Easy Molasses & Ginger Bread

According to all new studies about the benefits of blackstrap molasses for healthy living, I found another way to add molasses into a bread recipe and to add molasses into the daily diet. This recipe is very easy to prepare; It can be adapted to a one-bowl recipe for easy clean up. The fresh ginger makes this bread quite tasteful.  However, if fresh ginger is hard to find, powdered ginger is just fine. To learn more about the benefits of molasses, the web address, http://dietsok.info/blackstrap-molasses-8-benefits-for-your-health/, will explain them. I hope this recipe will always be a part of your healthy living.

Ingredients:

Dry ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp fresh minced ginger

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground clove
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Wet ingredients:

1 cup warm water

1/3 cup molasses

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup coconut oil or vegetables oil
1 egg

Topping with 1/4 cup coconut flakes

Equipment:

One 8 or 9 inch  round cake pan

Directions:

Use 1 tbs coconut oil to grease the cake pan.

Preheat the oven to 350°.

Sift the dry ingredients into a medium mixing bowl.

Combine the wet ingredients egg in another mixing bowl. Use a handheld beater to beat well 

Add the combined wet ingredients with the sifted dry ingredients and beat just until smooth.

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and top with 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

This bread tastes fantastic when served warm.

Easy Grilled or Baked Salmon

When it comes to a healthy easy recipe, this is one at the top of my list.  Fish is always quick to cook, and, after about 3 to 5 minutes, most of the time a meal is finished . A fish meal does not need many ingredients to make it taste good. Today, I will share this recipe using just a few ingredients usually available in most kitchens, and the result will satisfy everyone.

Ingredients:

6 oz. salmon fillet

Marinade ingredients:

1/8 tsp dried basil

1/8 tsp dried dill

1/8 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

Pinch of chilli flakes

1 tsp lemon juice

2 tsp olive oil

Directions:

Combine all the marinade ingredients and mix well. Pour mixture over the fish and marinate for 1 hour.

Choose one of two ways to cook the fish:

1- Heat a nonstick grill pan with a little oil. Add fish and grill 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

2- Place fish on a baking dish and bake in a countertop oven, such as Nuwave®, and bake for 7 minutes

Enjoy!!

Easy Sticky Rice with Pandan Leaves and Coconut Oil

In the south of Vietnam, pandan leaves are fragrant herbs that the South Vietnamese people use for many dishes. The pandan leaves are not just seasonings that make the food more delicious, but they also have the effect of treating diseases as a medicine in traditional medicine. In the old days, modern medicine was not available, so our ancestors had to fight diseases with all the natural herbs and pandan leaves available to them.  I will try not to go any further into the medical field here because this is a cooking blog.  However, I really want to share some information about pandan leaves that is very useful. The pandan leaves binomial name (Pandanus amaryllifolia Roxb) belongs to the pineapple family growing into large green, upright sprays, about 1 m high, with a diameter of about 1 - 3 cm, branches. The leaves have a smooth texture, with a length of 40-50 cm, arranged in a trough shape, with a non-spiked edge, a light-colored underpost, with beautiful aromas, such as perfume, which is even more pronounced when it is dried. According to some studies, the pandan leaves are used to treat hypertension, support joint pain and rheumatism. Also, many people suffer from poor appetites, which lead to weight loss. Therefore, the easy-to-follow method of "pandan leaf" by boiling two pandan leaves before eating 30 minutes often can help you increase your appetite. The pandan water can help to reduce the feeling of anxiety.  In addition to the above treatment, pandan leaves are useful for overcoming hair problems, such as to remove dandruff and by shampooing hair regularly will make hair strong and shiny. With so many health benefits of consuming pandan leaves, I will share one easy recipe to make pandan leaves with sticky rice for breakfast. This is easy when using a rice cooker. I do not live near a Vietnamese supermarket; therefore; it is hard to find fresh pandan leaves which is best to use for making this recipe.  However, I bought frozen pandan leaves at H Mart, the Korean supermarket, which is good too.  With all the benefits for human health, I hope this recipe will contribute goodness to all people who like to live long and healthy lives.

Ingredients:

3 cups sticky rice

2 cups pandan leaves (about 7 leaves)

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup sugar

1 tbs coconut oil

2 cups water

1 cup coconut flakes

Equipment: rice cooker

Directions:

Place the pandan leaves in a blender or food processor. Add 2 cups of water and blend until all leaves are finely chopped.  

Drain the liquid through a fine sieve. Squeeze out all the bright green liquid as much as you can.

Wash the sticky rice very well.

Place sticky rice in a rice cooker.  Pour all the pandan water into the rice.  Add salt and soak for a few hours or overnight.

