Angel 'N' Penne playing with Curry Leaves

This was an impromptu creation for dinner last night using whatever left over ingredients I have. Therefore, I didn't even write down the quality used for each ingredient. It was only after cooking, those curry leaves look so harmonize with the pasta, radiate a kind of simple beautiful energy that captured my heart.  Therefore I took a picture of it and share it with you.  

It could be I was experiencing a feeling of great satisfaction yesterday. I went for my 9th blood donation at Blood Bank [yep, passed haemoglobin check, Thalassemia Minor have a much higher requirement than normal person]. 

I have small vein and the staff nurse was surprised that my blood flow so smooth and fast that within 3 mins 47 secs, they collected 450ml of my blood (weight 45-50kg only 350ml blood will be taken, > 50kg 450ml blood will be taken). The fastest record according to her was a guy with big vein within 3 mins 20 secs.  The friendly staff-nurse really knows how to bring surprises to me.

Could it be the vegetarian diet or could it be I have drink lots of plain water prior to the blood donation that resulted such an uncongested good flow? I don't really know.

Few days back, I just attended an EFT (Emotional Freedom Workshop) conducted by Ms Tan Hwee San (Counsellor and Healer), learning a little about Emotional Acupressure and Energy Psychology. On my way to the blood bank which was about 1 hour train journey and having nothing to do, I started to do some simple tapping near the end points of my energy circuits or meridians. Maybe, that also helps to create that small wonder too.

Back to this pasta, it calls for pasta, minced garlic (optional), curry leaves fried in olive oil, salt and curry power for garnishing.  So just play with any ingredients, have no expectation and be surprise by the outcome ... 

Harmony of Nature - Fruit Salad with a Taste of Asia

Honestly, I did not create this recipe! I had this surprise salad at the last day of my CPC class.   The lovely person, who whipped up this, is the one that type this to me - [Breath In, Breath Out, We are ONE].  Maybe it is food from the heart that it touches my heart and I just want to recreate this via my memory and share with more people.

Feel free to do this fruit salad in your own way, by following your heart, mix different fruits (jackfruit or gavua or green mango or ...) and with some special ingredients and let it unites as ONE in harmony - full of colour, taste and beauty.  [I am eating this while typing this, it is getting addictive - full of nature energies!]

Preparation:     8 mins

Ingredients (serves 2)

°         1 green apple, diced

°         1 orange, peeled and diced

°         few slices dried lime slices, cut into smaller pieces

°         1-2 teaspoons dried canberries

Method

1.      Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Serve chilled. 

A Flextarian's Wild Red Mushroom recipe ...

Photo Source : from HH

Two weeks ago, I received an unexpected e-mail from a Flextarian, HH, asking for Wild Red Mushroom and Wild Tea Tree Mushroom recipes. Oops, I haven't tasted Wild Red Mushroom!

I keep meeting lovely people who are vegetarian friendly even they are meat-eater in one way or other. They are the one who bring a smile to my face and remind me a very beautiful phase that someone gave me - [Breath In, Breath Out, We are ONE].

Yes, We are all global citizen staying on Planet Earth, shower with so much unconditional love from the Universe which we can discover if we willing to slow down and look deeper. Even the Bee gives us unconditional love in a way. Without the tiny insect - Bee, we will face Food Crisis. The food that we eat everyday to survive (even we pay) is the combination of countless contributions of others that we do not know.

So, what I can offer to repay all these kindness?

Maybe, in here, I share the wonderful recipe given to me by HH who is a flextarian (Thank you HH). She is really creative and using non-meat ingredients and workaround to veganism a meat recipe. Beautiful!

Below is the unedited email from HH, enjoy  ...

This is the simple recipe I told you about.


• 50 gram dried red mushroom
• 8 C water
• 200-250 gram pork
• 1 T soy sauce
• 1 t sesame oil
• 1 t corn or potato flour
• ½ t of sugar


1. Wash mushroom and deconstruct for 10 mins, drain
2. Cut pork, marinate 30 mins
3. Boil mushroom then simmer for 1 hour
4. Add pork, cook 10 mins, serve with chopped green onions


I did not have pork on hand and did not feel like eating any meat, so I used tofu.
I coated tofu with the corn flour and shallow fried it before marinate.
I found the soup rather to a bland side, probably because the tofu exuded water.
I just put a pinch of salt and a handful of shredded nori in my individual bowl. Very soothing and gentle dish.


The red mushroom has a woody, thick-papery texture. Not as aromatic as shiitake that I use the most for soups. Maybe the way I cooked it did not bring out its maximum flavour.

Embracing Simplicity - Just King Oyster Mushroom and Chilli

Few days back, someone asked me about Wild Red Mushroom. Unaware of Wild Red Mushroom.  Have not seen one before! Have not tasted any before!  Hmmm... NEW stuff! Very interesting.

Yes, there are so many things in the Universe that we don't know and is waiting for us to explore and to discover, just like the mushroom with a beautiful lovely name - Wild Red Mushroom that I don't know.  

So are you on such a quest? Discovering the beauty of Vegetarian Cuisine or discovering your potential or strengths? Or your warrior's heart is on the search for the truth of your existence?

If you are wondering why my posting is getting lesser nowadays, it is because I am away discovering the Mother Nature's beauty and allure by the stimulating self-discovery workshops ... With these positive energies that I harness, maybe I would be able to have a different feel when I cook and play with vegetarian dishes.

Preparation:     5 mins

Cooking time:    10 mins

           

Ingredients (serves 2)

°         200g king oyster mushroom, sliced

°         3 dried chilli, cut into section

°         1 tablespoon olive oil

°         1 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce

°         125ml water

Method

1.      Heat the oil in a wok. Add dried chilli and fry till fragrant.

2.      Throw in the king oyster mushroom and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add in the vegetarian oyster sauce and water. Simmer for 5-8 minutes.

3.      Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with some fresh chinese celery or coriander and serve immediately.

Aubergine (Eggplant) Kinpira

If you like braised eggplant with pepper and chilli, here is another rather similar dish - Eggplant Kinpira using only simple ingredients. Mirin is omitted in this recipe, you can add mirin or cooking rice wine, if desired.

Preparation:     5 mins Cooking time:  5 mins

           

Ingredients (serves 2-4)

°         250g  aubergine (eggplant), cut into strips

°         1 tablespoon olive oil

°         some toasted sesame seeds

°         some chilli flakes (optional)

°         some coriander or Chinese celery (optional), for garnish  

Seasoning

°         3 tablespoons light soy sauce

°         60ml water or dashi stock

°         1 tablespoon sugar

Method

1.      Place all the seasoning ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Set aside.

2.      Heat oil in a wok. Fry the aubergine or eggplant for 2-3 minutes.  Pour in the seasoning and simmer for 1-2 minutes or until it is dry.  

3.      Dish up, top with coriander or Chinese celery, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, chilli flakes and serve immediately.