina seems like an unlikely choice for Malaysian halal favorites, but after a few spoonfuls of its Assam Laksa, we were licking our lips over how flavorsome this was, overflowing with slippery rice noodles in spicy, tangy mackerel gravy, complete with all the pungent aromas that I had slowly come to enjoy during three years of studying of Penang.
Chick-kut-teh. Of course, the absence of pork in this one was irreplaceable, but it was well-executed enough to recommend, offering a nice combo of herbal, earthy and meaty flavors.
Nyonya curry laksa. Also very tasty, but cockles would have made it even better.
Loh mai kai. As glutinously good as a pork-free version gets.
Nasi briyani. No complaints; a tummy-filling portion for only about RM8 (!), with all the essential ingredients tasting fresh and fragrant.
Braised beef cheek pie. The crust was too thick and doughy, but the bountiful filling of tender, gravy-soaked beef morsels was what made this addictive.
Chocolate brownie & vanilla cupcake. Skip the nut-laden brownie, since there are richer, fudgier ones elsewhere _ but try the cupcake, which has a lovingly baked feel that might seem surprising for a hotel deli version.
New York cheese cake & black forest cake. Deliciously moist; the cheese cake was enhanced by a lovely cheese flavor and scent, proving that second-rate ingredients are shunned here.
Chocolatey, crunchy cookies, colossal in size.
Carrot-&-raspberry cake (ultra-dense) & tiramisu (ultimately forgettable).
Cheese cake & chocolate eclair. Sinfully sumptuous, especially the eclair.
White chocolate doughnut & mini-pavlova. The sweet tooth is satisfied.
Toastina,
Faber Imperial Court,
Sheraton Imperial Hotel,
Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.
Jalan Jaksa Nightlife
This review will give you tips about the recommended nightlife around Jalan Jaksa, the backpacker street of Jakarta. Click on the names of the venues to see the full review.
For those staying in Jalan Jaksa, there is a fair number of bars available walking distance. None of them are high-class, but some can be fun and laid-back, perfect for meeting people or having a beer.
There are three places that are usually the most lively, with a healthy mixed crowd of locals, expats and tourists: Cocktail and Friends, Equal Park, and Melly's Garden (a bit further on Jalan Wahid Hasyim). They are quite similar, with an open-air space (bring mosquito repellent!), cheap beer (around Rp25K for large bintang) and basic food (western snacks and street food dishes). Equal Park is more of a live music venue, with reggae or rock bands every night. If you are looking for a bar with no frills to spend the night, these are the best spots.
Memorie's Caf is busy also, but there are a few working girls among the clients, making the atmosphere more trashy. It has live music too and quite many tourists so it is easy to meet someone there if you are alone.
If you need AC, Absolute Caf is another favourite of Jalan Jaksa nightlife, but most of its customers are regulars: English teachers, journalists, etc.. They have a pool table with TV screens showing English Premier League the more often.
Ali's bar is one of the oldest bar in the street, and it is a meeting point for the African community in Jakarta. Pappa Cafe is getting old, and I wouldn't be surprised if it closed soon. Late at night, you'll always find a few people there though.
A few venues are very quiet: Obama's Fan Club bar, with AC and big screen TV, and Joker, a bar with working girls, Indonesian live music and older clients.
There are a few surprising venues near Jalan Jaksa, particularly on Jalan Wahid Hasyim. The most interesting is the Dyna Pub, with a funny interior design. It has air-con and the owner is very friendly but it's not a happening place. On the same street, you have some prostitute/girlie bars, such as Baku Pada, Embassy 21st or Baby Dolls Caf which have live Indonesian pop songs from the 70s and 80s. It's an experience, but you'll probably die of boredom after 10 minutes.
