make your own version of pajeon (Korean pancake)

Korean pancake is the savory version of pancake and you need to buy the pajeon pancake flour from shops that sell Korean products. The only drawback on buying Korean products is - can't read the instructions. I have to depends on the stickers from the importer which has only info of ingredients. The rest is much depends on my own discretion and a little bit luck. :-)

There is no fixed ingredients if you are talking about making pancake. Basically, you can put in anything that you like or you think can goes well with your pancake. I was thinking to put in cabbage but I don't have a single piece of it. Thus, I dig into my fridge and found below items:

1. chives (cut in 2" length)
2. spring onions (cut in 2" length)
3. onions (diced)
4. harsh brown (mashed)
5. enoki mushroom
6. carrot (sliced thinly with peeler)
7. corn
8. French beans (cut into small pieces)
9. dried prawns
10. clam powder 1tsp. (you can replace with anchovy powder or salt)
11. 5-6 tbs pajeon flour
12. few dash of pepper

@ washing and cutting take up more than half of the preparation time.
@ make sure you thaw your harsh brown before you try to mash it.

@ close-up on the pajeon flour as well as the clam powder.

cooking instructions :
1. mixed the flour with water, then pour in above ingredients.
* if the batter is lumpy, not to worry; once you put in the ingredients, mixed it together, the lumps in your batter will disappear.
2. Heat up your non-stick pan with little of oil. Then pour in the batter with a ladle.
3. serve hot.

Look! Isn't it as easy as ABC?! And, the most important thing is everyone in the family likes it.

The original pajeon is served with a spicy dipping sauce. Regarding the dipping sauce, you can make it as simple as below:
1. use light soy sauce
2. equal amount of sesame oil
3. chili flakes (good time to recycle your domino chili flakes, if you have any in your drawer)
4. add in some sambal chili, optional.

** If you choose to serve with dipping sauce, then remember not to add any salt into your batter.

Let's do something more meaningful, OK?

I always wonder if life has become vague when we inch closer to urbanization? The emptiness in our soul has lead us continue searching out for something new or becoming minions to a more powerful force.

p/s : A minion is a follower devoted to serve his/her master relentlessly. (according to wikipedia)

The recent craze of minions is really leave me in total astonishment. What is the charm behind this little thing that drives ones frenzy? Why there is nothing else more important than queueing for a TOY, merely. Is it owning a minion is something that makes one feel better, compare with pursuing new knowledge? If we spent the same amount of queueing time for doing something more meaningful, I believe life will be better. In adverse, does your life gets better, fuller by owning the most sought-after TOY?

We found ourselves getting more impatient, lost of directions, and confused with what is actually food for soul. Getting yourself more material will never fulfill your empty innermost being. Getting yourself to learn up new thing will, miraculously, supply your inner part with nutrient. You may not be able to see the changes in short time but knowledge will definitely makes you shine from within.

Learning is a lifelong process. That's why our ancestor said, 活到老，学到老。(means : never too old to learn). Once the learning halts, soul becomes hollow and desert.

Facts & benefits of eggs.

1. Eggs and milk are among the best foods for the body especially to a growing child.

2. Eggs do not cause an elevation of blood cholesterol

3. Eggs do not clog up the coronary vessels as once thought. In fact the opposite is now true

4. Eggs are low in energy value, and is a factor to consider in the formulation of a caloric-restriction diet

5. Eggs protein quality is extremely high, and has a very high nitrogen-retention value. Hence it is extremely useful in post-surgical care, trauma, and in post-management of hypovolemic shock against negative nitrogen balance

6. Eggs contain vitamin D in its natural form. The benefits of vitamin D require several chapters on human nutrition in medicine to discuss. And I refuse to repeat

7. Eggs are cancer-protective, especially for breast cancer

8. Eggs are very rich in sulfur-containing amino acids methionine which is a very crucial amino-acid in blocking damaging free radicals. These are directly linked to the pathogenesis of heart disease, cancers, DNA damage, all degenerative disorders, and accelerated aging.

