Buttery Finger-Licking Squid

Who can resist buttery, elastic and fresh squids? :D The kind that I was referring to melts in your mouth as the aroma from the spices waft through your nostrils! It is one unique dish that you can hardly find in any zi char stall! Get out of your couch and head down to the wet markets or supermarket to grab some fresh squids for this sizzling dish! :D

The Recipe: Buttery Finger-Licking Squid

The Ingredients:

1) 500g  fresh squid cut into thin pieces

2) 6 pods  chopped garlic

3) 1 pinch pepper

4) 1 pinch chilli flakes

5) salt to taste

6) 1 teaspoon All-purpose flour

7) 1.5 cup fresh milk

8) 4 teaspoon salted butter

Get Cooking!

• Add the butter in a pan and stir in the garlic till it is slightly golden.
• Add the flour in and mix for a even consistency.
• Pour in the milk and stir evenly.
• Drain the squid and stir in the squid and toss it in the sauce.
• Add pepper, chilli flakes and salt to taste.
• You can add a little Parmesan cheese for a creamy texture!
• Tadah!!! your creamy buttery dish is done :D
• Secret: Add a few drops of lemon for the oomph factor!

Satisfy your seafood cravings today with just a few simple steps :D

Start Blending: Chicken Rice Chilli

Every time i order a plate of piping hot Chicken Rice, I take half a tablespoon of chicken rice chilli and pair it up with the fragrant rice and pop it goes into my mouth! :D What a heavenly combination :) The person who invent the chicken rice chilli is really a genius! Chicken rice can never go without the chilli, however the chicken rice chilli can go without the rice haha! Chicken rice chilli just transforms any dish that it is paired with into a savory one. Its tangy spiciness and aroma from the ginger and garlic makes the dish more appetizing!

The Recipe: Chicken Rice Chilli

The Ingredients:

1) 70g fresh red chilli (mix of big and small)

2) 40g ginger

3) 15g garlic

4) 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil

5) 1 teaspoon salt

6) 1/2 teaspoon sugar

7) 20ml fresh lime juice

8) 15ml white vinegar

9) chicken broth

Get Blending!

• Blend all the ingredients together except for the chicken broth to form a thick consistency.
• Pour the chicken broth to the mixture until you get desired consistency.
• Tadahh your homemade chilli sauce is done!

You can keep the chilli sauce refrigerated and you can eat it with any meat dishes or simply mix it up in your rice! :D

Spicy Savory Thai Basil Chicken

When I recall Thai cuisine, the dishes that were of the top of mind were pineapple rice, green curry, tom yam soup, however, Thai Basil Chicken is one of my favourite Thai food! Thai Basil Chicken has a distinctive Thai flavour that comes from the sauces used during preparation, the oyster sauce gives the dish a very rich salty flavour and the spiciness from the small chilli padi add a little oomphs to the dish! This Thai dish is usually served with rice and a sunny side-up :D

The Recipe: Thai Basil Chicken
Serve 1

The Ingredients: 
1) 1 bowl Rice
2) 2 Tablespoons Oil
3) 2 chopped garlic cloves
4) Minced chicken
5) 1/2 Sliced Onions
6) 4 Tablespoons Oyster sauce
7) 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
8) 1 Teaspoon Black Soy Sauce
9) 1/3 Cup water
10) 1/2 Cup Fresh Basil
11) 3 chopped Chilli peppers

Get Cookin!

• Heat up the oil, stir fry the garlic till its browned
• Add in the chicken and stir fry until it is cooked
• Add in the onions and sauces (oyster sauce, soy sauce, black soy sauce) and stir it thoroughly
• Add in the water and let it simmer for 2 minutes
• Add the chilli peppers and basil and mix thoroughly
• Tadahh! The dish is served with rice
• Top the dish with a lovely sunny-side up for a perfect finish :D

Hope you enjoy the yummy Thai Delight :D

Anyeong! Kimchi Fried Rice

Ahneong hosayo. 어서 오세요!!! I was scrolling my old photos and chance upon the photos I took during my overseas involvement program in Korea! Thinking about all the delicious kimchi, bibimbab, spicy rice cake, barbecue pork belly, savory ginseng chicken soup makes me reminisce the good ole days! However, I miss Kimchi Fried rice the most! haha The fried rice was soaked with kimchi spiciness and the bacon, ham and golden liquid egg yolk makes it so heavenly!

The Recipe: Kimchi Fried Rice

Serve 1

The Ingredients:
1) 5 tablespoons oil
2) 1/4 chopped onions
3) 1 chopped garlic clove
4) 1/2 cup chopped sour kimchi
5) 1 teaspoon soy sauce
6) 1 bowl of cooked rice, cooled to room temperature
7) 1 egg
8) 1 cup of mixed bacon bits, ham
9) 1/2 cup of chopped french beans
10) salt, pepper

Get Cookin!

