Full Time Working Mom Recipes (FTWM Recipes)

THE REASON - Here to help

We have a new government in Malaysia after 61 years of trying to change. Of course, Tun M was not the only reason but was one of the reasons why we have a changed. Read online to understand on the win of the Malaysia 2018 election. My reason of writing this post was not because of the election, this is my leisure blog. However, Tun M was some how related to this post. 

7 days ago, Tun M, our current Prime Minister encouraged the Malaysians who stayed in overseas to come back to Malaysia, to make Malaysia great again (read here). Is funny, you must be thinking how this "Make Malaysia great again" related to my Full Time Working Mom Recipes post. I was scrolling through the comments for the post in Facebook. A guy was commenting he doesn't encourage the Malaysians to come back, even though we have our government changed. He mentioned how affordable it is to eat in a developed country like Singapore. One lady, which I am not sure if she is a housewife or working mom replied to have homecook food instead. His replied, however, offended me as a reader, as a woman, as a Full Time Working Mother. He said that unless there is a maid or stay at home mom, else having homecooked food is a luxury. I was offended because I can't help to think, why must there be a maid? Why must it be a stay at home mom? Can't the stay at home have some other luxury time other than cooking? Why can't the guy think of a way to cook for himself, a proper homecooked meal? Why must it be a lady to cook? 

No, I don't hate him. He just made one comment and assumed everything. I have decided to start writing my blog again with a different purpose now. This blog was created much earlier but I didn't bother to write anything because there are so many great recipes writers out there. Previously, I merely wanted to blog about whatever that I have cooked before, but with the availability of Facebook, I don't find any reasons why I should blog. Nevertheless, this guy's "comment" have made me think differently now - I would like to spend some time, to record down how one can make delicious and easy homecook food, without being a SAHM or having a maid. Is not just for moms but hopefully can record down for my son, hoping that he can cook for himself next time. 

Full Time Working Mom Recipes, I am not sure how long it will last, but I do hope it can help someone. 

Rice Part I - Types of Nasi in Malaysia

I love to eat rice but due to aging and wishes to stay healthy, I have reduced my portion of rice for every meal. From one big bowl, to half and then to maybe quarter and sometimes just 2 to 3 spoonful. Even though I love rice but the types of rice that I had in Malaysia is very little. Out of curiosity, I asked my friends the types of rice in Malaysia via Facebook. Oh my... the response, is out of my expectation. I guess not only I love rice, but most Malaysians. 

Here are the types of rice listed down by my friends: 

1. Nasi Lemak
2. Nasi Kerabu
3. Nasi Ulam
4. Nasi Kunyit
5. Nasi Goreng
6. Nasi Ayam
7. Nasi Ambeng or Nasi Ambang
8. Nasi Briyani
9. Nasi Bojari
10. Nasi Nyamuk
11. Nasi Keladi
12. Nasi Kukus Ayam Berempah
13. Nasi Dagang
14. Nasi Minyak
15. Nasi Ayam
16. Nasi Rendang
17. Nasi Kandar
18. Nasi Pulut
19. Nasi Impit
20. Nasi Tomato
21. Nasi Tumpang
22. Nasi Beringin 
23. Nasi Hujan Panas
24. Nasi Komok
25. Nasi Mandy
26. Nasi Lemuni
27. Nasi Daging Kedah
28. Nasi Kebuli Pahang
29. Linopot
30. Burasak
31. Nasi Kabsah
32. Nasi Kacang Panjang
33. Nasi 7 Benua
34. Nasi Berlauk
35. Nasi Sumatera
36. Nasi Bujang

It will take more than month just to finish the types of rice that listed down by the friends. I have only tasted only 10 out the list. I am sure there are more but the list is exhausted at the moment. I suddenly feel so full after typing all the rice from Facebook. 

I will try to make the rice in the list... but not all, for sure. 

Another success with NN-SV30 - Braised Mushroom Chicken

Sequence of this dish with NN-SV30:

Preparation time: 5 mins

Cooking time: 30 mins (You can just sit down and relax with your iPad or TV while the chicken is cooking) 

1. Marinated the chicken with soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, pepper, ginger, Shao Xing wine, dark soy sauce, sugar. Cover and leave aside. You can put them in the fridge if you want. 
2. Chop garlic and shallots, put in microwavable dish, put few drops of oil to wet the garlic and shallots, put in NN-SV30, microwave on 1000W at 1 - 1:30 mins.
3. Add pre-soaked mushroom, water (half of the dish), soy sauce, sugar, salt and pepper in (2) above, microwave on 300W for 15 to 20 mins. 
4. Add chicken, minus the chicken breast in (3) above, microwave on 300W for 20 mins. 
5. Add in chicken breast in (4) above, microwave on 600W for 8 mins. 

Done! 

Note: 

• I added chicken breast last as the chicken breast tends to cook faster and will become rubbery if I add the chicken breast from the beginning in step 4. If you don't mind, then you may add all in. 

Soya Juice Extractor

This is one of the home appliances that I think every household should have - Soya Juice Extractor, well, maybe not all household, maybe is just for me since I cook at home and I am quite health conscious. I bought it in the year of 2008 when we first moved in to this house from Cash Converter. Is very cheap and cost me only RM18 and that's why I bought. 

