Storing Leftover Egg Yolks

The Swallow came across this tip to storing leftover egg yolks: cover them in water while storing in the refrigerator to keep them from drying out.

She has yet to find out if this tip works. Maybe one day, when she decides to try out those recipes which require only egg whites. Maybe.

But it's good to know.

Dried Mangoes

Mangoes are seasonal fruits in Singapore and Malaysia. Thus it is pricey when they can be found in markets or supermarkets. Back in Malaysia when she was growing up, the Swallow's mother planted a mango tree in the garden. The Swallow had often been tasked with keeping the tree watered and fertilized with the occasional water from rinsing rice. They had success in growing their own mango tree for it bore many fruits for them. A huge benefit for the family! The Swallow remembers too the hide-and-seek game she played with the mangoes, looking for any that may have fallen from the tree during the night.

Most mangoes taste sweet when they are fully ripe although there are some varieties that have some tartness. Some unripe varieties are used in Rojak, a traditional fruit salad which the Swallow enjoys much.

In Singapore, families who are apartment dwellers do not have the land required to grow their own mango trees. Thus they rely pretty much on what they can find at the stores eg dried mangoes, or forgo eating them.

If there is a chance to obtain some dried mangoes, the Swallow will consider making Mango Muffins.

Recycling - Reuse, Reduce, Refuse

In the beginning, "God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good." (Genesis 1 : 31a, NKJV).  However, "very good" is not a term that can be used to describe earth today.  That is the effect of sin - "Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life.  Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field." (Genesis 3 : 17b - 18, NKJV).

Earth will only continue to its final destruction.  John, the beloved disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ prophesied "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away." (Revelation 21 : 1a, NKJV).

Yes, the first earth will soon pass away but its departure should not be hasten.  Thus, the Swallow does her part in being environmental-friendly.  She recycles - by reusing, reducing and refusing.

Reuse - using old stuff in different ways

• cooking oil which needs to be thrown away can be stored in an old plastic bottle then disposed.  A fine way to reuse that plastic bottle, keep your kitchen sink from clogging, use less plastic bags, and make less of a mess.  Just make sure that the used cooking oil has cooled to room temperature.
• line dustbins with plastic bags.  Save money at the same time.
• the Swallow's mom had often cut off the wearable parts from clothes with enough stains to deem them 'unwearable', and reused the wearable parts to fashion a quilt or children's pyjamas.
• wrap unsanitary items with newspapers before disposal.

Reduce - removing clutter from the nest

• don't buy anything on offer unless it is a need.
• must there be another set of cookware, dishware, etc to be used only for guests?
• must a broken item be replaced by the purchase of another?  There may be something in the nest that can be used instead.
• pass on children's toys, books and furniture to newer parents.  The same for old-but-still-in-good-condition clothes.  Young ones grow so quickly.  The Swallow's family was a beneficiary of such goodwill when her young ones were toddlers.
• donate to charity organisations that accepts old-but-still-in-good-condition items.
• sell to shops that buy second-hand items.  Receipts of first-hand purchases may be required.
• reduce the use of disposable items as much as possible.

Refuse - no, thank you!

• say no to extra plastic bags.  Bring along a shopping bag.  The Swallow applauds some departmental stores that have made the move to reward shoppers who bring their own bags, or charge those who chose to use plastic bags.
• politely reject those who wants to pass on their old-but-still-in-good-condition items if there is no need.  Better to refuse honestly, than accept grudgingly and then complaining behind the giver's back!

Super Fruits

One morning, the Swallow came across a slip of paper hidden among the pages of her collection of recipes. On one side of the paper was a poem.  On the other was a list of Super Fruits.

Although some of the fruits in that list of Super Fruits have not been proven for their health-attributing factors, yet their delicious and yummy flavours alone will make them part of the Swallow's own list of Super Fruits.

Kiwi

• a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E and fibre
• its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange

Apple

• contains antioxidants and flavonoids which enhance the activity of vitamin C
• may help to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack and stroke

Strawberry

• highest total of antioxidant power among major fruits
• may protect the body from cancer causing and blood vessels clogging free radicals

Orange

• may keep colds away
• may lower cholesterol
• may prevent and dissolve kidney stones
• may lessen the risk of colon cancer

Watermelon

• coolest thirst quencher as it is composed of 92% water
• boosts immune system
• a key source of lycopene, a cancer-fighting oxidant
• has vitamin C and potassium

Guava

• high vitamin C content
• rich in fibre which helps prevent constipation

Papaya

• high vitamin C content
• rich in carotene - good for eyesight

Pistachio Nuts

Pistachio Nuts
- shelled (left) & with shells (right)

A pistachio nut is green and it is covered with a purplish skin.  It sits neatly in a hard white shell that opens slightly in a slit.  The Mandarin word for pistachio nuts is 'kai xin guo' and it is an apt description of the nut, as the word 'kai' means 'open' and the word 'xin' means 'heart'.

The nuts are usually sold in Singapore supermarkets in 1kg bags during festive periods.  At other times, smaller bags of 180g can be found although they would be pricier.