• Heat the oil and stir fry the onion, garlic and pinch of salt. Continue to stir fry until the onions soften 
• Stir in the french beans, bacon bits and ham and cooked for 2 or 3 minutes 
• Turn up the heat and add in the kimchi and cook until the kimchi is crisp on the edges 
• Add the rice in and stir thoroughly. Pour in the soy sauce and pepper to taste 
• Transfer the fried rice out and crack the egg onto the pan 
• Be sure not to break the yolk and cook until the yolk is semi cooked! 
• Tadahh!!! you don't have to travel to Korea for your kimchi fried rice fix anymore hahaha! 

I hope that you will enjoy this korean food! :D

Creamy Portobello Mushroom Soup

Whenever I eat a three course meal, I look forward to the soup starters - Mushroom Soup! I absolutely love mushroom soup especially those that are freshly blended and filled with the mushroom richness instead of the salty, starchy Cream of Mushroom can soups even though I find the can soups a great invention to satisfy your late night cravings when you are just too lazy to cook anything :p

The Recipe: Creamy Portobello Mushroom Soup
Serves 2-3

The Ingredients:
1) 2 tablespoon butter
2) 1 tablespoon olive oil
3) 1 onion finely chopped
4) 1 chopped garlic clove
5) 1 tablespoon plain flour
6) 400ml chicken stock
7) 250g chopped Portobello mushrooms
8) 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
9) 100ml thickened cream
10) salt and pepper
11) Garlic bread

Get Cookin!

• Heat up the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
• Add in chopped onion and garlic and stir till the onion is soft and translucent
• Stir in the mushrooms and mix evenly until the mushrooms are sauteed.
• Add in the plain flour into the mixture and mix evenly.
• Pour in the chicken stock and bring the soup to bowl.
• Turn down the heat when the soup is bowling and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add in the thyme leaves.
• Scoop the mushrooms and some soup and be careful because its hot! and place it in a blender and blend until the mushrooms bits are fine.
• Pour the blended mixture back into the pot and bring the soup to boil. 
• When the soup is boiling, turn down the heat and pour in the thickened cream. Stir the mixture thoroughly and add in some salt and pepper to taste.
• Tadahh! Your creamy mushrooms are done! :D
• Garlic Bread: Spread a thick coat of garlic herbs on bread and give it a little toast!

You can now enjoy your garlic bread and creamy mushroom soup during your lazy afternoon teas :D

Lips Smacking Sauteed Mushrooms

I wonder why mushrooms are always used as a sides when this neglected fungi could easily outshine the main dish! Sauteing mushrooms is a quick way to cook any kind of mushrooms till its flavorful brown while retaining its aromatic juices inside. This versatile dish can be used as a sides for a mains like steak or to be eaten as a main dish! :D

The Recipe: Sauteed Mushrooms
Serves 4

The Ingredients:
1) 1 bowl fresh Portebello Mushrooms sliced
2) 3 tablespoons olive oil
3) 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4) 1 clove thinly sliced garlic
5) 1 tablespoon of red cooking wine
6) 1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
7) salt and pepper

Get Cookin:

• Heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat.
• Stir fry the garlic till slightly brown.
• Toss in the Portebello Mushrooms and mix evenly.
• Pour in the cooking wine, teriyaki sauce and add a dash of salt and pepper.
• Continue mixing for about 2 mins.
• Tadahh! Your simple and stunning dish is done!

I hope that you will love this simple yet elegant dish :)

The Dip: Creamy Butter Garlic Sauce

After my Student Exchange programme, I went to London to visit my friends and I went to this awesome restaurant called Burgers and Lobsters and I absolutely LOVE IT! :D As suggested from the restaurant name, they only served Lobsters or Burgers. Being a seafood lover, I chose the lobsters and never regretted my choice haha. The freshly grilled lobsters came along side with a tasty creamy, buttery garlic sauce which makes each mouthful bursting with delight! I found this sauce to be the perfect dip for any fresh seafood eg. crabs, prawns, etc.

The Recipe: Creamy Butter Garlic Sauce

The Ingredients:
1) Salt and Pepper
2) 25g Salted Butter
3) 2 chopped Garlic cloves
4) Chopped parsley
5) 150ml Cream
6) A slice of lemon

Get Cookin!

• Heat the butter in a pan.
• Add the crushed garlic, salt and pepper into the butter.
• Mix the cream in and mix evenly.
• Off the fire and toss the parsley in. Squeeze the lemon slice and give it a good mix!
• Tadah! Your awesome dip is done! :D

Get dipping with your lovely spread of seafood! :D