Toddler's veggies curry

I was determined to share this recipe, as it tasted really good. Or it must be good because my 24months old toddler had 3 portions (each portion as shown in pictures or more). I find that the taste has natural sweetness came from sweet potato and carrot and slight gingery taste that resembles curry for toddler.

The picture probably didnt look attractive or clear but it was certainly a hit.

Recipe:

3 cloves garlic
4 shallots
1 small piece old ginger
1 cup chopped cabbage
1 Tbsp anchovies (presoaked)
1/2 tomato (quartered)
1/2 small carrot (sliced)
1 orange sweet potato (cut into small cubes)
1/2 tsp organic turmeric powder
1/2 tsp organic curry powder
1 cup soup stock
2 Tbsp thick whipping cream

(1) Presteamed sweet potato and carrot till half cooked.

(2) Finely chop garlic, shallot and ginger.
(3) Drain anchovies over sieve, rinse a few times and remove dirty / black part.
(4) Heat up some coconut oil using a sauce pan, saute anchovies till brown. Add in chopped garlic, shallot and ginger and saute till brown and fragrant.
(5) Add in cabbage and stir fry.
(6) Add in sweet potato, carrot and tomato and stir fry.
(7) Add in turmeric and curry powder, mix well and stir fry.
(8) Add in soup stock let it cook in medium heat or till ingredients soft and sauce thicken - around 15-20 minutes.
(9) Add in cream and let it simmer in low temperature for 10 minutes. Once done, serve immediately.

We had it with old cucumber waterchestnut soup.

Recipe:

Old cucumber chestnut soup -
1 old cucumber (cut into chunk with skin intact, deseeded)
4 Italy dried chestnuts
5 red dates (pitted)
4 pieces chopped buldock root
2 dried figs
1 Tbsp organic wolfberries
2 slices yu zhu
3-4 lily bulbs

Roughly heat up 4 cups water in a rice cooker pot. Add in all ingredients except wolfberries and set to soup mode, around 1.5hrs. Once done add in wolfberries and serve accordingly.

For the seaweed rice ball, i steamed japanese pearl rice. Once done, i added a little bit of vinegar and let it cool a little. Separately, i cut some roasted seaweed finely. Eventually i mix shredded seaweed with the rice and form into rice balls shape.

Water chestnut barley drink

Today, i made another cooling drink to combat haze. It has a natural sweetness and i would use this as soup base for glutinous rice ball next time, as it tasted quite similar.

Recipe:

1/3 cup organic pearl barley (soak overnight)

1/4 cup china barley (soak overnight)

10 water chestnut (presoaked in acv, skin removed)

2 pandan leaves 

2 slices ginger

(1) Using a small slow cooker, add water till 2/3 pot full and let it heat up for 5 to 10 minutes.

(2) Add in all the ingredients and let it slow cook for 5 hours.

Homemade flour

I had previously made almond flour [here].

I remember I have a big batch of milk pulp that i froze from homemade milk [here] that i did. I decided to finally thaw it to make it into flour, as i am clearing my fridge to prepare for my confinement.

I am not sure about the quantity but basically, the pulp comprises a combination of organic soy bean pulp, almond pulp and cashew nut pulp. The pulp basically filtered from the milk that i made and i had froze it for several months.

(1) Thaw the pulp (if is frozen) overnight.

(2) Preheat oven at 100c. Spread parchment sheet over baking pan. (I used 3 baking pans to dehydrate all at once).

(3) Spread the pulp in a thin layer, evenly on the baking sheet.

(4) Dehydrate it for 12 hours at 80c and stir / flip the pulp every now and then to make sure it dries evenly. (I did it 3 times and swap the position of the baking pan every time)

(5) Once done, let it cool under room temperature.

(6) Blend using a good blender till flour texture is achieve.


Note:
1. Keep in air tight container, in fridge and use the flour like how you use it in any other recipes, in this case it is gluten-free mix flour.
2. Soy or soy by-product tend to turn brown quickly thus it is best to consume immediately after use. It is also best to keep in fridge to use it as and when.
3. The pulp must be thoroughly dry before the blending step, otherwise the flour may turn rancid under refrigeration.

Chrysanthemum red dates water

Okay, my camera officially gave way and my phone did not come along with a good camera feature. Thus there would not be picture shared for my tried recipes now on till i get a replacement, however im not ruling out if my husband happens to be around - to be my cameraman. I will continue to share recipes here. Stay tune.

Due to the haze, i have been making steam orange with salt [here], simple barley drink for my toddler and hubby. For today. I actually made Chrysanthemum red dates water using simple ingredients and steps below.

Ingredients:

1 cup dried chrysanthemum flower

5 red dates, medium size (pitted)

2 dried longan

2-3 slices old ginger

Steps:

(1) Using a small slow cooker, pour in filtered water till about 2/3 pot full. On the switch and let it heat up for 5-10 minutes.

(2) Add in all the ingredients and let it slow cook for 5 hours.