After soaking for a few hours or overnight, add sugar and 1 tbs coconut oil with the soaking rice. Close the lid and turn the rice cooker to the on position.

When the rice is done cooking, use a fork or chopstick to flip the rice and add coconut flakes. Mix well.

Serve with more coconut flakes on top.  Enjoy!!

Peace in each breath

Peace in each breath is peace in life Practice breathing for good sleep and peace in life.

If you are frustrated at work or at night you can not sleep because you are too stressed or angry and have dropped your precious breath, dropped your breath, it means forgetting your precious Mind-Body.

Breath is worth the price of human life and is more valuable than jewelry, money. This lesson aims to help you have a relaxed life, have fun and have a peaceful sleep in the busy flow of modern times.

Identification:

If you are breathing, breathing in, breathing without knowing whether you are breathing, or too stressed with in breathing ... all of this makes you more stress.

In order to have the lightness of the body and the relaxation of the mind, you need to breathe freely and know that you are breathing, practicing every day like that three times a day, or anytime anywhere or at least once. You will find that you can effectively reduce tension, lighten your mind, help your body relax and sleep well in the night, sleep in peace.

You can do this anywhere, anytime and don't need any equipment, without wasting your time and money, just be aware of yourself and breathe in any action: when you go, stand, sleep, and sit.

Practical Steps:

Very simple, very fun and very effective; You will find yourself relaxed, reduce stress and will sleep well when practicing before sleeping once.

Step 1:

If while you are sitting, sitting anywhere: in a chair, in a bed, while driving to work or shopping, etc. ... Sit firmly in your back, take a deep breath, and breathe out completely evenly with your mouth. Natural, with the mouth 'O' put the wind out.

Practice and look and listen to your breath, it will be effective and interesting.

Step 2:

When the breath is first inhaled in step 1, in this step you relax your face and mind while closing your mouth and gently inhale through the nose, counting from 1 to 10 in mind, recognizing it. At this point you breathe, evenly breathing, relaxed.

Step 3:

Breathe deeply, breathe lightly and recognize your breath, keep your breath for a few seconds (usually 5-6 seconds) and can continue counting 1-10, in consciousness and letting go of thoughts.

Step 4:

When you inhale deeply and recognize breath 1-10, you breathe out completely with your mouth, palate makes up the word 'O' to make sounds like the wind, relax the whole body, and simultaneously create Make a connection to your body and mind.

Remembering, breathing deeply, breathing calmly and calmly through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, not moving the tongue and placing the front of the throat in front is the key to peace and good control of your breathing. You will have good sleep, deep and peaceful.

Then you breathe so well with your nose, occasionally escaping the 'O' wind.

Before sleeping, sit or lie flat on the bed and hold the breath comfortably with you in the chest cavity for a few seconds (5-6 seconds).

Holding this breath inside allows oxygen to circulate in your lungs and then help blood circulation to be more efficient throughout the body and oxygen is more present in the brain. This increase in oxygen has the effect of relaxing, awake and healthy living.

Focusing on the breath helps you forget stressful thoughts and allow you to focus on calmness, relaxation, memory growth, and good concentration for your goals.

Sincerely with Compassion,
Dharma Mountain and Forest Meditation,
Mendicant monk Thich Giac Chinh.

Shrimp Egg Foo Young

According to a BBC London program, one egg a day will keep the doctor away.  Also, just in terms of traditional medicine, eggs are both food and medicinal, and eggs are present in quite a number of dishes that are used to prevent circulatory diseases, hypertension, and many other diseases.  Eggs are easy to prepare, and the best and healthiest way is to hard-boil. Furthermore, egg foo young is not hard to make. Adding shrimp, ground chicken, or pork will make a good meal with complete protein for the body. Let’s get started! 

Ingredients:

2 eggs

5 shrimp, peeled and deveined

Pinch of salt, sugar, and white pepper

1/4 tsp light soy sauce

Vegetables::

1 cup bean sprouts

1 tbs chopped red bell pepper

1 green onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tbs peanut oil

Gravy ingredients:

1/3 cup chicken stock

1/4 tsp oyster sauce (optional)

1 tsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp cooking wine

1/4 tsp salt

1 t sp cornstarch

Pinch of white pepper

Directions::

Mix well the gravy's listed ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Break eggs in a bowl and mix well. Add the bean sprouts, bell pepper, and green onion to the beaten eggs and mix well.well 

Heat oil in a large sauté pan. Add shrimp in single layer and cook for one minute on each side. Remove.

In the same pan, add garlic. Stir for a few seconds. Add eggs.

