Lava Queen

It is said that fleece flower root can help to improve blood circulation, therefore helping hair growth. Fleece flower root (called he shou wu in Chinese) is well known for its benefit in darkening hair color.  It is used as a remedy for treating hair fall and baldness, for premature graying of hair and also for reducing other signs of aging. Besides that, it is also hailed as a natural herbal remedy for various health problems: improve blood circulation, improve the functioning of the kidney and liver, strengthening bones and muscles, good for detoxification, constipation and irregular menstruation.  This soup is said to be suitable for those with aching back and knee, insufficient blood, premature greying of hair and suffering from dizziness or amnesia.  Fleece flower root. Picture taken from the Internet . However, I've read that some products that are marketed as natural herbal medicines based on fleece flower root may contain some toxic...

Oops... I did it again, using bread as pie crust! The last time was as tart crust/shells for my simple 4-ingredient 'fake' egg tart (You can find the recipe here ). This recipe is for mommies who need a quick fix for breakfast, brunch or teatime, but are too lazy (like me :P) to make the crust. These mini quiches are easy, satisfying and packed with goodness! You can just change the ingredients based on what you enjoy and what you have on hand.  They are a good finger food too! Light and savory. Ingredients:  (Makes 4) The hidden veggies..hehe 4 slices wholemeal bread 1 egg 1/2 tbsp baby spinach, chopped  1/2 tbsp broccolini, chopped 1 Swiss button mushroom, chopped 1 tsp carrot, shredded 1 tbsp cheddar cheese, grated 1/2 tsp fresh milk Ground black pepper, for seasoning Mixed herbs, for seasoning Preheat oven to 200°C and grease muffin tray cups with olive oil. Flatten the bread slices with a rolling pin. C ut a round shape on each sli...

Good pizza begins with a good crust. Some like it thin, some like it crispy, some like it fluffy and thick. I like mine thin and crispy – my favorite way to eat it.  Homemade pizza crust may sound difficult to most people. Why waste the time when you can buy frozen? But trust me – homemade crust is nothing like store-bought, delivery, or what you order at a restaurant. And homemade pizza means you can top with whatever you like! Making pizza crust is a lot like making regular bread, only quicker and well, flatter. Most recipes call for either instant yeast or active dry yeast. I don't usually bake bread or buns, so I don't buy or keep any yeast at home. I find it kinda annoying to wait for them to rise/rest/proof, even though it isn't a big deal (Yeah, I know I'm impatient >.<). Therefore  I chose to make a crust that doesn't require any yeast at all.  This recipe is great for a quick, easy homemade pizza when the pizza craving hits and there isn't any y...

Delicious, yet so easy to make. Anyone can make these classic apple turnovers!  I used 'Kawan' brand square puff pastry (bought from Village Grocer) and I would recommend getting this brand. It is easier than buying the usual bigger ones, which you have to cut and trim off the sides to get smaller squares and, it produces tender buttery layers.  Quickly cooking the apples before filling the turnovers guarantees that they will be perfectly cooked, allowing you to focus on baking the pastry until it's just right. Crispy, flaky and absolutely delicious! Ingredients: (Makes 3 regular sized turnovers and 2 mini ones) 1 pink lady red apple, peeled, cored and cut into small cubes 4 sheets of 10cm x 9.5cm frozen square puff pastries, thawed 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp brown sugar Pinch of ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp cornstarch 1/2 tsp water 1/2 an egg, beaten Castor sugar, for sprinkling  Preheat oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with baking paper....

We are living in a fast paced competitive society where everything needs to be done efficiently. As a result, most of us are overloaded with pressure, tensed nerves and stress. This tea is said to be able to help relieve tensed nerves and stress. It is easy to make, so you may like to boil in a larger amount for regular consumption.  Rose can help to promote metabolism, calm spirit and promote radiance. Lily bulb helps to moisten lung and calm spirits, whereas red dates replenishes blood and qi.  This tea can also help to regulate bowel movement.  Ingredients:  3 maces (Approx 11.3g) dried rose buds  2 maces (Approx 7.6g) lily bulb 3 red dates, pits removed 1000 ml water Rinse all ingredients, drain and set aside.  Put water in a pot and bring it to a boil. Add all ingredients in, turn to low heat and let it simmer for 30 mins. Serve. 

Nearly had a heart attack while watching the match between Dato Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan last night. Lol. It was intense and the whole country was super proud when Dato LCW beat Lin Dan in the games! Finally, he won't be living under Super Dan's shadow anymore!! And of course, we are proud that our Men's doubles got a silver medal too. They really did put up a very good fight. No worries, try again in Tokyo 2020! This morning I remembered about this Brazilian cheese bread recipe that I saved quite some time ago but have yet to try. Decided to make it today to celebrate the Rio 2016 fever!! It's super duper easy. You don't even need a bowl or whisk. Just throw everything into the blender, blend, pour and bake. That's all!! I've added some chia seeds for extra goodness :D Cute and fluffy! They are soft and chewy on the inside :D Am super excited for the final match tonight between Dato LCW and Chen Long!! *Praying hard* ^^ Ingredients:  ...

