I am a mother of 3 living in Foster City,CA who is very passionate about all Asian cooking.Whether it is Indian,Chinese,Malaysian,Thai,Filipino and etc.... Asian cooking has been very dear to me as it brings back good memories.Growing up in Malaysia I have been exposed to many different cultures as Malaysia is a very multicultural country.Malaysia is the home of multiple ethnicity which found its roots during the colonial times where hundreds and thousands of immigrants arrived here to find an honest living in this prosperous land. The migrants’ mostly Chinese working in the tin mines and the Indians placed along the rubber estates brought along with them their cultures not forgetting rich culinary heritages. I have been in the US for 11 years now and would love to share recipes,awnser any questions and talk about all Asian cooking.


Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Thai Fried Rice

I had made this dish for my daughters International Holiday Potluck class party.There were some request for this recipe......Enjoy guys!


Ingredients

4 cups cooked rice(preferably cold rice)
Chopped Garlic - 1tbsp
Boneless chicken breast - 4(cubed)
Frozen mix vegetables - 1 cup
Egg - 1
Lemon - 1tbsp(grate the skin only)

Sauces

Soy sauce - 1 tbsp
Oyster Sauce - 1 tbsp
Sweet soy - 1 tsp(sugar - 1/2 tsp can be substituted for sweet soy)
Tom yam paste - 1 tbsp ( Sold in any asian grocery store in the international section/sold in a glass jar)
Fish sauce - 1 tsp
Black pepper and salt to taste


Method

In a wok heat 1 tbsp oil and fry the garlic till light brown than add in the chicken and saute for 5-8 min till chicken is half cooked.

Than add in the egg right in the middle of the wok and fry the egg till well done.Secondly add in the vegetables and the sauces.Cook on high flame for 3 min and than mix in the rice and fry on high heat for 10 min.

Garnish with grated lemon rind.

Serve hot.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Sweet,Spicy Eggplant & Tofu

Ingredients

Chinese Eggplant(cut to desired size) - 3 Fried
Firm/Medium Firm(cubes) - 1box Fried
Garlic(chopped) - 2tbsp
Red Onion(sliced long) - 1
Green Spring Onions(chopped) - 2 stalks

Sauces

Chili Garlic Sauce -2 tbsp
Tomato Ketchup -2 1/2 tbsp
Soya Sauce-1 tbsp
White vinegar -1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Sugar -2tsp
Water - 4 tbsp

Method

  1. In a wok heat 1 tbsp oil and fry the garlic till brown.Than add in the onions and fry till pink.
  2. Add in all the sauces and cook on high flame for 3min.
  3. Than add in the fried eggplant and cook covered on medium flame for 5 min.After that add in the tofu and continue cooking for 3-4 min on medium flame.
  4. Lastly garnish with Green Spring Onions.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Malaysian Noodles

It was my birthday yesterday.....I was very depressed as i was missing my family in Malaysia very much.My kids gave me lovely presents.My oldest child wrote me a beautiful poem,my middle child made me a lovely card and my little baby started crawling.....on my birthday! My husband took us all out for dinner and there cut a cake and my in laws gave their present.This cheered me up !....Last year for my birthday i was with my family(parent/grandparents/uncle/aunts and cousins) in Malaysia and it was one of the most memorable birthday i ever had.





Today i felt like cooking noodles.In Malaysia we have noodles on birthdays for a long healthy life.The noodles i made today works great for any occasion.It can be made spicier for the adults.





Malaysian Noodles with or without chicken/seafood



Ingredients



Noodles(fresh)-2 packets washed with cold water


Chicken boneless pieces-2 pieces(cubed)


Shrimp - 1/2 pound


Fish Cake -1 packet(thin slices)


Chinese spinach 1 bunch


Tomato 1 small (chopped)


Onion 1/2 (sliced)


Garlic 1 tbsp (chopped)


Green Chili 1 (slit long)





Sauces

Chili Garlic Sauce/Paste 1-2 tbsp as desired

Tomato ketchup 2 tbsp

Soya Sauce(lite) 2 tbsp

Soya Sauce (dark) 1tbsp

Sweet Soya Sauce 1tbsp

Black Pepper 1 tsp



Method


  1. In a wok heat 1 tbsp oil and fry the garlic and onions till fragrant.Than add in the chicken and saute for 10 min on high flame.
  2. Than add in the spinach,green chillies,seafood ,black pepper,and the sauces.Immediately after that add in the noodles and stir fry on high for 20 min.
  3. Lastly add salt to taste and garnish with fried onions and sliced lemons or limes.

