JEMS Playground

Went to JEM playground last Saturday evening. When compared with the Tree House playground in Westgate, this JEM playground is really disappointing. 

I have some safety concern to the playground. 

Lack of lighting. In the evening the playground does not provide enough lighting to it. the light source are from the food court and the JEM Park above it. As this playground cater to young children thus it does raise a concern over the lighting issue.

Photo taken with flash

Safety of the "Rides". The shape of the animals are with triangular spikes with water rivers running within it. This is a potential bodily hazard to young children as they might slip and knock against it. 

The only "Rides" with sufficient lighting

The carousel's hand grip is a design failure. Child had to turn side way in order to grip the handle. If it spin too fast, the child seating on it might fall off.

The rope obstacle are interlocked with metal hooks. This again is another potential bodily hazard to young children. The protruding hinge may cause head injuries to children. Lack of signage to inform user of minimum age to play this rides. I seen a toddler in it and got his leg trap between the gaps 

Strawberry & Blueberry Jam

My popo & ah mah had diabetes thus can't take too much sugar. Mummy replaced sugar with Stevia instead.

1 punnet Strawberry  (425g)

1 punnet Blueberry  (125g)
40g Stevia
3 1/2 tbsp water

1. Cut strawberries into small cubes

2. Mix the Stevia into Strawberries & Blueberry 

3. Keep in the refrigerate for 1-2 hrs

4. Set the bread machine to jam mode

5. Pour the mixture into the machine

6. Add in water.

Kaya Labu - bread machine

Pumpkin Kaya

500g pumpkin (mashed)
300g coconut cream  (I used Kara brand)
120g mascavdo
1/2 tsp rock salt (my kitchen only have rock salt)
6 strips Pandan leave

Methods

1. Steam the pumpkin & mashed it up when cooked.

2. Put all ingredients into the bread machine. Set to jam mode.

3. Pour into sterilised glass jar.  (I did not blend it as I am too lazy to do it & I also like the texture of it.)

Bread of Life - Nutella Roll

Not that my mummy is lazy to knead but her elbows are injured thus can't use too much force. So all kneading can only be done by machine.

Nutella Roll

INGREDIENTS:

DOUGH Ingredients 
1 cup milk 
60g Butter
370g All-purpose flour
1/4 cup Mascavdo 
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 tsp Active Dry Yeast
Nutella 
Dental Floss 

Milk wash
1/2 tbsp fresh milk
1/2 tbsp water

Icing glaze 
2 tbsp icing sugar
1 tbsp water


Methods

1. All into bread machine. Set to dough mode.

2. Roll out dough to 14 inch rectangle.

3. Spread Nutella evenly on the dought. At top 14-inch edge (the edge with the Nutella spread clear to the border), tightly roll up the dough. Then give the final seam a little pinch so that it seals.

4. Use a piece of dental floss to "cut" off the two ends of the roll (an inch on each end - discard that dough) so that they are even. Then cut the remaining dough into 11 or 12 equal pieces. (11 rolls seem to fit in a pie plate, while 12 rolls fit in a rectangular tray.

5. Sprinkle with water, place in a pre heated (power off) oven to rest for 1 hour or double in size.

6. Apply milk wash.

7. Baked at 160°C for 20 mins.

8. Apply icing glaze, immediately after removal from oven. OR dust with icing sugar if you not wish to apply icing glaze.

Bread of Life - Multigrain & Mixed Peel Rosette

Mummy said "God give us food, so must give thank. " thus we must not waste food if possible. So she use the left over mixed peel to make bread.

(Yield 16 pieces)

380g High Protein Flour or Bread flour
1/2 tbsp wholemeal 
280g Milk (I use cold milk from fridge)
50g Mascavdo 
7g Active dry yeast (1 tsp+1/2 tsp)
1/4 tsp Rock salt
70g Butter, room temperature 
1 tsp Chia Seed
1/2 cup Multigrain mix (I got it from Phoon Huat)
2 tbsp Mix Peel


Method 

1. Place all ingredients into the bread maker. Set to dough mode. 

2. Cut into portions. Rest for 10 mins.

3. Roll into a long strip

4. Tie a knot in the center and start looping around 

5. Rest in the oven for 2 hours

6. Bake at 160°C for 20 mins (Fan assisted)

红脚菜汤 or shan choy tong (Red Vegetable Soup)

Red vegetable soup or Shan Choy Tong is a favourite of mummy since her childhood days. It is a remedy for children who dislike vegetables just like mummy. It does not have the vegetable "taste" of most leafy vegetables. The greatest of all is it is good for hazy days. Whenever the haze PSI go up, the vegetable will be selling like hot cakes in the wet market. It help to clear the smoke in our body so smokers you better drink more.

Shan Choy (Red Vegetables)

1-2 pcs Salted egg
Minced/sliced pork (marinated)
Fishball (optional)
Water
Salt to taste

Method

1. Bring the water to boil.
2. Separate the salted egg. Add the yolk into the water.
3. Continue to boil till the salted eggs are half cook.
4. Take out the yolk and add the vegetables.
5. Break the yolk into smaller pieces and add into the soup.
6. Add salt to taste (not too much)
7. Add fishball and salted egg white. Served

Hot Cross Bun

Last Sunday is Palm Sunday, yesterday was Maundy Thursday,today is Good Friday and Sunday is Easter.

