Grapeseed Oil
I have converted from the usual vegetable oil to Grapeseed oil. Now that I am more cautious about what I put in my mouth, I don't deep fry or use much oil in my cooking. So for a small bottle of Grapeseed oil that costs S$6.00, I don't actually feel much of a pinch. And it is much more healthier than Olive Oil.
From lowering cholesterol to reducing fine lines and wrinkles, it turns out that the oil inside those tiny seeds in grapes has a whole "bunch" of benefits! Top chefs are now cooking with grapeseed oil because of its amazing effect on enhancing the natural flavours of food. The late Master Chef, Jean Louis Palladin, noticed that his customers always felt good after a meal cooked in grapeseed oil. It's one of the few foods known that not only reduces LDL (the bad cholesterol), but raises HDL (the good cholesterol). This helps to keep arteries clear, which may contribute to another benefit of grapeseed oil - its potential to guard against impotence. Grapeseed oil contains a high level of antioxidants, including vitamin E, which makes it not only healthy, but very stable.
Source : Associate Melody.com
Grapeseed oil has been produced and enjoyed for it's health benefits in Europe for centuries. It is less saturated fat than olive oil and easily digested. Grapeseed Oil is a good source of Vitamin E Alpha, an important antioxidant. This is 50 times more potent as an antioxidant than Vitamin C or E. Antioxidants called Procyandanians (used in the supplement Pycnogenol) extracted from grapeseeds have been shown to have positive health benefits. Procyandanians have been successfully used to help vascular disease. Known for allowing the flavor of fresh foods to come through, grapeseed oils light and delicate flavor is a natural choice for sautéing, baking and frying.
Source : Rising Stars.com
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Counting the Days
Thursday 17 July 08.
Today is the birthday of my dear friend Keith Russell who is in Longview Texas. Happy Birthday and hope that he is well.
I started the day with a mix fruit juice of green apple, celery and capsicum. I chanced upon this diet mix fruit juice recipe from a website that I surfed yesterday.
2 green apples
1 stick of celery
1/2 capsicum seeded
1/2 teaspoon of salt
and sugar to taste
If you are using a blender/food processor, you need to add 1 cup of water. If you use a juicer like I do, the natural juice of the fruits/veg is enough. The salt is to prevent the juice to turn dull in colour. Don't worry, the capsicum is not hot. Add sugar just enough to get rid of the bitter taste of the capsicum.
I had the drink in between my cardio exercise on my steps machine and my weight lifting session at 7.00 am. A half an hour exercise really makes me sweat like I have been running for my dear life. It is nice to be able to exercise while watching NYPD Blue on AXN Beyond or Pussycat Dolls on MTV.
Blueberries muffin for breakfast at 8.00 am, just before I leave for the office.
10.00 am snack is the same juice that I've made from home. I kind of like the taste of the juice. Its different, with a salty and sweet taste.
Lunch is the chicken pie that I baked last night for yesterday's dinner.
I am going to have another muffin at 4.30pm, and I am set for the day. Dinner is another story.
Blueberries Muffin
1 1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup grapeseed oil
1 egg 1 cup of fresh blueberry
Method :
Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place grapeseed oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.
Today is the birthday of my dear friend Keith Russell who is in Longview Texas. Happy Birthday and hope that he is well.
I started the day with a mix fruit juice of green apple, celery and capsicum. I chanced upon this diet mix fruit juice recipe from a website that I surfed yesterday.
2 green apples
1 stick of celery
1/2 capsicum seeded
1/2 teaspoon of salt
and sugar to taste
If you are using a blender/food processor, you need to add 1 cup of water. If you use a juicer like I do, the natural juice of the fruits/veg is enough. The salt is to prevent the juice to turn dull in colour. Don't worry, the capsicum is not hot. Add sugar just enough to get rid of the bitter taste of the capsicum.
I had the drink in between my cardio exercise on my steps machine and my weight lifting session at 7.00 am. A half an hour exercise really makes me sweat like I have been running for my dear life. It is nice to be able to exercise while watching NYPD Blue on AXN Beyond or Pussycat Dolls on MTV.
Blueberries muffin for breakfast at 8.00 am, just before I leave for the office.
10.00 am snack is the same juice that I've made from home. I kind of like the taste of the juice. Its different, with a salty and sweet taste.
Lunch is the chicken pie that I baked last night for yesterday's dinner.
