Chicken with Soy Sauce and Shao Hsing Wine

 Chicken with Soy Sauce and Shao Hsing Wine

I remember watching The Cook and The Chef (Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant) one night late last year and this one recipe they were making  (Chicken Braised with Soy Sauce and Shao Hsing Wine) made my mouth water instantly. 

I was thinking of following the recipe but I made mine different anyway.  Instead of putting all the ingredients in a stock pot and poaching it, I marinated chicken wings/drumsticks over night and baked it in a roasting pan in the oven at 180c for 30 minutes to 35 minutes.  My goodness it tasted so delicate and juicy!   I have marinated the chicken overnight so you get that depth of flavour of the wine and soy sauce through the chicken.   You have to be careful not to put so much soy sauce into the marinade otherwise it will turn out pretty salty and it wouldn't be nice.

Chicken with Soy Sauce and Shao Hsing Wine
(adapted by Kylie Kwong's original recipe) (baked)

Ingredients
2kg of drumsticks and chicken wings

Marinate/Stock Ingredients
1 cup of shao hsing wine
1/2 cup of light soy sauce
3 garlic cloves crushed
10cm of ginger finely sliced
3 tbs of light brown sugar
1 to 2 cups of water
some oil

Method

Mix all marinate ingredients in a small bowl.   

In a big bowl add the chicken wings and drumsticks and pour in the marinate and coat evenly until well covered.  

Cover with cling wrap well and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven at about 180c

In 2 roasters/roasting trays (I used 2 pyrex glass rectangle roasters) spread out the chicken evenly pour in stock evenly in both trays.

Transfer both trays into the oven and cook for at least 30minutes or til done!

Serve immediately with hot jasmine rice!  

Stuffed Beef Capsicum

Stuffed Beef Capsicum is what I had for dinner several weeks ago but didn't have the time to update yet again!   Usually at the end of the week I have left overs of unused frozen beef mince, capsicums, carrots and mushrooms and anything that I haven't really used when I buy fresh groceries on the weekend.  In the pantry I would have bits and pieces of shitake mushrooms, clear vermicelli noodles, onions and garlic. 

I could of chopped all of the vegetables up and stir fried it with clear noodles and eaten it that way but I chose to use the capsicums and stuffed it with leftovers.  It looks more pretty that way and surely it tasted great too hehe.  I know that most stuffed capsicum recipes use rice to stuff but I just used lots of clear vermicelli noodles!

I didn't really measure the ingredients (yet again).  I just pretty much worked with what I have :).

Stuffed Beef Capsicum

Ingredients:
* 2 to 3 red or green capsicums
* 300 grams of beef mince
* half pack of vermicelli noodle, soaked and chopped roughly 
* handful of shitake mushrooms, soaked and chopped roughly
* oil
* 3 cloves of garlic chopped
* 1 onion diced
* 1 carrot grated
* 1 egg
* oyster sauce
* soy sauce
* dash of sesame oil
* white pepper and salt to taste

Method:
Firstly, de-seed the capsicums and scoop out the membrane bits and wash.  Set aside.
Preheat oven to about 180 degrees
Mix all the ingredients above until well incorporated.
On a large sized pan, cook the beef mixture halfway (til looks like it is nearly done).
Transfer the beef mixture into the capsicums and drizzle with olive oil.
Bake in a baking tray for about 30 to 40 minutes til done

Cooking with Kids: Marshmallow Rice Bubble Slice

kids love eating and licking the spoons!

Today this kids and I made Marshmallow Rice Bubble Slice.   I made rice bubble slice before but that one didn't have the marshmallow in it. I like this version better. It's softer and chewy than the one with copha in it.   The recipe I have used is from kidspot a popular Australian parent resource site.  I added some chocolate chips in it too to make it a bit more fun for the kids.   Well at the end they picked into the slice and went for the chips instead lol.  Oh well!  At least they had a good time learning how to cooperate and work together by mixing, patting and taking turns in the kitchen.


Marshmallow Rice Bubble Slice (adapted from kidspot.com.au)

Ingredients:

* 75g butter
* 1 ½ packages Black and Gold brand Marshmallow puffs (pink and white)
* 6 cups rice bubbles
* optional:  1/2 cup of chocolate chips

Method:

Butter a large lamington or slice pan and set aside. 

Heat a large, heavy-based saucepan to a medium heat and melt butter.

Add marshmallow puffs and allow them to melt completely until you have a smooth cream. Be sure to stir constantly so the bottom does not burn.

Add rice bubbles quickly and continue to vigorously stir.  Add in the chocolate chips.

Once all ingredients are combined, place the mixture into prepared pan and press down using the back of a clean spoon until even.

Allow to cool and cut into slices. Serve or store in an air-tight container for up to one week.

I didn't take a photo of it first and this was the very LAST piece.  It was pretty good despite that fact it didn't look that nice cause of the pink melted marshmallows!

Well I hope everyone has a great weekend!   I have been so busy and haven't had to update or check anything!  Til next time :)

Papaya Smoothie/Milkshake

I love papaya.   It's so refreshing and healthy to eat.   I love it eaten green when cooked in soups and I like it in desserts like jelly.   This time I have a Papaya Smoothie/Milkshake to share.  It's quite simple to make and very healthy for you.  In fact it is the most super fruit on the list!  It's a very rich source of vitamins C, A, E, folate, fibre and potassium!  Papaya also is commonly known for its use as a natural digestive aid which breaks down protein and cleanses the digestive tract.  So this is a good way for people who want to lose some weight!

To find a nice ripe papaya.....you will need to look for a nice golden colour skinned fruit and the inside flesh should be smooth and silky and golden yellow in colour.  It also should smell sweet!

I don't really measure but this is just approximate!  Put as much milk in the smoothie if you want it sweeter or thicker/thinner.   Work with what you have.

Papaya Smoothie/Milkshake

1/2 of a papaya (seeds out, skin off and chopped into cubes)
1 cup of milk
3 tbs of condensed milk
1 to 2 cups of crushed ice

Put all the ingredients into the blender and blend til smooth.   Serve immediately!