Desserts

Tried 2 desserts @ Zen Q today .


First was this soya based shovel ice topped with barley grains, green peas & sweet potatoes , glazed with creamer. 

The topping ingredients are soft , and the soya bean not too sweet. 

Next , we had the Mango shovel ice topped with a scoop of icecream. 

The syrup in ice is sweeter , but the slightly sour mango compliments it. 

These two were on Parents'  Day promotion , and it cost only RM 9.90 for two . Value buy .

Quick cooking breakfast

Watched this recipe being prepared on TV yesterday . Tried it out this morning .

First, the ingredients :
2 slices of bread , I used wholemeal bread this morning.
2 eggs
250 ml milk   &
some raisins pre soaked in wine     

Beat the eggs , add in milk, mix well.
Cut the bread into six equal squares.

Put cut bread into the egg mixture , let soak for a few seconds.

Heat up non -stick pan , melt a little bit of butter over slow flame.
Pour out the egg mixture into the pan, but not the bread. Cover.
When egg mixture partially set, arrange the bread  onto the mixture. Cover & cook for a few seconds.
Top with the drained raisins. Cover & continue to cook for a few minutes , till the egg mixture is cooked.

The cooking takes only about 12 - 15 minutes.
Sprinkle some pepper & garlic powder on it , Remove from stove.
Serve on plate like this.

The taste ?
The soaked bread gave a thick texture , soft, rich in taste with the base omelette.
Quick to cook , not bad for breakfast, a change from the normal French toast.

The Tiger Mom

I am of course late in reading & writing about this topic. Very late in fact. It was nearly two years since this book made headlines globally. My daughter read the comments and pressed that I write something about it .

Well, at that time , firstly I have not read the book; secondly, even if I have read it, I was thinking why should I responded to it ? Of course I should feel  ' honored ' that my daughter strongly disagreed that Asian mothers are stereotype as the Tiger Mom .

However, I was surprised that I was emotional when reading it, at least the first half portion of the book. When I read about Lulu, I thought about my only daughter who has quite similar temper as Lulu. When I read about the two girls' practise schedule, I was thinking what would happen to my girl if I did that ?

My girl started learning music before she turned 4. I accompanied her through the two years fundamental music. I noticed that she enjoyed music , but no private tutors would take her in individual piano classes until she was almost 6. Then she started individual piano lessons , with music theory.

We had hard time getting her to complete the theory homework sometimes. However she listened and played the music pieces alright . So, we continued the lessons and took the teacher's advice to enter her in music exams, the ABRSM.

The exam pieces practices bored her. I have not pushed her into long hour practising, like what the Tiger Mom did. In fact, I told the teacher that I want her to enjoy music , and it did not matter much if she did not sit for examination.

Now, 20 years later, this book made me wonder whether it would be different if I had pushed her hard like the Tiger Mom ? However, she actually improved excellently after I allowed her to skip examinations. The teacher acknowledged that and would always use her as an example to tell other parents.

As for my second child, my son, I put him through the same fundamental music programme the sisiter went . Accompanied him through the two years, then started him on individual class, walked exactly the same path the sister walked. However, he would be so miserable sitting in front of the piano each week.

After two years, I agreed to stop the individual piano lessons for him , but I was not giving up yet. I signed him up for a different approach in music- a ' play by ear ' program. I was still hoping that he would grow to love the keyboard. No, he did not and we stopped music lessons completely for him.

Then, when he was 18, he asked to pick up guitar lessons, I delightedly sent him to one. Even though that was only for a short term , he did well. He may not have the talent in musical instrument, and we were lucky not to kill his interest in music at least.

So, I actually think the way the Tiger Mom made her daughters practised was  'unthinkable' , even though the results she got was undoubtedly excellent. What her daughters commented about her were true.

As for me, my children's childhood was priority and I do not regret that she does not have the highest degree in music. I know that she plays the piano well,  she still enjoys music , and music brings her happiness.
That matters !

Bacon & egg Pie - tested .

Liked Donna Hay's simplified recipes. Tried out this bacon recipe , it's quick, simple & easy .

Prepared 4 pie cups, bacon strips, egg , sour cream & dried parsley . Also prepared fresh green lettuce, cucumber & cherry tomatoes.

Firstly, line the pie cups with strips of bacon. Beat egg & sour cream till well mixed.

Pour egg mixture into bacon-lined pie cups. Fill up to 3/4 full  . Sprinkle with dried parsley.

Bake in pre-heated oven at 160 degrees C , for about 20 minutes or untill egg mixture set.

Voila.....the delicious pies are ready , most importantly , in about 25 minutes only.

Cut open in the center, the texture of the baked pie is deliciously nice.

Served as breakfast with fresh lettuce, cherry tomatoes & sliced cucumber , making it a healthy breakfast menu.

Thanks to Donna Hay's recipes ...... quick, simple & easy , delicious too !

Quick & easy stir-fried pasta

It took me just about 15 minutes to prepare this dish .

Ingredients :
minced meat  , 1/2 tomato ( cubed ), 1/2 onion ( cubed ), 1 tbsp butter, a bit of cooking oil,  pinch of salt, herbs ( oregano, basil & parsley ), pinch of garlic powder , fresh lettuce, and of course 1 share of pasta ( here I used angel hair which is fast to cook ) .

1. Heat up water in pot, boil pasta . Add salt to water. Boil till pasta turn soft . Toss & leave aside.
2. Heat up frying pan, melt butter , Add oil, stir fry cubed onions & tomatoes. 
3. Add in minced meat . Stir-fry. 
4. Flavour with salt, pepper & garlic powder. 
5. Pour in the tossed pasta, stir & mix well.
6. Sprinkle with garlic powder, basil, oregano & parsley. 
7. Served with fresh lettuce. 

Voila.....all these can be done within 15 mins.  

Simple meals

These days, I am making my cooking as simple as possible.

One day , I make this meal for dinner .... pork chop , grilled pumpkin &french beans.

 The pumpkin taste better than potatoes in this case.
On top of that, I add in a bowl of salad .

Salad of cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, capsicum , sunflower seeds , & raisins.
Simple , balanced diet. 

second round of steam bread

The same recipe - Nutritious Steam Bread , second round.

First , mix the dough , add in the nuts & fruits (( walnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame , wolfberry & raisins ).  Knead for 2 minutes . Leave in bowl to rise.

After 30 minutes ,

Weigh about 30g each into round balls , place onto paper cups, leave to rise for another 30 minutes.

Prepare the steamer , let water boils. Then place the dough in . Steam for about 10 -12 minutes.

Voila ...... here's the steam bread .

The texture inside looks like this :

This is good for breakfast , nutritious & delicious.