I am going to have another muffin at 4.30pm, and I am set for the day. Dinner is another story.
Blueberries Muffin
1 1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup grapeseed oil
1 egg 1 cup of fresh blueberry
Method :
Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place grapeseed oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.
The Diet is Still On
Wednesday, 16 Jul 08.
I had muesli and yogurt for breakfast at 7.00 am. Handful of pumpkin seeds for 10am snack, a small bowl of yogurt for lunch at 12.30pm, a slice of bread with organif fig jam for 4.30pm snack. For dinner I've made chicken pie and ate at 9.00 pm. Just before bed, I had a cup of low fat milk.
Here is the recipe for the chicken pie :
2 cups of chopped cooked chicken breast
2 cups of fozen mixed vegetables
2 cups of sliced button mushrooms
2 cups of dice boiled potatoes
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 regular can of fat free reduced sodium cream of mushroom soup
2 tablespoon of grapeseed oil
Salt and Pepper
For the pastry :
3 cups of whole wheat flour
1 cup of non fat milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil
1 teaspoon of salt
Cheese slices
Method :
Pre-heat oven to 250 C.
Combine chicken, mixed vegetables, dice potatoes, mushrooms and undiluted soup. Heat grapeseed oil on a frying pan. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook the mixture until the mushrooms soften for about 4 minutes. Off the stove.
For Pastry :
Mix flour and salt in a medium bowl, add warm milk in a middle little by little, until the mixture is flaky. Add in egg and grapeseed oil. Mix until it become a dough. Roll out dough and cut using a round cutter and place in a aluminum pie cup. Using fork, make few holes to let out the air from the bottom of the pastry.
Add chicken filling and top with a slice of cheese. Close with another rolled out dough and make more holes with fork. Press the fork at the edge to seal the pie. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
I had muesli and yogurt for breakfast at 7.00 am. Handful of pumpkin seeds for 10am snack, a small bowl of yogurt for lunch at 12.30pm, a slice of bread with organif fig jam for 4.30pm snack. For dinner I've made chicken pie and ate at 9.00 pm. Just before bed, I had a cup of low fat milk.
Here is the recipe for the chicken pie :
2 cups of chopped cooked chicken breast
2 cups of fozen mixed vegetables
2 cups of sliced button mushrooms
2 cups of dice boiled potatoes
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 regular can of fat free reduced sodium cream of mushroom soup
2 tablespoon of grapeseed oil
Salt and Pepper
For the pastry :
3 cups of whole wheat flour
1 cup of non fat milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil
1 teaspoon of salt
Cheese slices
Method :
Pre-heat oven to 250 C.
Combine chicken, mixed vegetables, dice potatoes, mushrooms and undiluted soup. Heat grapeseed oil on a frying pan. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook the mixture until the mushrooms soften for about 4 minutes. Off the stove.
For Pastry :
Mix flour and salt in a medium bowl, add warm milk in a middle little by little, until the mixture is flaky. Add in egg and grapeseed oil. Mix until it become a dough. Roll out dough and cut using a round cutter and place in a aluminum pie cup. Using fork, make few holes to let out the air from the bottom of the pastry.
Add chicken filling and top with a slice of cheese. Close with another rolled out dough and make more holes with fork. Press the fork at the edge to seal the pie. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Eat Frequently, Small Meals
The last time I checked (a month or so ago), I weighed 59kg. That is 7 kg more than my usual weight. Suddenly, everything couldn not fit. All my pants are tight. All my tops are about to burst in the front. What have I done wrong? Ok, too much eating. Too much good food, especially free food!
That's been said, now I am on my diet regime again. You can me a Yo-Yo dieter. But, I am determine to lose these fats before the year end. Tee hee. That is another 5 more months. I am thinking long term.... the longer the term, the better it is.
So, today I had sandwich for lunch. Butter spread on 2 pieces of whole meal bread, with 1 boiled egg (sliced), lettuce and alfalfa. For some reason, I love the taste of alfalfa. I am going to have green salad for tea (tee hee... odd isn't it) at 4.30 pm later. I have not decided what is for dinner though. (Edited) - I had Fish Head Soup from the stall in Banquet Jurong Point. But without any rice nor with noodles. It was a hearty and healthy meal, just don't think about the MSG.
Later we had Pina Colada at Coffee Bean with an interesting topic to discuss.
