Chai Kuih (Crystal Vegetable Dumpling)

Chai kuih or Choi Pau means vegetable cake. Basically, its stir fried vegetables(usually turnip) wrapped in crystal like dough skin Sometimes there is a pork or chicken filling in it. The skin is slightly sticky but has a very nice chewy texture. The vegetables inside are crunchy and delicious. Below's the recipe to make your very own chai kuih at home. They don't cost very much but for those who are overseas or always wanted to make their own, here's the recipe. This is clearly one of my favourite snacks and since it's steamed, it's quite a healthy treat!

Ingredients
Crystal dough:

180g wheat starch flour (tang meen fun) 90g tapioca flour 375ml boiling hot water 1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp shortening or corn oil Filling: 300g yam bean (sengkuang), peeled and shredded 200g carrots, finely shredded 25g dried shrimps, chopped 1 tsp chopped garlic 2 tbsp oil Seasoning: 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste 1/4 tsp sugar Dash of pepper 1/4 tsp chicken stock granules Method Sift wheat starch flour and tapioca flour into a mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre. Melt salt in the boiling hot water. Stir boiling water into the flour and mix into a lumpy dough. Add shortening and knead dough until smooth. Form a cylindrical roll. Cut into 25 equal pieces. Lightly grease a cleaver and flatten each piece of the cut dough into thin circles using the flat side of the cleaver. Place a tablespoon of cooked filling in the centre of the dough. Fold it into half and gather the outer edge of the circle to form pleats, then pinch the edges together. Do the same for the rest of the dough pieces. Place dumplings in a greased bamboo basket. Steam over rapid boiling water for six to seven minutes. Glaze with garlic oil after steaming. To make the filling: Heat oil, saute garlic and add dried prawns. Stir-fry until aromatic. Mix in yam bean and carrots and stir-fry well. Add seasoning and cook until vegetables turn soft and liquid thickens. Dish out filling to cool and drain off gravy before using as a filling for the dough.

NOTE: Tang meen fun is actually the normal wheat flour which has all its gluten (protein part) removed.

Food that makes us happy Part II

It's another new week and let's have a look at foods that make us happy, part II! A couple of nice items that are affordable and easily available in Brunei (except for the turkey).

TURKEY

"This source of protein with low fat content is rich in tyrosine aminoacid which heightens the concentration of dopamine and noradrenaline . These are hormones that work within the brain and at the same time increase motivation and encourage reflexes, augmenting the organism resistance to stress.

A turkey, tuna or chicken sandwich are also good options".

That's why sometimes they say tuna and turkey are good brain foods. Choose tuna that is soaked in brine instead of oil though, to reduce your fat intake.

RED MEAT

"Small quantities of red meat can be a good energy source. 85 grams a day suffice to considerably raise iron intake.

Abstention of red meat could cause more harm than benefit. People who are on this type of diet in order to reduce the cholesterol concentration in the blood are liable to suffer an iron deficiency (mineral which helps to oxygenize the tissues and provide them with energy) thereby causing fatigue and weakness".

Its always important to eat red meat in moderation though. Too much meat is never good for you, so eat a well balanced meal, insert more veggies into your daily diet.

HOT PEPPERS

"The taste for spicy sauces apparently is not only due to its flavor. Capsicin (this substance through which the pepper acquires its irritating power) stimulates the nervous terminals in the mouth and causes a burning sensation and the brain segregates endorphins which can produce temporary euphoria".

I remember a time when I went to an Indian restaurant in Australia and automatically assume they will make things milder for Australian public. So we ordered the extra hot and assumed it will be normal Indian curry. How wrong we were! The amount of water we drank, is enough to moisten a desert. Ok - exaggeration. If you got ulcer or gastric, don't take too spicy as well.

WATER

"Low dehydration is a common and often inadvertent cause of weariness.

When the body is lacking liquids the blood flow in the organs lessens and the function of same slows down. Do not drink water only when you are thirsty; the majority of adults require from 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

Refreshments, teas and coffee are NOT substitutes for water since they may cause diuretic effects and increase dehydration".

