Homemade croutons

Been wanting to buy croutons for a while but couldnt find it.  Today Hub ask me to buy salad back for lunch and I decided to just make my own since I have smoked duck at home. And i love smoked duck with salads! 

Baked the smoke duck to warm it up before sending in the bread croutons to bake! Freshly made croutons are crispy yet not hard as compared to storebought. I didnt expect it was so easy to make these! Now I know what to do with my bread skin in future! 

See how easy it is! Try ur own! And mine is using wholemea

bread, so is it considered healthier? 😂

Homemade Croutons

2 bread skin, buttered generously

Truffle salt

Parsley flakes

1) Spread butter on bread skins n cut into strips then small squares

2) Lay bread as evenly as possible, minimise overlapping. Sprinkle truffle salt n parsley flakes. 

3) Bake 180deg x 5mins. Serve over salads or soups! Enjoy!

Meatball Marinara Fusilli

Almost mid week and what to cook in the mornings for the kids to school that is fuss free! Then came to me that I have been wanting to do pressure cook pasta. Yay! So dig thru my freezer and found meatballs. Meatballs marinara it shall be! Best is I can cook a batch so that youngest can have it for lunch when he is home. (cos mummy went on breakfast dates with friends 🙈)

Really simply throw everything in, just set to pressure cook and I went ahead with what I am busy with usually! Loving my Ninjafoodi day by day with all the little wonder it can do for me! 

Mummies or Daddies,please do give this a try if you are rushing for time every morning preparing lunchboxes. All it took was about 15mins from the start to end. Meatballs and pasta can never go wrong. 😍

 

Meatball Marinara Fusilli

150g Fusilli

200ml Pasta sauce

170ml Cream

170ml Milk

170ml diced tomatoes

10-12 Meatballs

Grated parmesan and parsley flakes to stir in

1) Dump everything into pot and give a gentle stir. Pressure cook mode Hi x 2mins (Recommended cooking time is 8mins for this fusilli)

*Using recommended time on packaging, lowest even number (eg if its 5, take 4) and divide by 2. Then minus 2 more minutes. Thats the time to pressure cook*

2) Natural release for 5mins and quick release if still have pressure. Stir and mix well.

3) Add in grated parmesan and parsley flakes then give it a quick stir. Serve warm ❤️

Credits: Pasta pressure cook timing is obtained from inquiringchef

Gochujang Grilled Squid

Always wanted to grill squids and got so inspired to try this korean style grilled squid. Mine is a simplified version using just gochujang, mirin and chilli flakes! (ooppsss, I forgot about salt!)  The taste was alright overall, probably a pinch of salt would enhance the flavour even more!

 

Just a short 6mins and its ready to eat. Total fast and easy! I love that the grill mode doesnt dry up the squid and its still juicy and not rubbery to chew! See the upclose, so delish!

Easy peasy in the grill! 

Gochujang Grilled Squid

1 Squid, wash and clean

1Tbsp gochujang

1Tbsp mirin

1tsp Chilli flakes

1) Wash and clean squid then pat dry.

2) Marinate with above seasonings for 1-2hrs ahead, best if overnight

3) Grill on high x 6mins. Ready to eat! 

Belacan Grilled Fish Steak

 

Love anything belacan, especially seafood and fish! Somehow it always compliment the freshness of the seafood/fish used. Adding some lime or lemon juice will elevate the flavours too!! 

Did a simple grill over pandan leaves (cos I dun have banana leaves), it does leave a mild pandan fragrance to the end product. Its easy and great on days when you jus crave for homecooked and yet only eating 1 portion. ❤️ Yums!

Belacan Grilled Fish Steak (in pandan leaves)

2 Batang Fish Steak, rinsed and pat dry

2 Pandan leaves, cut into 3s and washed

1tsp Tumeric powder

Pinch of salt

2Tbsp Homemade belacan

1) Pat dry fish and rub tumeric powder & salt leave aside

2) Cut some pandan leaves and lay over airfryer basket and place fish on top. 

