Roti Jala (Lace Crepes) - Easy and Tasty

Hi everyone!

Roti Jala or Net Pancakes (some calls it - Lace Crepes). So roti jala or net pancake or lace crepes literally means that due to the look of the pancake. This roti jala is a famous Singapore/Malaysian snack and is often eaten for breakfast or lunch. It's commonly served with chicken curry.

Our family favorite way of eating this roti jala is with chicken curry (recipe posted previously). Made some chicken curry last night to go along with our roti jala today. Woke up early to make some today, for my husband who's coming home from night shift.

The batter is made out of simple ingredients. I hope you'd give this a try. It's simple, really!

Recipe : Roti Jala (Lace Crepes/Net Pancake)

Ingredient :  

• 3 cups plain flour
• 200 ml coconut milk (or fresh milk)
• 400 ml water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp colouring *yellow*

Note : (The Batter) Add all the ingredients into a bowl and whisk (or blend) until well combined. Pour the batter in a pancake bottle.

Heat up the flat pan. Swirl around the pan, creating a net look (see video). Cook until the pancake turns pale in color. Remove it onto a plate.

Fold both opposite side to the center, creating a triangle.

Repeat the same until the batter is finished. Serve hot with chicken curry.

Enjoy!

Chicken Curry (Special Recipe)

There are many variations of "chicken curry" in Singapore. Chinese, Malay, Nyonya n Indian style. Curry chicken with potatoes is the most common chicken curry in Singapore. Everywhere you go where curries are served, you will find this type of chicken curry.

I often make chicken curry for my family n I love serving it with roti jala (lace crepes). Got this special recipe from mama but I improvised it a little. It's more like a family tradition recipe. But I'm more than happy to share it with you 😋

Just made some chicken curry tonight. Prepared it early so I can make some roti jala tomorrow morning for my husband's breakfast when he comes home from his night shift. Somehow, I made it top priority to cook for my kids n husband homecooked meals even if I'm sick or busy with my daily stuffs. The feeling of watching my kids n husband enjoying the meals I cooked for them, is indescribable. Family meals are very important to our family, we bond over food. N breakfast is nicely planned for tomorrow, n I can't wait for morning! So, it's chicken curry with roti jala.

Do take note of the recipe I'm going to share later, it's rich in taste, this rich aromatic curry is all that you want to satisfy your soul with good combination of roti jala!

Recipe : Curry Chicken 

Ingredients :

• 2 lemongrass - bruised
• 1 cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 4 cloves & 4 cardamom pods
• Whole chicken - cut 8 pieces (half fried)
• 200 ml water
• 2 tsp pink salt (you can go ahead with normal salt, it's fine)
• 2 carrots - cut into 1 inch chunks
• 3 potatoes - cut into large, even-shaped chunks
• Curry leaves / Lime leaves
• 5 tbsp curry powder (meat)
• 400 ml coconut milk (or you can use fresh milk)
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 100 gm toasted coconut paste (kelapa kerisik)

Paste :

• 5 lime leaves
• 12 cloves garlics
• 3 bulb onions
• 1.5 inch ginger
• 6 red chillies
• 20 dried chillies

Note : In a food processor, blend PASTE ingredients to a fine paste.

In a large pot, heat up the oil over medium heat n fry the cinnamon, star anise, cloves, cardamom pods n lemongrass till fragrant for about 1 min.

Add in the paste n fry till the mixture is a little dry.

Add in the curry powder, still for a little bit before adding in the toasted coconut paste. Stir often n make sure the paste does not burn.

Add in water n stir for awhile. Season it with salt before adding the coconut milk. Let it simmer for awhile n add the carrots, potatoes n chicken. Cover n let it boil at a lower heat for about 15 mins.

Once your chicken, carrots n potatoes are cooked add the curry n lime leaves.

Serve it hot, top your roti jala with this awesome chicken curry.

The secret ingredients to this recipe is the toasted coconut paste n the lime leaves grinded together with other paste ingredients.

This is my husband's favorite!

