A Jamie Oliver inspired recipe, with a touch of Jamie Lee's cooking. My first frittata, and it turned out as perfectly as I could ever imagine it to be (being a novice cook).


Ingredients:
8 asparagus sticks
2 eggs (I used only one yolk)
5 tablespoons of soy milk
black pepper
one small onion
1 tablespoon of Olive oil

Method:
1. Preheat the oven for 5 minutes at 200C.
2. Bake the asparagus sticks at 200C for 15 minutes
3. Beat in the eggs with the soymilk
4. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan and saute the onions
5. Add in the beaten egg mixture followed by the baked asparagus.
6. Allow the egg mixture to fry on a low flame until it does not stick to the pan.
7. When cooked on one side carefully flip the mixture over and continue to fry the other side.
8. Dish out and place on plate with asparagus showing and dash some black pepper on it.
0. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Labels: Quick N Easy, Recipe, Western Recipe

As your teeth sinks into the mushroom, piping hot juice squirts out onto your palette and as you attain gastronomic orgasm. As your saliva begins to digest your mouth's contents, the flavors of the pot mushroom begins to push your dopamine levels higher, encouraging you to go for another bite, a much bigger bite. The milawa chevre goat's cheese crumbles into smaller pieces as time passes, into bits that seeps into your tongue, converting into neurotic signals to tell your brain that you have reached nirvana. That's my most recent and most pleasurable meal, I'm glad that I've lived to tell the tale, so that you can enjoy it, hopefully more than me.



Ingredients:
6 large Portobello Mushrooms (mine were as big as my palm)
2 cloves of garlic
4 sticks of garlic shoot
4 tablespoons of olive oil
A packet of fresh rocket
Balsamic vinegar
100 g of goat's cheese (I used Milawa Chevre)
Black Pepper

Optional:
2 tablespoon of toasted black sesame seeds (for decoration)

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 200C
2. Heat olive oil on a non-stick frying pan and saute the finely chopped garlic and garlic shoot.
3. Lightly grease the baking tray
4. Place the mushrooms with the stalks facing up and carefully top with sauteed garlic, garlic shoot and cheese.
5. Sprinkle some black pepper and bake for 12 minutes
6. Meanwhile, arrange some fresh rocket leaves on the plate and drizzle some balsamic vinegar over them.
7. Carefully place the cooked mushrooms on the plate and sprinkle some black sesame seeds all over plate.
8. Serve hot and enjoy!

Labels: Quick N Easy, Recipe, Western Recipe

Some of us just love ice-cream but cannot indulge because of the sugar and cholesterol that goes along with most ice-creams. I was recommended by a friend with this recipe and it is so simple and hassle free to make and the taste is simply delicious. All you need is just 3 medium sized bananas and a little soya milk. Blend them in a mini blender and transfer to a tupperware mold to freeze for 2 - 3 hours. Whalla........... guilt free banana ice-cream. Will try blending with other fruits and will be posting them another time

Labels: Dessert Recipe, Quick N Easy, Recipe

Enormous thanks to Michelle and Nicole for coming up with this wonderful recipe. Sweet and Refreshing, this dessert would most definitely put a smile onto everyone's face. If only sugar and butter is not fattening, I'll be eating this everyday!

Nutritional information:

One cup of strawberries contains over 100 mg of vitamin C, almost as much as a cup of orange juice. We need vitamin C for immune system function and for strong connective tissue. Strawberries also add a bit of calcium, magnesium, folate and potassium and only 53 calories.

One cup of blueberries offers a smaller amount of vitamin C, minerals and phytochemicals for only 83 calories. The same amount of cranberries is similar, but with only 44 calories, 1 cup of raspberries offers vitamin C and potassium for only 64 calories.


Ingredients:
250g frozen berry mix
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup all purpose / wholewheat flour
2/3 cup quick cooking oats
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 cup cranberry juice (option: dilute it if your cranberry juice is too sweet)
option: 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Method:
1. Melt butter
2. Mix brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
3. Add butter and mix well.
4. Put the crumble mixutre into a baking dish and add berries and cranberry juice.
5. Microwave, uncovered, on high until the juice starts to bubble.
6. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving.

"picture credit to taste.com.au"

Labels: Dessert Recipe, Quick N Easy, Western

A perfect day to start a cold winter morning is a piece of Lawson's Settler's Grain toast spread with fresh avocado. Though avocados are made up of fat (90% of the calories are from fat), they are said to help lower cholesterol, by raising HDL levels and lowering LDL levels. Avocados are also known to be very rich in antioxidants.I used a non-stick pan to toast my bread as I felt that I can get a more even toast and there will be no burnt ends.

