Chinese White Radish Soup with Dried Oysters

Chinese White Radish Soup with Dried Oysters

Ingredients

1. 6 pieces or 250g of Pork Ribs
2. 5 cups of Water
3. 1 White Radish (Peeled and Cut into big chunks)
4. 12 Medium Red Dates (Washed)
5. 8 Dried Oysters (Washed)

Steps

1. Boil Pork Ribs for a few minutes and drain it
2. Put Pork Ribs into pot filled with approx 5 cups of water
3. Add all Ingredients into pot
4. Boil it for 30 to 45 minutes
5. Turn to low heat and boil for another 30 minutes

Good to go with Rice and 2 to 3 more Chinese dishes.

[Guest Post] Buttermilk Biscuits and Strawberry Jam by Qiana Di Bari

We had some strawberries in the fridge that were losing their luster, in perfect condition for a simple jam. Jam needs a medium and there is nothing better than buttermilk biscuits. Bingo! Breakfast. 

My simple versions of both are loosely based on Epicurious recipes. Perfect for a spring weekend, thirty minutes is all you'll need. 

Buttermilk Biscuits 

yield: Makes 6 biscuits

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• Rounded 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 3/4 cup well-shaken buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon milk or cream for brushing biscuits

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F.

Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda into a bowl. (I got a little help from Jada and Michele here.) 

Blend in butter with your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. 

Add buttermilk and stir with a fork until a dough just forms (dough will be moist).

Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead gently 6 times. Pat out dough on a floured surface with floured hands, reflouring surface if necessary.  

I went old school and used a simple tea cup to cut my biscuits. 

 

Transfer as many as you can make with your dough to a greased baking sheet, arranging them 2 inches apart, and brush tops with milk or cream. 

Bake until pale golden, 12 to 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool to room temperature.

 

On to the strawberry jam. You can make this while the biscuits are baking. It takes about the same time. 

Strawberry Jam 

yield: Makes about 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients: 

• 1 pound fresh (or frozen, thawed) hulled, quartered strawberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, coarsely grated
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Combine 1 cup hulled, quartered strawberries and 1/2 cup sugar in a large heavy skillet. 

Stir in 1 peeled, coarsely grated large Granny Smith apple. 

Cook over medium-low heat, stirring and breaking up strawberries, until sugar dissolves. 

Simmer until jam is thickened, 10-15 minutes. 

Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. 

Transfer to a bowl or jar; let cool. 

Bio

Qiana Di Bari is a music business manager turned mom, wife and restaurateur. You can follow the tastes and travels of her modern, multi-culti family at http://www.lafamigliadibari.comor @qiqs.

Prawns Spaghetti in Tomato Paste

Prawns Spaghetti in Tomato Paste

Ingredients (Serve 2 Pax)

1. 2 Serving of Spaghetti
2. Olive Oil (quantity as suggested below)
3. Chopped Garlic (quantity as suggested below)
4. 10 Medium /Large Prawns (Deveined and deshelled)
5. 10 Cherry Tomatoes (Cut into half)
6. 3 tablespoon of Tomato Paste
7. Parsley (eg. Brand Masterfood)
8. Sea Salt

Preparation - Prawns

1. Sprinkle Salts onto Prawns and marinate for approx 5 minutes

Steps - Pasta

1. Boil Pasta in boiling Water with 2 tablespoon of Olive Oil and Salt (approx 7 to 11 minutes for al-dente, follow the instruction on package)
2. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process

Steps - Prawns

1. Add 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil in hot pan
2. Add 1/2 tablespoon of Garlic and fry until fragrant (approx 1 minute)
3. Add Prawns and stir-fry until 90% cooked (approx 3 minutes)
4. Scoop out Prawns on plate for later use.

Steps - Main

1. Add 3 tablespoons of Olive Oil in hot pan
2. Add 3 tablespoon of Garlic and fry until fragrant (before it turns brown, approx 2 minutes)
3. Add Tomates and stir-fry for approx 1 minutes
4. Add Pasta and stir to mix well with Garlic and Olive Oil (approx 2 minutes)
5. Add Tomato Paste and stir to mix well
6. Sprinkle Salts and stir to mix well
7. Add Prawns and stir to mix well until prawns are cooked
8. Sprinkle Parsley

Serve while Hot!

Good to serve as a Main Course in an intimate event. It can also be serve go with a Side.

[Guest Post] 4 Meal Recipes to Try With Little to No Mess by Brooke Chaplan

4 Meal Recipes to Try With Little to No Mess!

 

 

When preparing meals, the thought of cleaning up after can sometimes ruin the fun in creating them. However, there are plenty of simply prepared meals that involve a minimal clean up. As you read this article, you'll learn about 4 meal recipes to try with little to no mess.  

