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September 24th 2007 03:45
I've never been a fan of avocados. Tried them in salads and I didn't like the rich, creamy almost sickly taste. However, during a business dinner held at an authentic Indonesian restaurant last Friday, we were all served "Es Alpukat" - a Indonesian version of an Avocado smoothie.
I was skeptical. And a wee bit nervous. I didn't want to offend the host and figured I should at least try to force down a third of a glass of this creamy green looking liquid, served in a tall glass. I tried my first sip when no one was looking, just in case I had a rather disgusted expression on my face. I was however, extremely surprised by the pleasantly sweet, rich and chocolatey taste in my mouth. Needless to say, I slurped up the whole glass pretty quick and was left very satisfied.
"Es Alpukat" is a must have when you visit your neighbourhood Indonesian restaurant, or make it something you must have on your next trip to Bali. There is a chocolate of coffee variation which is traditionally served over ice in Indonesia. However, I personally think the smoothie version is the best. The Indonesians love a glass as an afternoon snack. Using whole avocados makes it very filling and nutritious!
Although the western version uses vanilla ice cream, the Indonesians make thiers with condensed milk. I've included the coffee and chocolate "Es Alpukat" recipes for you to try out in your own homes! Enjoy!
Es Alpukat ( with Chocolate Syrup)
Ingredients
2 ripe avocados, peeled and seeded
5 tbsp. granulated raw sugar
1 tbsp. sweetened chocolate syrup
1 tsp. sweetened condensed milk
Method
1. Put 1 cup crushed ice, 3 tbsp. water, avocados, and sugar into a blender and purée until smooth and sugar has dissolved, about 1 minute.
2. Divide between two tall 10-oz. glasses and pour chocolate syrup and milk into each glass. Serve with a spoon and straw.
Es Alpukat (with Chocolate Milk)
Ingredients
240ml (12 tbsp) Chocolate Milk;
120ml (6 tbsp) Cold Cows Milk (Semi-Skimmed or Full Fat);
100ml (5 tbsp) Water;
100g (5 tbsp) Sugar;
Two Ripe Avocado Pears (remove crocodile skin, cut in half lengthwise and remove the stones);
One handful Crushed Ice.
Method
Make a simple sugar syrup by combining the sugar and the water in a small saucepan over a medium-high heat. Stir until the liquid is becomes clear. Remove from heat and let cool. Spoon out the avocado pulp and place in a blender (you could use a hand blender and make up the smoothies in the cups, it saves on the washing up later). Add the syrup mixture and blend. Add the cold milk and blend again. Divide between 2 tall glasses. Top each serving with 1/2 the chocolate milk (to form a separate layer) and add the crushed ice.
Es Alpukat Kopi (Iced Avocado Coffee)
Ingredients
1/2 ripe large California avocado
1/3 cup espresso or 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
1/2 cup sweetened condensed (not evaporated) milk
2 cups ice cubes
2 teaspoons vanilla
Method
Scoop avocado flesh into a blender, then purée with remaining ingredients until completely smooth, about 1 minute.
September 21st 2007 09:05
No, this has got absolutely nothing to do with outerspace and the actual moon. Infact, Mooncakes are associated with the Asian Mid Autumn Festival, celebrated by the Chinese (Buddhists) on every 25th September.
For thousands of years, the Chinese people have related the fullness of the moon to the symbolism of reunion between loved ones, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is commemorated based on that principle. Celebrated during the period of the Autumn Equinox, the moon is said to be at its most beautiful.
Many legends have revolved around this special day, giving it a rich history and character. It is said that during the Sung dynasty (A.D. 960-1280), the Chinese people were unhappy being under the control of Mongolia , and thus were intent in orchestrating a surprise rebellion. With the Moon Festival approaching, the leaders of the rebellion took hold of this opportunity and ordered the making of special cakes that were going to function as a secret message conveyor. Messages were scribbled onto tiny pieces of paper and hidden within these cakes and then passed onto others, on the pretext of being a season gift. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels succeeded in their mission and overthrew the government. Moon cakes are thus eaten in commemoration of this awe-inspiring event after.
While baked goods are a common feature at most Chinese celebrations, mooncakes are inextricably linked with the Mid Autumn festival. One type of traditional mooncake is filled with a sweet lotus seed paste. Roughly the size of a human palm, they are meant to be cut diagonally in quarters and passed around. However, the salty yolk in the middle, representing the full moon, is an acquired taste.
More elaborate versions of mooncakes contain four egg yolks (representing the four phases of the moon). Besides lotus seed paste, other traditional fillings include red bean paste and black bean paste. It is best washed down with cups of chinese tea.
Variations has been made to the traditional mooncake, with different outer skins - a soft, chewy and colourful skin called the Snow Skin and a jelly outer skin. There are also different fillings - ice cream filling, yoghurt or fruit paste filling and my favourite, the chocolate filling. There are even alcoholic and savoury versions.
Traditional Mooncake
Snow Skin Mooncakes
Haagen Dazs Ice Cream Mooncakes
Jelly Mooncakes
Hello Kitty Chocolate Mooncakes
Photos are taken from Google Search
So, I figured I'd treat myself to a flu shot since I keep getting the flu. or is it the cold? I'm not too entirely certain. But one thing's for sure, working in an enclosed office environment where we spend at least 8 hours a day, ups the risk on exposure of a bug going round the office.