Occasionally, the slits are too small and it is difficult to remove the nuts from the shells.  At such times, insert the end of a teaspoon into the crevice, and twist the spoon.  This will usually work, but if it does not, one can always resort to a hammer...

Pineapples

Pineapples, commonly found in Singapore and Malaysia, are the fruit of the Pineapple Plant, a type of Bromeliad.

Pineapples

A common trait of the fruit is its eyes, which has to be removed before the fruit can be eaten. The fruit is sweet when eaten ripe. If eaten when it is not fully ripe, it gives an unpleasant feel to the tongue. If it is cut before it is fully ripe, instead of throwing them away, the fruit can be used in the following ways:

• eaten as a salad - drizzle the cut fruit with some sweet shrimp sauce or dark soya sauce, then sprinkle with a little sugar and chopped chilli padi.
• make into a jam to be eaten, or further used to make Pineapple Tarts.

Pineapples are also sold in cans as pineapple rings or pineapple cubes, and these are available in supermarkets or grocery stores. It is a much-lauded alternative as it minimizes the time spent cutting the fruit as well as the problem of finding sweet and tasty pineapples. Pineapple Salad  is a recipe that uses these canned products.

Easy-Stain Remover

A couple of days back, the Swallow used a piece of Corningware to heat up some food.  Due to a probable higher heat than was required, the sauce left a stain on the pot with some burnt food residue.

To rid the stain, the Swallow filled the pot with some water and liquid detergent, and left the soapy water in the pot overnight.  However, this did not work.

What was the Swallow going to do?

The Swallow had heard of baking soda (aka sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda) being used to remove stains from the toilet bowl (yet-to-be tried and tested).  So the Swallow thought to herself, "Why not try the same idea on the pot?"

You guessed it.  It worked wonderfully!

Just boil a little water in the stained pot, add a little baking soda, wait for the reaction between the two, then scrub away with a non-abrasive sponge, or in the Swallow's case, use a chopstick and gently poke at the burnt food residue.  Be careful!  Remember that the pot and water are hot.

If this idea works on other materials as well, please keep the Swallow posted...

Which is Which?

Recently, the Swallow made a basic Roasted Chicken using just salt and black pepper for the seasoning.  After a casual mention to a close friend that the job of coating the chicken would have been easier if she had a salt or pepper shaker, the Swallow found herself a recipient of a salt shaker and a pepper shaker from that same friend the following day!

Salt & Pepper Shakers

Proverbs 18 : 24b (NIV)
...but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Indeed, the Swallow is grateful to her Lord God for His gift of dear friends, more so as her own siblings are in various countries.

The Swallow was given a matching pair of white shakers, one with one hole and the other with two holes.  The gift was appreciated but the Swallow had a question...which was for the salt and which was for the pepper?

A trawl in the Internet did not help the Swallow much in her search for the answer.  There seemed to be several ideas raised, one of which was based on the cost of the condiment.  To save cost, the more expensive condiment would be placed in the one with fewer holes.  Another suggestion was to buy shakers that were marked 'S' or 'P' to save oneself from the headache!

To cut the long story short, the Swallow has decided to place salt in the shaker with one hole, and black pepper in the other with the simple reason being her family loves pepper and food that is low in salt.  Problem solved!

Luo Han Guo

Luo Han Guo

Luo Han Guo, also known as Lor Hon Kuo in Cantonese, is lightweight, round and dark-brown (before drying, it is green). This dried fruit has a sweet taste and is easily available in Chinese medical shops.

The said benefits of Luo Han Guo are:

• it balances heat buildup caused by internal conditions, life-forces, or external heat
• it soothes / moistens dry lungs
• it relieves coughs
• it is good for sore throats
• it treats constipation
• it is a low-caloric food
• it reduces blood sugar
• it lowers blood pressure
• it can be used as a sweetener in beverages and cooked food
• it is good for diabetics

Luo Han Guo Tea is a good drink for the hot weather. Click here for the recipe.

Tamarind

Tamarind paste (top) &
Tamarind slice (bottom)

The tamarind tree is a tropical tree that yields an acidic fruit which resembles a bean pod and tastes sour.  Also known as assam, the fruit can be found either in the form of a paste (assam jawa) or as tamarind slices (assam gelugor / assam kulit / assam kulek).

Tamarind paste is dark brown in colour, and is usually sold in packages of plastic-wrapped blocks. The packages should be refrigerated once opened.

To obtain tamarind water, 25g tamarind paste is soaked in 300ml water.  The flavour of the tamarind is stronger when left to soak for a longer time.  For a more sour taste, increase the ratio of paste to water.  Lime or lemon juice may be used as substitutes, but the flavour will not be the same.

Tamarind paste or slices may be added as a flavouring to dishes which require a sour taste.

Assam Chicken is one dish that uses both tamarind paste as well as tamarind pieces.

Fresh Meat vs. Frozen Meat

In the past, when refrigeration was not heard of, or it was too expensive to own a refrigerator, a popular method of preserving food was by adding either salt or sugar.  Nowadays, a refrigerator is a need in any household, and being a more health-conscious society, men prefer to go for fresh produce instead of preserved ones.

