From the category archives:

cookbook challenge

Cookbook Challenge W28 (Breakfast) – Roast bone marrow

by jeroxie June 2, 2010

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day and definitely something that I look forward every weekend. Having a nice breakfast or brunch is such a luxury these days. Going to work every morning is a rush. There is hardly any proper sit down time and usually breakfast consists of a bowl of cereal or a peanut butter and honey sandwich. I don’t mind it but who doesn’t love a good sit down breakfast?

I was very excited about this week’s challenge and wanted to make something very simple but an uncommon dish for breakfast. It has to be an indulgence. Pure indulgence that screams food orgasm. Most likely not to everyone. But this is about us!

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Cookbook Challenge (Insects) – Moreton Bay Bugs with white bean puree

by jeroxie May 26, 2010

I have been so behind with all the cookbook challenges. When I looked at this week’s theme – Insects, I was completed stumped. Where will I get insects? I don’t really like seeing them, let alone handling them. And how about eating them? I have eaten chocolate covered grasshoppers in Bangkok and deep fried crunchy [...]

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Cookbook Challenge W23 (Chocolate) – Rich chocolate chunk biscuits

by jeroxie May 3, 2010

This week we celebrate the 30th of a good old friend. We have known each other for almost a decade. I wanted to make this present a little special and so I baked some chocolate cookies as part of the present to her. So the pressure was on and as we all know – I am NO baker. I returned to my one and only baking cookbook called Baking by Anneka Manning.

I munched on pieces while chopping them into manageable pieces. (Forgetting that the recipe did require 400g of chocolate in total)

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Cookbook Challenge W22 (Red) – Roast beef with Fleurie Wine

by jeroxie April 25, 2010

There was no doubt in my mind that red equates red meat. And it was a great excuse to use my new cookbook, Rotis by Stepahnie Reynaud. It is a cookbook all about roasts. So many types of meats and not forgetting the accompaniments and of course, not forgetting the vegetarians! It is a good to keep book. And the photos, like the recipes are really rustic looking.

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Cookbook Challenge W21 (Thai) – Northern Fish Curry

by jeroxie April 11, 2010

The weather has definitely turned. I needed to put on my winter coat this morning when I headed to the gym. The other tell tale sign is that I am hungry almost every single hour and all I like to do is to hide under the doona and watch Lifestyle food channel all day.

Many Thai soups and curries are perfect for the cold weather. It warms our tummy and the I love the warming aroma of the herbs that fills the kitchen and the house. I turned to a old Thai cookbook – Thai Cooking by Judy Bastyra & Becky Johnson. I can’t remember where I picked this up but it must have been on sale! I was a little suspicious if the recipe was going to work. It says curry but it seems more like a spicy soup to me. Anyway, I adapted the recipe and added my own take on it.

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Cookbook Challenge W20 (Tangy) – Monk fish and lemon

by jeroxie April 4, 2010

I missed out on last week challenge that I hope to make up for soon. I was pretty determine to cook up something for this week’s challenge. But after a night and early morning of eating, drinking and laughing with the girls, I almost changed my mind. The bed and not the kitchen was my best friend. I did eventually drag my sorry self into the kitchen.

The Silver Spoon cookbook was opened in front of me but nothing much was being absorbed. This simple recipe has only 4 fresh ingredients. Even that proved to be too difficult for me at that point of time. There is a lot of adaptation in this recipe. I just chopped and changed it as I went a long. It was also a timely challenge as I present to you the first lemon from the garden!

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Barbecue or BBQ sauce?

by jeroxie March 24, 2010

I am a little depressed that summer is over. Our cold winter months aren’t too far away. So I really cherish this week’s challenge. Most of the regular punters for this challenge will be introducing the lovely grilled meats and I hope options for vegetarians. And so I thought that I will prepare a lovely sauce to compliment the grilled varieties.

The book, Silver Spoon, mentioned that this sauce was suitable for grilled meat and fish. Instead, I used chicken wings. It was Hyundai grand final weekend and Melbourne Victory will be facing Sydney FC at home. It was a huge game but unfortunately we could not make it to Ethad Stadium. The chicken wings and sauce into the stadium to munch on while watching the game. But it was not meant to be.

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Cookbook Challenge W17 (Vietnamese) Caramelised fish with pineapple

by jeroxie March 16, 2010

Many of twitter friends has heard me moan and whinge about the Metro last week. The trains are late almost everyday for the last 3 weeks. It is such a failure and it’s frustrating during peak hours to travel in jam packed trains. The current transportation system is just not ‘smart’ and ‘fit’ enough to handle the increased population. It gets worse when it gets hit with extreme weather conditions.

