Cranky Domestic Goddess

What you need:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes (optional)
120g tub tomato paste
825g canned crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
3 cups (100g) English spinach leaves - fresh or frozen
500g pasta of choice
250g reduced fat fresh ricotta cheese

How you make:

Heat oil in a frypan and sauté onion until soft. Add chilli flakes
Add tomato paste, tomatoes, salt and sugar. Bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes
Fold through basil and spinach leaves and heat through
Cook pasta according to directions on packet. Drain.
Fold sauce through pasta and serve topped with fresh ricotta

How you serve:

Wine

How many servings:

6 persons

Occasions:

Quick lunch or dinner

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What you need:

1 large chinese turnip or 2 lbs Chinese Turnip
1 bag of Rice Flour
3 Chinese Sausages (diced)
1/4 cup of diced Chinese Pork Belly Bacon
1/2 cup sliced Chinese Black Mushrooms
1/4 cup of dried shrimp

How you make:

Soak dried mushrooms and shrimp for a few hours till soft. Wash and skin the Chinese Turnip then shred it in a large bowl. Dice up the sausages, bacon, and mushrooms. Stir fry the sausages and bacon then add mushrooms and shrimp over medium heat till cooked. Set this aside on a separate plate or bowl.

Squeeze dry the Chinese turnips and fry over medium heat till slightly brown. Save the juice of Chinese turnip and add the entire bag of rice flour. After minutes of stirring the turnips, add in the meat mixture and stir over medium heat until consistency begins to look dry. 1/2 cup at a time slowly add the rice flour liquid into the pan and stir until absorbed. Repeat till all of the juice has been added. Stir and cook until all liquid has been absorbed or evaporated. Careful not to burn the mixture.

Transfer the mixture to an aluminum pie plate and steam over high heat for 35-45 minutes until cake is firm. Poke with a chopstick or toothpick and it should come out clean. Place cake in refrigerator overnight to help set the cake. (Immediate slice and fry after steaming will cause the cake to fall apart) Slice up cakes and fry over high heat in a non-stick pan with a tablespoon of olive oil. Fry each side of the cake for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately.

How you serve:

Brown bean sauce
Chili sauce
Chinese Tea
Sprinkles of fried crushed peanuts, spring onions, fried shallots and cut chilies

How many servings:

Depends on the size of your slicing

Occasions:

Breakfast
Snacks

What you need:

1 can extra large snails
1 stick of butter, make sure it’s softened
1 tbsp of minced shallots
1 1/2 tbsp of minced garlic
1/4 cup of chopped parsley
black pepper to taste
salt to taste, I used about 1/2 tsp
grated fresh parmesan cheese (optional)
1 fresh lemon

How you make:

Escargot Ingredients:

Give that a mix, and that’s basically the recipe. Once that’s all mixed well you’re going to have about enough for 32 portions; that’s about 3/4 tsp per pc. Drain and rinse the snails. Make sure the oven is preheated to 220C. A preheated oven always give a better result.

Push the snails into the holes on the ramekins. Top it with about a tsp or 3/4 tsp of the butter. After all holes are filled with snails, sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese. And that’s ready for the oven. Bake for about 10 minutes.

How you serve:

Squeeze lemon juice
Oven baked garlic bread or herb bread - I love this!
Green salad
Red wine

How many servings:

5 persons

Occasions:

Dinner

_Extras:

_{Tongs and cocktail forks if you’re using those with shells.}

Not just jelly candies, anything that is solid hard (lollipop for example) or that is not easily gushed down the throat with water like mini jelly in cups … pose a big risk for little children who obviously only understand the sweet taste of the delicacy. I will never give my boy anything that is hard in his mouth when we’re in a moving car. We will never know when there will be an emergency such as an abrupt stop or just any careless driver ramming into the car. In drastic situations like these, there’s a high chance that a kid will choke due to the impact. Therefore, only give your kids jelly candies, lollipop or mini jelly in cups when they are sitting. That’s what I get my boy to do. Of course, he doesn’t like the idea but he’s also too reluctant to give up the idea of enjoying them. Therefore, he does as the “Queen” wishes. Anyway, here’s an article by Maggie H:

Mini Jelly in cups

Jelly Candies

Various fruit-flavored gel candies import primarily from Asia may present a choking risk according the to Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has issued two advisories about gel candies containing an ingredient called konjac after the candies have been linked to three deaths in the United States in the last two years. According to accounts of the deaths, all involving children, the fatalities were all caused by choking.

The candies are typically sold in individual “mini-cup” servings, in which a piece of fruit is surrounding by a gel-like substance called konjac. Konjac is also known as conjac, konnyaku, yam flour, or glucomannan. The FDA reports that unlike other gelatins, the konjac does not dissolve in the mouth. The problem is frequently exacerbated by the fact that people freeze the candies. While the labels frequently indicate that the candies are best if served frozen, apparently freezing the candy makes the gel very sticky. Thus, the candies present a serious choking risk, a finding which has been supported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission as well.

