How To Shred And Grate Orange Rind

There mainly two major varieties of oranges such as Navels and Valencias. Navels are available from November through May, with peak supplies in January all the way to March. These oranges are big and easily spotted with the button formation opposite the stem end while compare to Valencia oranges that are small to medium sized.

If you like oranges I am sure you are aware of the Sunkist, Navels orange promotion that is available in most local supermarket where you can get big, juicy and sweet oranges at around S$3.25 for 5.

Sometime in certain recipes you might come across these words/phases appear beside the citrus fruits such as “rind of 1 lemon”, “grated rind”, “shred lemon/orange peel” or etc. And I have received a few comments asking on how to get grated rind and shreds peel so I think perhaps this little note might do some help. For those who is new in the kitchen, freshly grated zest is the coloured part of citrus fruit peel which adds extra fragrant and tangy taste to butter, cake, frosting, savory dishes or desserts. (Recipe of Orange Cinnamon Sorbet HERE)

The most common tool use for removing the zest from an orange or other citrus fruit is a Microplane grater(refer to the 2nd photo above on right) which comes in different sizes and design (click HERE for more samples) that is easy to use and produce fine result. But as for bigger shreds use as garnish, you can try a Vegetable Peeler/Shredder (refer to the 1st photo above on the left) to slice off thin strips. These tools come in handy and helps to take off the colored part of the peel easily without touching most of the white pith which is very bitter.

Mandarin Orange (柑/橘子)

During Chinese New Year, “Mandarin Orange(柑) and “Tangerine(橘子)” are considered traditional symbols of abundance and good fortune. These fruits are frequently displayed as decoration or presented as gifts to friends and relatives. In traditional Chinese medicine the dried peel of the Mandarin Orange is also used in the regulation of “Chi” and treat abdominal distension, enhance digestion and etc.

If you like either the fragrant and taste of these Mandarin Orange, you can refer to the followig link HERE for more recipe ideas.

Taiwan Honey Starfruit

In Taiwan, Carambola is also known as Honey Starfruit in common and besides being delicious it is also rich with vitamins. It is a popular summer snack that is recommended as a remedy for sore throats and the common cold. These few weeks you can find some Taiwan famous fruits such as Honey Starfruit, Loquats(枇杷) and Rose Apple(莲雾) on sale at major NTUC during their "Taiwan Fruit Fair".


During one of my recent trip to NTUC, I found these golden honey Starfruit from Taiwan which are similar to those that we have eaten during our April Taiwan trip. So without hesitate, I choose a few home to eat as well as make it into starfruit juice. The colour of the juice is so beautiful with that golden orange colour which is similar to Orange/Mango. The taste is so refreshing and fragrant..... Do give it a try if you can find some at your nearest NTUC.

Paradise Pear

Saw these cute little pear at one of the fruit stall near my area and without much consideration, I choose roughly around 10 of it and make the payment. When the stall owner told me the price, I was kind of shock.... imagine, 10 little pear cost $7.90 which is around $0.80 per pear........

According to the signboard and from the stall helper, these pear are known as "Paradise Pear" and they are from Australia. They are very small, sweet and crisp. These delightful, bite-size 'mini-pears' are borne in bunches and just right for kids!

Other than the paradise pear, I also spot this mini apple shape like fruit from the stall. And according to the stall helper, he told me this is called the "Bird Pear - 鸟梨". At a glance, I was attracted by this cute little pear which I thought rey might be fancy about it. But when I reached home, I realise that this is not those "Fresh" type of fruit, this is kind of those Chinese Preserved fruit which is soaked in vinegar.

Little Garden

Have you seen this the blue pea flower that is also known as Bunga Telang or Clitoria flower which is usually found in the blue colouring of the Nyonya Kueh such as Pulut Tai Tai and Pulut Inti which is shown in the photo below. These flowers are used as natural food dye and the blue colour looks really lovely in foods.

As you can see from the photo, Pulut Tai Tai is the steam Glutinous Rice (colour with the blue peas flower) and serves with Nyonya Kaya. While Pulut Inti is serves with cooked shredded coconut with gula malak(coconut sugar). They actually soak the dried flowers in water to get the blue colour then soak the glutinous rice with it and steam together with coconut milk to get that blue marble effect.