Result: We had it without sugar. It is tasty enough with slight gingery taste.

Watermelon cake for Bella Grace's Birthday

Basically, we were just trying to create something simple and healthy for the 2 years old's birthday. This is an idea inspired by mummy Ying Ser Chu and Vivian Low, after both of them did it for their sons. Absolutely no flour and purely fruits.

After going back and forth from cheese cake to carrot cake and other options, i decided to settle down with this, partially because it was a last minute decision and i was absolutely tired due to my pregnancy, mind that i am going to due next month !

My youngest sister was here in KL, and we went to Mid Valley together with my eldest sister and her two daughters. These are fruits i purchased from Aeon supermarket to prepare for the 3-tier watermelon cake.

2 large watermelons, Local (cost RM20+ and RM19+ respectively)
3 in 1 pack starfruits, Local (RM2+)
6 in 1 pack green kiwis, from Australia (RM12.90)
1 pack blueberries, from Poland (RM11.90)
1 pack strawberries, from Australia (RM12.90)

In addition i bought a medium size polystyrene box to keep the cake cold and intact as we were going to transport it to an organic restaurant where we decided to celebrate for the 2 years old.

To make the cake i used -
1 longitudinal section for the base (from 1 watermelon)
2 cross sections for top tier and second tier (from 1 watermelon)
3 green kiwis (sliced and halved)
1 starfruit (sliced)
4 small strawberries (halved)
1/2 cup blueberries

Note: The watermelons that i bought were not round, they were large but elongated. Thus the term
Longitudinal section means i cut through the long section part / horizontally to create a larger base.
Cross section is the short section across the watermelon, to create 2 small tiers.

If you are able to buy a round, big, nice watermelon, it shouldn't make any difference which section you are cutting through. 

Ours, chosen by my niece - the ripeness was just right for immediate usage. Besides choosing the shape, it is important to make sure the ripeness is right. Under ripe will create whitish / pinkish looking watermelon cake rather than bright red colour, hard texture or less sweet, whereas over ripe will make the cake formation a little difficult as it is too watery and less firm.

Basically, hubby helped to chop and trim into a cake shape according to different sizes and tiers and to try to make it as round possible. That was the most difficult part. I was wiping through the area when he worked on it as there was watermelon juice all over the kitchen during the ordeal.

The picture above was the end result after the shape is formed by hubby. Is not easy ! There was a lot of cleaning job too. We had time to freeze it, roughly 1-2 hours before started decorating. The base was slightly crack while we assembling the fruits but i managed to touch up using toothpick. I used toothpick to keep the starfruits in place as well. After all the fruits were put up, we wrapped it using cling wrap and keep in polystrene box to bring over to the celebration venue.

More pictures during the celebration -

while we were preparing the cake

The 2 years old looking at the cake obediently

The 2 years old posing for the camera

It seems like the princess knows is her birthday

Another cheeky her :D

Lighted up candles, i bought it from Aeon too

Blowing out the birthday candles

Small yi helping to cut and distribute the cake

It wasnt difficult to cut, my dad enjoyed it very much.
We finished 2 tiers before bringing the remaining back home.

Tips to maintain freshness :

(1) Buy the fruits fresh, or prior to using.

(2) Lightly freeze the watermelon and other fruits before decorating.

(3) In our case, we were transporting the cake to another venue. Upon arrival, we requested the cake to be kept in chiller.

Brownie Cake for Hubby's Birthday

It was hubby's birthday, and knowing that he doesnt really eat cake or bread, i need to think of something that he really likes without compromising the ingredients part, since is going to be homemade. I thought of 'BROWNIE' as i remember he likes it! I tried making it all natural and organic. Topping up of vanilla ice cream, i'll consider that as once a while indulgence, meant only for me and hubby, not the kid.

I didnt get to take a picture of the cake as all i was doing was busy preparing. A few pictures that i am sharing here were during cake cutting time, which the limelight was obviously took over by the big sister-to-be instead.

Recipe (using 8" round baking pan):

A:
1/3 cup organic carob powder
1/2 cup blossom honey (I used 1/3 cup and top with filtered water)

(1) Steam honey till melted.
(2) Mix in carob powder and stir till smooth.
(3) Let it cool in room temperature and set aside.

B:
1/2 cup organic unbleached plain flour
1/4 tsp organic baking powder
1/4 tsp natural baking soda
1/4 tsp himalayan pink salt

Mix all ingredients B in a bowl and set aside.

C:
2/3 cup apple sauce (I steamed 2 new zealand small apple and mashed it)
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 kampung egg
3/4 tsp organic vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients using a food processor till smooth (do not transfer mixture yet)

To combine the batter -
(1) Add A to C and continue to blend till smooth.

(2) Transfer the mixture into a large mixing bowl and add in B. Fold till mix well.

(3) Rub olive oil around the baking pan, and line parchment paper all round the pan.