The original recipe uses 3 egg whites to make 24 mini muffins. I've adjusted it to make 12 as there are only 3 of us at home (2 adults and 1 toddler) and I usually prefer finishing them on the same day itself. I've also substituted the egg whites with chia seeds. They  are healthy substitutes as they are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and calcium. By mixing these tiny seeds with water, you can get a texture similar to eggs.  * 1 egg white = 1 tsp chia + 2 tbsp water.  Great for teatime. You could also use lime instead of lemon. Slightly crispy on the outside; soft and chewy on the inside :D Ingredients: (Makes 12 mini muffins) 1 1/2 tsp chia seeds 3 tbsp water 45g unsalted butter, melted  1/2 tsp finely grated lemon rind  30g ground almond 40g icing sugar 15g all purpose flour 12 fresh blueberries  Icing sugar, for dusting (Optional) Soak chia seeds in water. Keep the mixture undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes. Then whi...

This soup is suitable for those suffering from high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high blood fat, edema and poor blood circulation. This is because white-back black fungus can help to reduce cholesterol, clear arteries, reduce fat and heat in blood. It can also help to prevent stroke and detoxify the internal organs. Chinese believe consuming this black fungus during confinement period after childbirth is good as it can help to 'clear' the blood and promote a healthier blood circulation.  This soup tastes sweet and refreshing. White-back black fungus. Ingredients:  2 dried scallops 5 maces (Approx 18.9g) white-back black fungus 2 corns, cut into sections 1 carrot, peeled and cut into pieces 10 water chestnuts  Approx 300g lean pork meat 2500 ml water Scald lean meat in boiling water. Rinse and set aside.  Soak and rinse black fungus for a few times til fully expanded.  Wash the scallops and soak overnight in a ceramic conta...

Alas, the game that's making the whole world go nuts finally launched in Malaysia last week! Sorry to say but I'm one of those parents who are on board the hype train. I was curious and how could I miss out on something so huge?! I downloaded it on my mobile phone the first thing that morning to see what that sudden craze was all about! Wait, what? Who said SAHM can't play or keep up with the latest games? *Smack* First off, let me give you an idea of what I used to be, though this has been some time back. I  used to be quite a gamer; MMOs, RPGs, puzzles, arcades etc. I had a guild, we did raids every week and even had meetings to discuss strategies. Yeah, yeah, call me a nerd or whatever, but I can assure you I certainly do not look like one. So if you think that female gamers are fat and ugly, kindly erase that thought immediately :P <In fact, some of my guild members (other than my real life friends) were a little shocked to see how I looked like the first time they...

Nonstick cookware is incredibly popular and most people love them, including me. When used and stored properly, nonstick cookware is quite a handy tool in the kitchen. These pans are easy to use (especially for beginner cooks), and especially easy to clean.  I'll admit I was clueless about nonstick cookware when I bought my first nonstick pan. After a few months, I found the food was already sticking to the surface of the pan. Then I started cleaning and attempting to repair the damage I (unknowingly!) caused but it still died. So I went hunting for a second one and this time round, read up a bit and asked the salesperson to explain to me on cooking and caring for nonstick cookware. It was always that same few tips: Season pan with oil before use, and periodically.  Avoid cooking over high heat.  Use wooden or plastic utensils that won't scratch the surface and avoid cleaning with things like steel wool. (But I've seen Gordon Ramsay cooking using metal tho...

Lotus root can help to replenish blood, enhance spleen and improve appetite. This soup is said to be suitable for expelling heat and dampness, strengthening of spleen, stomach, bones and muscles, and preventing influenza. Job's tear  is rich in fiber, vitamins B1 and B2. It h as diuretic effects to help lose weight and helps to expel heat. It is also known as beauty food as it is effective in whitening the skin and promoting metabolism. Consume this regularly to enhance your complexion. However, it is slightly cold in nature, so pregnant women or those having their menstrual period should avoid job's tear.  Job's tear. Ingredients: Approx 300g lotus root Approx 20g job's tear Approx 300g pork rib 1200 ml water Rub, wash and cut the lotus root into pieces.  Rinse job's tear and set aside.  Scald pork ribs in boiling water for about 5 mins. Rinse and set aside.  Put all ingredients and water in an electric double boiler and set th...

Located on the roof of The Signature Serviced Suites & Studios,  Proof cafe & sky lounge  is one of those secret hideouts with airy and bright space that is ideal for a lazy weekend and casual hangout.  It  caters mainly to the  in-house guests , but public walk-ins remain welcome.  On this Saturday afternoon, it  was  a sanctuary of serenity. The charming and unperturbed ambiance was very relaxing and perfect for the mood I was in that very day! Nice place to chill out. Customers can choose to chill out at its lovely al-fresco area or opt to sit in comfortable indoor area.  It has a simple modern design, comfortable seating with practical wooden tables.  The atmosphere was cheerful and the waiter was friendly. The cafe serves some all-day breakfast/brunches, side snacks and mains like pastas, burger and fish n' chips - quite a limited selection though. They serve beer and wines too. Indoor seating area. Indoor seatin...

This recipe is meant for chicken breasts but I've used pork instead. Due to the recent incidents of infectious bronchitis (IB) disease among commercial and domestic chicken reported on news, we try to cut down on this poultry temporarily. Moreover LO is having a bit of cough with phlegm. I know in Western societies, chicken soup is actually a home remedy for colds and flus. However, there is this particular Chinese old wives' tale claiming that  chicken promotes the formation of phlegm/exacerbates coughs, and my mom-in-law (MIL) kept reminding us not to feed her chicken over the phone. My take: If your mom/MIL/grandma tells you to avoid chicken, just do it. While it may not cure your cold, it makes for a peaceful home! Haha.  Orange-marinated pork 'chop', served with blanched baby asparagus, sautéed brown mushrooms with yellow onions and Champ :) Two simple flavors, orange and dark soya sauce, combine to make this dish. Serving the pork 'chop' on a bed...