Some experts also have indicated that the candies are too wide for most children’s throats and do not pass standard choke tube tests. A report issued by the Japanese government has linked this type of candy to at least eight choking deaths in that country over the last decade. In response to the report in Japan, many manufacturers prepared additional warnings for the labels of the candies sold in that country. However, the manufacturing changes were not implement for items sold to all countries, and many of the labels on these candies in the United States do not indicate that a choking risk exists or provide the information in languages other than English. Additionally, some labels do not sufficiently highlight the risk.

The decision comes following a move by Safeway and Alberton’s grocery stores to discontinue selling the candies in certain markets. In August, Safeway removed all Jelly Yum brand candies from 200 of its Northern California shops. Albertson’s removed Jelly Yum candies, and two other brands-Fruit Poppers and Gel-ly Drop-from 195 stores.

The FDA advisory notes that children and the elderly are most at risk and should not eat the candies. The agency also issued an advisory to its field inspectors at U.S. borders to seize the candies if shipments are trying to enter the country.

One family sued the manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler, and importer of a gel candy called Lychee Flavor Mini Gel Snack, after their 9-year-old daughter choked on one of these candies, suffering severe brain damage as a result. Enrile v. New Choice Food, Cal., Santa Clara County Super. Ct., No. CV784959, May 11, 2001. The young girl experienced a total loss of mental and neurological functioning before dying nearly two years later. Before her death her family settled with the importer for $4 million, the retailer for $3 million, and the wholesaler for $1 million. An arbitrator also ordered the manufacturer to pay the family $24.8 million, but that award is non-binding. That means, the company could refuse to pay that amount and proceed to trial, which it did. According to press accounts, a three-year-old boy also died from ingesting the candy.

This is so true! Cool!

Here’s the lyrics:

“The Mom Song”

Get up now
Get up now
Get up out of bed
Wash your face
Brush your teeth
Comb your sleepyhead
Here’s your clothes and your shoes
Hear the words I said
Get up now! Get up and make your bed
Are you hot? Are you cold?
Are you wearing that?
Where’s your books and your lunch and your homework at?
Grab your coat and gloves and your scarf and hat
Don’t forget! You gotta feed the cat
Eat your breakfast, the experts tell us it’s the most important meal of all
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall
Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at 3 today
Don’t forget your piano lesson is this afternoon so you must play
Don’t shovel
Chew slowly
But hurry
The bus is here
Be careful
Come back here
Did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside, don’t play rough, will you just play fair?
Be polite, make a friend, don’t forget to share
Work it out, wait your turn, never take a dare
Get along! Don’t make me come down there
Clean your room, fold your clothes, put your stuff away
Make your bed, do it now, do we have all day?
Were you born in a barn? Would you like some hay?
Can you even hear a word I say?
Answer the phone! Get off the phone!
Don’t sit so close, turn it down, no texting at the table
No more computer time tonight!
Your iPod’s my iPod if you don’t listen up
Where are you going and with whom and what time do you think you’re coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me makes you welcome everywhere you roam
You’ll appreciate my wisdom someday when you’re older and you’re grown
Can’t wait till you have a couple little children of your own
You’ll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly
But right now I thank you not to roll your eyes at me
Close your mouth when you chew, would appreciate
Take a bite maybe two of the stuff you hate
Use your fork, do not burp or I’ll set you straight
Eat the food I put upon your plate
Get an A, get the door, don’t get smart with me
Get a grip, get in here, I’ll count to three
Get a job, get a life, get a PHD
Get a dose of,
“I don’t care who started it!
You’re grounded until you’re 36″
Get your story straight and tell the truth for once, for heaven’s sake
And if all your friends jumped off a cliff would you jump, too?
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said at least a thousand times before
That you’re too old to act this way
It must be your father’s DNA
Look at me when I am talking
Stand up straighter when you walk
A place for everything and everything must be in place
Stop crying or I’ll give you something real to cry about
Oh!
Brush your teeth, wash your face, put your PJs on
Get in bed, get up here, say a prayer with mom
Don’t forget, I love you
And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom’s work never ends
You don’t need the reason why
Because, because, because, because
I said so, I said so, I said so, I said so
I’m the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom!!
Ta da!!!

My boy who’s turning three this December is ready for potty training. Lately, he’s been complaining that his diapers are too wet and he refused to sit nor lie down for me to change him. He prefers to stand when I change his diapers. On many occasions, I’ve asked if he wanted to sit on the potty and wait to pee or poo. He shook his head. I’m completely baffled! I’m just an inch so near to succeeding potty training him. Looks like I gotta double or even triple my effort to convince him that the potty is the place for pees and poos.