(4) Bake in preheated oven at 175c for 20 minutes.

(5) Once done, remove the brownie cake from oven immediately and let it cool.

For the frosting / topping -
2 Tbsp cream cheese
2 Tbsp whipping cream

Blend all ingredients and transfer into a piping bag. Chill it for few hours or till it stays in shape or no longer runny.

I used the frosting as wishes wording on the cake, though i done it awfully !

Comments from hubby were : Tastes really good ! Is nice im serious ! Can sell !
(I was all over the moon). On the other hand, the toddler busy eating her way through and keep asking for more. It was her first time trying brownie, as i convinced myself to allow her to try - which probably the only thing in my mind that trying to control would be due to 'carob powder'. I gave that a pass.


Update -

I actually got some orders, after hubby shared with some of his friends. Thus, i decided to write down all the ingredients and measurements properly just to share with everyone here. I am not able to take in order due to some commitments but would not rule out the possibility in near future should i able to dedicate more time to create healthier baking recipes.

Vegetables beef muffin

Recipe:

1 small piece lean beef (pre steamed)

2 eggs (beaten)

1 small white sweet potato (pre steamed and mashed)

1 small slice organic silken beancurd

some shredded onion

some shredded carrot

some shredded mustard leaves

some chopped egg plant (skin removed)

(1) Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

(2) Transfer the mixture into mini ramekin, with the bottom greased with some coconut oil.

(3) Bake at preheated oven at 170c for 25minutes or till cooked.

Potato fritter

Recipe:
1 medium size organic white potato (shredded)
1 kampung egg (beaten)
1/2 yellow onion (finely chopped)
some chopped mustard leave stalks
some shredded carrot
1 Tbsp organic maize meal

(1) Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

(2) Heat up some coconut oil on a frying pan and scope about 1 Tbsp of the mixture onto the pan carefully. Cook on both sides till slightly brown and cooked.

The soon-to-be 2 years old toddler enjoyed it very much ! I served along some steamed peas and plain yogurt.

Grain Free Meal #001 (without recipe)

Sharing some recent grain-free meals for my toddler.

Banana tapiaco muffin

This is another simple grain-free recipe that creates a moisture and sweet tasting muffin. The ingredients and steps are so simple, everyone could try in the event of rushing for some quick snack for your kids.

Recipe:
2 medium size local bananas
1 kampung eggs (beaten)
1/2 cup raw milk (I use brightcow's)
2-3 Tbsp tapiaco flour

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, pour into muffin cups and bake at preheated oven at 170c for 20-25 minutes or till it looks brown on top and cooked.

More pictures of the muffin -

Durian ice cream

This is not recent, but i just thought of sharing ! The 1 year old + princess enjoyed durian so much, resembling her mummy and daddy. We received about 1kg of durian from a close friend of hubby. After refrigerated for 2 nights, i froze the remaining with the seeds removed to make it into durian ice cream. It is made of real Musang King direct from durian farm.

To make the durian ice cream you will need :
1 cup durian flesh (seeds removed)
2-3 Tbsp greek yogurt

(1) Freeze the durian flesh till is harden, around 5-6 hours or overnight. (durian freezes very well)
(2) Using a food processor, blend frozen durian flesh with yogurt till smooth.
(3) You can enjoy the durian ice cream, or place back into freezer and freeze it for another 3 hours or till it harden.

Lotus root chicken and pearl bean soup

Recipe:
1 part free range chicken
1 medium size local lotus root (sliced)
1 cup pearl bean
2 dried oyster (soaked overnight)
8 red dates (pitted)
1 large dried scallop (soaked overnight)
2 natural dried solomon seal / yu zhu
sufficient filtered water

Step: Put all ingredients into double boiler, and set to 'herbal' mode. Let it cook for 2-3 hours or till all ingredients are soft and soup is tasty. Serve accordingly.

We really like pearl bean with lotus root, it gives natural sweetness too.

Vegetables Frittata

Recipe (some ingredients w/o exact measurement):
2 kampung egg (beaten)
2 Tbsp cream cheese
some chopped cherry tomato
some chopped cucumber
some chopped green bell pepper
some finely chopped carrot
some chopped white button mushroom

(1) Mix all vegetables in a bowl. Divide and pour the the ingredients into 2 medium size ramekins (grease the bottom with some vco), about 1 cup each.

(2) Mix egg and and cream cheese and pour onto the ingredients.

(3) Bake at preheated oven at 170c for 20-30 minutes or till the top slightly brown and cooked.

Egg wrapped with fresh vegetables

Recipe:
1 kampung egg (pan fried and cooled)
some shredded cucumber
some shredded carrot
some chopped lettuce
some chopped tomato (i used red cherry tomatoes)
1 Tbsp greek yogurt

(1) Spread some yogurt onto pan fried egg.

(2) Arrange the vegetables in one line, 1/3 from the middle.

(3) Roll the egg, holding the ingredients tightly. Cut into smaller portions and serve accordingly.