Simple Chicken and Vegetable Soup

This is my little girl Tania's ultimate favorite. Yes, she is a healthy eater. I am sometimes embarrassed when I reach to that extra cookies. Unlike other kids her age that I know, She likes her vegetables, broccoli and carrot to be exact. When given biscuits or chocolate she eats just enough. However, she doesn't like meat (Vegetarian by birth??). I recently have her eat chicken and we have begun on our tasting-trying spree and she kinda began to love it. Also, she doesn't want to drink milk. She's traumatized of the horrific side effect of milk she experienced when we tried to switched her to formula milk at 6 m/o. However (again), I read a small triumph in the milk matter. Tania began to have milk but only when it is with her rice crispy cereal... hmmm.... I can hear you say, duh-uh why didn't you do it that way before?... well... trust me... we did... we tried every ticks in the book and on my mother's and mother-in-law's sleeves for this and none work. I now began to accept that she is too smart and headstrong and If I have to 'win' at this... I will have to play it smart...

Anyway, this soup is ultra easy and versatile that you can simply substitute or add to any of the ingredients (the first 4 in the list). Replace them with corn and peas or ommit the meat and go all veggie will also work. Anyway, There is a proper way to make soup with lots of steps.
But com'on.. life too short and too busy to worry about the fancy soup. This one is respectable enough and yummy enough to fill your belly with yummy and healthy food on those tired day and not-wanting-to-cook mood.

Ingredient:
4 piece of Chicken wings - cut to theirs joints
12 hard boiled quail egg - peeled
1 Med Carrot - peeled and chopped
1/2 of medium Brocolli - cut to it's florets

1/4 of medium onion - finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic - crushed
1 tbsp olive oil - or any kind of oil
Few stalks of Parsley  - I didn't chop them. Just dunk them whole.
Salt and pepper
2 cups of water / broth

Direction:

1. Heat the oil. Add the garlic and onion. saute until fragrant and golden. 
2. Bring in the chicken. Saute the chicken with the onion until they change color. 
3. Add water / broth. Cover the pan and let it boil.
4. Add the carrot let it boil until the carrot soften a bit. 
5. Add the quail egg, parsley, salt and pepper
6. Add the broccoli. Let it cook until brocolli is tender.
7. Soup is ready. 

Some likes to sprinkle fried onion on top. I don;t have any and do not feel like making some separately. And yet, the soup still taste yummy.

2 minutes (Microwave) Bread Pudding for 1

OK I am really addicted to the Minutes Microwave cooking. So here's another brilliant recipe to make use of those last slices of bread which sometimes become stale and ended up in the bin.

Source : 5 Minutes Recipe

Make 1 mug (microwaveable) of bread pudding or 3 small ramekins

You'll need:

2 slices of Bread (stale one is OK)
1 Egg
3 Tbsp Sugar - I use 2 Tbsp
2 Tbsp Milk
2 tbsp melted butter or margarine
2 drops of Vanila Essence (optional)
A  dash of ground Cinnamon

How to:

1. Melt the marg/butter. 20 secs in the microwave will do just fine. 
2. In the meantime, tear up the bread into your container - microwaveable mug or ramekins or anything you have on hand that can be use in the microwave
3. In a different bowl, mix the egg, sugar, milk and melted butter/marg and vanilla. 
4. Pour the mixture into the bread. Press them down a but with a fork so the bread soaked up all the mixture
5. Springkle some ground cinnamon on top
6. Pop in the microwave for 2 minutes (800W power).
7. Let it cool a bit... and Enjoy....

The Cinnamon make the whole room smell wonderful while it is cooking.
I recommend you make this easy peasy recipe. It takes 2 mins to cook and about 3 mins to prep. So All in all a 5 mins of yumminess.. -

Banana Muffin Cake

Saturday baking! triggered by the sight of the browning and almost spoiled banana.Thought i make a new pics of the old tried and tested recipe. The recipe can be found in my other blog (the old one), Click Annie 1-2-3 Dish. There are 2 things that I did differently this time

1. I added Sultanas and Chocolate Chip
2. Instead of baking it in a muffin tins, I pour them on a loaf / cake tin. Saves me time and washing.