Join us to enjoy the hot cross bun


200ml warm milk
1 tbsp active dry yeast
500g plain flour
80g butter 
pinch of salt
60g caster sugar
2 teaspoons mixed spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons candied mixed peel
70g dark chocolate chips

For the crosses
75g plain flour
75ml water
few drops of almond extract

For the sugar glaze
80g caster sugar
3 tablespoons water

Method

1. All ingredients into the bread machine under the dough mode
2. Cut into 16 portions
3. Rest for 2-3 hrs
4. Prepare the flour mixtures for cross
5. Pour into piping bag. Pipe a cross on the bun.
6. Bake at 200°C for 25 mins
7. Prepare the sugar glaze and brush it on the bun once it out from oven.

Bread of Life - Chia seed & Sunflower Seed bread

Mummy had been making different combination of bread lately.
So far this is what the entire family said is palatable

(Yield 4 pieces)

200g High Protein Flour or Bread flour

130g milk (I use cold milk from fridge)

35g sugar

3g active dry yeast (1/2tsp+1/4tsp)

1/4 tsp rock salt (reduce salt if adding Cranberries or other type of dried fruits)

30g butter, room temperature 

1 tsp Chia Seed
1/4 cup sunflower seed

Method 

1. Place all ingredients into the bread maker. Set to dough mode. 

2. Cut into 4 portions. Rest for 10 mins.

3.  Cut each portion into 3 smaller portion, roll into strips

4. Plait loosely together

5. Rest in the oven for 2 hours

6. Bake at 160°C for 20 mins (Fan assisted)

Homemade Chia Seed Mee Hoon Kuey Soup

We love Mee Hoon Kuey. My mum asked "Can we add Chia seed into making MHK?" I replied "Why not!" 
So this is the end product.

Dough
2 cups of plain flour
1 tbsp olive oil/cooking oil
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp Chia Seed
Water (estimated about 1 cup)

Soup
White baits
Garlic
Fishcake - sliced
Minced pork - marinated
Prawns or seafood
Leafy vegetables
Murshrooms
Salt to taste


Methods
1. Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl

2. Add water slowly and knead till it form a dough (Not sticky when touch)

3. On a floured surface, roll out the dough thinly.

4a. Use a cookie cutter to cut out the kuey OR
4b. Use a knife to cut into desire slices OR
4c . Skip No. 3. Roll the dough into small balls then use a rolling pin to flatten it.

5. Boil a small pot of water, add oil. Add the kuey piece by piece into the boiling water. When it is cooked it will float on the surface.
6. Transfer to the pre prepared soup.

RIP Mickey baby

Mummy came home with a sad news. My cousin Mickey the chihuahua had passed away.  Passed away? Just like ah gong? Where did he go? I hope there is really A Doggie Heaven whereby we can meet again.

Just 2 weeks ago, Mickey came over to celebrate Sarah's birthday. Mummy forgot to cook for us but we still enjoyed ourselves very much. Never did I expect that, this is the last time I see him. I will missed him dearly.

We used to play together, eat together, sleep together & live together.  We even celebrate our birthday together.

I knew you had heart murmur but you are a little chili padi - so hot & fierce. You never alert us of your unwell, popo felt so bad about it. She kept saying that if she was there, she could have carry and hug you to comfort you just like what she did on Sunday then maybe you might be able to pull through.

I will miss you forever, Mickey. Till death do us brothers part.

Apple slices

It was taught to us by an old church friends who in turn learn it from a Pastor wife who is also a mother of five. Good for mothers who have no time and have too many young children to look after. Thank you God for this lovely lady who hand down such lovely recipe.

Apple sliced
2 red apples (sliced /diced)
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups self raising flour
125g butter (melted)
1/2 cups sugar
1 cup Sultanas/cranberries
icing sugar for dusting

if using green apples, use 3/4 cups sugar

1. Melt butter & sugar together

2. Mix apples, sultanas/ Cranberries, eggs & flour together

3. Add in the butter & sugar mixture

4. Mix well, pour mixture into a 20 x 20 cm tray.  

5. Bake at 180°C for 15- 20 mins

6. Dust with icing sugar

Bread of Life - Cranberry & Chia Seed Twist

Bread is a favourite in out family except for mummy as she is on a diet but she still make it for us despite that she can't take it. 

200g High Protein Flour or Bread flour

130g milk ( I use cold milk from fridge)

35g sugar

3g active dry yeast (1/2tsp+1/4tsp)

1/8tsp salt

30g butter, room temperature 

Sugar for sprinkling (optional)

Method 

1. Place all ingredients into the bread maker. Set to dough mode. 

2. Cut into 4 portions. Rest for 10 mins.

3.  Roll into a long strip, start to twist. Roll again with both end in different direction.

4. Pick up both end, they will twist together.

5. Rest in the oven for 1 hour

6. Coat with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar 

7. Bake at 180°C for 20 mins (Fan assisted)


Recipes adapted from 

http://nasilemaklover.blogspot.sg/2014/07/mini-sausage-bread-rolls.html?utm_source=BP_recent

http://www.mymindpatch.blogspot.sg/2015/03/sugar-twister-bread.html

Mrs Loh's oven bake chicken

We dislike deep frying food. Mummy preferred to bake them.