Chili

One of the easiest dishes to create is chili. To begin, simply brown your ground beef or turkey in a pan over medium heat. While the meat is browning, choose a few veggies to chop up. Great chili additions include onion, bell pepper, carrots, celery, and garlic cloves. Simply pouring in a few cans of beans also adds a nice texture and gives chili that distinctive taste. When the meat is brown, simply toss everything in your crock pot for a few hours and enjoy the small amount of dishes it takes to prepare and clean. 

Salmon

One of the easiest and most nutritious dishes you can choose is salmon. Canned salmon is convenient and is great for a quick meal with no real mess. Begin by placing wild-caught Alaskan salmon, which offers the most nutritional benefits, in a small bowl. Next, add a dollop of olive oil mayonnaise, some parsley or cilantro, salt and pepper, and a squirt of fresh lemon. Whisk all the ingredients with a fork to cook with the fish. It won't take many dishes and you'll instantly enjoy a delicious meal without any mess.  

Smoothie

An easy to clean up recipe worth trying is a smoothie. Smoothies are delicious, nutritious, and easily customized. Begin with an almond milk or coconut milk base, add a handful of spinach or kale, berries, a dollop of peanut or almond butter, and a scoop of whey protein powder. Toss everything in a blender and blend it up until it's smooth. The best blender will create this smoothie easily within two or three minutes. 

Chicken

Another simple recipe with minimal clean up is oven-baked chicken. To create this dish, begin by purchasing your favorite brand of chicken breasts. Next, rinse the chicken, pat it dry, and create your marinade. Delicious marinade options include olive oil, vinegar, rosemary, salt and pepper, and even store bought flavors. Once you choose your favorite spices and flavors for your marinade, place the chicken in the marinade and allow it to sit in the fridge for as long as possible. Once you've allowed the chicken to marinate, place the chicken in the oven for about 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

 

Cooking doesn't have to take every pan in the house. Economize while cooking with these four easy to prepare recipes and enjoy eating without the mess.

[Guest Post] Getting Over Your Fear of Cooking by Michelle Rebecca

There are those of us who are born chefs and kitchen wizards. They seem to have drifted from the womb with a spatula in one hand and a recipe book in the other. No matter what the ingredients are, those with a bit more savior faire can turn them into magical, delicious final products. Then, there are people who have to work a bit harder to get the technical knowledge down. It doesn't look remotely easy, but it looks like they know what they are doing.

And then there are those who can't cook. At all. Poor souls who break into cold sweats at the thought of boiling an egg. The kitchen is a distant planet where the Ceramcor cookware has not seen the light of day. Well, it’s time to get busy and get over that unnecessary phobia!

It All Starts With One Step

That first step is accepting that it's okay to not be an amazing cook immediately. There's no such thing as a bad cook: Only cooks that don't take the time to practice or learn from their mistakes. Rather than think you have to be perfect the first few times or give up forever, know that many people who go on to become world famous chefs or just really good cooks had to take the time to learn. Allow yourself imperfection — as well as occasional use of the fire extinguisher.

Invest in the Right Equipment

One of the best ways to take the plunge into the world of cooking is to go shopping for the items you'll need to make it happen. Think of it as an educational experience or an adventure. If you don't know where to begin, do a bit of research or get some advice. Create a checklist of the types of products you'll need to buy to get started. Avoid wasting money on specialized equipment that only an expert would need — start simple and then work your way up.

Decide What Style Is Right for You

One of the best things about learning to cook is the development of your own taste. Some people find they love to bake cakes and cookies. Others develop a taste for Italian cuisine or find they prefer Thai foods. What tools you use and the recipes you lean toward are all up to you, so try and do your best to figure out what your passions are. The more certain you are of your cooking style, the more motivated you'll be to cook the foods you want and to improve over time.

Get Support and Feedback

Some people allow themselves to own the title of “terrible cook.” This is a mistake that keeps their “cooking confidence” non-existent. Friends and family mean well when they say for you to never go near a stove. They may even think they're saving your life. Well, what do they know?

If you don't trust yourself enough to go it alone, sign up for a cooking class in your area or hit up friends and family who can cook for advice. Nag them until it's clear that you want to get over this hump and become acquainted with cooking for yourself. Someone is sure to get you started.

Enjoy Your Progress

As time passes and you get the hang of cooking, take the time to appreciate and enjoy this activity. For many who love to cook, it is a relaxing and fun way to spend your time. You also are now capable of feeding yourself and others, which can give you a feeling of confidence and independence. So stop being afraid, take a deep breath and take a step towards the kitchen. You may not think so now, but eventually, you'll be glad you did.