So Happy weekend! I will aim to finish the houseworks. But at least I made somebody very happy (and full) this morning...

Tania can't wait for the Photo session to finish

5 Minutes (Microwave) Chocolate Cake

You plan a lot of things but sometimes life just throw you obstacles that deviate those plans.
I must admit this past 3 months has almost been hell. Grappled MA study with a 2 y/o abroad is a not kidding life especially when you course requires a hands-on, 'small projects' etc. I now have so much respects to mothers everywhere and especially, to single mothers and to be more specific Full-time student single mom. It's a back-breaking, heart-breaking and zombie-ing juggling efforts.
These 3 months gave me an insights to the bible words that God never give you challenge more than you can handle, which means God already prepared all you need in the exact time you needed the most. Your part of the deal is to put in the effort and hold on to the faith. Not easy, I made decisions I regrets but eventually, I learned. Along the line, I must dissapoints some people whom I cannot fully rendered myself as it used to. Gosh, as someone whose always into something and give everything a go... I must bite my lip and refrain myself from joining all the exciting and happening things around me... Hehehehe, my bestfriend said one day on our chat, "Honey, it's called growing up". Hmmm... I am not sure I agree with that.

Anyhow, today Tania and I stayed at home and tried to clean up... (that is me cleaning and Tania trailed behind me strewing with her toys, doh!). So before dinner we got a little creative and decide to try this recipe which my beloved Husband downloaded for me on my iPad. I was skeptical at first but when it is done... boy o boy... It taste heavenly!!! Hehehehe... There's no easy and instant way to solve my life problems but there is this 5 minutes chocolate cake (10 mins plus prep time).


Source:  5 Minutes Recipe Book

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp  Plain Flour - make sure you measure it right for perfect cake
4 Tbsp Sugar -  I only use 3 1/2
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa   - or chunks of chocolate if you like
2 Tbsp whisked egg
3 Tbsp Milk
3 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
1 Tbsp Chocolate Chips - add more if you like
A splash of vanilla flavouring

You also need 1 Microwaveable Coffee cup or a Microwaveable small bowl. Original recipe use Coffee Cup but I don't have one so I use a small bowl.

A good measuring spoon will be great if not just use ordinary spoon.

Directions:

1. First, Whisk 1 egg in a separate Mug
2. Add all of the dry ingredients to the mug (or container) and mix.
3. Add egg (2 Tbsp) and combine well
4. Stir in the milk and oil
5. Add the chocolate Chips and Splash of vanilla. Stir well. (Note: On the last minutes I saw some leftovers chopped Pecan nuts and decided to dunk them in as well)
6. Microwave for 3 minutes in a 1000w Microwave oven or 4 minutes and 20 seconds in a 800w Microwave oven. 

After 2 mins you will notice it crowning. Don't panic it will collapse once the heat stops.



Verdict:
The cake taste superb despite my skepticism. It's crunchy on the outside and gooey soft in the middle. When left outside for a while it gets hardened but still taste very good. It's like having a biscotti.  --

One happy Custumer

Tuna and Veggie Spagetti

OK.. Still in the mood for spaghetti. Thanks to Masak Bareng Yuuk! Pasta Edition... Well... I still have quite a stock of Spaghetti so why not. The day I made this was I was busy studying for one of my quiz day. Then I realized it was already past lunch time. I went to the kitchen and realized I forgot to cook my rice this morning aaaaaand I ran out of bread. Fruits were not really my options... I am tired and hungry. I want something filling, satisfying and quick. I reached for the spaghetti and decided to throw a cheat-bolognesse (a.k.a  the instant packets) but alas! it was also gone....

So I decided to make do with what ever I have. I quickly round up everything I think can work when I saw the canned tuna... AHA! this might work.... we shall see...

