Essential Baking by Anna Scobie

Hadiah untuk Hari Ibu..Best la buku ni, sebelum bungkus nak pos kat mama sempat belek-belek. Berbaloi-baloi beli, harga pun berpatutan. Hari ni kalau sempat nak cuba buat cream puff dalam buku ni, harap-harap menjadi la..Bab-bab baking ni kalau saya buat selalu je tak menjadi..sob..sob. Harap tips dalam buku ni membantu..

Petua Di Dapur

Tomato
i) Untuk meranumkan tomato yg masih hijau,
masukkan tomato dan pisang ke dlm plastic ziploc dan biarkan selama 2 hari. Tomato anda akan ranum.
ii) Tomato yg terlalu ranum dan sedikit lembik boleh menjadi ranggup. Rendam tomato yg ‘over-ripe’ di dalam air sejuk dicampurkan sedikit garam. Biarkan semalaman di dalam peti sejuk.

Jagung
Ketika merebus jagung, jgn campurkan airnya dengan garam. Ia akan membuat isi jagung itu keras. Campurkan sedikit gula dan jagung anda akan menjadi lebih enak.

Telur
i) Hindarkan cicak dari dapur atau bahagian lain di
rumah anda. Bersihkan kulit telur and letakkan di
tempat tempat yg anda inginkan. Bau dari kulit telur
itu dpt menghindar cicak dari berkunjung.
ii) Gunakan telur yg sederhana atau sederhana besar ketika membuat kek. Jangan gunakan telur yg terlalu besar kerana ia akan membuat kek anda “tenggelam” setelah sejuk.
iii) Telur lama/baru – Masukkan telur di dalam periuk berisi air sejuk bercampur garam. Jika ia tenggelam, telur itu masih segar/baru. Jika timbul, buang saja telur itu.

Kentang
i) Sebelum membakar kentang, rendam di dalam air garam selama 15 minit. Kentang akan lebih cepat empuk.ii) Jangan simpan kentang bersama bawang. Ia akan cepat busuk.
ii) Jika ingin mengoreng kentang, rendam kentang yg dipotong di dalam air sejuk selama 1/2 jam. French Fried anda akan menjadi lebih ranggup.

Bebola Ikan
Gunakan kunyit dan sedikit air dan kertas putih jika anda ingin tahu samaada bebola ikan yg anda beli di
pasar ada Asid Boric. Cecahkan kertas putih ke dlm
campuran air kunyit dari dan biarkan kering. Letakkan bebola ikan ke atas kertas yg ada cecahkan itu dan biarkan selama 1 minit. Jika anda lihat ada tanya merah jambu atau merah kecoklatan pada tempat anda meletakkan bebola ikan itu, maka asid boric terkandung di dlm bebola ikan.

Brokoli
Brokoli yg sudah kuning setelah disimpan berhari hari masih boleh digunakan. Masukkan brokoli di dlm mangkuk berisi air sejuk. Pastikan brokoli di dalam air yg penuh. Biarkan selama 1 jam. Brokoli anda akan menjadi hijau dan bolehlah dimasak.

Beras
i) Untuk memutihkan nasi, campurkan 2-3 titis jus lemon sebelum memasak.
ii) Untuk menjauhi serangga dari beras, letakkan beberapa helai daun pudina di dalam kampet beras.

Baking Soda
Bersihkan peti sejuk anda dengan baking soda. Masukkan sedikit ke dalam air. Ia akan menhapuskan bau yg tidak enak dari dalam peti sejuk anda.

Limau
Limau nipis / kasturi akan mudah diperah jika dimasukkan ke dalam air panas selama 5-10 minit atau di panaskan di dalam microwave oven selama beberapa saat.

Pengisar (Blender)
Untuk menajamkan pisau mengisar, kisar garam kasar.

Bawang Putih
Untuk mengupas bawang putih dengan mudah, panaskan di dalam microwave over selama beberapa saat.

Tepung / Ulian
Jika adunan tepung melekat pada tempat ulian anda, simpan adunan di dalam freezer untuk beberapa minit kemudian bolehlah digunakan.

Biskut
Alaskan di bahagian bawah tin biskut dengan kertas minyak (blotting paper) sebelum menyimpan biskut untuk mengelakkan biskut dari cepat lemau.

Sumber: hikmatun
Sumber gambar: iStockPhoto

Spices and Herbs

(cw)dried parsley, nutmeg, dried oregano,
chili powder, black pearl sago, cinnamon powder, (c)fenugreek

Here are few of the spices and herbs for everyday use given by my neighbour who work in spice company. Most of the products will be export to Japan. She gave us few common spices like turmeric powder, garlic powder, black pepper, basil leaves and etc.

I use dried parsley in my garlic bread, or i can said whenever i make my savory bread. Sprinkle a little bit in a cream of chicken or mushroom soup to add up some color, will do. Nutmeg, i prefer the powder type, make my work more easier when preparing the bingka labu (traditional malay kuih made from pumpkin) and cekodok(made from banana and flour). The oregano flakes, for the spaghetti, pasta and pizza. Chilli powder commonly use in indian cruisine like curry, tandoori chicken, wow i just love it. It is my first time seeing this dried type black pearl sago. I did try to boil it and let it expand to double it size and drink with soya milk, not bad. Cinnamon powder, to make cinnabon! what else. Last but not least the fenugreek , i will use in curry fish, nasi dagang and nasi lemak, smell so good...

How much milk do babies need?

Here's are the sample calculator so you don't need to do the math...

