Leaf Mustard Greens Noodles Stir-Fry， 芥菜炒面

What is the big deal about this noodle dish? I cook noodles all the time. No big deal.


I enjoy creating new flavors in everyday cooking. The moments of adding kale into a Chinese stir-fry and knowing that it works! Or adding collard greens to Japchae (Korean noodle salad)...Tada, it worked again!

This is really what my blog has evolved to throughout these years. And it is obvious by now that I enjoy to experiment with new vegetables, combine healthy and nutritious flavors, and develop new vegetarian recipes/dishes.

Today, about THIS vegetable that I hardly (or never) cook. I have THIS quite often in Chinese eateries/restaurants but they can be quite greasy even it is just a simple stir-fry with...errr....nothing? Just vegetables and oil?!

Can you identify THIS vegetable I am referring to?


Yay, Leaf Mustard, or Asian Mustard Greens (芥菜 Jie Cai in Mandarin )! I totally love how the very mild astringent taste of leaf mustard complements the shrimpy, savory, peppery flavors of this noodle dish.

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Sesame Seeds Peanut Butter Eggplant

Right now, the abundance of eggplants in the local farmer's market - Chinese eggplants (that I use most often), Japanese eggplants, baby eggplants etc. means they are in season. How could I resist though I am not a huge fan of eggplants.

Similar to zucchini (case of "roasted watery cucumbers" similar), perhaps I have had cases of bad eggplants dishes when I eat out that set me apart from them. When not cooked correctly, eggplants can absorb so much oil, turn greasy soggy and THAT makes me resistant.


When I cook eggplants at home, steaming is one way to go such as this Red Miso Steamed Chinese Eggplants. If you don't mind the soft pillowy texture of steamed eggplants, they can still taste refreshingly flavorful without the frying oil. Alternatively, roast them and create a dressing or dip.

Today's inspiration of peanut butter with eggplants came from a cooking show I watched while visiting Singapore a few months ago. The toasted sesame seeds and Togarashi flakes (Japanese spice powder) are my own add-ons that turn out great!

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Geeky Food Gadgets and more

A foodie is not a geek? I don't think so. I was so engrossed looking at all these Geeky Gadgets.

                                    Photos courtesy www.geekalerts.com

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Egg over Rosti (Fried Potato Cake)

For a change, weekend breakfast can be made just a little extra special with sunnyside-up over Rösti (Rösti is a traditional Swiss breakfast dish made with roughly grated potato that is either cooked or raw).


The Crisco Light Olive Oil can be perfect for making Rösti.


And let's do it Gordom Ramsay style. Not his recipe but how he cooks. There are too many reality shows here in the US (Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, Masterchef) that feature him as celebrity-chef-not-cooking but there is really none that feature him...really...cooking. The first time I saw him seriously cook...was in The F Word.


And I love his style (his absolutely short and sweet one-word cooking) which I am going to "copy" today for the essence of making Rösti. Here goes.

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TGI Friday's 2 items for $10 deal

If you are staying in Indianapolis, Baltimore, Chicago or West Palm Beach, you are in luck! TGI Friday's has a great meal offer for you, and it's available every night of the week!

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Indian-Style Black Beans Curry

Channa (Chickpeas) Curry should have been done with chickpeas (garbanzo beans); BUT


this was tweaked and done with black beans. As an alternative, the dish turns out quite different in terms of taste and flavor, not undermining its deliciousness fortunately.


Was it luck? NO. The traditional spices used for Channa Masala or Channa Curry really help to bring everything together.

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Cheap Show Tickets

When I was in New York for a short break last year, I did not watch any broadway shows. Seriously, I was kind of confused - what to watch, and where to watch. If there was a site then, that clearly lists the shows or events by venue such as Beacon Theatre tickets, Metropolitan Opera House tickets, Boston Opera House tickets or Madison Square Garden Tickets, then it would have given me an easier time to choose what I want to watch since convenience is a factor in choice when vacation time is short.