Now whenever you feel sad or down, maybe you need more water. Especially after you had a big hangover and you had been puking all night!

COFFEE

"A cup of coffee in the morning may be a good way to start the day. The caffeine in 2 cups of coffee are good for clearing the mind an feeling more vigorous for a period of up to 3 hours.

Some researchers feel that caffeine causes a low and passing increase in blood pressure and inhibits the hormone activity which produces drowsiness. Do not exceed more than 2 or 3 cups of coffee a day as more than that may produce irritability and nervousness".

I once poured Tia Maria into a friend's coffee without his knowledge and told him it's 'special' coffee - very strong. He loved the taste but since he's not very alcohol tolerant, he got high and kept raving bout the coffee. When he realised I poured coffee liquer with 35% alcohol content, the look on his face was priceless (especially when he's still high)

Food that makes us happy

In the past, a long long time ago, people eat food just for survival or because they need vital energy to work. Nowadays, times had changed. We eat food mostly for pleasure and there are more and more people who explore different new kinds of gourmet cuisine. Then came the discovery of the link between food and one's health. One needs to eat certain foods to stay healthy. Whenever there's a craze about certain foods being the next healthy food of the century, people rush out to buy them.

I was wondering. Is there a link between food and our moods? Does food actually make us happy? Do chocolates really make us happy? Does eating tons of ice cream after finding out that guy you gave your number to never called, make you feel better? I did a little bit of searching on the net and found the following information really interesting.

FOODS THAT MAKE US HAPPY PART I

"Recent research has confirmed the existence of a link between eating certain types of foods and the act of feeling better, relaxed and even content, with the production of substances at a cerebral level which determine our state of mind, our performance and our behavior".

Hurray! There's actually foods to liven up your moods! Now lets see what I've found!

BANANAS

"Stress and the lack of magnesium are so closely related that it is advisable for those who lead a very fatiguing life to add foods rich in magnesium, such as bananas. Increasing the intake of magnesium reduces anxiety and makes for better sleeping.

Other sources of magnesium are walnuts, legumes, vegetables and wheat germ".

As I stressed before in my blog about bananas, they are one of the wonder foods. Unhappy? Eat some bananas. If King Kong ate more bananas, he wouldn't have to fall down the Empire State Building, probably not enough giant bananas in the island. I didn't see any, did you? Poor King Kong.

ORANGES

"Two glasses (350 ml.) of fresh orange juice are enough to diminish nervousness, bad moods and depression; low lack of vitamin C, the nutriment which favors the secretion of thee noradrenaline, could provoke irritability and dejectedness.

Also, not eating foods rich in said vitamin prevents the organism from absorbing the iron necessary for fighting fatigue."

One word of caution though: Do not mix orange juice with vodka and think that you'll be happier. It will only make you feel like crap and your puke will sting of the aftertaste of sour oranges. YUCK!

WALNUTS

"Due to the type of soil in which they grow, Brazilian walnuts are rich in selenium, which, according to certain research, are related to pleasant disposition, one or two walnuts suffice.

Other sources of selenium are fish, seafood, beef and whole-wheat bread.

The majority of foods contain one or several of the 20 aminoacids (which are the principal constituents of proteins, both animal and vegetable).

These substances compete with one another to feed the brain. Eating a few slices of whole-wheat bread contributes to our "hearing" the message of the tryptophan aminoacid, to wit "get happy"

Once it reaches the brain, the tryptophan increases the serotonin, a cerebral substance which tranquilizes and enhances the mood.

The secret is in eating the bread before meat or cheese, which are rich in protein, so that the tryptophan may reach the brain before the other aminoacids".

Basically guys, if you find walnuts too expensive, just eat more whole-wheat baked stuff or fish.

CHOCOLATE

"Ninety percent of all women have a craving for chocolate, especially when they are premenstrual or are bored or very tense.

Some experts believe that like many other foods sweet and rich in carbohydrates, chocolate can have a soothing effect; others, however, consider that the caffeine and other substances contained in chocolate could act as stimulants. Be that as it may, the very pleasure to the palate suffices to make one feel happy".

