Onigizaru or sushi burger makes great packed lunch and also portable snack. Who could resist a sushi burger?
Have you guys heard of onigirazu? When I first saw it on Cindy of Weeknite Meals’ feed, I can’t get this “rice hamburger” out of my mind. My hubby called it ‘sushi burger’. They’re kinda of like onigiri (Japanese rice balls) but more hamburger/sandwich-like and not as finicky. Onigirazu is easier and faster to make than shaping an onigiri by hand. It is made by spreading layers of rice and filling over a sheet of seaweed, folding the seaweed into a square to wrap the contents and cutting it with a knife. You can fill them with anything you want and they make great packed lunch, also a portable snack. Pack them up in a cooler and go on a picnic! Who could resist a sushi burger? Continue Reading →
Easy weekday meal of teriyaki salmon, steamed bok choy and egg rice bowl.
Fish appears often on my weekly meal, mostly local fish like mackerel, sea bass, sardines and red snapper. About once a month, salmon is my treat as they are not cheap in this part of the world. Like most families of Chinese descent, I grew up eating fish dishes almost daily because of the belief that fish helps us become smarter -> better grades -> better jobs -> better life. Yes, Chinese are always being made fun of for only thinking about studying and making more money. I wouldn’t deny that for the majority of Chinese descendants. Continue Reading →
Baked Salmon Packets – a no-fuss, super easy salmon & vegetables dish, that’s gently steamed for a tender and flavorful salmon.
Sometimes I come across people who remind me of how I used to be. Recently I came across someone who said she likes cooking but she’s a lazy cook, coupled with a picky husband and daughter. Her cooking for her family involves heating up pre-cooked food from the supermarket. Frozen croquettes, meatballs, pizza, potato salad, pasta and pies. For a moment, I was saddened. Then I recalled I was like that too, years ago. After a long day at work, it was much easier to heat up pre-cooked food just to fill my hungry tummy. Continue Reading →
Avocado Smoked Salmon Bites: fresh, fast and delish. The perfect impressive party appetizer.
When my good friend Reza once told me I should join Masterchef Malaysia, the expression I gave him said it all: “Are you out of your mind?”. Most Masterchef contestants are excellent cooks that have been cooking since they were kids. Me? I just enjoy playing with recipes in the kitchen. The expression when I received the invite to New Zealand Week Culinary Demo with New Zealand Masterchef winner Nadia Lim: Oh wow, I must not missed this demo! Continue Reading →
I have not posted many fish recipes even though fish is on my dinner plate almost 3 times a week. 80% of the time, the weeknight fish dish is easy 10 mins Teochew Style Steamed Fish or Hong Kong Style Steamed Fish recipe. If you are like me who prefer hassle-free cleaning aftermath, then steaming food is one of the best cooking method. Not only that, most Asians kitchen do not have an oven, and I too am bias towards using the stove than the oven. Continue Reading →
Steamed Cod Fish is another indulgent recipe you can effortlessly recreate at home. Cod has a ‘sweet’ taste that you can just eat it on its own without seasoning. This recipe is simple and absolutely delicious. Silky steamed cod that practically melt in your mouth, with an awesome umami sauce is heavenly. Not only that, I can eat plain rice with this sauce alone. So good! Continue Reading →
Salt Grilled Mackerel or Saba Shioyaki is a popular seafood dishes served as an entrée or part of a bento combination in Japanese restaurants.
I have to confess. I’ve never ordered Saba Shioyaki before in the restaurant. I always end up ordering salmon because it’s usually almost the same price. Yes, I didn’t think very highly of mackerel. The poor mackerel didn’t get all the media hype like salmon does. Mackerel is one of the highly recommended oily fish for a healthy diet, rich in essential oils, vitamins, minerals and Omega fatty acids. Continue Reading →
I’m no fan of fish head, except the silky smooth cheeks. Mama would “devour” the whole fish (the head, fins, tail) until the fish is irrecognisable. Many times she have failed to convince me to try the fish head. No way I will touch it, not even scrumptious curry fish head. Yes I know some of you reading this will go “Eww, how can you eat the fish head”. Mama will tell you it’s very delicious, the cooked fish meat between the bones is super tasty and firm, break the bones with your fingers, and suck out the meat. There’s no way avoiding getting your fingers dirty to truly enjoy fish head. Continue Reading →
Nyonya Ikan Asam Pedas quite often appears on my weeknight dinner (thanks to my mama’s frozen curry paste). I know I still owe you readers the recipe.. coming soon 🙂 I got intrigued to try a similar Nyonya dish – Gerang Asam (Spicy & Sour Fish Curry), also a popular Malacca Nyonya dish. This recipe is from “Nyonya Kitchen”, the cookbook by a Baba Nyonya descendant, who is none other than Chef Florence Tan. She has been teaching & promoting Nyonya cuisine for 50 years. Continue Reading →
Steamed fish recipe is one of my go to weeknight dish – it’s quick, healthy and nutritious. I grew up eating Steamed Fish Teochew style almost every day, as mama is of Teochew descent. Teochew (or Chaozhou) people are native to the eastern Guangdong province of China and Teochew cuisine offers a lot of healthy steamed, stir-fried and braised dishes. Using whole fish with tomatoes, salted vegetables and salted plums, the flavours of Teochew Steamed Fish are savoury, sour, spicy and altogether very appetising. Continue Reading →