9. Eggs protect against fatty liver, slow growth, macular degeneration (degeneration of the macula area of the retina in the eyes. This is responsible for central vision for reading, face recognition and detailed vision), edema (water retention), and various skin lesions

10. Eggs promote healthy growth of nails, hair and skin

11. Eggs are rich in tryphophan, selenium, iodine, and riboflavin (vitamin B2)

12. Eggs selenium content is cardio-protective against Keshan disease, cardiomyopathies (diseases involving the heart muscles, cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), myocardial dysfunction (poor heart function) and death from heart failure.

13. Eggs are protective against Kashin-Beck disease (osteoarthropathy), myxedematous endemic cretinism (mental retardation)

10 Health Benefits of Eggs

1. Eggs are great for the eyes. According to one study, an egg a day may prevent mascular degeneraton due to the carotenoid content, specifically lutein and zeaxanthin. Both nutrients are more readily available to our bodies from eggs than from other sources.

2. In another study, researchers found that people who eat eggs every day lower their risk of developing cataracts, also because of the lutein and zeaxanthin in eggs.

3. One egg contains 6 grams of high-quality protein and all 9 essential amino acids.

4. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, there is no significant link between egg consumption and heart disease . In fact, according to one study, regular consumption of eggs may help prevent blood clots, stroke , and heart attacks .

5. They are a good source of choline. One egg yolk has about 300 micrograms of choline. Choline is an important nutrient that helps regulate the brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular system.

6. They contain the right kind of fat. One egg contains just 5 grams of fat and only 1.5 grams of that is saturated fat.

7. New research shows that, contrary to previous belief, moderate consumption of eggs does not have a negative impact on cholesterol. In fact, recent studies have shown that regular consumption of two eggs per day does not affect a person's lipid profile and may, in fact, improve it. Research suggests that it is saturated fat that raises cholesterol rather than dietary cholesterol.

8. Eggs are one of the only foods that contain naturally occurring vitamin D.

9. Eggs may prevent breast cancer . In one study, women who consumed at least 6 eggs per week lowered their risk of breast cancer by 44%.

10. Eggs promote healthy hair and nails because of their high sulphur content and wide array of vitamins and minerals. Many people find their hair growing faster after adding eggs to their diet, especially if they were previously deficient in foods containing sulphur or B12.

simply yam-my yam rice

I used to hate yam rice when I was young. Maybe due to the soggy long beans. My aunty said it's hokkien lang signature dish. Well, since I don't really know how to speak Hokkien, there is no reason that I should find it tasty. LOL. ....

However, when I grow older, (sigh, old enough), I learn how to appreciate yam rice. The very first thing that motivates me to cook my own yam rice was actually due to the all-in-one concept. After few attempts, I master the art of cooking yam rice. :-) :-) And, I found myself fall in love with this simple dish.

*ingredients used are easy to get.

*pic #1: here is almost everything you need
*pic #2: heat 2tbs of oil, then stir fry dried prawns, yam & mushroom.
*pic #3: after the aroma of these 3 ingredients reaches your nose, then pour in the washed rice. Watch out of your flame, not to burn out the rice. Stir fry for few minutes, then add in the marinated pork. (marinate with pepper powder & thick soy sauce)
*pic #4: continue to stir fry in medium flame until the ingredients are well-mixed and dry. #if it's too dry, just sprinkle 1-2 spoons of water to prevent burn out.

*Scoop everything into rice cooker inner pot. Add in the long beans, mixed well. And, taa-daa, here comes the most challenging part.
*Add water to your rice, I think about 40% lesser than the usual amount. If too much of water, whole pot of rice will turn soggy & mushy.Mushy
(check 20mins before your rice is cooked. If it appears too dry, you can add in some water.....but before you pour in more water, try to check again the bottom part of rice. If bottom layer seems alright, what you need to do is only mix them up, and continue cooking)

In fact, the final part is more on your own judgement. If you still see water in the last 20mins, the only thing I can say is, try again. :-P)

The very last pic is the outcome. Everything just nicely cooked, especially the rice; still in good shape. That's why I consider myself as mastering the art of yam rice cooking.