Honestly... it taste divine and takes only 10 minutes... well OK 15 mins to make and serve

To serve 1 (2 portions)

Ingredients:
1 handful of spaghetti -use any other pasta shape you want... it doesn't matter I think.
1 tbsp Olive oil
1 tbsp salt
1 medium garlic, crushed then finely chopped
2 tbsp Onion, chopped
1 small carrot - Diced small
4 cherry tomatoes - cut to quaters
2 tbsp salted butter
1 tsp ground white pepper
a bunch of flat leaves parsley - chopped
2 tbsp Canned tuna - drained from the oil or water or brine and flaked

Directions:

1. Boil water in a pan for the spaghetti. 
2. Meanwhile, prepare the carrot, tomatoes, parsley and tuna
3. When the water boils, add the salt and olive oil then bring the spaghetti in. I break the long spaghetti in half before putting them in boil water. 
4. Then heat the butter on a separate pan / wok, add the Onion and garlic. Saute until soft and fragrant
5. Bring the carrot in... followed by tomatoes add the ground white pepper. I do not add anymore salt because the butter is already salty. Let it cook for a while. I like my tomatoes to be slightly wilted to retain the warm fresh taste of tomatoes.
6. The spaghetti usually need about 7 - 8 minutes to be Al-dente (my husband taught me this)... or get a piece of the spaghetti and throw to the wall... if it sticks it's done... or... my way... pinch the spaghetti... it is the level of tenderness I want... then it is done
7. Drain the spaghetti and bring back to its pan . Add the sauteed carrot and tomatoes in the pan together with the cooked spaghetti. 
8. Mix together. Add the chooped parsley then the flaked canned tuna..
9. All is good and ready to serve!

This will also be my entry to Masak Bareng Yuuk! (Let's Cook Together) Sept-Oct Edition on Pasta!!!

Entry requirement in English click here

Simple Vegetable Stir Fry

You know when you walk in to the stores and you see all kinds of stir-fry sauces in packets. I can't see why making so much fuss when the basic simple stir-fry is a matter of one two three. Here's a basic recipe you can build up and add up any other meat, veg or ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Onion, chopped
• 2 garlic, crushed
• 1 cm  finger
• Salt and ground white Pepper
• 1/2 Stock cube (optional)
• 3 tbsp vegetable cooking oil 
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• A handful of Broccoli 
• A handful of whatever meat (chicken, Beef, sausage etc) or meat substitute you like (tofu, egg etc)
• 1/2 cup water

Directions:

1. Heat cooking oil. Bring in Onion, garlic and ginger. Sautee until fragrant and soft
2. Add the meat or meat substitutes... let them cooked.. add half water to cook them. 
3. Add the carrot and brocolli, add the rest of the water and the stock cube
4. Seasoned with salt and ground white pepper
5. Final taste... ready to serve. ----

Semur Ayam // Braised Chicken in Sweet Soy Sauce

OK... semur ayam or Braised Chicken in Sweet Soy Sauce is the next simple cooking. all you need to have are... of course Chicken... hehehe... good Sweet soy sauce (just go to Asian Store) and Nutmeg. You can use the ground nutmeg in those small bottles but I prefer whole nutmeg that I crushed or grated... the smell and taste is much more fantastic. Reminds me so much of home, Ambon Island, Maluku Province, The Spice Island... OK... Here's the recipe

Ingredients:

• 8 Chicken Wings - simply because it was cheap and also Tastier
• 1/4 medium Onion, chopped 
• 2 Garlics, Crushed and finely chopped
• 1/2 Nutmeg, Crushed
• 1/4 cup of Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce 
• 1/2 Stock cube, 
• Salt and ground white pepper
• 2 tbsp juice of lemon juice
• 3 tbsp Vegetable cooking Oil

Directions:

1. Heat the oil. Bring in the Onion and garlic. Sautee until soft and fragrant
2. Add the Soy sauce and Nutmeg. Then stock cubes, salt and pepper.
3. Put in the Chicken wings. Coat the chicken with the soy sauce evenly. Cover and let it cook for 5 minutes. 
4. After 5 minutes add the lemon juice and if the chicken is not properly cook.. add about 1/4 cup of water. 
5. Give it for final taste... then ready to serve. --

For me, it is best served with hot white rice and simple stir-fry