Milk Calculator (for the exclusively breastfed baby) Average number of feedings per day Average per feeding, ounces Average per feeding, mL Low range, ounces Low range, mL High range, ounces High range, mL Notes: Babies younger than one month old and babies who are more established on solid foods are expected to have a lower daily milk intake. This calculator is based upon an average daily intake of 25 ounces, with a range of 19-30 ounces per day. Equivalent in mL is an average daily intake of 750 mL, with a range of 570-900 mL per day.

to calculate your milk
source: Kellymom.com

Ayam Kachang Ma

Bahan yang diperlukan
1/2 ekor ayam dipotong kecil
1 inci halia dihiris panjang
1/2 cawan daun herba kachang ma
2 cawan air
1sudu kecil minyak bijan
Garam secukup rasa

Cara penyediaan
1.Goreng halia tanpa minyak sehingga layu/ kuning.
2. Masukkan ayam dan goreng rata.
3. Kemudian baru masukkan daun kachang ma
4. Gaul rata sehingga daun layu
5. Bolehlah masukkan air, biar ia mereneh sehingga air mengering.
(terpulangla nak sup tu banyak mana, kalau nak kering masakkan lebih lama)
6. Rasakan dengan sedikit garam
7. Akhir sekali masukkan minyak bijan

Masakkan kachang ma dikenali dikalangan penduduk Sarawak terutamanya masyarakat Cina sebagai kaedah perubatan herba yang dicampur dengan ayam dan halia untuk wanita lepas bersalin. Kini masyarakat melayu di sana turut amalkan memakan kachang ma selepas bersalin kerana ia dikatakan berkesan untuk memperbaiki peredaran darah, sistem kardiovaskular dan merangsang diuresis. Menu masakan ini bukan sahaja khusus untuk mereka yang berpantang malah menjadi antara menu pilihan bersama lauk pauk yang lain. Sedap dimakan ketika panas bersama nasi putih.

Kerabu Pegaga

Bahan-bahan

1 ikat pegaga - dipotong halus

2-3 ulas bawang besar - dihiris halus

1/2 cawan kerisik - kelapa goreng yang ditumbuk kasar (tidak keluar minyak)

1/3 cawan ikan bilis - digoreng dan dihancurkan

2 tangkai cili / cili padi - dicincang halus

Garam & gula secukup rasa

Cara Penyediaan
Gaul rata semua bahan diatas, sedia untuk dihidang

Kerabu pegaga ni versi paling ringkas, memandangkan saya pantang lagisesikit walaupun dah habis 44hari. Kalau nak pedas bolehlah lebihkan cili padi, saya guna cili merah je. Selain ikan bilis, nak guna udang kering pun boleh. Pegaga ni banyak khasiatnya, sesuai bagi ibu-ibu yang lepas bersalin.

Antara khasiat daun pegaga

-mengembalikan kesihatan diri

-menambahkan kekuatan fizikal dan mental

-meningkatkan kecerdasan dan keupayaan mental kanak-kanak

-mengurangkan tekanan darah tinggi

-mencegah nyanyuk

-melambatkan proses penuaan

-merehatkan dan menambahkan ingatan

-menguatkan salur darah dan kapilari

-merawat kejang kaki, bengkak kaki dan kebas.

Pomegranate (buah delima)

Buah delima (an article did mention, a handsome fruits) hehe. Not very sure when the last time i ate this fruit, all I can remembered, it was so long time ago, during my childhood time. Seldom sees this fruit nowadays. I wanted so much to find it since people says it good to eat during pregnancy (yahh btw i'm pregnant, now in week 15). My friends say, in her place at Kuala Kedah, sell a lot of this fruits cost RM1.00. She dont mind to post over, its just that I feel the cost of posting will be much more expensive then the fruits itself. So I decided to wait for the season here, maybe the time will come soon. About 2 weeks later I went to Jusco Seberang Prai, so lucky that we manage to get the buah delima (india pomegranate) that cost RM5.00 each(wooh). Its imported from Indian, so I guess that's way the price slightly expensive then the local one. I only bought 2 of it, just to give it a try first. Glad that finally i find it here.

Promegranate benefits

1. It may help reduce the risk of having a heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Studies show that pomegranate juice daily may help support the normal blood flow to the heart. Because of its antioxidant properties, pomegranate keeps bad cholesterol from forming, and thus, may help keep the arteries clear of clots.

2. It may help support the body's normal defense in the prevention of certain cancers. Since pomegranates has very high levels of antioxidant called "flavenoids" that is thought to be effective in counteracting various cancer-causing radicals, more and more experts recommend this fruit as a possible part of a healthy diet. Because of flavenoids, many people are consuming pomegranate because it is believed to help support their good health.

3. It may help reduce the risks for illnesses such as atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, and diabetes. Because of the properties of pomegranate, conditions that are known to cause the thickening and hardening of arterial walls and damage in cartilage and joints are hoped to be helped by this fruit. Studies are needed of course to get test results. No claims are made as to what the pomegranate may or may not help.

4. It is a rich source of various vitamins. Pomegranate is a good, natural source of vitamins A, C and E as well as folic acid.

5. It is rumored to help reduce the possibility of having premature babies. Pomegranate juice and extract is thought by some people to help expectant mothers avoid having low birth weight babies.

6. Some users claim it is beneficial for relieving minor illnesses such as core throat.

7. Other users believe it might reduce the possibility of developing Alzheimer's disease among older people.

8. It is prized in some countries for the belief that it might help in achieving and maintaining a clear skin with youthful glow, and it is believed to help soothe skin inflammation.

9. The antioxidants are thought to help support the immune system.

10. It may help support healthy blood flow because of its iron properties. Pomegranate supports the blood by supplying it with iron, thus may help prevent anemia symptoms that include exhaustion, dizziness, weakness, and hear loss.

11. Aside from having lots of anti-oxidants, pomegranate also might have some anti-viral properties.

12. Pomegranate juice and extract is thought by some women to help in overcoming the feeling of general malaise during menopause.

original article extract from here