This holds true for fresh meat as opposed to frozen meat.  Many would laud the taste and texture of fresh meat.

However, the Swallow has a differing viewpoint.  She is of the opinion that there has been no proven fact that fresh meat tastes better or that its texture is indeed better than that of the frozen meat.  She had used frozen meat in many dishes and the meat had tasted delicious too.  It all depended on the recipe...

Besides its cheaper cost, when frozen meat is stored properly, it may actually be fresher than fresh meat which has usually been kept out for a longer period of time.  Many times too, these fresh meat may be packed in ice which gradually melts, more so when the temperature is generally high in countries like Singapore and Malaysia.  In both cases, it is better to buy the meat from reputable sellers, and check that the packaging is still intact.

Always ensure that there is no blood in the packaging of the frozen meat, as this would mean that the meat has started thawing.  If possible, store the frozen meat in a cooler bag for the trip home from the store; and place the meat in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator as soon as possible.  Frozen meat, when stored properly, can last for a much longer time than fresh meat.  If the frozen meat has started thawing, do not refreeze it.  Instead, place it in the refrigerator to complete the thawing process then cook it.

For frozen meat, always defrost the meat in the refrigerator the night before as this would minimize the breeding of bacteria.  This is the same theory as keeping fresh meat or marinated meat in the refrigerator until the moment it has to be cooked.

When the Swallow has planned her menu ahead, she would usually use frozen meat.  If on a last minute decision to cook meat for that night's menu, then a quick detour to the nearest supermarket for fresh meat would be what she would do.

In any case, as mentioned earlier, it all depends on the recipe...and the diner!

Liquor

The Swallow does not subscribe to the drinking of liquor per se, but she does use it in cooking as some dishes taste better with a little of it.

Also, what better alternatively is there when the Swallow has so many bottles to clear (with compliments from well-wishers on her marriage, pregnancies, etc...)?

These are the ones that the Swallow commonly uses

• Brandy
• Chinese Wine - Shao Hsing Hua Tiao Jiu
• DOM

Hakka Salted Chicken is one such recipe that uses liquor as one of its ingredients.

Ceylon Spinach

Ceylon Spinach shoots

Ceylon Spinach is popularly known as 'di huang miao' in Mandarin or 'wong dai miew' in Cantonese. They are available in markets and supermarkets, packed in plastic bags and weighing about 250g each.

The Ceylon Spinach consists of 2 parts - the tough stem; and the soft shoot.

The shoots are usually stir-fried, or cooked in soups with meat or other vegetables. When cooked, it has a slightly slimy texture which is similar to that of the lady fingers (okra). The hardier stems may or may not be eaten, depending on how hardy it is and personal inclination.

When the stems are too hardy to be eaten, the Swallow will experiment with them in her balcony-garden. Click here to read about growing Ceylon Spinach from stem cuttings.

Baking Powder & Baking Soda

As the Swallow loves to bake cakes and cookies, baking powder and baking soda (aka bicarbonate of soda or sodium bicarbonate) are two important ingredients that are must-haves in the Swallow's inventory.

Recently, the Swallow decided to bake a cake for her family's breakfast.  The butter had been laid out and was at room temperature, the flour had been measured and ready to be sifted with the salt and the baking soda....Oops!  That was when she realised that she had forgotten to replenish her baking soda which had run out some months back.  What was she going to do?

A quick search in her recipe books gave her no clues, but a check in Google drew three options

1. if one does not have baking powder, baking soda can be used instead, but there is nothing to be done if baking soda is not available (the Swallow ditched this - no help at all!)
2. use cream of tartar instead (this option also came with some scientific explanation about how it works but the Swallow had a hard time understanding (!), also the Swallow did not have any cream of tartar so she ditched this too)
3. use 1 tsp of baking powder instead (those who gave these answers said it would work)

So the Swallow decided to try option 3 and used baking powder to replace the baking soda.  If the Swallow goes by how fast the cake disappeared into her family's stomachs, then the verdict is 'It works!'

Apple Cider Vinegar

The Swallow was introduced to apple cider vinegar several years back when someone mentioned that taking a little bit of it with some lemon juice on a regular basis will help reduce one's weight.  In the name of science and discovery, the Swallow and her mate tried it out.

The Swallow is sorry to say that they were unable to prove that as a fact as they didn't drink it regularly.  The only thing they could prove was drinking the vinegar will cause you to pucker up your face, not to mention when smelling it!

Anyway, what will the Swallow do with the balance vinegar?  Cook it!

The Swallow has found that she can quickly use up apple cider vinegar in a recipe called 'Tangy Hot & Sweet Ribs'.

Are the Eggs Fresh?

Before you cook an egg to eat, have you ever wondered if the egg is fresh?  To test the freshness of an egg, place it in a bowl of water.  If it sinks and lays flat, it is fresh.

Place the eggs in the egg tray with the pointed ends downward.  Apparently, the air cell at the rounded end acts as a buffer to help keep the eggs fresh for a longer period of time.