~ Nian Gao (Sticky New Year Cake)

The Lunar New Year is here again! This translates to more snacking! Here's one of my favourite treat: Nian Gao! Mum combined glutinous rice flour, brown sugar (we didn't have gula melaka) and water in an attempt to replicate the commercial type:

Here's a pretty ornament that Mum made:

~ Jam-flavoured Chocolate Oatmeal

1/2 C oatmeal, checked.

3/4 C water,checked.

1 tbsp cocoa powder, checked.

1 tsp sweetened condensed milk, checked.

2 tsp sugar-free berry jam, chee.. BERRY JAM?

...

1 sound brain, missing.

10000 tastebuds, happy!

~ Honey Sesame Soba with Semi-Boiled Tamago

Taken from:
Tiffany's

Description:
-

Ingredients:

1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp honey
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp water

60 g soba
Mixed vegetables
1 cold egg1 tbsp sesame seeds

Directions

1) Combine oil, honey, soy sauce and water well. Adjust accordingly to own preference.
2) Boil water and cook soba in minimum water till al dente, according to package instructions. Toss with the dressing in (1) and set aside.
3) Add in the cold egg, and place the vegetables into the same pot on a steaming basket. Cover and steam-blanch the vegetables for 5 min or so depending on the vegetable type.
4) Remove both the vegetables and egg from the heat. Arrange vegetables on the soba, followed by the de-shelled egg. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

Remarks:
Literally everything that was leftover in the fridge was tossed into this salad. I like the rosy hue that was imparted by the beetroot albeit looking slightly on the unnatural side. Taste-wise, it was on the delectable side! Each ingredient was coated in a sweet tangy sauce in addition to its characteristic taste.

Don't forget to have fun with your dish!

~ Seaweed, Ham and Cheese Sandwich

I've never thought of having seaweed in my sandwich! K had introduced this concept to me long time ago, but I hadn't gotten my hands dirty till today. Seaweed adds a provacative touch of crispiness (provided that you consume it immediately and not let the seaweed get soggy while taking pictures) and saltiness to the sandwich comprising of tomatoes, ham, cheese, flaxseeds, mustard and olive oil.

Seaweed is one of the best sources for trace minerals needed by the human body. There are many articles touting the health benefits (e.g. hair-strengthening, immunity-enhancing, detoxification, etc), but I think what matters most to me when it comes to my sandwich would be the taste. What's better than an easy, tasty and healthy breakfast anyway?

XO, 

Tiffany

~ Pork Salad with Honey Herbed Vinaigrette

Taken from:
Tiffany's

Description:
Roseate pork salad with a sweet zing~

Ingredients (serves four):

200 g lean pork meat, diced and cooked
1/2 C frozen mixed vegetables, steamed
1/2 melon gourd, cubed and steamed
1/2 C beansprouts, de-rooted and steamed
1/4 C Japanese cucumber, sliced
5 strawberries, sliced
1/2 C pickled beetroot cubes

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp apple vinegar
1 tsp dried oregano

1 tbsp flaxseeds
1 tbsp sesame seeds

Directions

1) Combine oil, honey, apple vinegar and oregano.
2) Toss the rest of the ingredients except the seeds together, and drizzle with the vinaigrette. Refrigerate for
3) Sprinkle with seeds before serving.

Remarks:
Literally everything that was leftover in the fridge was tossed into this salad. I like the rosy hue that was imparted by the beetroot albeit looking slightly on the unnatural side. Taste-wise, it was on the delectable side! Each ingredient was coated in a sweet tangy sauce in addition to its characteristic taste.

A colourful medley of ingredients:

This recipe makes a big serving:

Toss with soba and here you have lunch:

Marinate for an hour or two in the fridge and you'll get really pretty rosy pink soba as the soba really soaked up the sauce! I had taken a photo of it but I accidentally destroyed it =(

Actually I do have many more good things to say about this recipe, but I guess I better proceed to study for my 2 tests on this coming Thurs!