Bubur Lambuk (my asal hentam recipe )

'Bubur Lambuk' is creamy porridge rich in spices and cooked in coconut milk. It tastes richer than the normal chicken porridge due to the coconut milk and selection of spices added to it. It's a favorite of many Singaporean during the month of Ramadhan and this is my favorite. My helper used to prepare this every time I felt unwell. Spoilt with all her yummilicious cooking!

Decided to make some today, since my husband and kids are unwell today. This is my first time trying to cook this bubur, tried and tested, alhamdthe kids and husband said, "sedap".

Do watch the video below :

Recipe : Bubur Lambuk

Ingredients :

• 1 cinnamon stick, 3 star anise, 3 cloves, 3 cardamom pods
• 2 litres water
• 2 cubesm chicken stock
• 1 cup, mixed vegetables - washed and put aside
• 100 gm minced beef - washed and put aside
• 1 tsp white pepper (optional)
• Fried shallots - for garnishing
• 1.5 cup of rice - washed and drained
• 200 ml coconut milk
  
  

Paste :

• 3 cloves, shallots
• 6 cloves, garlic
• 1 inch ginger

Note : In a food processor, blend PASTE ingredients to a fine paste.

In a large stockpot, heat up 2 tbsp oil over medium heat and fry cinnamon, star anise, cloves and cardamom pods for 1-2 mins.

Add in the paste, chicken cube and fry for 5 mins and mixture is a little dry.

Add in the minced beef and stir occasionally until even.

Add the water, coconut milk and mixed vegetables. And stir until the broth and rice are evenly mixed.

Cover the pot and let it boil, add pepper, lower the heat and simmer for 30-45 mins. (I will transfer to pot to my multi cooker until the bubur is cooked).

Serve it hot. Garnish it with fried shallots or coriander (optional).

Go ahead and try it. Sedap!

The Weight of Silence - My Son with Selective Mutism

 

Today I reserved my time to edit n proof page my manuscript for 'The Weight of Silence', the book I wrote for my eldest son, Raziq. I decided to write this book because I realized our community unaware what is 'Selective Mutism'. Unfortunately, the community are lacked of empathy n compassion to people with selective mutism. They have less understanding of selective mutism. The community are confuse, selective mutism with autism. Both may appear to be similar but it's important to know that they are the same disorder. We can easily find books on Autism but it's never easy to find books on Selective Mutism. 

I started writing this book, when my son got bullied by his peers in school. Some even labelled him. They made fun of him because he acted "weird". They called him names n looked at him, judging him. This impacted badly on him, n it hurts me as a mother, I felt that I failed to protect him. With this book, I'm trying to raise awareness of the struggles we have had while facing this condition. I have 1 son with selective mutism n another with autism. We're trying to convey our struggles with it, in hope to help n inspire other people who're struggling with the same thing.

Throughout the years, we have faced a lot of prejudice n stigma about this condition as it's quite rare n not many people understand it, especially with regards to teenagers n adults. Most of the treatments out there are aimed at younger children, but as they get older they need a different approach in treatments, they think differently as they mature. Raziq have a long history of not being able to talk in public, along with a long history of anxiety surrounding it. Selective Mutism is not an easy condition to manage, n they experience an inordinate amount of anxiety when there is an expectation to speak.

I hope that my points of view, from our first-hand experiences, will give the community more insight into what's it's like to be him, n the importance of greater awareness, understanding, n recognition of teenagers n adults with selective mutism.

I also hope to reach out n help the selective mutism community find their strength n feel less alone. I hope by sharing my experience, I can help others like Raziq who is struggling in similar situations.

