Friday, March 9, 2012

Mango Fudge Pudding Recipe




Welcome back!

This entry will be a very short one.

As part of my online course assignment on Web 2.0 I had to create a little project, thus I thought of sharing my first video podcast with you. It features the recipe for a Mango Fudge Pudding.

The video itself still remains in its infancy stage and I hope to be able to create better videos in the future.

Click the play button in the video clip above. Bon appétit!

International Food Project –Asia, continued…

Welcome back to my International Food Project! Today I’ll prepare two Asian dishes:
  1. Nasi Goreng
  2. (a popular Indonesian main dish, which stands for fried rice)
  1. Mango Fudge Pudding
  2. (a fusion between Thai and American cuisine, a fudge pudding filled with mango slices)

To make it a little bit more interesting and easy for you to follow the preparation for the dessert, I have attached my first podcast! (Please click here to access the link for the Mango Fudge Pudding Recipe. Thanks!)

The Nasi Goreng preparation will be lengthier, thus I wanted to spare you some time by listing its preparation and main ingredients below for quick view, and might consider creating another video podcast in the future.

Nasi Goreng. (Photo courtesy of mysoorean)

Nasi Goreng Recipe: (serves 4+ people)

Total duration for the dish: 30-40 minutes preparation

Note: For best results, cook the rice (preferably Jasmine rice, due to its fragrant flavor) the night before in a rice cooker or pot, let it cool down at room temperature and refrigerate it before using it for the next day. This method will prevent the fried rice from being too sticky or soggy. It will also make it easier for you to mix the other ingredients into the rice, as it is more fluffy.

Main ingredients for the dish:
  •  8 oz. rice (cooled down/refrigerated)
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 1 garlic, chopped
  • 1 red chili (remove the seeds if you prefer it less spicy)
  • 30 g small peas/mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
  •  ½ teaspoon kecap manis (=sweet soya sauce, available via online Asian shops)
  • 1 fried egg
  • 2 tablespoons of oil
  • 1 pinch of salt or 1 tbsp of soya sauce (reduced sodium)

Preparation:
  1. In a wok/regular non-stick frying pan, add oil and sauté the shallots, garlic, and red chili until fragrant.
  2. At the side, fry an egg and set aside.
  3. Add the peas or mixed vegetables and keep stir-frying.
  4.  Add the rice, followed by the remaining ingredients (kecap manis, soya sauce) and stir well.
  5. Once the rice is blended well with all ingredients, serve it hot on a plate with the fried egg.


Mango Fudge Pudding-homemade.

(In case you prefer not to scroll all the way up again, I have attached the same link here to follow my audio podcast on the Mango Fudge Pudding Recipe.)

Mango Fudge Pudding Recipe: (serves 8 people)

Total duration for the dish: 10 minutes preparation time + 35-40 minutes for baking = 50 minutes total

Main Ingredients:
  • 50 g/ 4 tbsp margarine, plus extra for greasing
  • 70 g/ 6 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 350 ml/ 1 ¼ cups milk
  • 40 g/ ¼ cup plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 1 mango, sliced (optional; mango can be substituted by other fruits)
  • 2 tbsp of icing (confectioners’) sugar

Preparation:
  1. Lightly grease a 1 litre ovenproof dish.
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs fluffy first. Then add margarine and sugar and continue to beat until creamy.
  3. Gradually stir in the milk. 
  4. Add the flour into the mixture and fold in gently, until well mixed. (Add the mango slices last).
  5. Pour the mixture into the dish and bake it in a preheated oven at 180° C for 35-40 minutes or until the pudding is cooked.
  6. Dust with icing (confectioners’) sugar and serve warm.

Et voilà!

Hope you were able to try some Asian flavors today.  Drop me a comment if you have any suggestions on improving the dishes and/or would like to add one of your own creations. Thanks!  I will post more Asian foods’ recipes in my next entry.  See you then!


(Note: Nasi Goreng’s recipe was adapted from rasamalaysia.com; Fudge Pudding’s recipe was adapted from “Cookshelf vegetarian” by Jenny Stacey.)

International Food Project -First stop: Asia!


This blog post will take you through the first journey of my International Food Project

My inspiration for this project derived from my eldest child, who adores a tv show featuring an episode based on  food and different, cultural presentations. I thought of depicting food from all continents, first stop being Asia

In addition, I needed a break from the routine of creating similar dishes for my family over the past four years and was eager to improve my cooking, as well as trying to cook new meals that are healthy, fresh, and budget-friendly. 



Why spent money at an expensive restaurant, when you and your family or your loved-ones can create a dish together, and spent some quality time? (Of course I have nothing against fine dining, yet nothing is more rewarding than a homemade meal that your entire family, your friends, or your partner can enjoy).


Why Asian food?


Simply said, because it is so diverse and exotic. Whether you favor Chicken Tikka Masala, Biryani, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Sichuan Beef, Tom Yam Kung, Nasi Goreng, Satay Ayam, Sticky Mango Rice Pudding, Gulab Jamun, Kembang Tahu, Es Cendol etc. you name it- I guarantee there will be something for every palate!

I have chosen Asian food partially due to my multi-cultural background, as well as growing up in Europe and Southeast Asia, and later on in the United States. I have been exposed to a variety of foods and what better way is there than to share recipes and to create meals that everyone can enjoy? 



I first learned to cook by watching my mom prepare food in our kitchen as a child, and lateron took some culinary courses out of interest. Nowadays I cook almost everyday to feed my hungry family :).

Before diving into all the different recipes and creating an Asian meal for you in my next post, I am curious what your favorite Asian dish is? 

Also, feel free to share your recipe, if it's not a secret ;). Thanks! 



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 Satay Ayam. (Photo courtesy of avlxyz)

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Shaved Ice. (Photo courtesy of foodishfetish)



Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Welcome and International Food Project


Introduction


Welcome to eaTraveLaughOrganize and thanks for stopping by!


Just like the blog title suggests, it is not just about the things I and perhaps many of you enjoy in life the most: 

·         Eating             (sharing recipes; cooking; preparing meals; baking)
·         Traveling        (…to foreign countries; learning about new cultures)
·         Laughing         (about jokes and everyday mishaps)
·         Organizing      (sharing house projects for your home & garden)
·         Crafting           (reducing, reusing, and recycling old/new materials; anything artsy)

This blog is geared towards YOU! – whether you are a working professional, student/returning student, or parent (working or stay-at-home mom/dad) – like myself, who enjoys sharing recipes and projects on all those above listed topics, even when life gets busy.


Tree by the lake, USA-trip.
I plan on posting new blog entries every week. My next entry will cover my International Food Project, which involves trying out new food and recipes from all over the world. So stay tuned!


Homemade butter cookies dipped in semi-sweet chocolate.
Feel free to share your successful recipes, travel tips, home organization/garden projects, or advice on "green solutions" through my blog. Click the comment button below and let me know what you think. Thanks!

Pink Clematis -grown in my home garden.