3) Grill fish x10mins and flip over. Spread 1tsp belacan on each fish and grill another 5mins

4) Serve with lime on the side, squeeze before enjoying 😋

Green Bean Barley w/Sago Pearls

Decided to make this cooling soup for everyone as lately weather has been harsh. And everytime when the big ones stayed back, I felt a bit lost as suddenly feel so ‘free’ altho youngest is with me la. 🙈

Since they be coming home from extra classes, tis would be perfect for them as light snack. Win-Win for mummy too! Crazy weather makes me cranky too! Esp #2’s first weighted assessment coming up, #1’s PSLE coming nearer and nearer. I supposed cooking is my only form of destress 😔

Ready in 20mins from start to end. Try it! 

 

Green Bean Barley w/Sago Pearls

100g Green beans

100g Barley

Handful of pearl sago

Pandan leaves, tied in a knot

Water, reaches 8 cup mark

Rock sugar to taste

1) Rinse green beans and barley then put in pot. Add water to 8 cup mark and throw in pandan leaves.

2) Pressure cook mode x 15mins and natural release.

3) Meanwhile, bring a small pot of water to boil then add in handful of sago pearls. Stir gently and once it turns translucent on the sides, off fire and close lid for 10mins. Run over cool water and set aside for later use.

4) Once soup is ready, Sautemode Hi, and bring to a low simmer. Add rock sugar to taste. Serve warm or cold as desired. 

Pork & Shrimp Congee (Pressure cook)

 Been wanting to try out the pressure cook function for porridge, those silky creamy texture. Today is the great time to try as I wanna pack for the big kids for stayed back lunch as well as keeping it ‘warm’ for us til lunch! 

I think I added slightly lesser water or the ‘building pressure’ part evaoparated the water? (Oh i forgot to put back the silicon ring for the pressure cook lid so it keep ‘psst’ out water instead of building the pressure!😖 Mama haven awake) Nonetheless, I added 2 more cups after I did quick release, approximately 5-6mins after its done! 

Added seasoning to taste then quickly add in the ingredients! Love the texture so much!! Try it! All in all, it took me 30mins from start to end! ❤️

Pork & Shrimp Congee (Pressure cook)

1cup rice, washed and rinsed

7cup water (I am using the measuring cup for rice) 

**Added 2 more cups after pressure cook)

5Tbsp minced meat

150g shrimp paste

10-12 dried scallops, soaked

1pc ginger

1 garlic

Seasoning:

3Tbsp chicken powder taste

2Tbsp sesame oil

Pepper

1) Put all ingredients, except minced meat and shrimp paste into pot and add in water.

2) Pressure cook Hi x 15mins and natural release

3) Saute mode Hi, bring to a simmer and add sesame oil, pepper and chicken powder to taste. (I added 2 more cups of water at this point) 

4) Saute mode Med, Add in minced meat and shrimp paste and stir gently.

5) Serve warm 

Dry Laksa

 

Been thinking what to cook for lunch that is quick and simple. Decided to try Dry laksa as saw a friend cooking it! Looks delicious and since I have some paste at home, why not! 

Love how the tau pok n fishcakes compliements the whole dish. Definitely worth my calories for it! Not too spicy and yet flavourful enough! Yummy!

Dry Laksa

3Tbsp Laksa Paste

1pkt Thick beehoon

1pkt Beansprouts

6 Tau pok, thin slices

2 Fish cake, thin slices

4 garlic, thin slices

Water, if needed

1) Rinse and drain thick beehoon, set aside

1) Saute mode Hi, Add 1Tbsp olive oil and fry garlic and laksa paste briefly.

2) Add in fishcakes, tau pok and mix well. Add in beansprouts and mix well. Fry for 3-5mins depending how cooked you prefer your beansprouts to be. 

3) Add in thick bee hoon and a bit of water and mix well. Drizzle in fish gravy. 

4) Once beehoon all mix well, serve warm 

Bacon Shrimp Creamy Pasta

On a lazy day, you just have to combine 2 meals into 1. Tea break and dinner 🙊🙊 I have been craving for Baked Bacon shrimps and thought of wrapping more since I am going to bake them so I can have more to go along with the Creamy pasta for dinner 😅 (And mummy need to use up leftover ingredients from the pizza making too)

Made a batch for tea and I love how the saltiness of the bacon complete the crunchy and seafood sweetness from the shrimp! Combination was lovely and so yummy dipping in wasbi mayonaise! 