Mummy tried with many different seasoning before.
We usually will buy and marinate then freese it for use over the week.
We love the following best

2 kg  chicken parts (we like to use
Drumlet)
1 tbsp prawn paste aka har jiong
1/2 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tbsp bolognese sphagetti herbs
Pinch of salt

Methods

1. Mix all ingredients and keep in refrigerator min 2 hours. (Overnight if possible)

2. Bake at 220°C for 20 mins or more depending on the thickness of the meat. Bake till golden brown    (flip at 10  mins)

Mummy's Meatball

My mummy made meatball for us & they are yummy

Here the recipe

500g mince meat (pork or beef)
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 yellow onion - finely chopped
1 tbsp spaghetti bolognese herbs
I tbsp LP sauce
Salt & pepper to taste
1 btl of pasta sauce


Methods

1. Mix all ingredients till well combined.  Rest for 1 hour.

2. Give each lump of meat a hard squeeze before shaping into a ball  (size up to individual)

3. Heat up a frying pan, add meatball. Flip after 5 mins.  Do not force if it does not lift up.

4. Sautéed garlic, add meatball and pasta sauce. Add 1/2 btl of water or more depending on your preferences

5. Simmer for 30 mins

Zucchini & bacon quiche

My meimei Sarah is a quiche fans.
She can eat it anytime - breakfast, lunch,
teatime or dinner.

Here is a recipe of her favourite
quiche

1 sheet of puff pastry
1 yellow onion - chopped
1 yellow zucchini - sliced
Garlic
Salt to taste
6 stripes of streaky bacon - chopped
5 eggs
5 tbsp +1 tsp cream (I use 35% or more fats)
Cheddar cheese (up to preference for amount)

Methods

1. Stir fried onion, bacon & zucchini with garlic & salt to taste. Set aside for cooling

2. Grease the pie tray. Lay the puff pastry, use fork to poke around the base.

3. Fill the tray with the fillings & cheese

4. Beat eggs & cream till will combine.

5. Pour mixture into the tray.

6. Bake at 190 degree with fan for 30 mins or till set.

Dog Shampoo

I had a hard time trying to get this shampoo for Piston. It is not available in Singapore, thus each time any fellow workers go back for home leave I will ask if they can help me get it.

To my surprise not all areas sell it only certain areas had it and one of my colleague happen to stay in that area. So this wonderful person had been helping me get it whenever he go back on home leave.

This is my supply for the next 2 years.

My childhood memories & my child's passion

I love jellies regardless of my ages.

It is nice to know that my daughter loves it too.

She not only loves it but also keen to learn

to make it. 

She took every opportunity to asked mummy to teach her 

to cook it.

Not forgetting, Piston the drooling king loves it as well,

although he can't cook it but he is the quality inspector

Our Love for Pizza

Kimchi Pizza

Our family loves pizza. Mummy love this simple crust recipe.

Ingredients Required

 

• 1 envelope of dry yeast
• 1/4 teaspoon of sugar
• 3/4 cup of lukewarm water
• 1 3/4 cups of unbleached plain flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

  Step by step Procedure

1. Combine 1 envelope of dry yeast, 1/4 teaspoon of sugar and 3/4 cups of lukewarm water. Mix a little and let sit for 6-8 minutes.
2. Combine 1 3/4 cups of unbleached plain flour with 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a bowl or food processor.
3. Pour the water combination into the bowl (or food processor) and mix until ready to knead (around 30 second in a food processor). If using a bowl, mix with a spoon until you have a neat ball.
4. Prepare a lightly spinkled surface with flour. Turn out dough and knead for around 2-3 minutes. Lightly cover your finger tips with flour if the mixture is a little sticky.
5. Roll out by hand for a 12'' base.
6. Place in 12'' lighly oiled oven pan. Press out dough to form a slight lip.
7. Prepare and apply your sauce and topping or choice.
8. Cook in a pre-heated over (500F) for 8-12 minutes (times may vary based on different ovens. Fan assisted oven will be quicker!).
9. Remove from oven, slice and share with your favourite friends and/or family members :)      

http://www.recipepizza.com/doughs/

Pizza Bolognese

Our individual pizza

 

Strawberry Jam (Bread Machine)

Strawberry jam (Bread Machine)

1 punnet of strawberry (425gm)
70g Mascovado
1 tbsp water

Cut strawberries into small cubes
Mix the Mascovado & strawberries
Keep in the refrigerate for 1-2 hrs
Set the bread machine to jam mode
Pour the mixture into the machine
Add in water.

We are back

It had been a long long time since we last blog. We are back to blogging again. Maybe blogging might get mummy out of depressed condition.