EZCR#27 - FRIED WATER CHESTNUT MEATBALLS

This is a basic meatball recipe with addition of several ingredients usually used in Chinese cooking [like ginger, garlic and spring onions]. These are the ingredients that contribute to the taste and aroma of the meatballs.These fried meatballs on its own are tasty and has a bite. This meatball paste can be used as topping to be steamed with mushrooms, tofu, bittergourd etc.Ingredients[makes about 16 meatballs]200 gm minced pork belly or lean meat 5 water chestnuts – skinned and chopped1 tsp each of chopped garlic, ginger, carrot and spring onions1 tbsp cornflourSeasoning1 tbsp each of light soy sauce and wineDash of pepper and msg1...

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EZCR#26 - TOMATO MUSHROOM BASIL OMELETTE

Another dish without meat which I prepared with fresh mushrooms.  There are various types of fresh mushrooms in abundance in Xiamen.I cooked this tomato egg foo yong [omelette] when my neighbor gave me a bunch of Basil leaves from his garden. This is a healthy omelette with tomatoes, fresh mushrooms [I used White Crab mushrooms], basil leaves and eggs.The omelette is very aromatic with the basil leaves, the soft tomatoes are sourish and the mushrooms are crunchy and sweet. Lovely omelette which is soft, moist and tasty to go with rice.  I believe this is a healthy dish packed with ample nutrients.Ingredients[serves 3]3 eggs – lightly...

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EZCR#25 - STIR FRIED LEEKS WITH SCRAMBLED EGGS

After having too many sumptuous meals while in Xiamen, I do miss this kind of simple dish which comes to my mind while planning my meals back home.  I told myself, I must cut down on meat and seafood for awhile.  BTW, most Chinese dishes I had there were rather oily except the soups.This stir fried vegetable dish is quite similar to the Stir Fried Chives with Prawns and Eggs.  The difference is in the vegetable used and the way to make the scrambled eggs.Here, I used leeks and eggs only.  The proper way to make scrambled eggs is to  mix eggs with some water and fried quickly until soft and cooked, then dish up and...

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EZCR#24 - SAN BEI CHI NOODLES

While in Xiamen visiting relatives there, I wanted to try their Sar Cha Mian, Prawn Noodles etc. after having rice for meals for several days.  But I was told that noodles are mostly eaten by not so well to do families.  The more well off people will have rice for lunch and dinner.   I was tired of having rice and sneaked out to try Xiamen noodles.  The fresh oysters with hand-made noodle soup and Sar Cha Mian that I had were good.Fresh Oysters Hand-made Noodle SoupBack in Malaysia, the first meal I had at home was this San Bei Chi with noodles. This is something new to me. San Bei Chi is a fragrant and aromatic stir fry...

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FLAKY SPIRAL MOONCAKES

This is a pre-scheduled post. These mooncakes were made 2 weeks ago. It's a bit too early for mooncake making?  Hmmm....but there's a reason.  I'll be overseas by the time I'm back it is too near the Mooncake Festival and I wouldn't have time to make some.  I intend to buy some while overseas.For a change, I decided to bake these cute mooncakes instead of the traditional baked mooncakes which many people think they are sweet and a piece is too big.  Sure this is a hit with the family members as they don't have to share-share.  Just two bites and it's finished.The colour comes from beetroot water* and I used savoury...

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