Crystal Jade Celebrate 2012 Mid-Autumn Festival with Limited Edition Treasure Box

This year Mid-Autumn Festival, Crystal Jade offers a limited edition Premium Gold Treasure Box (S$88.00 / 4 pieces) which features four individual boxes with lids of silk, each adored with with words "Fei Cui (翡翠)" which means Crystal Jade in Chinese.

The set comprises of:- Gold Leaf White Lotus Paste with Double Yolk, Gold Leaf Red Lotus Paste with Double Yolk, Gold Leaf Plain White Lotus Paste, and Gold Leaf Mixed Nuts and Ham.

Mixed Nuts and Ham is always one of the flavour that I always look forward to. And this one from Crystal Jade has a stronger ham taste compared to the other few that I have tried which is more on the orange peel scented.

For a modern and healthier choice, perhaps you could consider this Kindred Bliss (S$22.00 / 4 pieces) with a selection of four yoghurt and pudding flavoured mooncakes such as Mango (yellow), Mixed Berries (purple), Apple (green) and Original (white).

Original Yoghurt Pudding Mooncake with Nata De Coco.

Photo Credit:- Crystal Jade

For your information, Crystal Jade's selection of 23 mooncake varieties will be available from 27 August till 30 September 2012 at most Crystal Jade Outlets. There is also a 15% OFF exclusively for DBS/POSB Credit And Debit Cardmembers.

Orders or enquiry can be made via Crystal Jade Mooncake Hotline at 6512 0808, Monday - Friday (9am - 6pm).

Okara Mantou And Okara Omelette

Remember in the previous Homemade Organic Soymilk post we mentioned about Okara (豆渣) which is rich in dietary fiber. Instead of throwing them away after filtering the soymilk you could actually use it in your daily cooking or bakes to enhance the flavour as well as the nutritious values of the food.

To be honest, I have never taste or eaten "Okara" before I have this soymilk maker, so trying out various recipes using Okara is such an amazing experience and both my family and friends enjoy this new "taste and texture" too.

OKARA CHARCOAL MANTOU

豆渣馒头

This Okara Mantou is inspired by one of my boy classmates' mum who makes soft and delicious mantou using homemake soymilk and okara. So with my leftover black soybean okara and soymilk I decided to make this "black" Okara Charcoal Mantou.

(Serves: 10 - 12 pieces   | Preparation: 90 minutes  | Cooking: 15 minutes)

Ingredients:

• 280g Plain Flour
• 1/2 Teaspoon Charcoal Powder (竹碳粉)
• 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 20g Tablespoon Caster Sugar
• Pinch of Salt
• 100g Okara (豆渣), drain well
• 1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Dry Yeast
• 40ml Lukewarm Water

Method:-

1. Add dry yeast into the lukewarm water and give it a quick stir, set aside for about 5 minutes till bubbles appeared.

2. Sift plain flour and baking powder together in a big bowl with the caster sugar and salt till combined.

3. Next slowly add in yeast water into the flour mixture and stir using a metal spoon or clean hand follow by okara till it forms soft dough.

4. Add in oil and give the dough a quick knead till well combine or dough does not stick to your hand.

5. Set dough aside in a lightly flour/oil bowl, covered with cling wrap and let it proof for about 30 minutes or until dough became double the size.

6. Knead proof dough on a lightly floured work surface for about 5 minutes, flatten and roll into a rectangular shape, roll it up lengthwise into an oblong shape.

7. Repeat the process once or twice depends on your preference.

8. Roll the final dough into oblong shape, cut them into equal portions, place each shaped mantou on steamer rack with greaseproof paper below.

9. Spray some water on the mantou before steaming them over medium heat for about 13 - 15 minutes. (depending on the size of the mantou)

10. When done, removed and served hot/warm. You can keep cool mantou in the freezer for a week or so. Reheat by steaming it for 5 minutes before eating.

Note:

~ Lukewarm is about 36 - 37 degree Celsius

This is the Black Soybean Okara which is being filtered from the soymilk. It can be kept in the fridge for about 2 - 3 days.

OKARA OMELETTE

(豆渣煎蛋)

Other than steamed bun, I have also in cooperate Okara into our daily dishes by add it into omelette. This dish could be consider as half vegetarian dish if egg is allowed. We love this omelette dish a lot as it taste quiet similar to the usual "Minced Meat Omelette (肉碎煎蛋)" and when eaten you can't even tell Okara is added to it. The omelette has a very fragrant and slight sweet taste (read more here on how to filter the okara) which makes it different from the usual fried omelette dish.

(Serves: 2  | Preparation: 5 minutes | Cooking: 5 minutes)

Ingredients:
2 Eggs (55g each)
2 - 3 Tablespoons Okara (豆渣)
1/2 Tablespoon Wolfberries
1 Tablespoon Chopped Spring Onion
Pinch of Salt

Method:-

1. Add all the ingredients into a bowl, whisk till combined.

2. Preheat 1/2 tablespoon of oil in a frying pan, pour in egg mixture, swirl and spread it evenly around the pan.

3. Fry the omelette for about 2 minutes on medium low heat till slight golden brown in colour, carefully flip it over using a spatula. Cook for another minute or two.

