Been cooking quite a bit in the past two months.. and happily we’ve managed to find a time whilst looking after Hunter on the side. It’s a bit of a secret-agent style of scheduling and planning to organising cooking and eating around his bath and feeding time at night, but we’ve now gotten ourselves into a routine which is great. Some of the stuff we’ve whipped up….
Pasta salad with tuna and egg. So easy and excellent to stash in the fridge!
BBQ chicken and avocado pizza. The secret is in dumping tons of ingredients on it for maximum flavour 🙂
Spaghetti bolognese with sausage. Super tasty and we put in lots of veggies to make it healthy
Chocolate chip cookies. Though these got the thumbs-down cos I used way too little butter!
What’s your favourite food(s) to cook? I need inspiration 🙂
I love tasty one dish meals too, like claypot chicken rice (shortcut with rice cooker if you don’t have a claypot) and braised chicken (great accompaniment with jasmine rice!). You can get a great recipe from
http://rasamalaysia.com/claypot-chicken-rice-without-claypot/
I did my own version before, adding chestnuts, squid, broccoli, topping it off with ikan bilis and peanuts (toast one large batch in the oven and you can keep it for a few weeks, if you can keep your hands off it for that long! Still has that wonderful crispiness and healthier alternative to frying)
http://thelittlegems.blog.com/page/5/
My braised chicken and a couple of other things are there too (before LJ). 🙂 I love experimenting!
Ooo lovce how you can make it without a claypot! Thanks heaps for the link 😀
I love tasty one dish meals too, like claypot chicken rice (shortcut with rice cooker if you don’t have a claypot) and braised chicken (great accompaniment with jasmine rice!). You can get a great recipe from
http://rasamalaysia.com/claypot-chicken-rice-without-claypot/
I did my own version before, adding chestnuts, squid, broccoli, topping it off with ikan bilis and peanuts (toast one large batch in the oven and you can keep it for a few weeks, if you can keep your hands off it for that long! Still has that wonderful crispiness and healthier alternative to frying)
http://thelittlegems.blog.com/page/5/
My braised chicken and a couple of other things are there too (before LJ). 🙂 I love experimenting!
Ooo lovce how you can make it without a claypot! Thanks heaps for the link 😀
Well if you’re interested in healthy but still delish, you should most definitely check out http://www.101cookbooks.com/ as well as http://cannelle-vanille.blogspot.com/ (this one more for sweets).
I think once you have a baby, it starts being vital to cook at home more as you know exactly what goes into your food. Eating out everyday can’t be too good with all those preservatives and who knows what!
Everything you made looks wonderful.
Well if you’re interested in healthy but still delish, you should most definitely check out http://www.101cookbooks.com/ as well as http://cannelle-vanille.blogspot.com/ (this one more for sweets).
I think once you have a baby, it starts being vital to cook at home more as you know exactly what goes into your food. Eating out everyday can’t be too good with all those preservatives and who knows what!
Everything you made looks wonderful.
You should look into http://www.pioneerwomen.com she’s amazing 🙂 great flavors and easy to make meals! I could spend hours on her site hehe
I like to fry up onion and loads of carrots until soft, add mince and dump in a bottle of pasta sauce, boil up any type of shaped pasta, drain and mix the two together, place into a oven dish, sprinkle cheese on top then into the oven until cheese has melted through, you can never go wrong with this, it’s the quickest, healthy and tastiest pasta bake ever 🙂
ist= that a spam link? leads to a site full of ads! 🙁
That pasta bake sounds so tasty, I love pasta… mmmm….
oh sorry! it’s http://thepioneerwoman.com/
Oh hee thanks!
Oh I looooove food!!!
You can click on my link http://prissteph.blogspot.com/search/label/food …. I think I have soo many of my own recipes there. Both East and West.
YUM!! you’re such a chef heheh
You should look into http://www.pioneerwomen.com she’s amazing 🙂 great flavors and easy to make meals! I could spend hours on her site hehe
I like to fry up onion and loads of carrots until soft, add mince and dump in a bottle of pasta sauce, boil up any type of shaped pasta, drain and mix the two together, place into a oven dish, sprinkle cheese on top then into the oven until cheese has melted through, you can never go wrong with this, it’s the quickest, healthy and tastiest pasta bake ever 🙂
ist= that a spam link? leads to a site full of ads! 🙁
That pasta bake sounds so tasty, I love pasta… mmmm….
oh sorry! it’s http://thepioneerwoman.com/
Oh hee thanks!