Michelle is a blogger and feelancer. She’s written about almost every topic under the sun, and loves constantly learning about new subjects and industries while she’s writing. In her spare time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs. Follow her on Twitter and Google+.

Chinese Arrowroot (Ge Gen/Fen Gen) and Red Dates Soup

Chinese Arrowroot and Red Dates Soup

Ingredients

1. 6 pieces of Pork Ribs
2. 500g of Arrowroot (Peeled and Cut into big chunks)
3. 6 cups of Water
4. 8 to 10 big Red Dates (Washed)

Steps

1. Boil Pork Ribs for a few minutes and drain it
2. Put Pork Ribs into pot filled with approx 4 cups of water
3. Add all Ingredients into pot
4. Boil it for 30 to 45 minutes with medium heat and boil with low heat for another 40 mins

Good to go with Rice and 2 to 3 more Chinese dishes.

[Guest Post] What Should You Keep Stocked in Your Kitchen and Pantry by Michelle Rebecca

What Should You Keep Stocked in Your Kitchen and Pantry?

If you've decided that you want to cook more often, one of the first things you need to do is properly stock your kitchen and pantry. While you'll buy fresh ingredients on a regular basis, there are plenty of things that you can and should keep on hand.

As you begin cooking more, you'll find that it's invaluable to always have the essentials within reach. Not only will it prevent you from needing to run out to buy a single ingredient that you don't have, but it will allow you to whip up something tasty even if you have very little time to plan in advance.

Essential Oils

Every kitchen needs at least one bottle of quality extra virgin olive oil. Over time, you'll probably amass multiple bottles from places like California, Spain, Italy and France. Since the flavor of your oil will impact your cooking, avoid the temptation to pick up the cheapest bottle you can find. High-quality bottles will have delicate fruity notes that disappear with heat, making them best suited to salad dressing and finishing dishes.

Canola oil is the other item in this category that you'll definitely want to have within reach. An added benefit of cooking with this specific oil is studies have found that it may help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering inflammation and blood pressure.

Vinegar

The two main types of vinegar are red and white wine. You can technically get by with stocking just one in your kitchen. But just like it doesn't really make sense to attempt dangerous repairs on your own when you can just call a local Lancaster AC repair company, it's definitely worth having both types of vinegar in your kitchen.

The main reason you won't regret stocking up on both options is because they have such different uses. Red wine vinegar is generally used for dishes that feature red meat, while white wine vinegar is best for anything that involves poultry or fish.

Bottles and Cans

In addition to oil and vinegar, other bottled items you should add to your kitchen are Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and Dijon mustard. While stocked bottled items are pretty standard, when it comes to canned goods, there are those who initially turn their nose up at the thought.

Although there are plenty of canned items that are low in quality, any experienced chef knows that certain canned goods are crucial for a wide range of dishes. The ones you'll want to have in your pantry are chickpeas, canned tomatoes and kidney beans. And if you don't already have some, it's also worth picking up a few cans of tuna.

Now that you know exactly what you need in your kitchen and pantry, you can stock up and begin enjoying everything that cooking on a regular basis has to offer!

Michelle is an aspiring writer with a passion for blogging. She enjoys writing about a vast variety of topics and loves that blogging gives her the opportunity to publicly voice her thoughts and share advice with an unlimited audience.

Coca Cola Coke Chicken Wings using HappyCallPan



Coke Chicken Wings using HappyCallPan

Marinating Chicken Mid-joints

Pan-fry Chicken Mid-joints



Add Coke into Chicken Mid-joints



Chicken Mid-joints with Coke

Sharing a simple recipe for sweet tooth. I am using mid-joint as the meat is more tender, however, you can choose to use other chicken parts too.

Ingredients

1. 14 pieces of Chicken Mid-joints
2. 250ml of Coca Cola (Coke)
3. 1 teaspoon of Light Soya Sauce
4. 2 teaspoon of Dark Soya Sauce
5. 1 1/2 tablespoons of Cooking Oil

Preparation

1. Marinate Chicken mid-joints with Light Soya Sauce and Dark Soya Sauce for 15 minutes. 

Steps

1. Add Cooking Oil into happycallpan
2. Add Chicken mid-joints and pan-fry each side until slightly brown approx 2 minutes each side.
3. Add Coca Cola and close the lid. Turn to low heat for approx 5 minutes or until there is steam coming out from the pan.
4. Open the lid and flip the chicken mid-joint to the other side. (I didnt turn the pan as there is still a fair amount of coke in the pan)
5. Repeat step no. 4 until the coke is almost dry up.

Serve while Hot!

Good to go with Rice and a bowl of Chinese Soup and 2 to 3 more Chinese dishes.