Labels: Quick N Easy, Recipe, Western Recipe

Here is a really simple recipe to make scones. I do not add sugar to my scones as I prefer to eat them with jam, maple syrup or honey with a cup of hot tea. Great for a gathering with friends for afternoon tea.
Ingredients:
1 cup of self raising flour
1/2 cup soy milk
1 tablespoon of olive oil

Method:
. Mix all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl until you get a lump of dough.
2. Preheat the oven at 200C for 10 minutes
3. Grease a baking tray with some olive oil / butter
4. Roll the dough into 5 cm diameter balls and place them on baking tray
5. Bake at 180C for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Serve warm with ginger marmalade or maple syrup or honey.

Labels: Dessert Recipe, Quick N Easy, Recipe, Scones, Western Recipe

I often wake up to a very empty stomach on a cold winter morning and the best way to fill it up is a bowl of piping hot oatmeal topped with chopped walnutes, soy milk and cinnamon. Recently, I added a serving of fat-free homemade scones to complete my breakfast splurge. It is a very good idea to soak the cranberries / raisins in alcohol like tia maria, vodka, rum as they add an extra kick to the scones, which would otherwise be quite plain (though it doesn't matter since you do eat it with other accompaniments)

Ingredients:
1 cup self-raising flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup dried cranberries (soaked in 4tbsp of rum / tia maria)
1 small slice of butter / 1 tbsp olive oil

1. Preheat oven at 200C for around 10 minutes.
2. Mix flour, milk and cranberries until you obtain a dough that does not stick to the hands.
3. Grease baking tray with butter / olive oil
4. Divide the dough into 5cm diameter balls.
5. Bake at 180C for a further 10 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Serve with ginger marmalade or your favourite jam / maple syrup.

Option: you can add 2 tablespoon of tia maria / rum into the dough during mixing for extra flavor

Labels: Bakery, Dessert Recipe, Quick N Easy, Scones, Western Recipe

This Herbal Chicken is yet another of the pre-prepared dish in the frozen section. Just thaw it and then bring to boil in a pot. Serve immediately with rice. Good and delicious


Name: Yolek Vegetarian & Organic Mart
Address: 16 Jalan Lazat 2, Taman Gembira, Kuala Lumpur, 58200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03- 7984 9118

Labels: Asian, Chinese, Quick N Easy, Vegetarian food mart, Yolek

Hot and hazy days are here and a big bunch of watercress boiled with honey and red dates in a crock pot will help to quench parched throats. Pluck the leaves from the stems to be fried separately to make another dish for lunch.

Watercress is brimming with over 15 vitamins and minerals, gram for gram containing more vitamin C than oranges, more calcium than milk and more iron than spinach. Research is also highlighting its role in the fight against cancer. The results of a new study being conducted by the University of Southampton into watercress’s potential ability to suppress breast cancer cell development are due to be announced later this year.

Labels: Chinese Recipe, Home cooked dishes, Quick N Easy, watercress soup

Heaven on Earth - Part 2. Perfect dessert to put an end to a hectic day, minus the unhealthy fats found in cakes and chips. A bowlful of berries only contain less than 80 calories and a 1/4 cup of bacardi breezer will only add about 30-40 calories to it, making it a 120 calorie dessert that will actually fill you up.

Labels: Dessert Recipe, Oil Free*, Quick N Easy, Western

Ingredients:
1 packet of Assam curry paste (I bought mine from Liza's Curry, sold in SS2 / Taman Tun market)
half a red onion,
200g long beans
100g pumpkin
1 medium sized eggplant / brinjal
small cup of canned button mushrooms
mint leaves (for garnish)

Method:
1. Pan fry onions until fragrant
2. In a seperate pot, boil the eggplants, long beans until 80% cooked.
3. Add the onions and the assam paste to a pot with a cup of water (adjust amount of water to the amount of paste you add) and bring to a boil.
4. Add the eggplants, long beans, pumpkin, button mushrooms to the curry pot.
5. Allow the pumpkin to fully soften before serving.

Health Benefits:
Eggplants have high fibre content, which helps our digestive process i.e. softens stool and also acts to prevent coronary heart disease.

Pumpkins are low in calories (20 cal per 100 g). It is also rich in potassium and magnesium and iron.The bright orange flesh of pumpkin is loaded with beta carotene and is an important antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals.

Labels: Asian, Chinese Recipe, Malaysian Recipe, Quick N Easy, Thai Recipe

Asparagus with konyaku
Ingredients:
Asparagus (cut into 2" pieces)
Konyaku (can be bought from supermarket)
3 pcs sliced ginger
2 pcs dried chilli
miso

Method:
1. Fry sliced ginger and dried chilli in a bit of olive oil
2.Add in asparagus and toss for one minute
3.Add in konyaku and continue to fry for another 30 seconds
4.Add a little bit of water and simmer for awhile
5.Turn off flame and add in miso to taste

Health benefit of asparagus
Asparagus is low in calories and carbohydrates, and compared to other vegetables it is
relatively rich in protein. One cup of asparagus supplies only 24 calories, almost half of
which are derived from protein. Asparagus is an excellent source of potassium, vitamin K,
folic acid , vitamins C and A, riboflavin, thiamine, and vitamin B6. Asparagus is also a very good source of dietary fiber, niacin, phosphorus, protein, and iron.