Some of you may not be aware of our recent flood and hail that happened in Melbourne. We were fortunate to be home. The hail stones were as big as golf balls! And have a look at one of the many videos that can be found on YouTube.

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Cookbook Challenge W16 (Noodle) Mee Siam

by jeroxie March 9, 2010

Lontong, mee siam, fried carrot cake and kaya toast are just some of my favourite breakfast that I must have when I am back in Singapore. I will take an early drive to the nearest hawker center for my daily morning fix. It is normal to have something spicy along with a super sweet kopi (coffee with condensed milk) for breakfast. And since I am usually back only for a short visit, I tend to indulge in more than one breakfast a day!

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Cookbook Challenge w15 (Muffins) – What muffin are you?

by jeroxie March 3, 2010

Baking is not one of my forte. And even when I do follow a recipe exactly, the end product is usually still not up to scratch. So this week, I thought I will stick to a no fuss muffin recipe. I found a berry muffin recipe in Women’s Weekly, Old fashioned Favourites. It looked farily simple and with very little ingredients and only 3 steps!. Sounds like a fool proof recipe.

And as always, I decided to change the recipe. A few days before muffin making day, I posted a random question on my facebook fan page asking Mars or Snickers. Most preferred Snickers and I do too. The caramel in Mars makes it heavier and way too sweet for my palate. I had a couple of 18g Snicker and Mars bar so I would use this instead of berries in the muffin recipe.

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Cookbook Challenge W14 (Japanese) – Tartare of Tuna with Goat Cheese

by jeroxie February 21, 2010

This week’s challenge proved to be more challenging in many ways. Firstly, I did not own any Japanese cookbook and hardly have any real reference at all. Secondly, looking for the garnishes was a real challenge. I wanted to do justice to the recipe and felt a little pressure to get it absolutely right.

Thirdly, weeekends are usually packed with activities and I think I had bitten off more than I could chew this time. Pamela from My Man’s Belly was in Melbourne for a short visit and suggested that we catch up. Both of us discovered each other through a Food Exchange program. And it is exciting to meet a food blogger not from Australia but from LA! She is such a darling and bought us a really awesome food package.

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Cookbook Challenge W13 (Love) – Pineapple Tarts

by jeroxie February 11, 2010

Valentine day falls on the first day of Chinese New Year. We have decided to spend it with friends as some of them have become like family. There isn’t much of a festive mood here as we are away from family. So this year, I thought it will be a good idea to make more effort in creating a mood by baking some Chinese New Year favourites.

I have no baking skills. Even when I follow the recipe, something is almost always wrong. So this time, I decided to test run a small batch and have time to make amendments before the New Year. The first batch turned out ugly but tasted good. And the second batch looked better. More presentable. I did increase the amount of cold water that the book had recommended.

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Steamed silky eggs

by jeroxie February 8, 2010

I knew exactly what I wanted to make once I saw this week’s challenge. And as many simple dishes, it is usually the hardest to perfect. As an egg lover, steam eggs has to be one of my favourite egg dishes. I love the way it wobbles when it is done perfectly. I love the silky smooth texture. And it is all eggs!

After a day of Chinese New Year baking and an hour of RPM class, I almost gave up on the challenge this week. This weekend seem to fly by. And Chinese New Year is just round the corner. Sometimes I wish time could slow down but then it waits for no one. And so I just got onto it and made some eggs to include for dinner.

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Roasted coconut mixed nuts

by jeroxie February 1, 2010

I had no idea what this week’s challenge meant. Mixed as in fusion? The only thing that I was adamant was on the cookbook that I would use. I love Thai flavours and find it really hard to find seriously good Thai food in Melbourne. I guess my numerous trips to Thailand did not help the cause. The Thai food here is either too sweet or not spicy enough or just no flavour. Disappointing.

I can’t remember when I bought this cookbook. It’s The cook’s encyclopedia of Thai cooking by Judy Bastyra. The recipes in this book is easy to follow and it starts with an introduction of history of Thai street food, Thai spices, produce, condiments and basic cooking techniques.

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Cool Caipiroska

by jeroxie January 25, 2010

Caipiroska was born in Brazil. There are a few variations and each has a different name. I do get a little confused at times. Caipiroska is vodka base and Caipirinha is rum base cocktail. Both of these are originated from Brazil and do not have mint in the concoction. And there is Mojito which is of Cuban descent. It is a rum base cocktail with the inclusion of mint and sparkling water.

Caipiroska is such an easy drink to make and have with meals. It is refreshing and for me, a perfect summer cocktail that can quench the thirst and heat. And this recipe is taken from Liquid Kitchen by Hayden Wood. It was a book was given to me by ex-colleagues from a previous job and I hardly looked at it. I think it will be a well used book from now on.

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