CRIZ BON APPETITE

Another recipe that I had created during the recent Fathers’ Day celebration this year was the JAPANESE TOFU WITH SHIMEJI MUSHROOMS & WOLFBERRIES IN AMERICAN GINSENG SAUCE (西洋參枸杞姬菇日本豆腐). It’s such an easy and healthy recipe to storm out within minutes for your family or guests. For vegetarian version, you could always use mushroom sauce and omit the garlic plus the deep fried sole fish powder.

I came out with the idea of creating this healthy dish as it has a lot of medicinal values. Firstly, American Ginseng is can help to slow the absorption of sugar in food and also help the body to cope with stress. Mushrooms on the other hand can have tremendous boosts to your immune system as well as promote dietary management. Wolfberry is believed to be the national treasure of many Asian countries as its medicinal values is so broad, which include anti-disease, anti-aging, anti-fatigue, promote blood circulation, reduce stress and anxiety, promote better vision and more.

Here’s the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:
4 pkt Japanese tofu (cut into 6 pcs per packet)
2 pkt shimeji buna/bunapi mushrooms (cut off the roots)
2 tbsp wolfberries (goji berries – wash & drain)
3 tbsp oyster/mushroom sauce
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp American ginseng powder
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tbsp chopped garlic
Oil
Water

GARNISH:
1 tsp deep fried sole fish powder

PREPARATIONS:
1. Heat up some oil and deep fry the Japanese tofu until golden brown. Scoop up and leave aside.
2. Leave about 2 tablespoon of the remaining oil in the wok on low fire and sauté 1/2 tablespoon garlic until golden brown.
3. Add in the shimeji mushroom and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Scoop & leave aside.
4. Heat up 2 tablespoon of oil and sauté 1/2 tablespoon garlic until golden brown.
5. Add in the oyster sauce and sesame oil and about 1/3 cup of hot water. Let it boil. Add salt & pepper to taste.
6. Stir in the shimeji mushrooms, wolfberries and American ginseng powder.
7. Add in the deep fried Japanese tofu.
8. Dish out to serve.
9. Garnish with some deep fried sole fish powder.

(Serve: 3-4)

Here’s the Chinese version as appeared in the Foodsion Magazine June/July 2014 Issue No. 39~ You can click to enlarge it for a clearer view.

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At times, I would love to have some simple stir fry greens to go with my meal. Let me share with you my STIR FRY BABY SPINACH WITH GINGER AND WOLFBERRIES recipe which is ideal for a meatless meal as well as for kids. Garlic won’t be added in as it would also suit those undergoing vegetarian diet during these few days of meatless retreat. Spinach has many healing properties and is rich in minerals and vitamins. Regular consumption would be great for the maintenance of healthy eyes, cardiovascular system and nervous system. Wolfberries on the other hand are nutrient-dense superfood which has high antioxidant contents. They are believed to enhance the immune system, improve eyesight, protect the liver and improve the blood circulation. The usage of the powerful antioxidant ginger here would also benefit the body as it enhances the body’s internal production of antioxidants. Thus, less diseases and slower aging process for the consumers.

INGREDIENTS:
1kg baby spinach (pluck leaves & young stems, clean & drain)
1 thumb size young ginger (finely julienne)
150g dried Chinese wolfberries/Goji berries (wash & drain)
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste

OPTIONAL:
100g baby anchovies (deep fried)
Some sliced Shitake mushrooms
Garlic

PREPARATIONS:
• Heat up some olive oil in a wok.
• Add in the julienned young ginger and sauté until fragrant.
• Add in the baby spinach and stir fry until almost cook.
• Add the wolfberries and stir thoroughly until the baby spinach leaves are cooked.
• Add in salt to taste.
• Serve immediately with hot steaming rice.

Note: No water is added as the baby spinach would release some juice in the process of cooking.

(Serves: 4-5)

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With the hot-cold weather recently, many people were down with flu and cough. I’m one of them in fact. Thus, I have created a special dessert I named STEAMED ASIAN PEAR WITH CHINESE ALMONDS AND ROCK SUGAR to strengthen the Yin in my body with a combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) ingredients. The juicy Asian pears are perfect for dry coughs especially in moistening the throat and lungs, relieving cough and phlegm clearance. White fungus on the other hand is superb to nourish the body, heal dry coughs and clearing heat in the lungs. Chinese almonds or commonly known as apricot seeds are great to strengthen the respiratory system. I also added in some Goji berries (wolfberries) with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties as well as a red date for balancing the formula, Qi and blood for the body. The dried longan would nourish blood circulation and has a calming effect on nervous system. The American ginseng acts as a powerful adaptogen to reduce the effects of any kind of stresses, physically or mentally.

As the size of the wok for steaming might vary, I’m going to share what are the ingredients to put into an individual pear. You can just multiply the amount as per quantity of pears you are using. There will be no wastages here as those scooped out portions can be used for making the multi-purpose enzyme to act as natural household detergents (3 parts raw fruits/vegetables, 1 part brown sugar and 10 parts water – pour into a large plastic container, releasing the build in gas occasionally for the next 3 months).

Here’s the recipe for one serving:

INGREDIENTS:
1 large Asian pear
1 small piece white fungus (soaked in hot water for about 15 minutes, drain well)
1 tsp Chinese almonds (apricot seeds)
1 tsp Goji berries (wolfberries)
1 Chinese red date (a light slit will infuse more flavor)
2 pieces dried longan
1 tsp American ginseng
2 tsp rock sugar (6-7 pieces if they come in crystal form or to taste)
Water (to fill to the brim)

OPTIONAL:
You can replace the rock sugar with honey but it would give u a slight sour after taste.

PREPARATIONS:
1. Wash the pear with enzyme (as stated above) or any fruit/vegetables cleaner well to rid of any existing dust or pesticide. Dry it well.
2. Cut off the top and use a teaspoon to slowly scoop out the core. Be careful not to scoop too much until the base as it may leak after steaming.
3. Fill all the ingredients above into the pear and fill it up with water. Close the lid well.
4. Heat up the water in your wok/steamer. Put in your filled pear and steam under MEDIUM-LOW fire for about 40-45 minutes. If there’s still a slight crunch on the pear, you got the recipe right. Stir well and serve hot.

(Serves: 1)

YOU CAN CHECK HERE FOR MORE RECIPES.