Recently, one of my mum's neighbour just bought a pot of this local grown Passion fruit Plant at around S$36.00 which young passion fruits attached to it. Passion fruit is a small egg-shaped tropical fruit, which contains several seeds and has wrinkled purple brown rind on maturing. The seeds and the pulp inside, both are edible, making it easier to consume the fruit. Although nowadays we can easily get Passion fruits from local supermarket or fruit stalls, but it is still an interesting sight to look at the real fruit attached on the plant itself.

I have also used this fruit in some of my dishes as shown below, so do take a look if you want to know more about them :-

1. Banana & Passion Fruit Chiffon Cake
2. Homemade Banana & Passion Fruit Jam
3. PassionMisu
4. Salmon With Passionfruit Sauce

Gaint Avocado

Guess what is this! A friend of mine just came back from her Taiwan trip and she actually bought my favourite fruit all the way back to Singapore from Taiwan. When she handed me the goodies bag, I was so shock to see the "Green" fruit. At first glance, I thought it is some Taiwan Mango or Papaya. But to my surprised, my friend told me it was actually "Avocado". When I heard that, I was so shock as I have never seen such a huge fruit before in our local fruit stalls or supermarkets. As you can see from the picture, it is about two/three times the size of the normal avocado that we used to see/find in supermarket.

Avocados are a wonderful fruit containing a mass of vital nutrients needed for a healthy body. It is low in sugar, contain fibre, and are salt free. So if you are interested to know more about this fruit and some wonder recipes that you can follow, do click on the link (HERE) for more details.

Cooking With Fruits

Cooking and Baking using fresh fruit is always one of my hobby. I love to use different kinds of fresh fruits in my cooking. These are some of the example of fruits that I have tried and use in my cooking and baking before.

October Sun Plum is large and golden yellow in color, the flesh is also yellow, very juicy, and mild taste.

The actual name of this fruit is called "Mayounchit" in Thailand according to one of my blog pal in Bangkok. But then in Singapore some of the fruit stall called it Thai Mini Mango too. To me it taste and smell sort of like mango and it taste either sweet or sour depending on the one you choose.

Related Post:
1. Cooking With Fresh Fruits
2. Salmon With Passionfruit Sauce
3. Baked Chicken With Plum Chunty
4. Stir-fry Pork Fillet With Longans

All About Avocado

Avocado with their delicate flavour and buttery texure make them great in salads, sandwiches, desserts and so much more....

Buying
The avocado ripens on the tree, but it do continues to ripes after harvest. It is ripe when it yields to gentle pressure at the stem end(skin colour is not always a good indicator of ripenes). Avoid buying avocado that are very soft with black/brown spots or bruises.



Storing
Avocados should be ripened at room temperature and when ripe, stored in the refrigerator until ready to eat. To hasten ripening, place into a brown paper bag with a ripe banana away from direct light. To store cut avocados, leave the seed in place, drizzle some lime/lemon juice and wrap the avocado firmly in plastic wrap.

Preparing
Cut avocados in half lengthwise, then gently twist halves to separate. If using both halves, remove the seed with a knife. Peel skin away gently(it will come off easily when they are ripes). Slice, chop or mash as required. Brush cut side with a little lemon juice to prevent discolouration.

Varieties
Sharwill: They are oval-shaped with rough skin which don't have a neck. They are available from May to July.

Hass: Rounder and smaller in shape, hass avocados have a rough skin that turns purple/black on ripening. Available July to November.

Reed: These are large, round avocado that have a meaty texture and buttery flavour.

Cocktail/Salad: This small, seedless avocado shows up most often in the greenskin variety. They are popular for their excellent flavour and they are 2 inches long and about 1 inch in diameter.

Nutrition
Avocados are one of only a few fruits to contin fat. However, it's the "Good Fat", like that found in olive oil. It don't contain cholesterol and are a great source of vitamin C, E and potassium. They are also a fantastic source of dietary fibre and are rich in antioxidants.