Historically, asparagus has been used as a diuretic and in the treatment of arthritis and
rheumatism. The amino acid asparagine may be responsible for the diuretic effect of
asparagus. When this amino acid is excreted in the urine, it gives off a strong,
characteristic odor.

Labels: Asian, Chinese, Chinese Recipe, Main, Oil Free*, Quick N Easy

Tip: If you were to visit Perth (or any other states in Australia), it is an extremely good idea to visit the local supermarket like Coles / Safeway / Woolworths to get some fresh local veg, herbs and fruits. If you would like to try some of the local veg, I'd recommend that you stay in self-contained cottages / apartments so that you can do some of your own cooking. =)


Fresh Parsley + Pot Mushrooms + onions
no extra seasoning needed! just a pinch of salt if you like it a little salty.



Fresh Baby Spinach
wash and it's ready to be eaten raw!



Salad topped with Yoghurt
Stuffed Olives, Zucchini, Fresh Basil, Yoghurt

Labels: Chinese, Chinese Recipe, Fusion, Oil Free*, picnic, Quick N Easy, Recipe, Western

Our first attempt....












Ingredients:
Dried Rice paper sheets
1 cup of black fungus (sliced)
1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
1/2 cup sweet corn kernels
lettuce (whole leaves)
chili sauce (Lingham's chili sauce)
soy sauce / veg oyster sauce
hoisin sauce
sesame oil / olive oil

Method:
1. Heat a non-stick pan and add a tablespoon of sesame oil / olive oil
2. Add sliced black fungus and sweet corn kernels
3. Cover pan and leave for 1 minute.
4. Add mushrooms and cover for another 1 minute. Add some soy-sauce / vegetarian oyster sauce to taste.
5. Meanwhile, heat another pan with about 1 inch of water.
6. When it is near boiling, turn down the fire and immerse the rice paper (one piece at a time) until it is soft (normally takes a few seconds)
7. Carefully remove the rice paper from the water and place onto a flat plate.
8. Add a lettuce leaf to the rice paper and spread some Hoisin sauce onto it.
9. Add the black fungus+mushroom+corn filling onto the lettuce leaf.
10. Carefully roll the rice paper without tearing it.

Optional: Spread some Lingham's chili sauce onto the top of the rice paper (or you can serve the chili sauce in a separate bowl for dipping).

Labels: Asian, Quick N Easy, Recipe. Vietnamese Recipe

Ingredients:
1 small bowl of Frozen Berries (I opted for the one with blueberries, strawberries, cherries and raspberries)
1 small bottle of Vodka Soda (5% alcohol) (flavour of your choice, I used raspberry flavour)


Method:
1. Fill a small bowl with frozen berries.
2. Add some Vodka Soda.
3. Serve cold & enjoy!

Labels: Quick N Easy, Western Recipe

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Level of difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:
4 medium sized Mushroom
2 celery sticks
half "fried tofu block"
2 medium sized onions
half a box of konnyaku (not the dessert kind, but the ones used for stir-frying - the white squid like thingy in the pic above)

Method:
1. saute the chopped onions in a non-stick pan with a few drops of olive oil.
2. add the mushrooms and stir fry for about 1 minute
3. add the sliced tofu and konnyaku and continue stir fry for about 30 seconds.
4. add the chopped celery and stir fry for another 30 seconds.
5. It should be tasty enough as the mushrooms act as a natural flavor to this dish. If you prefer it to be a little saltier, you can add a pinch of salt or a little soy sauce. If you like spicy food, you can even opt to add a tablespoon of chili paste (I personally recommend vegetarian tomyam paste). If you have more of a sweet tooth, you can dilute a little Hoi Sin sauce and add to it. Also, there's the classic balsamic vinegar which is a very healthy choice.
6. Top with some parsley and enjoy!

Labels: Fusion Recipe, Main, Oil Free*, Quick N Easy

Preperation: 5 minutes
Cooking: 5-8 minutes

Ingredients:
1 medium sized Eggplant
2 medium sized tomatoes
3-4 medium sized fresh mushrooms
garlic
balsamic vinegar
Black Pepper

Method:
1. (I am using a non stick pan, so this is basically a dish that uses very little oil). Slice eggplant to a thickness of about 1 cm. Place the eggplants onto the non-stick. Flip eggplants when the sides are cooked. Remove and place onto serving dish.
2. Drop a few drops of olive oil onto a non-stick pan, add sliced garlic and sliced mushrooms. Add tomatoes last to perserve freshness and juiciness.
3. Top eggplants with the items from step #2.
4. Drizzle some balsamic vinegar / fat free italian dressing / dressing of your choice.
5. Sprinkle some black pepper.
6. Decorate with some parsley (optional)

* opt for the elongated asian eggplant if you want similar sized eggplant slices.

Labels: Fusion, Oil Free*, Quick N Easy, Recipe, Western