Cook over medium heat until just set. Add shrimp there.. Try to flip the egg (it takes time to practice). Remove egg and place on a serving dish.

In the same pan, add the sauce and bring to boil. Add shredded carrots and cook until thickened. 

Choose one of two ways to serve:

1 – pour the sauce over the complete dish.

2 – serve sauce on the side.

Vietnamese Chicken Drumsticks Stew

In the Vietnamese cuisine, beef stew (Bo kho) is very famous among the Vietnamese people as well as the tourists who visit Vietnam.  I love this dish too, but my diet does not allow me to eat beef.  So the chicken drumsticks that I use as a substitute for beef works out very well. The cooking method and ingredients for this stew are the same as if made with beef; however, this recipe can be enjoyed as a healthier substitute.

Ingredients:

10 chicken drumsticks

Marinade ingredients:

1 tbs chopped lemongrass

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 shallots, chopped

1 tbs minced ginger

1 tsp 5 spice

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp paprika

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp chilli flakes

2 tbs soy sauce

2 tbs peanut oil

Other ingredients:

1 medium white onion

2 carrots

1 cinnamon stick

3 star anise

1 tsp ginger, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 stalk lemongrass cut into 3 inch lengths and bruised

1 tomatoes, seeded and finely diced

1 tbs sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp Korean chili powder

2 tbs oil

1 cup chicken broth

Serve with chopped basil, cilantro, green onions, lemon wedges, and fresh chilli.

Directions:

Soak the chicken drumsticks in a salt, vinegar, and water mixture for a few hours. 

Drain and cut each chicken drumstick in half.

  Place the halved chicken drumsticks in a large container and add all the marinade ingredients. Marinate the chicken overnight or for 4 hours.

Cut the white onion in half. Then chop one half into pieces and the cut the other half into wedges and set aside.

Peel carrots and cut diagonally into 2 inch lengths and set aside.

Heat oil in a large pot and start browning the chicken (reserve the marinade).

Heat oil in another pot. Add chopped onion pieces, garlic, ginger, and Korean chili 
powder (stir and cook for 1 minute).

 Add diced tomatoes, sugar, and salt (this method is done to make a bright red color for the stew).  Cook until you are happy with the color.

  Pour this onto the chicken.  Add the bruised lemongrass, star anise, cinnamon stick, and the chicken broth with the reserved marinade.

Bring to boil and cook for 20 minutes. Add the sliced carrots. Adjust the seasoning with more sugar, salt, or fish sauce.  Cook until the chicken and carrots are tender.  Add the white onion wedges.

 Cook for an additional 5 more minutes (total cooking time should be about 40 minutes).

This stew is now ready to serve. It can be served with rice, noodles, or bread. Do not forget to sprinkle with the fresh chopped herbs that are listed above.

Three-Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji)

I posted a Taiwanese three-cup chicken recipe not so long ago. Today, I will share this recipe using drumsticks and revise some ingredients.  I like this recipe because it reminds me of the classic "red-cooked” chicken or pork dish of Northern China. The three-cup is named because it commonly uses equal quantities of soy sauce, sesame oil, and Shao Hsing wine-the Chinese cooking wine. In this recipe, I use less sesame oil and add more water instead, and it turns out better tasting than the Taiwanese three cups chicken.  However, the taste can be adjusted for each personal cook to make his or her own signature

Ingredients:

10 chicken drumsticks, skin removed (your choice)

6 garlic cloves, minced

10 slices of fresh ginger then chopped

5 whole dried pepper, more or less

1 tsp black pepper

2 tbs peanut oil

Stable sauce ingredients:

1 cup water

1 cup cooking wine, Shao Hsing or sake*

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup sweet soy sauce

1/4 cup sesame oil

1/4 cup honey

Garnish with 4 green onions

Directions:

Soak chicken drumsticks in a large bowl filled with water, salt (2 tbs), and vinegar. This method will make the chicken meat clean and tender.

Heat a large pan with oil. Brown the chickens on all sides. Remove chicken from pan and discard most of the oil. Keep about 1 tbs of oil. However, I remove skin from chicken so it will not leave much oil

Add ginger, garlic, and chilli and stirfry for 1 minute or until fragrant.

Add stable sauce and chicken to the pan and bring to boil. Stir to submerge the chicken with sauce. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until chickens is tender. Add green onions and make a quick stir for 1 minute.

Serve chicken with rice and some sauce. The leftover sauce as most of Chinese chefs call the "master sauce". This sauce can be stored in the freezer and reused as many times as necessary in future Chinese cooking.

*Sake has a stronger taste than Shao Hsing wine. Adjust the amount used to fit your taste.

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