To my son, Raziq. We're walking this journey with you, together. You're not alone n we love you 😍

Chemo Port Removal

It's official! And I'm off with this little fella. I'm having mixed feelings about this whole thing but I'm putting my trust in Allah SWT. 4 years ago, I had a port implanted under the skin of my chest, as an entryway for chemotherapy, medications, and nourishments. Finally, I had it removed - a milestone for any one with cancer, but especially for one who beat the odds. As for my case, I had it removed because I decided to stop all cancer treatments. I'm aware that I'm putting my life at risk but the emotional rides all these years are tearing me apart. My cancer journey was optimistic but it was painful at the same time. The day when my oncologist, Prof Fong told me that the chemo and radiation wasn't responding, and radiotherapy was not an option, it really hit me real hard on the face. But I don't need to take too long to realized that even though this is the end of my treatment journey for my cancer, I still have Allah. He has planned everything for me. He knows what's best for me. I put all trust in HIM. And Allah is the only one who can cure me. In Sha Allah, aamiin. 

Spinach / Fishball Soup

Hey kids,

Today's recipe mommy going to share is "sayur bayam n fishball". It's a simple dish, easy prep n I'm sure you guys can do this! You can have it with fried tahu, fried tempe or even fried chicken to pair it with the sayur bayam. Any way you guys prefer. But today we will have it with fried tahu n tempe.

Well, Papa couldn't get round spinach at the supermarket today, so we make do with 'sharp spinach' he bought this morning. In any case, if you need papa to run to the supermarket to get veggies, please google take a photo n send it to him. He always got all the veggies mixed up 😆 but I'm sure he will get them correct soon. So don't worry too much about that!

You can find the video below : 

Recipe : Spinach / Fishball Soup (Sup Bayam Fishball)

Ingredients :

• 1 litre water
• 5 cloves garlic - sliced
• 3 cloves shallots - sliced
• Dried anchovies
• 1 cube, anchovies stock
• 1 carrot - cut into 1 inch chunks
• 1 packet fishballs (or fishballs with chicken fillings)
• 1 packet round/sharp spinach

Instructions :

In a medium pot, heat up the oil over medium heat n fry garlic, shallots n dried anchovies till fragrant.

Add in water, anchovies stock, carrots n fishballs n let it boil then lower the heat n simmer for about 5 mins. 

Once the carrots n fishballs are cooked, add in the spinach. Boil it for another 5 mins. And, you're done cooking!

Serve it hot with brown rice or even glass noodles. You can garnish it with coriander n fried shallots too if you like.

Note : Do not overcooked the carrots, papa loves his carrots crunchy. Serve it with glass noodle, he only eat rice once a month. Oh yes, don't forget belacan! Yumzzzz....

See, kids! Simple steps n preparations. Anyone can cook this. Really, this is the simplest dish ever n I have confidence in you. Just follow the steps 😍

Happy cooking kids. Mommy love you 😘

Quick n Easy Bee Hoon

 

Hey kids,

Today I will share with you a simple recipe meal. When you don't know what to cook, Bee Hoon is a perfect meal for the day! My Bee Hoon's ingredients are usually very minimal (whatever ingredients I can find in the fridge). Today is a laid back kind of day, and so when I opened up the fridge there's beansprout (got extra from 'Mee Soto' from the other day's dinner), sliced beef and bee hoon. And all I need was chye sim! So I got your sleepy papa who just came back from night shift to get some chye sim 😝

It's easy and simple. You can find the recipe and video below : 

Recipe : Bee Hoon

Ingredients :

• Bee hoon - blanched with hot water, drain & set aside
• 200 g bean sprout - trimmed & washed
• Chye sim
• 200 g beef - sliced
• 1 medium tofu - cut into cubes
• 100 ml water

Paste :

• 2 medium onions
• Tomato paste
• Dried chilli
• 5 cloves garlic
• Dried shrimp
• 1 cube, chicken stock

Note : In a food processor, blend past ingredients to a fine paste.

In a large pan, heat up the oil over medium heat and add the paste, chicken cube and fry until the mixture is a little dry.

Add sliced beef and water. Cover and let it cook through for about 15 mins.

When the mixture is a little dry and beef is cooked, add in fried tofu. Lower the heat and simmer for about 5 mins.

Finally add in the chye sim and bean sprout. Stir for a little bit. You can also garnish it with coriander and fried shallots.

And, that's it! You're done cooking and ready to serve. For today, I air-fried some homemade honey chicken wing for the children.

