Sunday, February 24, 2008

One of the must have when I go home to Penang is tasting all the yummy "nyonya Kuih". Nowadays Melbourne chinese grocery do sell many types and they are of high quality and authentic such as "Ang Koo Kuih", "Kuih Lapis". "Ondeh-Ondeh", "Cassava Kuih" etc. I always thought kuih cassava is difficult to make, but when i discovered the recipe, i was thrilled and excited to try as it is super simple. This is especially so because grated cassava is so readily available in chinese grocery store. So I decided to give it a try and it turned out very well :)


I couldn't wait for the cake to completely cool down before cutting a slice and try, i am sure some of you can identify with that kind of temptation. Most importantly the taste just bring back so many memories of Penang and the time with family and friends ... it's amazing, almost thought for one second i am in Penang! After the success with this kuih, i am now more confident to try some other kuih when i have the time and craving, so come back another time to check out what i will try next! This is definitely a good start if you haven't made kuih before and want to give it a try.



Here are some i packed up and bring to work to share with workmates, they do look like the ones from the shop, isn;t it?




Friday, February 22, 2008

A Special Treat : Flourless Chocolate Cake

Hooray! Special treat from my best friend Esther celebrating my Big day in advance. What can i say - it is really sweet :) Thanks Esther.
It's one of my favourite cakes and she made it so well, with beautiful star icing. But good food should always be shared with friends, so we did!




Thursday, February 21, 2008

Home Made Soup

Down with a cold and flu. Staying home feeling sick and bored. Lost appetite for food but suddenly the penny dropped - how about home made, heart warming soup?! ... so today i decided to make some chinese soup with chokoes and carrots and lean pork. Hmm it sure tastes good and it is not only good for the body but for the soul! Soup is such comfort food in winter or when one is sick :)















The ingredients are simple:
approx 400g of pork muscle or pork gravy
2 carrors, roughly sliced
2 small Chokoes, skin and sliced
1 dried fig (optional, it adds to the sweetness of the soup)

Method:

1. Briefly blanch pork in boiling water in a pot
2. Remove water from pot, add in carrots, chokoes, 1 dried fig & 4 cups of water
3. Bring to boil and then turn down heat, simmer with low heat for about 1 hour
4. Turn off heat completely and reheat on low heat for another half an hour before serving. (I have found that the letting the soup sit for awhile allows the flavours to really come out)
5. Garnish with chopped spring onion before serving.

I did not add any salt as it is very tasty as it is and is good for one's health. You can use pork spare ribs, pork bones or pork gravy to make this soup, it all depends on your preference. I prefer pork gravy/pork muscle because they are lean. You can eat the meat but in my case most of it always go to Yuski .... Homemade soup can be very simple, my recipe is not complicated at all but it has all the natural nutrients and is very healthy.

Yuski has been accompanying me while i am recovering at home, so i took a couple of his pictures too, thanks Yuski for cheering me up! kiss kiss ;p




Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Manna From Heaven

Hello and welcome to "Manna From Heaven". This is my first experiment with blogging. I'll be sharing my journey of life, passion for cooking, my pet Yuski and much more. Watch this space, i will be posting my cooking experiments/recipes and what my cheeky Yuski is up to. Do come back and visit this site soon.