Frankly, I think the high sugar and the constant excuses and myths that chocolates make you happy all over the media gives us a psychological belief that chocolates make us feel better. While it takes a lot of chocolates to make you feel happy, it will also make you fatter and make you eat more chocolates - the cycle might go on until you are a walrus or a whale. Just eat them for pleasure, not as an anti-depressant!

I'll talk more about the other foods I find in my next update!

What kind of blogger are you?

You Are a Pundit Blogger!

Your blog is smart, insightful, and always a quality read. Truly appreciated by many, surpassed by only a few

Just checked out some blogging sites and decided to take the test. Apparently I am a pundit blogger. Go figure. Try out the test too!

Tribute to Steve Irwin: Grilled Sting Ray

In tribute to Steve Irwin, a legendary icon of Down Under Australia and one of the bravest souls I had seen. I am posting a recipe for Grilled Stingray. I ate a stingray a few days ago as a gesture of revenge for Steve. How dare the stingray take away Steve. I will devour your kind and take pleasure in it.

This is just a small stingray - but usually in Western Socities, they are often thrown back to sea or used as bait. However, in South East Asian countries, they are considered a delicacy and usually grilled on banana leaves and seasoned with prawn paste, limes and herbs.


They are usually bought at night markets and grilled on the spot for your dining experiences. For two people, usually it costs around $10. It depends on where you eat of course. Singapore is one example of a good place to eat grilled stingray. In Brunei, usually it's at the Gadong Pasar Malam, or Seria Pasar Malam(on Fridays). They are sold out pretty fast though so it's better to be there around 4:30 to 5:00 pm. If you are interested to buy your own and cook yourself - here's the recipe.

Guacamole

In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned Avocados - the healthy fruit. Here's a very classic use of Avocados - GUACAMOLE Dips! They are very tasty and heavenly with chips.

4 avocados
2 mangos, diced
1 red onion, diced
1 bunch cilantro (coriander), chopped
1 red bell pepper (capsicum), diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper

Peel and remove the skin from the avocados. Place the avocados in a large bowl and crush them using a fork. Add the mangos, onion, cilantro, bell pepper, olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Mix until well blended but chunky.

To serve, place on a platter with your favorite dipping chips.

A banana a day keeps the doctor away

Bananas... This is very interesting.
After Reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at a banana in the same way again -

Bananas. Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose
combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial
boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a
strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit
with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also
help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions,
making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people
suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana.
This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body
converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and
generally make you feel happier. PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The
vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in
the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium
yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so,
the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to
make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood
pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped
through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and
lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the
potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore
normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana
milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the
help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk
soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you
suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood
sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the
affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it
amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria
found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and
crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese
were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to
avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels
by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders
because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that
can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also
neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit
that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant
mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because
they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12
they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help
the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat,
sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we
are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium
levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine,
"eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by
strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off
a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the
yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it
to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three
times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.

It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so
that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

Sambal Nyonya Chicken

So much time. So little things to do! Never thought I'll be saying that. I just finished all my course for my degree and I'm just waiting for my graduation. Maybe I should take some time to post stuff that I've been cooking up.

I originally wanted to make a Nonya Curry but when I stir fried the stuff together, I decided to add less paste and skip the coconut milk. It ended up with a tasty full of flavour spicy chicken dish. If anyone wants the recipe - just drop a comment and I'll post it up.

English Muffins

English muffins. I like these muffins, they usually come pre-cut in the middle so you can just peel them apart and make a sandwich out of them. I usually take them apart, then spread a thick layer of my special tuna recipe, top with slices of zuchini and tomatoes, a slice of Bega Cheddar Cheese and grill them for five minutes. I'll then add some Japanese Mayonaise and a dash of fresh ground pepper. Hmmm.... I love them. You can also toast your muffins plain and spread marmalade or other spreads. They are nice if you toast them. Yum!!!