Genmai-Cha

I was given a sample drink the other day when I was at the Takshimaya basement, and later I bought a packet of this tea from Cold Storage. It is called Genmai-Cha (玄米茶).

I like the taste of this tea and it also has this very rich roasted rice aroma which is so pleasant! I read about the contents of it from Google search and learnt that it is actually a tea which can be drank even in empty stomach; unlike other tea which may cause upset to people with gastric problem when consume with an empty stomach!

The Packaging....

that's how the tea is...

after the first brew...

colour of the tea... Cheers!

Fresh Milk Custard Egg

I must say that I have been blessed with many nice friends around me. Just when I was feeling rather down, an old pal gave me very good advises and guided me with many approaches to look at things at other perspective angle - thank you my old pal!

And another happy thing happened this evening, my best friend from Perth called! I have not spoken to her since she left in May; it was indeed a surprised to hear her voice again... oh my friend, the two over hours chatting must have burnt a little hole in your pocket!

Well...back to my food again. This afternoon, I made the steam egg custard with fresh milk (鲜奶炖蛋). This is one of the famous dessert in HongKong but my version is with light soy sauce instead of sugar. It can be done in both methods but I prefer mine which is not sweet or rather more of the Chawamushi taste. And wow... it is soft and silky like tofu, and very nourishing too!

Ingredients (for 1)

1 low cholesterol egg

150ml of fresh milk

1 tsp of light soy sauce (can be replaced with sugar)

Method

• Boil a quarter of water in a pot (or a flat pan with cover) .


• Beat egg in bowl.


• Add milk and light soy sauce, mix well.
  
• Sieve the mixture and pour into container for steaming.


• When water boil, lower the fire and place container in to steam, until egg custard is set. Approx. 20-25 minutes under very low fire.


• Serve hot.

Salad

Here's my colourful salad which I had for dinner tonight. They are vegetables mixed with pine nuts. This round, I tried the 'self-made' new seasoning which was taught by the vegetables store owner where I patronize regularly. It was to mix a teaspoon of honey with some olive oil; and the taste was not too bad, indeed!

While preparing for this salad, I recalled those days when I brought salad regularly for lunch at work. And together with a few 'salad kaki' taking turns to bring some additional fruits to add-on.... we were then having enjoyable munching lunches together... ^0^

Tea or Coffee

Sorry, I haven't been cooking much lately! I am supposed to be cooking for hubby when he is back from his trip; however his last trip was extended. And for less than 2 days... off... he flew again... :-(

This week was more of a shopping week since I don't really have the mood to cook. I have been sourcing around for baking goods and had bought a couple of books on baking, trays and accessories to get ready for my next hobby...Baking Cakes!! (should be able to post the photos of my cakes, if everything goes well) Thanks to my former work mates - SF and LL for the tips on what to buy and what not to!

This afternoon I was at Orchard and wanted to check on other baking accessories and.... something caught my eyes....

Ta...Da... I added these two mugs to my collection. Couldn't resist the temptation due to their cute shapes and wordings... and they are made by German mugs manufacturer. One for tea and the other for coffee... both my favorite... cheers! (hubby is going to complain again...hahaha...)

Noodles

As I was feeling rather warm at home I decided to make chilled soba noodles with nori, for dinner today.

These are some of the noodles which are readily for cooking in the kitchen cabinets. I love the packet of somen in the middle, as it can be used for soup, stir-fry and even cold dishes; such as salad and cold noodles.

Breakfast

Sis baked this banana cake to mum's place and I had the chance to take almost a quarter home for my breakfast this morning.....hehehee....

This is specially dedicated to my dearest best friend - J, who has moved to Perth with her hubby P (I really missed those days having coffee with you and not forgetting the kopi-O you made for me whenever I go to your place). I bet you can't have this traditional kopi-O there... Let's make an appointment 2 years later for our kopi-O gathering ;-)

Tea

Here's the kind of tea which I truly enjoy after a heavy meal. The tea is Pu'er with Chrysanthemum (普洱茶和菊花). According to scientific studies Pu'er teas have many health benefits and is the perfect tea after a heavy meal, Pu'er tea helps relieve any indigestion and aids in the digestion of fatty foods. It also cleanses the blood, lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, help with weight control. Husband and I usually will make a pot of either Pu'er or Tie Guan Yin (铁观音) tea to aid our digestion after our meals.

Occasionally, we will go for an elaborate Gong Fu tea ceremony with our tea accessories which I started the collection few years back(and the numbers keep adding whenever I encounter nice and cute tea sets). It is a very enjoyable thing to do especially with a group of friends chit-chatting.

Noodles

When I purchased the two types of mee suah, shop owner told me that the thick mee suah is good for stir-fry, so I decided to try it. And ta...daaaa.... here's my first attempt of fried Mee Suah!

My usual cooking habit uses vegetables such as cabbage, carrot, beansprouts, french beans etc... for stir-fry noodles except for capsicum. Since I've three capsicums in the fridge, I decided to try it out. My conclusion is; colourful vegetables make wonders to noodles recipes. And again, I am satisfied with the results of my mix & match! ;-)
Ingredients

1 garlic clove, roughly chopped

1 tbsp of light soy sauce

2 tbsp oyster sauce

2 tbsp dark soy sauce

some pepper

thick mee suah

1 capsicum (green)

1 medium carrot

some shitake mushrooms

a quarter of medium size cabbage

a handful of beansprouts

few thin slice vegetarian ham, sliced

Note: I think if I change ketchup instead of using vegetarian mushroom sauce, this fried noodles could be a mee goreng instead!