For eating out, all the cheap venues in Jalan Jaksa offer value for money but average quality. If you are ready to spend a few extra rupiah, you could try those restaurants, still walking distance: Tiga Nyonya (for traditional Indo-Chinese cuisine), Abuba Steak (best-value steaks in Jakarta), Beirut Lebanon (Lebanese food), Samarra (awesome setting but average middle eastern food), Ya-Udah Bistro (German food, but the quality decreased recently) or Garuda (open 24h).
You can find more information about Jakarta on these blog posts: Preparing a Weekend in Jakarta and Jakarta Nightlife Guide.
Berry Napoleon Cake
SUMMER!!!
Already got sunburn, went to a guido hangout (how the floor was wet without any rain I'll never know), ate a fried twinkie, saw fireworks, and bounced around the multiplex when only paying for one movie.
Summer to do list:
Be tan
Get a job
Become a superhero
Rock Climb
Read the Game of Thrones series
And make a lot of treats
Berry Napoleon Cake
1/2 cup Amaretto
6 tablespoons of sugar, divided
1 pint raspberries
1 pint blackberries
1 pint strawberries, quartered
1 package mascarpone
2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 vanilla pound cake
What you do:
In a bowl, microwave the Amaretto and 2 tablespoons of sugar for 4 minutes, to make a nice syrup. Toss the raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries together in the syrup with 2 more tablespoons of sugar. In a bowl with an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the mascarpone, heavy cream, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of sugar together until stiff peaks form. Slice the pound cake horizontally into four pieces.
Now assemble, take one slice of cake, spread the whipped cream on top, cover it with the berries, then press another piece of cake on top. Keep doing this until all of the ingredients are used.
The Legacy of Malacca Peranakan With Guest Chef Florence Tan At Paya Serai, Hilton Petaling Jaya
A colourful and fusion at its best, the notable Peranakan heritage in Malacca has never failed to impress many with its hybrid culture and exotic cuisines. Paya Serai is proud to invite the well known Celebrity Chef Florence Tan to share her culinary knowledge in Nyonya food cooking with the guests.
Photos Credit to KY
Bringing this vibrant culture to town, the restaurant located at Hilton PJ will be featuring the rich heritage ranging from its food, arts and handicrafts. A lil bit on the Malacca Peranakan Community where its all started with the marriage of Malays and Chinese immigrants back in the 15th and 16th century. The cuisine carries an influence of Malay and Chinese ingredients and way of cooking. Also known as Nyonya food, the unique blend gives the cuisines its signature quintessence.
Popiah Basah
Acar Awak
Nasi Kembuli
Pai Te! e
Sambal Jantung Pisang
Udang Goreng Asam
Ayam Pongteh
Most of the foods carry a tangy, aromatic and robustly flavored with the wide usage of Malay spices, the authentic Nyonya cuisine now makes its intro at Paya Serai. Take this opportunity to sample some of Chef Florence Tans specialty like Udang Masak Lemak, Ayam Pong teh, Itik Tim, Ikan Chuan Chuan, Vegetarian Chap Chye, Gerang Assam, Pong Tauhu Dengan Sengkuang, Ayam Cincalok, Kangkung Masak Lemak dengan Keledek, Ketam Goreng Kari and many more.
The buffet spread is available for lunch at RM68++ for adult and RM45++ for child (Below 12 years old) and dinner RM75++ for adult and RM45++ for Child below 12 years old. Paya Serai opens from 12 noon till 3pm for lunch and 7pm till 10.30pm for dinner.
In addition seize this opportunity to get up close with Chef Florence Tan at the exclusive private dinners on 14, 15 and 16 June. Learn culinary tips rom the pro as she demonstrates her specialty cooking, introduces her cookbook, dines and mingles with the participants. Starting from 7.30pm, the event is priced at RM150++ per person. Make your reservation now as the seats are limited.
For reser! vations, please call 03-7955 9122 extn 4060. Visit Hilton PJs F&B blog, www.zestpj.com for the latest F&B promotions and entertainment scenes. Also, visit www.petaling-jaya.hilton.com for more information on Hilton PJs other products and services.
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