Each batch took 10mins to bake. 1 batch for tea and 1 batch for dinner. 😍😍

I blanch the pasta and set them aside. Using the Ninja pot again during dinner to cook the pasta and ready in 10mins or so. Yums! The creamy sauce complement the bacon shrimp too! Help to balance off the creaminess.. I love to sprinkle mine with more chilli flakes. 😍😍

No vegetables? No worries! Seaweed is yummy too! 🙈

Bacon Shrimp Creamy Pasta

200g Pasta, boiled and set aside

1can Prego Cheese & Herbs

2Tbsp Tomato puree

1cup Milk

1/2 onions

+leftover ingredients from pizza

Bacon Shrimps

Shrimps, tail on

Bacon, cut into strips

1) Wrap shrimps with bacon and set aside. Bake for 10mins x 180deg. Once done, put aside

2) Saute mode: Hi. Stirfry onions with 1Tbsp olive oil. Add in ingredients and fry for 3mins. Add in sauces and water and mix them well. Bring to a low simmer.

3) Add in pasta and stir well. Serve with Bacon shrimps. 

Oreo Cookies Popcorn

 

Been wanting to make this Oreo popcorn for the longest but no time to put into action! Totally loving the popcorn with the oreo cookies chunks. When u grab a popcorn with cookie crumbs, the texture of them both compliment so well! The taste is good too!

I didnt add sugar or caramelise the butter. Jus added some pink salt and drizzle some honey for taste. Main flavour comes from the oreo crumbs and cookie chunks. 😋😋 

I like that it is mildly flavoured and not overly sweet. Great for snacking and wont feel so sinful from it 🙈 (Been a while I used my stickers)

Oreo Cookies Popcorn 

1heap butter

1/2 cup popcorn kernel

Flavour:

2heaps butter

pinch of pink salt

1Tbsp honey

1/2cup oreo crumbs

9 oreo cookies, chopped

1) Saute mode HI, melt butter then drop a few kernel and wait for it to pop. Once it pop, pour in the rest and cover with lid

2) Once it stops popping, off the heat and let it sit a while. Pour out and set aside

3) Saute mode Hi, melt butter and salt. Pour in popcorn and mix well

4) Pour in oreo crumbs and try to coat them evenly. Pour out into bowl and cool slightly

5) Once cooled, add in chopped cookies and enjoy!

Cauliflower Cheesy Pizza

Ever wonder how to make kids have more vegetables? Key solution is hiding inside their favorite food lor! 😂😂 

Anyway I am thankful for great kids who just eat what mummy puts on the table. Sometimes they complain a bit cos some ingredients they arent so fond of, sometimes they jus gobble them up as they love it. Mostly they jus enjoy what I puts on the table. Thank God! ❤️

This cauliflower is a recipe I saw online but cant dig back where so I try to recall and made them today for lunch. A quick lunch that I can make and let them enjoy while I get busy with my own routine. Enjoy the Sunday, tml back to school days and work! Hang in there for another beautiful week ahead! 😍

Made a tomyum version for me and hub too! Happy Lunch! 

Cauliflower Cheesy Pizza (Any flavour u like)

1 small cauliflower head, cut into small florets

120g Mozerella cheese

1 small egg

5g pink salt

Pepper

More cheese for toppings

Parsley flakes

1) Rinse and pat dry florets and blend til it resembles crumbs.

(TM: Speed 5 x 30secs) Stir above ingredients until it combines well

2) Spread mixture on pizza pan til it is spread out evenly

3) Sprinkle loads of cheese, parsley flakes

4) Bake 180deg x 15mins

**Optional: I top it with the kids favorite toppings so its up to you to have it plain or with toppings

1) Tomyum flv - 

1 tsp tomyum paste spread over cauliflower base

Sprinkle cheese and crabsticks/prawns/tomato

Cover with more cheese and bake as above

2) Kids’ friendly flv - 

Sprinkle cheese over cauliflower base

Put crabsticks, prawns, bacon on top

Cover with more cheese and bake as above