Oh I looooove food!!!
You can click on my link http://prissteph.blogspot.com/search/label/food …. I think I have soo many of my own recipes there. Both East and West.
YUM!! you’re such a chef heheh
You and Chris seem to like pasta. Lasagne is always a good bet. Keeps well and taste even better the next day. Sometimes we even make it the night before so the flavour has all soaked into the pasta sheet by the next day. Also aglio olio style spaghetti with chorizo, bacon and chilli, home smoked salmon (we cheat by using liquid smoke and cooking it in the oven instead of wood chips in the bbq :p). Oh and my current fave is aburi chirashi. All you need is sushi rice, sashimi and a blow torch. So good and addictive! Last one I made had salmon, uni, ootoro and ikura. http://instagr.am/p/CPFMh/
Yeah we tend to make pasta cos it’s so easy and you can chuck just about anything in, heh.
your chirashi looks so yummy! Oo once we’re in SG too we can have lunches/dinners again, yay
I have a few recipes involving minced meat (pork is best cos it’s a bit fatty and also I love pork, but chicken and beef are fine too) – you start off with oil and garlic in a pan, add the mince and brown then:
1. Eggplant (in bit sized pieces) – add in eggplant, add soy sauce, chillies (I put in a lot because I like chilli) and season to taste. If I have some fresh coriander I put that in too. Serve once the eggplant has softened (with rice is best).
2. Cauliflower – cut into florets, similar steps to eggplant, but usually instead of chilli I would put in a bit of stock (use whatever you have really) and then you can thicken with a bit of cornflour.
3. Rehydrate some vermicelli rice noodles and then add mince to noodles, stirring in fresh chillis and fresh coriander and some soy sauce and sesame oil to taste. To make it healthier you can also add some spinach or any Asian green really (I steam them and then pop them in). You can also make this vegetarian by using tofu or mushrooms instead of mince – but you need to put more soy sauce in for extra flavour! 😉
OMG I’ve had that first dish before in Chinese restaurants here – it’s actually one of our fave Chinese dishes! I think we gotta try making it.. sounds so delish 🙂
Haha – I think in the Chinese restaurants they deep fry the eggplant in oil first to make it extra tasty – so don’t be surprised if this version ends up a bit… healthier tasting! I think they also use MSG, but you could use a bit of stock instead. 🙂
My recent favorite is herbal chicken soup! Hehe. 🙂
Cripes is that easy to make? I love the stuff but have never tried making it before.. My mum made it when she was here though and I LOOOOVE her soups!
It’s very easy! Just need to get the right ingredients:
These chinese herbs: 50g dang gui + 70g huai shan + 5g chinese wolfberry + 20g red dates, and 1/2 chicken (skinless).
Basically, wash & set chicken aside. Blanch herbs in boiling water. Drain them and set aside. Bring water to boil again, then add chicken & herbs. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hrs.
Lastly, add a pinch of salt, stir well and it’s ready to serve! 🙂
Oh yummm I think that’s how my mum did it too! I feel like a nic esoup now 😛
Ooh! Your tuna pasta salad! I made a variation a few weeks ago and we had some from underneath my bf’s office today for lunch! What do you put in yours?
I’ve been wanting to make (but haven’t had time) like the inside of a chicken pot pie without the crust (I love the crust but I can’t make it lol). I thought it would be like chicken, veggies (peas, carrots etc) and either cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup and serve on rice lol. Nothing fancy but want to try!