I bought a book on dieting recently (I will take a photo of the book if I remember later). It says in the book that we are more likely to lose weight by eating a smaller portion six times a day, than our regular 3 times of full plate meals a day.
This has to do with the production of our insulin from the pancrea... oh heck, I can't remember all it says in the book, but when we eat 3 full plate meals, more insulin needed to help with the digestion of the food, and storing it as fats. I will get the exact fact when I get back.
Yesterday, I had a whole meal bread with peanut butter for breakfast at 8 am, an apple and a slice of pineapple at 10.30 am, macaroni and chicken pieces for lunch at 1 pm, a small cube of brownies for tea at 4.30 pm and for dinner I had piece of Baked Dory and 1 serving of soya bean sprouts at 8.00 pm. A cup of milk just before bed at 10.00 pm.
(Note to self : Don't bake Dory... it does not lose the 'fishy' smell).
I have wanted Erin to be on the same diet plan as I am, but knowing that she is on her own at home, it is hard to control what she eats when I am not there watching. Oh well, what ever it is... it will be.
But of course, our occassional rendevous for fine dining still stands! I am making plans to have Straits Kitchen Return.... end of the month! yippee.
That's been said, now I am on my diet regime again. You can me a Yo-Yo dieter. But, I am determine to lose these fats before the year end. Tee hee. That is another 5 more months. I am thinking long term.... the longer the term, the better it is.
So, today I had sandwich for lunch. Butter spread on 2 pieces of whole meal bread, with 1 boiled egg (sliced), lettuce and alfalfa. For some reason, I love the taste of alfalfa. I am going to have green salad for tea (tee hee... odd isn't it) at 4.30 pm later. I have not decided what is for dinner though. (Edited) - I had Fish Head Soup from the stall in Banquet Jurong Point. But without any rice nor with noodles. It was a hearty and healthy meal, just don't think about the MSG.
Later we had Pina Colada at Coffee Bean with an interesting topic to discuss.
I bought a book on dieting recently (I will take a photo of the book if I remember later). It says in the book that we are more likely to lose weight by eating a smaller portion six times a day, than our regular 3 times of full plate meals a day.
This has to do with the production of our insulin from the pancrea... oh heck, I can't remember all it says in the book, but when we eat 3 full plate meals, more insulin needed to help with the digestion of the food, and storing it as fats. I will get the exact fact when I get back.
Yesterday, I had a whole meal bread with peanut butter for breakfast at 8 am, an apple and a slice of pineapple at 10.30 am, macaroni and chicken pieces for lunch at 1 pm, a small cube of brownies for tea at 4.30 pm and for dinner I had piece of Baked Dory and 1 serving of soya bean sprouts at 8.00 pm. A cup of milk just before bed at 10.00 pm.
(Note to self : Don't bake Dory... it does not lose the 'fishy' smell).
I have wanted Erin to be on the same diet plan as I am, but knowing that she is on her own at home, it is hard to control what she eats when I am not there watching. Oh well, what ever it is... it will be.
But of course, our occassional rendevous for fine dining still stands! I am making plans to have Straits Kitchen Return.... end of the month! yippee.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Chocolate Chip Cookies for June Holidays
Last night, I baked chocolate chip cookies for Qhaireen's classmates to celebrate the forthcoming June Holidays. For all 38 of them. Packed in a brown bag and ribbon and special card from Qhaireen.
This morning, she laden herself with 2 shopping bags full of the small brown paper bags. She called me from school a while ago, saying that everyone enjoys the cookies.
My hardwork has been paid off, by the smiling faces of the children.
Brown paper bags, lining up to go.
This morning, she laden herself with 2 shopping bags full of the small brown paper bags. She called me from school a while ago, saying that everyone enjoys the cookies.
My hardwork has been paid off, by the smiling faces of the children.
Brown paper bags, lining up to go.
My assistant baker, too tired to help packing the cookies, snoring away.
My Precious One - Goodbye Pass, Hello Future
My freestanding range LaGermania has been with me since 2002. But on the day after I've baked Thasim's cinammon rolls, the outer glass panel of the oven gave way. Probably because it has had enough of my baking spree. The oven is still in good working condition, so as the four stoves, but I can't bake without the glass panel, although the oven has the inside panel still intact. Called the agent and they adviced that I do not bake without the outer panel, and if I want to replace it, it will take few months, because they have to order the parts from Italy. What a bummer!
