Memories in the Cooking

Similar to cumin lamb, I decided to make a grilled mix for this cumin baked chicken wings.  Ingredients: - 1kg of chicken wings  - 1 teaspoon of salt  - 2 teaspoons of sugar  - 1 teaspoon of cumin - 1 teaspoon of chili flakes  - 1 tablespoons of minced garlic  - vegetable oil  Procedures:  1) Marinate the chicken wings with salt, sugar, cumin, chili flakes, minced garlic and vegetable oil.  2) Bake the chicken wings for 1 hour at 180 degree celsius. 

This is a change to the usual butter steak that I regularly cook.  Ingredients: - 1kg of ribeye beef. Cut into cubes. - 3 tablespoons of soya sauce  - 3 bulbs of garlic, sliced - 1 tablespoon of mirin - 1 tablespoon of sake  - 2 tablespoons of sugar - salt (if needed)  Procedures:  1) Marinate beef cubes in soya sauce overnight.  2) Add garlic slices into a oven-proof bowl. Add vegetable oil into the garlic slices are covered. Cook it in oven at 180 degree celsius for 20 mins.  3) In a pan, add the garlic infused oil (without the garlic). Sear the beef until all sides are brown. Set it aside.  4) Add soya sauce marinate, mirin, roasted garlic, sake, sugar and salt to the pan. Cook until the sauce is reduced.  5) Add the beef and coat it in the sauce. Let the beef rest in a serving place. 

This dish tastes exactly like the Chinese Grilled Lamb Skewers. Just simpler to make!  Ingredients:  - 1.5kg of lamb leg (cut into cubes)  - few tablespoons ginger juice  - 3 egg whites  - 2 teaspoon of white pepper (to marinate meat and to make the seasoning) - 1 tablespoon cornstarch  - 1 tablespoon of cumin powder  - 3 tablespoons of white sesame seeds  - 1 teaspoon of salt  - 1 tablespoons of sugar  Procedures:  1) In a large mixing bowl, mix the diced lamb with ginger juice, egg whites, white pepper, cornstarch. Let it stand for a while.  2) In a pan, toast cumin powder, white sesame seeds, salt, sugar and pepper. Set it aside.  3) In a pan, add some cooking oil. Fry the lamb cubes until golden brown. This may take 20 mins. Drain away the excess oil.  4) Mix the cumin seasoning with the lamb cubes. Mix well and serve. 

I prepared a feast with many red meat (beef, lam, duck) and needed a side dish that can cuts through the oily flavours. Hence, I decided to make this pickled onions dish as a side.  Ingredients:  - 5 large red onions  - 2 cups of water  - 2 cups of white rice vinegar  - 2/3 cup of sugar  - 2 tablespoons of salt  - 2 bay leaves.  Procedures:  1) Slice red onions. Place it in a large container.  2) In a pot, add water, white rice vinegar, sugar, salt and bay leaves. Boil until the sugar dissolves.  3) Pour the liquid mixture into the container until all the red onion slices are submerged.  4) Keep it overnight in a fridge. 

We first had this cheese at a pizza place. The stracciatella cheese came with a flat bread and it was the most memorable dish!  Ingredients: - 3 fresh mozzarella balls (125 each) - 300g of Greek Yogurt  - black pepper  - 1 teaspoon of salt  - basil garlic oil (blend basil, garlic, olive oil and salt) or truffle oil Procedures: 1) In a large bowl, shred mozzarella balls. Add yogurt, salt and black pepper. Mix well.  2) Place the stracciatella into a serving bowl. Drizzle with basil oil or truffle oil. 

This is a fun cake. Especially when everyone pulls a cupcake out at the same time.  Ingredients:  - 200g of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder (sieved) - 150g of unsalted butter  - 150g of sugar  - 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract  - 4 tablespoons of milk  - 2 eggs  - 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract  - a pinch of salt  - instant frosting  - fruits  Procedures:  1) In a large bowl, mix sugar and butter until it becomes creamy and light.  2) Add 2 eggs, vanilla extract and milk to the creamed mixture. Mix well.  3) Sieve in flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder. Mix well.  4) Spoon the cupcake mixture into 12-16 cupcake tins (depending on size)  5) Bake at 180 degree Celsius for 25 minutes. (Untill an inserted toothpick comes out clean). Let the cupcake cool.  6) Spread it with instant frosting. Top it with fruits. 

This is a easy and delicious starter. Goes well with my husband's homemade focaccia bread.   Ingredients:  - 200g of smoked salmon (around 2 packets)  - 200g of cream cheese  - juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a bunch of basil leaves, garlic (blend)  - 2 cucumber, diced  - 2 tablespoons of thick cream or yogurt  - black pepper  Procedures:  1) Chop smoked salmon finely.  2) Add cream cheese to salmon. Mix well.  3) Blended mix of lemon juice, olive oil, basil leaves and garlic. Add to salmon and cream cheese. Mix well.  4) Add diced cucumber. Mix well.  5) Add thick cream/yogurt to the preferred consistency.  6) Add freshly grated black pepper. Enjoy!