Happy trying!😘

Fiery Flavorful Shell Out Recipe - Must Try

 Hello kids!!

I'm gonna share another delicious, mouthwatering, fiery flavorful and most recognizable dish in Singapore. It's SHELL OUT, peep!! And, those who loves seafood and shell out should try out this recipe. It's a real hit! My family enjoy this so much!

The total budget for a family of 4 is SGD$72.00, which means SGD$18.00/pax and you can have at least 3 servings. It's definitely good value for money. But of course, "leceh" to prepare the ingredients and all. As usual, I will order my fresh seafood and fresh shellfish from Guang's Fresh Mart. They have a good deal of fresh seafood and good service too (do check them out on Facebook).

We all love convenience food, who doesn't right? But home cooked food invokes precious memories and home cook is always the best! I enjoy prepare home-cooked meals for my family and I'm always eager to get my hands on good recipes. So, go on and  try out this recipe, you gonna love it!

Must try shell out recipe!

Do watch the video below :

Recipe : Shell Out

Ingredients A :

• Tiger Prawns
• Squids
• Flower clams
• Cockles
• Mussels
• Crab (optional)
• Gong Gong (optional)

Note : All seafood boiled separately with bruised lemongrass. Do not overcooked the seafood, drained and put aside.

Ingredients B :

• Sweetcorn - cut into halves
• Broccoli - cut into florets
• Carrots - cut into 2 inch chunks
• Potatoes (optional)

Note : All veggie to boil separately, drained and put aside.

Paste :

• 20 dried chillies
• 2 onions
• 15 cloves shallots
• 1 inch ginger
• 2 tbsp dried shrimp - soak with hot water

Note : In a food processor, blend PASTE ingredients to a fine paste.

Ingredients C :

• 6 cloves, garlic - minced
• 6 cloves onion - minced
• 1 inch ginger - minced
• 5 stalks of curry leaves
• 10 chilli padi - halves lengthwise
• 2 sticks lemongrass - bruised
• 3 tbsp butter

Ingredient D :

• 3 tbsp fish curry powder
• 3 tbsp oyster sauce
• 3 tbsp fish sauce
•  1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 cube chicken stock
• 250 ml water

Instructions :

In a large pan, heat up the butter over medium heat and fry INGREDIENTS C till fragrant.

Add in the PASTE and fry till the paste turns color.

Add in water and INGREDIENT D. Cover and let it boil then lower the heat and simmer for about 15 mins.

Finally when the mixture is a little dry, add in INGREDIENTS A & B. Stir occasionally until sauce is thoroughly cooked through.

Serve it while it's hot with butter rice. Yummy!!

Mee Soto - My Family's Favorite!

 

Enjoy this fragrant local noodles soup dish at home! Healthier than the hawker versions and still good value for money, this spicy mee soto warms the belly and makes the perfect soupy dish for cold, rainy days. And this is definitely our family's favorite dish!

Do watch the video below :

Recipe : Mee Soto

Ingredients :

• 1 lemongrass - bruised
• 1 tsp white pepper
• 1 cinnamon stick, 3 star anise, 5 cloves, 4 cardamom pods
• Whole chicken or chicken breast (shredded)
• 2 litres, water
• 1 cube, chicken stock
• Egg noodle / rice vermicelli - blanched in hot water, drained & set aside
• Beansprout - trimmed & washed
• Coriander leaves - finely chopped, for garnishing
• Fried shallots - for garnishing
• Begedil - optional

Paste :

• 2 lemongrass
• 5 cloves shallots
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 inch ginger
• 1 inch turmeric
• 1 inch galangal
• 1 tbsp fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds

Note : In a food processor, blend PASTE ingredients to a fine paste.

In a large stockpot, heat up the oil over medium heat and fry cloves, cinnamon, star anise, cardamom pods and lemongrass till fragrant for about 1-2 mins.

Add in the paste, chicken cube and fry till the paste turns color and mixture is a little dry. Stir often to make sure paste does not burn.

Add in water and chicken. Season with pepper. Cover and let it boil then lower the heat and simmer for 45 mins.