I pop in tuna, hard boiled eggs, chopped veggies.. and lots of Kewpie mayonnaise and salt/pepper! It’s easy to make and yummy 🙂
I think you can buy pastry shells right, and then you can just pop in the insides in there and be done! I do reckon it’ll be super yum served on rice or even masked potatoes though 🙂
You and Chris seem to like pasta. Lasagne is always a good bet. Keeps well and taste even better the next day. Sometimes we even make it the night before so the flavour has all soaked into the pasta sheet by the next day. Also aglio olio style spaghetti with chorizo, bacon and chilli, home smoked salmon (we cheat by using liquid smoke and cooking it in the oven instead of wood chips in the bbq :p). Oh and my current fave is aburi chirashi. All you need is sushi rice, sashimi and a blow torch. So good and addictive! Last one I made had salmon, uni, ootoro and ikura. http://instagr.am/p/CPFMh/
Yeah we tend to make pasta cos it’s so easy and you can chuck just about anything in, heh.
your chirashi looks so yummy! Oo once we’re in SG too we can have lunches/dinners again, yay
All the food you prepared looks great.
It’s all fairly fuss free, we need that when looking after a baby lol
I have a few recipes involving minced meat (pork is best cos it’s a bit fatty and also I love pork, but chicken and beef are fine too) – you start off with oil and garlic in a pan, add the mince and brown then:
1. Eggplant (in bit sized pieces) – add in eggplant, add soy sauce, chillies (I put in a lot because I like chilli) and season to taste. If I have some fresh coriander I put that in too. Serve once the eggplant has softened (with rice is best).
2. Cauliflower – cut into florets, similar steps to eggplant, but usually instead of chilli I would put in a bit of stock (use whatever you have really) and then you can thicken with a bit of cornflour.
3. Rehydrate some vermicelli rice noodles and then add mince to noodles, stirring in fresh chillis and fresh coriander and some soy sauce and sesame oil to taste. To make it healthier you can also add some spinach or any Asian green really (I steam them and then pop them in). You can also make this vegetarian by using tofu or mushrooms instead of mince – but you need to put more soy sauce in for extra flavour! 😉
OMG I’ve had that first dish before in Chinese restaurants here – it’s actually one of our fave Chinese dishes! I think we gotta try making it.. sounds so delish 🙂
Haha – I think in the Chinese restaurants they deep fry the eggplant in oil first to make it extra tasty – so don’t be surprised if this version ends up a bit… healthier tasting! I think they also use MSG, but you could use a bit of stock instead. 🙂
What kind of dressing do you use for your pasta salad? it looks fab! actually everything looks delish 😀
Kewpie brand mayonnaise and salt/pepper! then tinned tuna, boiled eggs, veggies 🙂
My recent favorite is herbal chicken soup! Hehe. 🙂
Cripes is that easy to make? I love the stuff but have never tried making it before.. My mum made it when she was here though and I LOOOOVE her soups!
It’s very easy! Just need to get the right ingredients:
These chinese herbs: 50g dang gui + 70g huai shan + 5g chinese wolfberry + 20g red dates, and 1/2 chicken (skinless).
Basically, wash & set chicken aside. Blanch herbs in boiling water. Drain them and set aside. Bring water to boil again, then add chicken & herbs. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hrs.
Lastly, add a pinch of salt, stir well and it’s ready to serve! 🙂
Oh yummm I think that’s how my mum did it too! I feel like a nic esoup now 😛
Ooh! Your tuna pasta salad! I made a variation a few weeks ago and we had some from underneath my bf’s office today for lunch! What do you put in yours?
I’ve been wanting to make (but haven’t had time) like the inside of a chicken pot pie without the crust (I love the crust but I can’t make it lol). I thought it would be like chicken, veggies (peas, carrots etc) and either cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup and serve on rice lol. Nothing fancy but want to try!
I pop in tuna, hard boiled eggs, chopped veggies.. and lots of Kewpie mayonnaise and salt/pepper! It’s easy to make and yummy 🙂
I think you can buy pastry shells right, and then you can just pop in the insides in there and be done! I do reckon it’ll be super yum served on rice or even masked potatoes though 🙂
Hi Beverly,
I love seafood and this is a really easy paella, I leave out the chorizo as I don’t eat meat, although friends have made it with the chorizo and it’s very good. After the initial preparation and stirring you just leave it to cook, I find it great for a weeknight as no fuss.
http://www.cuisine.com.au/recipe/paella_with_prawn_chorizo
Stefanie
PS Hunter is growing quickly, he’s positively adorable
Ooo that looks fab. Thanks Stefanie! I’ve never made paella as I thought you need a heavy cast-iron pot, is that true? We only have a Chinese wok or a saucepan…
I use my trusty wok although depending on the size of the wok you may have to reduce the qty otherwise it’s quite full, mine isn’t too large though and it seems ok and as long as you have a lid for the wok it works ok. Good luck 🙂
Yay we do have a wok with a lid, so I can try that. thanks!