Just a month ago, I was shopping for his diapers in one of the local supermarkets and gave a sudden shrieked which caused much embarrassment to myself (you know finns … no sense of humor, thought they always claim have *rolleyes* ) as several couples just stopped and stared at me. Guess what I found? I found these *look down*

I found Feel ‘n’ Learn by Pampers! It is designed for easy standing changes (that’s what he loves doing nowadays). The Feel Wet Liner lets him feel wet immediately, like real underwear. Ohhhh … they even come with distinctive designs for girls and boys. Dora for girls and Spiderman for boys. I am not too keen on Spiderman. I thought he looks horrid, faceless and dumb. Yeah, I didn’t like Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in the movie. So, ya! Call me bias! They turned me off. So please, Spiderman, don’t blame me  for thinking you’re revolting for my little boy. Hmmmmm … can I put Dora on my boy? I think he’s gonna look sweet and pretty. Awwww … how nice if they didn’t set the colors for girls and boys. Pink should be a universal color!

What you need:

Pineapple Jam Filling:

2 can of pineapple crushed. Drained.
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground cloves
Cook all the ingredients until it thicken. Let it cool overnight.

Pastry Dough:

1 1/2 cup flour (sifted)
2 tablespoon corn flour
1 stick unsalted butter(4 oz/114 gm)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence/ sugar
1 egg
1 cup sugar

How you make it:

Beat butter and sugar until smooth. Add an egg and beat again until fluffy. Add corn flour and fold in with flour into the mixture. Add the vanilla essence/ sugar (this is what we have over here)

Using cookie presses , line it upside down where the ragged side at the bottom and place the pineapple jam on the smooth side. Roll it over to cover the jam.

Glaze the cookies with eggwash. That is lightly beat one egg and add with one tablespoon of water.

Bake your masterpieces at 180 C for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire tray, then store in an airtight container, using a piece of parchment or doily in between layers.

How you serve:

Coffee or tea time

How many servings:

50 pieces

Occasions:

Festive seasons like Hari Raya, Chinese New Year
Birthday parties

What you need:

1 egg
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated linguine, cooked, drained
1 3/4 cups marinara sauce, heated

How you make:

Beat egg lightly in shallow dish. Mix Parmesan cheese, crumbs and Italian seasoning in separate shallow dish. Dip chicken in egg, then in cheese mixture, turning to evenly coat both sides of each chicken breast with the cheese mixture.

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 6 min. on each side or until cooked through (170 degrees F). Top with mozzarella cheese; cover. Reduce heat to low. Cook 3 min. or until mozzarella cheese is melted.

Place hot linguine on platter; top with the marinara sauce and chicken.

How you serve:

Complement this delicious Italian treat with your favorite seasonal green vegetabl

How many servings:

4 persons

Occasions:

Dinner

What you need:

1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger
4 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/2 cup water
2 pounds boneless chicken, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

How you make:

In the wok, heat the oil, then add the onion and cook until nicely browned around the edges, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute. Add the coriander, cumin, turmeric, cayenne and black pepper and stir for 1 minute. Add the salt, tomato and water and cook over medium- low heat, stirring constantly, until the tomato is softened. Add the chicken and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

Add the coconut milk and simmer, partially covered, for another 15 minutes, or until the gravy thickens and the chicken is cooked. Add the cinnamon and cloves and simmer another minute.

Remove the chicken from the heat and garnish with the cilantro.

How you serve:

Chopped cilantro, for garnish

Steamed basmati rice or jasmine rice (equally yummy)

How many servings:

6 persons

Occasions:

Lunch or dinner

by: Tim Harford (The Undercover Economist)

I’m a real cappuccino lover myself, but many of my female colleagues don’t seem to go for the stuff. I’d never thought too much about it until recently. I suppose I carelessly assumed that men and women have different tastes, probably as a result of different social influences. Now I know better: My female colleagues don’t go to coffee shops because they’re shabbily treated when they get there.

That’s the conclusion of American economist Caitlin Knowles Myers. She, with her students as research assistants, staked out eight coffee shops (PDF) in the Boston area and watched how long it took men and women to be served. Her conclusion: Men get their coffee 20 seconds earlier than do women. (There is also evidence that blacks wait longer than whites, the young wait longer than the old, and the ugly wait longer than the beautiful. But these effects are statistically not as persuasive.)

Perhaps, says the skeptic, this is because women order froufrou drinks? Up to a point. The researchers found that men are more likely to order simpler drinks. Yet comparing fancy-drink-ordering men with fancy-drink-ordering women, the longer wait for women remained.

Yeah I think women tend to be froufrou. Sometimes they even suggest the impossible like, can I have Irish cream without the Irish cream? *LOL* They make themselves the laughing stock of the year. Cmon, why don’t they just order plain coffee instead? Ok this actually happened to a friend of mine in KL. She said it’s stylish to order something of a foreign name. I was like wtf?! You order what you know and drink. Not because it’s stylish. She rather pay the extra for something she doesn’t need. Women … *sigh* It’s women with a mentality like hers that made all of us look like some bimbos and knuckleheads.