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The Naïve Daughter

The Naïve Daughter

I appreciate the guest post, Ignacio Phillips

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Sesame Asparagus Stir-Fry 清炒芦笋

The fatter (male) asparagus were better off steamed or to be cooked in a fish soup while the thinner (female) asparagus are worthy of stir-fries or in omelette. That's personal preference, really.


This Sesame Asparagus Stir-Fry was inspired from Noob Cook's Stir-Fried Asparagus. My version was non-spicy though, as it was the addition of toasted sesame seeds that got me excited.

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Grocery plan but cooking? No plan.

Do you plan before you shop for the week's groceries? I almost always do (PLAN), though I still give in to temptations (sales!) and impulsive (discounts!) buys - items that are not on my to-buy list.


Plan or no plan for you?

Haha...diary of a cheapskate shopper. And I don't own any high-tech gadget, ok. I am still on paper and handwriting when it comes to grocery shopping.Maybe I need a SmartShopper Grocery List Organizer - Shop Now at Sur La Table.


My handwriting looks hideous, I know. And nobody can ever decipher what is on my to-buy and to-cook list! Except myself!

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Zucchini Squash Cake Fritters

Ever since zucchini started to hit my spot, zucchini cake fritter has been in my to-do list.

Between zucchini and yellow squash...I prefer zucchini.

But since farmer's market gave me both (or more types of squashes), I will try them. Then Zucchini-Squash Cake Fritter it is.

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Fashionable Coat, for the lab

Talking about the blue sky medical lab coat which is custom milled to provide a wrinkle-resistant, teflon-protected 100% cotton fabric-feel for the body, its slimming cut and chic, designed to lengthen your silhouette...oh how I wish this lab coat was available ten years ago while I was working in the lab.

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Sambar - Split Peas with Vegetables

Earlier, this Indian Sambar (Yellow Split Peas with Vegetables) was far from perfect. As it is my favorite Indian gravy-based wholesome vegetarian dish, I recently refined and improved it with the some key tips from my friend's mother. This time, nearer perfection.

Hello Mr. Gordon Ramsay (watch him* !!!), what's with vegetarian dishes? I totally adore it! Truth is: there is a little part of me with you when I need seafood/meat.


Sambar (Split Peas with Vegetables)
(1) The road to perfection starts with a cup of yellow split peas. Soak an hour before cooking. Boil them with 2 cloves of garlic to cook in a pot with about 500-800 ml of water. It takes about 20 minutes for the peas to turn soft.

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Wintermelon and Meatballs in Tomato Sauce -自制番茄酱焖冬瓜肉丸

Don't be confused. Winter melon is in fact summer produce. But sights of "white ash or wax" on the melon resembles frost and makes it "winter-ish".


Winter melon is "cooling" food and helps moisten the lungs. If you are at where summer is hot and dry, winter melon can be the perfect nourishing food for the body.

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Mango Lassi Ice Pops

Savory lassi (made with spices) and sweet lassi.....today it will be sweet with the famous mango lassi...and mango lassi pops!

Frozen mango cubes are used here which have saved the trouble of slicing a mango. Then some plain yogurt into the Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender, Chopper and Ice Crusher: More Power & 2 Times Faster with the mangoes - a homemade mango lassi done within minutes. If the mangoes are not too sweet, add some honey to balance the sour of the lassi.


Churned out too much mango lassi? Don't worry. Freeze them into mango lassi pops and they will be a instant cooler and delight when the weather gets warm and hot.

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Lotus Root Broccoli Stems Stir-Fry 清炒莲藕 (II)

With broccoli stems that were "saved" from two week's supply of broccoli and (the last of) lotus root and - this easy stir-fry is absolutely budget-friendly, tasty and....crunchy!

How do you use the stems of broccoli?


Easy.

Lotus Root and Broccoli Stems Stir-Fry
Garlic, thin slices of broccoli stems and thin slices of lotus root. Quick stir-fry for 10 minutes till veggies are cooked. Garnish with some finely chopped cilantro if you prefer.