All the food you prepared looks great.
It’s all fairly fuss free, we need that when looking after a baby lol
Your pizza may be the most topping-laden one I’ve even seen 😉
I seldom cook, but when I do, I make a lot of pasta dishes. Oh – I also love doing grilled veggies in the oven. Peppers, mushrooms, onions, eggplant, and a bit of marinade and cracked black pepper.
Haha we like our pizzas LADEN with ingredients, so we have to make ’em ourselves!
I agree pasta is one of the easiest stuff to make. What kinda marinade do you use for grilled veggies, and how long does it take to grill? I’ve never done that and keen to try, sounds healthy!
Marinade – depends on what’s in the fridge 😉 I like olive oil and teriyaki sauce, sometimes with freshly squeezed orange juice added. Marinate for at least an hour, then chuck them in the oven at about 200 degrees (Celsius) for around 15 minutes. And if you can be fussed, save some marinade to drizzle over the veggies midway.
YUM, thanks – gonna try that!!
What kind of dressing do you use for your pasta salad? it looks fab! actually everything looks delish 😀
Kewpie brand mayonnaise and salt/pepper! then tinned tuna, boiled eggs, veggies 🙂
I am in love with this: http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/10/mushroom-lasagna/. I also made chicken katsu (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Katsu/Detail.aspx) a lot, with veggies on the side, and I LOVE these chicken enchiladas: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Enchiladas-V/Detail.aspx. My baking list in endless!
OMG I love the look of that mushroom lasagna, and we even have some lasagna sheets in our pantry! Might be making that soon.. thanks for the link 🙂
Hi Beverly,
I love seafood and this is a really easy paella, I leave out the chorizo as I don’t eat meat, although friends have made it with the chorizo and it’s very good. After the initial preparation and stirring you just leave it to cook, I find it great for a weeknight as no fuss.
http://www.cuisine.com.au/recipe/paella_with_prawn_chorizo
Stefanie
PS Hunter is growing quickly, he’s positively adorable
Ooo that looks fab. Thanks Stefanie! I’ve never made paella as I thought you need a heavy cast-iron pot, is that true? We only have a Chinese wok or a saucepan…
I use my trusty wok although depending on the size of the wok you may have to reduce the qty otherwise it’s quite full, mine isn’t too large though and it seems ok and as long as you have a lid for the wok it works ok. Good luck 🙂
Yay we do have a wok with a lid, so I can try that. thanks!
Your pizza may be the most topping-laden one I’ve even seen 😉
I seldom cook, but when I do, I make a lot of pasta dishes. Oh – I also love doing grilled veggies in the oven. Peppers, mushrooms, onions, eggplant, and a bit of marinade and cracked black pepper.
Haha we like our pizzas LADEN with ingredients, so we have to make ’em ourselves!
I agree pasta is one of the easiest stuff to make. What kinda marinade do you use for grilled veggies, and how long does it take to grill? I’ve never done that and keen to try, sounds healthy!
Marinade – depends on what’s in the fridge 😉 I like olive oil and teriyaki sauce, sometimes with freshly squeezed orange juice added. Marinate for at least an hour, then chuck them in the oven at about 200 degrees (Celsius) for around 15 minutes. And if you can be fussed, save some marinade to drizzle over the veggies midway.
YUM, thanks – gonna try that!!
I am in love with this: http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/10/mushroom-lasagna/. I also made chicken katsu (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Katsu/Detail.aspx) a lot, with veggies on the side, and I LOVE these chicken enchiladas: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Enchiladas-V/Detail.aspx. My baking list in endless!
OMG I love the look of that mushroom lasagna, and we even have some lasagna sheets in our pantry! Might be making that soon.. thanks for the link 🙂