I can't live without an oven! I feel incomplete! Days went by without an oven, seems so distressful! I love this oven, as it is attached with a sentimental value. But I do have to forget the pass and live for the future. Finally, with such a disheartning feeling, I've made 'the' Executive Decision. Without the oven, the freestanding has no soul. And it has to go.
Now, I have a new freestanding LaGermania! With 7 functions oven, and safety lock for the stove!
Now I can start baking again! Nice.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Mom's Not Cooking
Haven't been cooking lately. Either was busy with projects, business travel, vacations or been going out to party for the past few weeks. I haven't had the chance to heat the stove. Either that, or the simplicity of the menu weren't worth the trouble to blog. Although the reason this blog was made, was to make simple guides for those who doesn't have the flair for cooking or even be in the kitchen, hence the guide to Ezie Recipe came about.
There were few pictures of recent baking that I've took, and being saved in the lappie, but without much illustrative photos though. Just the end result.
The problem is, I am always too busy at home with other things to sit in front of the computer. Am only free to blog when I am at work, and then I will realise that I don't have the photos with me... gaaah.
Probably, one of the thing that I should write in here is my comments about the places of eateries that I've tried during those time that I was too lazy to go to the kitchen. That would be an interesting project. Since I will not be paid to comment, I would most likely ~ no... extremely truthful about my words, because there is no monetary gain. Just like what Jazz would do when he gives his view on certain task that he is being ask to do.
But I am not a good food critique, because to me, everything is delicious - evidently, the reason that I need to start exercising. But sometimes, we do need a layman's point of view on certain things. I may not be Violet Oon or Margaret Chan, but I do know where to eat on what occassion, most of the time.
When I was growing up, cooking wasn't or have never been one of my tasks at home. My late Grandmother will do the cooking herself with the help of my Aunty Mariam. Occasionally she will asked me to help, but only the easy task, like cutting rebung (young bamboo shoots) which in turned cut my palm because my mind was somewhere with the boys playing hide and seek, and Grandma never ask me to help again. The scar is still visible til now, and I will look at it everytime I miss her. It soothe me somehow.
And when I was living with my parents, my mom never liked the children to be in the kitchen while she cooked. Or was it because we were lazy and ungrateful to even offer to help. That resulted to none of us know how to cook. Mom gave me a crash course a week before my wedding to cook assam pedas, probably because she knew that was the only dish I will miss and crave for after I leave the house and I stay on my own right after the wedding itself.
Just like any other decent bride, I CAN'T COOK! But over the years, with trial and error, it got better. Not perfect, but better. So I guess, everyone needs a little guide. Simple guide that will go a long way.
There were few pictures of recent baking that I've took, and being saved in the lappie, but without much illustrative photos though. Just the end result.
The problem is, I am always too busy at home with other things to sit in front of the computer. Am only free to blog when I am at work, and then I will realise that I don't have the photos with me... gaaah.
Probably, one of the thing that I should write in here is my comments about the places of eateries that I've tried during those time that I was too lazy to go to the kitchen. That would be an interesting project. Since I will not be paid to comment, I would most likely ~ no... extremely truthful about my words, because there is no monetary gain. Just like what Jazz would do when he gives his view on certain task that he is being ask to do.
But I am not a good food critique, because to me, everything is delicious - evidently, the reason that I need to start exercising. But sometimes, we do need a layman's point of view on certain things. I may not be Violet Oon or Margaret Chan, but I do know where to eat on what occassion, most of the time.
When I was growing up, cooking wasn't or have never been one of my tasks at home. My late Grandmother will do the cooking herself with the help of my Aunty Mariam. Occasionally she will asked me to help, but only the easy task, like cutting rebung (young bamboo shoots) which in turned cut my palm because my mind was somewhere with the boys playing hide and seek, and Grandma never ask me to help again. The scar is still visible til now, and I will look at it everytime I miss her. It soothe me somehow.
And when I was living with my parents, my mom never liked the children to be in the kitchen while she cooked. Or was it because we were lazy and ungrateful to even offer to help. That resulted to none of us know how to cook. Mom gave me a crash course a week before my wedding to cook assam pedas, probably because she knew that was the only dish I will miss and crave for after I leave the house and I stay on my own right after the wedding itself.
Just like any other decent bride, I CAN'T COOK! But over the years, with trial and error, it got better. Not perfect, but better. So I guess, everyone needs a little guide. Simple guide that will go a long way.
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