Pan-Fried Asian Eggplant

This a quick and easy one that also meets my daily quota of coloured vegetables. Tips: I found that using my fingers worked better at getting the seasoning into the eggplant, especially over the rounded, skinned surfaces. Avoid making the slices too thin, some thickness is needed to get into the ‘meat’ of the eggplant […]

Babi Pongtay (Stewed Pork with Fermented Soy Beans)

One of the dishes we request for when we are back in Singapore is Babi Pongtay. It is a Peranakan dish. Each family has their own special version. I learnt my first one from my mother-in-law, and subsequently added potatoes after seeing other recipes that included it. I also added sweet sauce and reduced the […]

Sweet Corn Soup with Spam

I’m on the lookout for quick, savory lunches using whatever is on hand. I don’t usually keep a fully stocked kitchen, so this exercise often ends up with some interesting results. I also wanted something that I could freeze for future lunches. A sort of Smoky Corn Chowder was what I had in mind. I […]

Chicken Alfredo pasta (easy)

Chicken, cubed Penne pasta Garlic, minced Mushrooms 1 jar Bertolli’s mushroom alfredo sauce Cream or half/half milk Paprika Cayenne pepper Black pepper 1 cup Parmesan cheese Cilantro, chopped Serves 2 Brown chicken and garlic. Add mushrooms. Season with paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper. Add alfredo sauce. Stir continuously. Add cream/milk and bring to near boil. […]

Mapo Tofu 麻婆豆腐

Mapo Tofu

This is a popular dish from the Sichuan province. The tofu can be cubed prior to cooking for nice, evenly shaped pieces. I like a tossed-together look and go for irregular pieces, chopped up using the spatula during the cooking process. Other meats I’ve enjoyed include luncheon meat and lap cheong (chinese sausage). The meat can […]

Or chien 蚝煎 (‘Or luah’ / Fried Oyster Omelette)

This is one of my favourites, on my ‘must-eat’ list when I’m in Singapore. It’s also a popular Taiwanese street food. Best eaten in hawker centres or at road-side stalls in the old days, Or Chien is artery-clogging but delicious. The hawker “ah-chek” (‘uncle’) frys this up in his large wok accompanied by dramatic clanging […]

Foochow Ang Chow Chicken 红糟鸡

A traditional foochow (福州 Fúzhōu) dish made using the by-product that is collected when fermenting red rice wine or ang chow (红糟). Ang chow can be purchased in asian grocery stores. It is believed to be beneficial for women in confinement (the month after childbirth in chinese culture). It is traditionally served over mee sua […]

Pancakes with Berry Syrup

I had half a bag of mixed berries – blueberries, raspberries and cherries – left over from the ‘Afternoon of Smoothies!’. What better way to start Sunday morning than with light, fluffy pancakes and a delicious syrup of berry-goodness?  Having the pancakes in bed 🙂 Pancakes 1½ cups milk ¼ cup vinegar 2 cups all-purpose […]