*This can be vegetarian by substituting the seafood and chicken with fried tofu and mushrooms.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Chicken,Seafood and Vegetable Tangy Soup

It was so cold yesterday......the colder it is the hungrier i get.....I felt like having hot and tangy soup.

Ingredients

Chicken - 1 whole(cut up) or 5 pieces boneless chicken
Seaffod Medley-Some Shrimp,clams,Fish Ball or white fish
Lemon Grass - 2 stalk(just use the thick white part)
Vegetables - Carrots(1-sliced thin),Spinach(1-2 bunch),Mushrooms(1/2cup)*Any vegetables you have in the fridge*
Garlic - 5 cloves sliced
Yellow Onion - 1 sliced long
Chicken Granules 2 tbsp
Tomato - 1 (sliced)
Lemon Zest(1 lemon)
Cilantro - 2 springs(chopped)
Water

Seasoning

Fish Sauce - 1tbsp
Tamarind pulp - 1tbsp/to taste
Chilli paste - 1/2tsbp
Tomato Ketchup - 11/2 tsbp
A Pinch of Sugar
Salt to taste

Method

1. In a stock pot add some oil and saute the garlic till fragrant and then the onions till pink.Add in the chicken and fry for 30 seconds on high flame.Than add in the water (add till 2 inches from the rim of the pot).

2.Once boiling add in the chillie paste,lemon grass,tomato,chicken granules and the seasonings(boil on med flame).

3.After 40min add in the vegetables and continue boiling for 10 min.Than lastly add in the Seafood .Boil on high flame for 10 mins.Garnish with lemon zest and fresh cilantro.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

One pot Chicken and Rice Pulao(pilaf).

A quick simple delicious meal.All time favourite in my house....especially the kids

4 pieces chicken(Thighs/ Breast-boneless & skinless) cubes

1 cup uncooked Basmati rice

2 cups water

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 onion-sliced

1/2 inch ginger slices

1 tomato-chopped

1-2 green chilies

1/2 cup frozen peas

1 tbsp yogurt

1tsp Black pepper

1 tsp garam masala

1 tbsp lemon juice

Salt to taste

Method

In a deep pan add oil or ghee and fry the cumin seeds(Jeera) and onions till golden .Than add in the chicken ,ginger and garam masala cook on med for 5 min.

Than add in tomatoes,green chillies,yogurt and uncooked rice.Fry for 3 min than add in peas,water,salt and lemon juice.Cook covered on low for 15-20 min. When done sprinkle black pepper.

**Optional - garnish with some unsalted roasted almonds**

Serve with plain yogurt or cucumber raita

Easy Cucumber Raita

1 cucumber-grated

1 tbsp chopped onion(optional)

A pinch of sugar

1 tsp black pepper and salt to taste.

Spicy Tofu and Green beans

I made this quick simple dish yesterday .It was so yummy my family loved it.It took me 15min.It is very healthy too.

1 bag washed green beans-cut to desired size
1 box tofu -medium firm-small pieces
1 tbsp chopped garlic
1/2 onion(optional)sliced long

Sauce
11/2tbsp(or more) Garlic Chili Sauce(can be bought from any Asian store or section)
2 tbsp Oyster sauce
1 tbsp soya sauce
1 tbsp Sesame oil
1 tsp tomato ketchup
Salt to taste

Method

In wok/pan add 1 tbsp oil and saute garlic till light brown than add the onions and saute till pink.Than add in the green beans.Saute on high flame stirring well with sprinkling of water.
Than add in the sauces and tofu pieces.After a min lower to flame to med , add 2 tbsp water and cover for 5 min .
Lastly remove cover and on high flame stirring well.Serve hot with boiled rice.

**Cornstarch mixture(2tsp cornstarch + 2tbsp cold water) can be added.For healthier dish do not add the cornstarch**

Let me know what you think.I have lots more receipes and tips ....any request?