We all know that the flu is a virus, which is different for each person and at each infection. As such, right after recovering from a flu episode a couple weeks ago does not mean that I won't be infected by the virus this week. It's a losing battle, especially when you're living in a tropical region where there are torrential rains and it is air conditioned indoors, to keep out the summer heat.
I decided to do a little bit more reaserch on the virus and the cold, before deciding on getting a shot.
Whats Is A Flu?
Each year, 5 to 15% of adults and 15 to 42% of children will catch the flu. Influenza or flum is a contagious disease caused b the influenza virus. It is often called a respiratory diseas, but it affects the whole body. he flu is very contagious. You can catch it from someone who is sneezing or coughing; from close contact with someone who has the flu or from touching contaminated object, thus transferring the virus to the respiratory system.
Anyone can catch the flu. being fit and healthy does not stop you from getting it. You can also unknowingy infect others, as it take 1-4 days for the symptoms to appear. Some people are at increased risk of developing life-threatening complications if they contract the flu, for example the elderly, adults and children who have asthma, lung diseases, diabetes, heart problems etc.
The infection
- begins suddenly
- may lead to symptoms that last for more than 2 weeks
- may keep you in bed for 5 to 10 days
- can disrupt your work life or holiday plans
- can result in serious complications in high risk individuals
Is The Flu The Same As Cold?
Flu and cold are two different diseases. it is quite easy to differentiate the two. Unlike a cold, flu causes severe illness and life threatening complications in many people.
How To Differentiate?
The Cold / The Flu
Fever : None or mild (less than 38degC) / High (39-40 degC)
Duration : 3-4 days / 1-2 weeks
Severity : Very mild / Intense fatigue
Aches & Pains : Usually mild / Violent/Intense
Cough : Mild / Severe, dry, chesty, painful
Sneezing : Usual / Frequent
Pneumonia : Very uncommon / Can occur
I figured I would share the above facts with you guys here. and maybe help me decide whether a Flu shot would be a good idea. I'm still debating on it. I know it's only a shot but I dunno, it still feels like some sort of commitment.
One of my favourite rice dishes has to be the Spanish Paella. Not only is it a meal in one, thus convenient and full of flavour, but it is also a delightful dish to share with friends and easily modified to suit personal tastes.
Paella is currently an internationally-known rice dish from Spain. It originated in the fields of a region called Valencia in eastern Spain. Today, Paella is made in every region of Spain, using just about any kind of ingredient that goes well with rice. It may contain chicken, pork, shellfish, beans, peas, artichokes or peppers. Saffron, the spice that also turns the rice a wonderful golden color, is an essential part of the dish
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I used to think that the extremities and rebellions that teenagers and young adults portray brings shame to the family and reflects badly on their parents and their upbringing. Even, maybe these juveniles have stumbled onto the wrong path. But now, I believe that there are those who break out solely for the faith in "freedom".
In this world where everything has to be in it's place and time and being a "good person" is defined by culture, religion and parental/family acceptance, where does the bit of individualism and existence come in
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Fried rice can be listed as one of the most quintessential comfort food. Ideally, fried rice should be light, fluffy, and easy to pick up with chopsticks. It is also a great dish to make to utilise all the leftovers and "scraps" in the fridge - bits of cooked chicken, sausage, cabbage etc.
The Chinese have been enjoying fried rice for centuries; that's hardly surprising when you consider that rice has been cultivated since around 4,000 BC. Yangzhou rice, a colorful Shanghai dish, can be traced back to the Sui dynasty (589 - 618). Of course, there are regional variations - a northern dish is more likely to contain ham and vegetables such as leeks and green onions, while Cantonese fried rice often features shrimp or barbecued pork. But the beauty of fried rice is that it is very adaptable. Like chow mein, it's a great dish to make on those nights when you're cleaning out the refrigerator and want to get rid of any leftover meat or vegetables
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I have my cravings for a good old fluffy slice of chiffon cake now and then. As I was shopping for a slice or two at the bakery (I was too lazy to make my own, I'm not that domesticated ya know!), I realised how the chiffon cake is much more complexed and substantiated than it is normally given credit for - "Beneath its surface lies complexity."
According to Wikipedia, the chiffon cake was invented in 1927 by a California insurance salesman named Harry Baker, who also ran a small, part-time cake catering business. Mr. Baker used his recipe in catering, but didn't disclose it to the public until he sold it to Betty Crocker in 1948. Crocker proclaimed the chiffon cake to be the "cake discovery of the century
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Every morning without fail, I need a dose of caffeine to jump start my day. And I probably won't be the only one to be constantly late for work because I am making a pitstop to pick up a cuppa Latte.
Today, coffee is a giant global industry employing more than 20 million people. This commodity ranks second only to petroleum in terms of dollars traded worldwide. With over 400 billion cups consumed every year, coffee is the world's most popular beverage
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Sushi is the most famous Japanese dish outside of Japan, and one of the most popular dishes among the Japanese themselves who usually enjoy sushi on a daily basis. Sushi can be defined as a dish containing rice, which has been prepared with sushi vinegar. There are many different types of sushi. Some popular ones are:
Nigiri
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Comment by Ruby
on Paella: The Spectacular Rice Dish
The Rubik's Cube
Caramel mach? Haven't had one today. Definitely will do when I head out to lunch later