4. Dish up and serve.

Other than the above two recipes on using Okara, do stay tune for the my "Black Butter Cake" which I have give it a twist on adding okara into the normal butter cake recipe. Stay tune!

iGen Mints plus Giveaways

Recently Huiji (汇集) has launched a new product which is known as iGen Mints. These mints are available in two flavours such as Double Mint (green) and Sour Strawberry (red) with each tin weighing 15g and contains about 75 mints in it.

Since iGen mints are sugar free and delicious, you can enjoy anytime as you want to keep yourself cool and refreshing.  These mints also comes in conveniently packaged ‘click-clack’ tins boasting a unique metal, slide-to-open design that enable you can bring it anywhere.

iGen Sour Strawberry has a strawberry scented taste when you pop it into your mouth and it's tangy taste that linger in your mouth will also keep you fresh and awake. I am sure you would dote these pinky little mints if you like strawberries plus these mints are also sugar free with vitamin C too. 

iGen Double Mint has a refreshing and yet not over powering spearmint flavour which keep you fresher against the heat waves as well as refreshing your breath after meals or beverage such as coffee. Moreover each piece of Double Mint only contains 0.48kcal calories due to it's sugar free content.

So do keep a look out on these iGen Double Mint and iGen Sour Strawberry retail at S$2.20 each at Cheers, FairPrice Xpress and etc.

Furthermore, just for your information recently iGen has organize a facebook giveaway contest for their fans till 15 September 2012. To participate, click on their contest link HERE and answer a simple question (answer can be found in this post) in order to stand a chance to win the "Monster Diamond Tears Headphones".  Remember to "like" iGen Mints page before you could proceed to the contest.

GIVEAWAYS

Thanks to Huiji (汇集), I am giving away 4 boxes of “iGen” mints (2 Double Mint and 2 Sour Strawberry) each to 5 lucky readers.

To win:

1. Like the the above iGen mints photo on Cuisine Paradise Facebook Page, AND
2. Leave a comment on facebook photo stating roughly how much per month you spent on buying sweets and which is your favourite to grab.

Closing Date: 06 September 2012 (Thursday), 12 NOON.

*only for readers living in Singapore*

Homemade Organic Soybean Milk Using Joyoung Soymilk Maker

With the help of modern kitchen gadgets, making your own soymilk at home has become a breeze especially if you have a soymilk maker. And if you have being following my recent posts and photos on soymilk making I am sure you have read about my new loot on the Joyoung soymilk maker (九阳豆浆机 ).

In this post, I would be sharing two recipes on Homemade Organic Soymilk using my new loot and it is so easy with just a touch on the button. After which you would get to enjoy a glass of healthy warm soymilk in less than 30 minutes.

HOMEMADE ORGANIC SOYMILK

As you know, there are many benefits from drink soymilk such as it contains high protein, low cholesterol and also helps to prevent high blood pressure. On another end, it also promote blood circulation, antioxidants, anti-aging, eliminating constipation and etc.

These are some brands of the Organic Soybeans that I am using. You can use any brand of soybean despite of whether they are organic or not. Soybeans can be easily found in any local supermarket or grocery stores under the dried beans sections.

(Serves: 4   | Preparation: 6 - 8 hrs soaking  | Cooking: 25 minutes)

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup (130g) of Organic Soybeans
• Water
• 50g Rock Sugar (or more or less to taste)
• Some Pandan Leave (optional), tie to knot

Method:-

1. Rinse soybeans for a few rounds, soak it in water for about 6 - 8 hours. (I usually soaked it overnight)

2. Add soaked soybean and water (fill water up to 1300ml mark shown in the jar) in Joyoung soymilk maker and select "Soak Bean" mode. But if you prefer a richer and thicker taste, select "Dry Bean" mode even if you are using soaked beans.

3. When the soy milk is ready, the machine will beep and you will see blinking light on the selected mode.

4. Switch off the power. Add in pandan leaves and rock sugar, give it a quick stir and leave the mixture to stand for about 5 minutes.

5. Lastly, give the mixture a few stir to completely dissolve the sugar. Filter out the soy milk and it is ready to serve.

Quick Tip:
~ The minimum amount for making soymilk is using 90g Soybeans with 900ml water in order for the soymilk maker to operate.

~ "Dry Bean" mode gives a much richer texture to the soymilk as compared to the "Soaked Bean" mode.

HOMEMADE ORGANIC BLACK SOYMILK

(using Joyoung Soymilk Maker)

To test out another flavour, I mix 1/2 cup each of soybean and black soybean instead of using 1 whole cup of black soybean which the taste might be slightly stronger and bitter for everyone. And also by adding black soybean is a good way to help reduce weight, whiten skin as well as strength the body.

(Serves: 4   | Preparation: 6 - 8 hrs soaking  | Cooking: 25 minutes)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup (65g) of Organic Soybeans
• 1/2 Cup (65g) of Organic Black Soybeans
• Water
• 50g Rock Sugar (or more or less to taste)
• Some Pandan Leave (optional), tie to knot

Method:-

1. Repeat the same procedures as shown for the making the normal soybean milk above.

If you want to try out black soybean milk, perhaps you can start off with 3/4 soybean and 1/4 black soybeans and slowly adjust the taste to your preference.

OKARA

(豆渣)

Soymilk would taste smooth and better when "Okara (豆渣)" is being filtered from it. But do you know instead of throwing them away, you could actually incorporate this rich dietary fiber into your daily cooking or baking. Below are some recipes on using Okara, hope you would find them useful.

Okara Omelette	Okara Mantou	Okara Butter Cake (coming soon)