Done.

Lotus root can be stir-fried and served raw as pickle. What's next?

Tag: stir fry, lotus root, broccoli stems

An Escape to Food on Facebook

Zucchini-Wrapped Quinoa "Sushi"

It is strange of me accepting bitter melon since young but not a big fan of zucchini till last year. Currently, I enjoy zucchini just like I enjoy a lot of the other vegetables.


Nothing is new here (quinoa salad, again!) except to eat it differently...the sushi-way. Using thin slices of roasted zucchini to wrap up quinoa salad.

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Savory Soy Milk Steamed Tofu - CuisineParadise Guest Post

I did not even realize it will be a longer weekend for some in Singapore, as Singapore's National Day falls on coming Tuesday 9 August 2011. Yes, apply for leave on Monday and get four days of "holidays" on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday (equals four days of official paid time-off from work!)... how good! It also did not occur to me that my guest post Savory Steamed Tofu with Soy Milk at Cuisine Paradise will be starting some of you off to a longer than usual rest weekend. And when it is a longer weekend, let's cook!

It is indeed my privilege to guest post at Cuisine Paradise - an award-winning blog by Ellena. Thank you for your kind invite, Ellena. Ellena is one super creative cook, baker and food blogger; consistently churning out homey delicious recipes that inspire. It is not surprising she has many awards, features and fame to her name too. Just hop over to her blog and you will know what I mean.

When we decided on the "Steamy" theme for the guest post, Savory Steamed Tofu Pudding/Savory Steamed Tofu Custard came to me instantly as this is a dish I have cooked many times for many reasons. And every time this dish is prepared, it can be created differently yet turn out characteristically flavorful each time.


It is really super easy to make, super delicious and super healthy too!

Find out how you can play up your creativity with this dish at Cuisine Paradise and if you are a "tofu" person, I assure you - it is worth it! You can also find a lot of other easy, nutritious, delicious and homey recipes at her lovely blog. Hop over to Cuisine Paradise and get inspired!

Tag: tofu, steamed tofu

An Escape to Food on Facebook

Summer Lotus Root Pickle 凉拌莲藕

This easy chilled appetizer of lotus root can be such a summer refresher before lunch or dinner. I usually enjoy this appetizer before main dishes are served in some Chinese restaurants.


As a "cooling food", lotus root is a welcoming summer delight. Lotus root (renkon in Japanese) is available at Asian supermarkets - 99 Ranch and select Japanese markets, in California, USA.

There are many ways to pickle lotus root, and this is how I "pickle" mine: with lemon juice, honey, sea salt, and red chili flakes.

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Muffin-Style Baked Eggs - 12 runny eggs 8 minutes!

Not sure if this is a new idea for you but this gotta be one of the easiest (currently preferred) way for me to have eggs with runny yolks besides 1. poaching (technique and "eyeballing" is involved), 2. par-boiling (need to gauge the time), and 3. fry it sunny-side up, eggs over easy (need to fry in oil, in a wok!)

Do you like eggs with runny yolks? What is your preferred way to cook it?


Just when I did not have enough ramekins at home and wanted to find a way to do more than one individual baked-egg dish.

...this "pan" to my rescue. No ordinary but the muffin pan! w00t!

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Avocado Sardines Omega-3 Sandwich

I got this sandwich idea from Alton Brown's episode on.....Sardines!

A good sustainable Omega-3 friendly sandwich, baby!


I adapted his dressing for sardines: use cilantro instead of parsley, and added a little diced tomatoes.


Then everything fall in place as what he "taught". Spread the avocado on a toast, then lay the dressed sardines on top of the avocado. Very tasty! I love it! ...speaking from me who is not really a big fan of avocado. But when it's done this way, I embrace it graciously.

I enjoy my bread lightly toasted. You can use a sandwich toaster or this George Foreman GR10B 36 Square Inch Nonstick Countertop Grill, Black, just like what I have done.