Once your chicken is cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and once they are cool, shred the chicken and set aside.

To serve, place some noodle in a bowl, topped with shredded chicken, begedil (potato cake), beansprouts, and pour hot soup over. Garnish with coriander and fried shallots. 

Add chilli on the side for some spice.

Aglio Oglio Beef Satay!

Every time we had extra spaghetti, rather than it goes to a waste I will whipped up my family's favourite meal, Aglio Oglio Beef Satay. Satay is a Southeast Asian dish of seasoned, skewered and grilled meal, usually served with peanut sauce (satay sauce). It's quick, easy, simple and delicious! Enjoy watching and try the recipe below.

Recipe : 

* 1 bulb garlic - minced

* 10 dried chillies - halves lengthwise

* 2 small heads of broccoli (or baby spinach) - cut into florets

* 100 gm shiitake mushrooms - sliced

* 50 ml of lime juice

* 1 packet of satay (beef or chicken depending on your preference) - pan fry until cooked

Recipe Instructions :

Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add in the garlic for 2 minutes. Stir occasionally, until golden brown. Add the water to the skillet, chicken stock, dried chillies and lime juice, stirring for another 2-3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, broccoli and stir for a little bit before adding the spaghetti and finally the satay. Stir for a little bit and ready to serve!

 

Early Detection Saves Lifes - It Might Save Your Life BUT It Might NOT

Today's thoughts...

Call us strong. Call us brave. But we're not survivors. I had no family history of Endometrial Cancer. I was just 38 when I was diagnosed. The cancer was only stage II at the time of diagnosis. I had full hysterectomy less than a month after I was diagnosed, and I followed that with aggressive oral chemotherapy drugs. We were told "technically cancer-free!" We celebrated, cried and we thought that was it! And we could put cancer behind us! This is what I and countless other women in stage II, III or even IV still don't understand. I know so many women who has been told the cancer was gone, only to be blindsided later with the grim reality that it has spread. Then came the death blow. It didn't matter that I discovered the cancer quickly or that I did everything I could to treat it. All too often when people think about cancer, they think about it as a problem, it's solved, and you lead a long and normal life. "Early Detection Saves Lives." Well, yeah..it might save your life. But it might not. 

When All Treatment No Longer An Option, I pray God Provide a Miracle...

I took a long hiatus from blogging and I'm back at it again!
So much things happened over the years but hey, it's 2021 a brand new beginning. My only hope that this year will be a miracle year for me. Year to heal!

There have been some hard days, but there's been so many blessings through it too!  So I'm trying my best to remember that. God is great!!

I took a long hiatus for an indeterminate time but I never thought that I would take this long. I have screamed so loud, some have heard me. But I'm tired of screaming. I'm tired to keep telling myself, "Things will be okay" or "I'm gonna be well again" etc...etc....etc. I have tried everything my oncologist planned up for me, I did them all...everything! I put in so much high hopes to get better but I was so wrong.

Over the years I went through countless chemotherapies, radiation therapies and even immunotherapies, after which my cancer went into remission. But then, the cancer returned in Aug' 2020, and radiotherapy was not an option. 

The night I was told my cancer had returned, we shared the news with my husband's siblings. The ones who keep us going and supporting us. We were broken. Me and Puw couldn't sleep that night, we stayed up and talked all night. Since I was first diagnosed, he was very optimistic and I have never seen him sad, but that night we cried in silent.

By Nov'2020, it's already all over my body and Dec'2020, I chose not to receive anymore treatment. I'm never doing this again. So, I decided enough was enough. I have been through too much to deal with any more. Now I hope God provide a miracle or live out my life doing the things I love.

I realized that I didn't have much time and I need to fulfill my dreams. Too many dreams to fulfill with too little time. Instead of getting depressed, I switched gears and wrote a long bucket list, in which my main goal is to get my write-ups printed and hope to publish. To create a website where I can post my recipes because cooking makes me feel so alive! Building my own legacy for my children when I'm gone.

The saying goes, when life gives you lemons make lemonade. But what do you do when life gives you cancer?