I am not sure what brand is this machine. It is yellowish color when I bought it. Brought home, clean it, wipe with clean cloth and it looks new again. When you dismantled it, it has 2 main parts. I use it once a while to make Soya Juice. Especially when I have Jeremy boy now, I make it quite often with Organic Soy Bean. 

Soya Juice:

1. Soak beans overnight. I soak only enough of amount for this machine to make once for 5 mugs.
2. Press the button on the cover. It will cook and blend by itself. 

At this moment, you can continue to do the things that you want. For me, I was off to take shower and by the time I came down, hot soya juice is ready to serve. I usually wash immediately after the juice is boiled as is easier to clean while is hot. Just have to be careful. 

Shall explore what can I do with this machine, other than Soya Juice. 

The Lunch Box with Panasonic NN-SV30

From Left to Right: 

- Lunch for myself (Tempura Prawn with Stir Fry Mushroom with Spring Onions)

- Li Li's lunch (Konlo Hakka Noodles with Roasted Chicken Wing and Cucumber)

- Li Li's dinner (same like mine)

- Our Soup: Seaweed with Fishballs

Preparing meals for family can be pretty headache at times. What to cook, how to cook it fast are always in my mind. Well, I enjoy cooking and like to experience with all my home gadgets. I spent 2 hours this morning with my Panasonic NN-SV30. This 2 hours including cutting, washing, packing and having breakfast. So, is quite ok as I am still new to this microwave oven. 

Today's Menu: 

- Roasted Chicken Wing with Konlo Hakka Noodles

- Tempura Prawn and Stir Fry Mushroom with Spring Onions

- Seaweed with Fish Balls soup

I cooked as the sequence below so that I don't have to waste my time. 

    White Rice: 

1. I like to soak my rice before I cook them. So this is the first thing I did before anything else. 
2. Washed 1.5 cups of rice, soak them in the microwavable pot for at least 30 mins.
3. While soaking the rice, you may start cooking the Tempura Prawn and then followed by the roasted chicken wing. 
4. Put the pot in. Choose Auto Cook Menu Casserole Rice, less. 
5. The rice came out is fluffy and soft. 

    Tempura Prawn: 

1. I bought the ready to cook tempura prawn, align them on the grill tray.
2. Put in the grill tray, choose Auto Cook Menu 13 Fried Chicken, Less (the prawns are pretty small), then Start.
3. It takes about 12 to 15 minutes to cook. Can't remember as I move to prepare other stuffs the moment I inserted the grill tray. 
4. While cooking the tempura prawns, I prepared the ingredients for Stir Fried Mushroom with Spring Onion. 

Roasted Chicken Wing:

1. Marinated with Salt, Pepper, Maple Syrup, Shao Xing Wine, Dark Soy Sauce, Soy Sauce and ginger over night. 
2. Put the chicken wings on the grill tray, choose Auto Cook Menu 13 Fried Chicken, medium (I have only 9 pieces), then Start. 
3. It takes about 20 mins to cook. 

    Hakka Noodles: 

1. Boiled water for cooking the Hakka Noodles while waiting for the chicken to be done. 
2. Slice shallots, garlic and wet with oil in a bowl. 
3. Put the bowl in the microwave oven, select 700W, cook for 3 minutes.
4. Add in Soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, pepper, mix well and pour in the noodles. Toss and set aside. 

    Stir Fry Mushroom with Spring Onions:

1. I used canned mushroom. 
2. Cut, washed, and put on a flat plate together with onion and oil. Microwave for 2 minutes at 700W. 
3. Add in carrot, spring onion, sauce (left over from the chicken marinate) and microwave for another 3 / 4 minutes at 700W. 

All Done in 1.5 hours. Oil Free, Smoke Free and Hassle Free. You just need to be systematic while you are preparing lunch box. 

Panasonic NN-SV30 - New Second Hand

I have been dreaming of this model since many many years ago.Just that, both Edmund and I find it too expensive to get one back then. However, I have decided to get this one because someone sold it online (by luck) at the price of RM1700 compared to the RM2500 RRP. Is NEW, is in the box, unopened, and is still under warranty (extended till 2014) and I get to save RM800. Good Deal isn't it? 

I am amazed by how efficient Japanese is. The design is so trendy and yet easy to use. It is NOT complicated at all. Just follow the blinking light. Sad thing is I couldn't find much recipes using this microwave oven online. I can only refer to the book given and some videos available in Youtube. Rest assure, I will upload my tested recipes using this Microwave Oven online so that you will have no worries when come to buying it and still want to think that is worth the money. 

Yay!

Update:
- Here is a link where you can find a lot of recipes using this Microwave Oven. http://pmst.panasonic.com.tw/LoveCooking/index.aspx

吃飯的事．生活的事

Cover: 吃飯的事．生活的事 

Yay! I bought some books during the 2012 Popular Bookfest recently. The above is one of the books that I bought. I am excited! I have been very very busy lately, especially when Jeremy turns one. I can hardly read anything that is hardcopy as Jeremy boy will be attracted to my book and who knows the next second he will tear them away! 

Anyway, this is real a good book. Well, at least is simple reading. When hubby took a look at it, his first impression was: I am sure this book is full of food and more FOOD! He can't read Chinese and that's why... :) If you have time, if you love food, if you read, please do consider buying this book.