Fresh Pandan Juice

Pandan or Screwpine is a type of plant that grows in tropical areas of Asia. This Pandan leaves have a sweet, unique flavor that is commonly used to enhance both desserts and savory dishes. The leaves are long and bright green, and when pounded or grind they will release a sweet taste and aroma that found in most desserts and drinks.

Below is a simple recipe on how to make your very own fresh Pandan Juice for making flavour dessert, rice and cake.

Ingredients: (makes 3 Tablespoons Juice)
10 - 12 Pandan Leaves
50ml Of Water

Method:-

1. Rinse and clean the pandan leaves, cut into 1cm size pieces and blend it together with 50ml of water.

2. Using the electric blender, pulse the pandan leave mixture for about 3 minutes till it form paste like shown in the photo above.

3. Strain the leaves mixture over a sieve to obtain the fresh Pandan Juice.

Alternatively:

*3. If you do not have a blender, use the stone pounder to pond the juice from the leaves without add the 50ml of water.

Asparagus

Asparagus is high in vitamins B6 and C plus fiber, folate and glutathione as well as with anti-carcinogen and antioxidant. Although asparagus comes in three different colours such as: white, green or purple but the the green variety is the most common to be found.

Asparagus spears can be thick or thin but most important factor is to select those straight, firm, uniformly sized spears with closed tips. Since asparagus deteriorates rapidly try to select bundles that are refrigerated or on ice. And take note is it best to used it within two or three days of purchase.

You can eat asparagus with nothing more than a drizzle of good-quality olive oil or use them in different dishes like: in soups, salads, stir-fries, scrambled eggs, pasta and etc. Do check up my latest recipe on Caramel Olive Asparagus shown below.

Fermented Black Bean - 豆豉

Douchi(黑豆豆豉)is a fermented black beans commonly used as a flavoring in most Chinese cuisines as well as an key ingredient to make black bean sauce. These fermented black beans are especially used to flavor fish or stir-fried vegetables such as Steamed Spare ribs with Fermented Black Beans(豉椒排骨)and Fermented Black Beans (豆豉鯪魚).

Some of the RECIPES featuring Fermented Black Bean:-



OR click HERE for more recipes.

Yacon - 冰山雪莲果

Yacon(冰山雪莲果) is a sweet and crunchy vegetable that has a flavour similar to an apple. The actual vegetable is called a "tuber" which is a thick stem or root that grows underground which similar to a potato. Yacon grows in a variety of different colors including pink, orange, white or purple. In the United States, Yacon that is sold in markets is typically white compared to the orange type that we have in Singapore.(if you seen any purple colour Yacon do share a photo of it with me as I am curious on how it looks like)

According to some google read-up this vegetable is very high in fiber and low in calories which makes it a healthy and nutritious snack. Furthermore Yacon has also been known to improve digestion by promoting the growth of bacteria beneficial to human health in the intestine too.(more information HERE)

I have used this Yacon to make two different type of soup such as "Yacon And Lotus Roots Peanut Soup" and Yacon with Sweetcorn Pork Ribs Soup. Both these soup taste refreshing with a light and sweet fragrant from the Yacon.

Fried Shallot Oil - Microwave Version

Shallot Flakes Oil is a common fragrance oil use is cooking or as an condiments impart a particular flavor to the dish or dessert which gives it a special touch to perfect the taste. You can always find the dried version of the prepacked crispy shallot(without the oil) from any local supermarkets or grocery stalls in the wet market.

To make this Condiments in a quick and simple without "perfumed" your whole kitchen with oil smell, you may want to try this microwave method which can be done in about 4 minutes depending on your microwave voltage.

Ingredients:
5 Red Shallots (小红葱头)
100ml of cooking oil
Pinch of Salt

Method:-
1. Removed the outer skin of the shallots and sliced it thinly.

2. Place the shallot and oil in a microwave safe bowl. Cook on HIGH heat for 3 - 4 minutes, pause every 1 minute and give it a quick stir till the mixture starts to appear slightly golden brown in colour.

3. Carefully remove the bowl from microwave, add in pinch of salt and stir well.

4. Set the mixture aside for another minute or two as it will continue to cook from the heat to make shallot slightly darker brown in colour.


STOVE METHOD:-

1. Removed the outer skin of the shallots and sliced it thinly.

2. Preheat a small saucepan or frying pan with cooking oil, add in sliced shallot and saute them on medium low heat (stirring on and off to prevent burning) till slightly golden in colour.

3. Remove the pan from heat, add in pinch of salt(this will make the flakes more crispy) and give it a quick stir.

4. Set aside to cool and later use.

Cupcake Pop Mold

Ever since I saw and bought these cute cupcake pop molds it has being sitting in my cupboard got quite sometime until I recently took it out and try making some Assorted Cream Cheese Cake Pops(recipe HERE). I have always wanted to make these Cake Pops which is one of the latest trend among online bakers other than cupcakes and macarons.

What is Cake Pops? Cake Pops can be defined as little/mini cakes on a stick that is coated with chocolate/icing and decorated with all sort of sprinkles or toppings which made famous by Bakerella( read more on the link HERE).

These cute Cupcake Pop Mold can be purchased from "My Little Cupcake" site or "Shop N Bake" or you can refer to more details HERE.

Fresh Lily Bulbs (鲜百合)

Lily bulbs taste slightly sweet and is slightly Cold in nature. It benefits the Lungs and Heart as well as nourishes the Lungs, stops cough and calms the nerves. It has certain effects on cough and helps with anxiety and insomnia. Lily Bulbs are rich in proteins, phosphorous and carbohydrates which is one of the good body tonifying and nerve calming Chinese medicine for those suffering from cough due to coldness and loose stools should not eat.

Fresh Lily bulbs are rich in glucose that promotes digestion and they are commonly used in cooking and desserts. You can purchase Fresh Lily Bulbs at most local supermarkets near the vegetable chiller section. Choose those with white and clean bulbs which can last for at least a week in the fridge.  Price: S$2.20 - S$2.50 per packet

Some of the RECIPES featuring Lily Bulbs:-



OR click HERE for more recipes.