All posts by Genevieve

Thai Green Curry Paste

Condiments and Dips, , , , , , , , , , ,
Thai Green Chicken Curry
This is a basic Thai Green Curry paste recipe that can be used as the basis to make Thai green curries with any number of fresh vegetables, chicken or other meats, such as our Thai Pumpkin and Mushroom Curry and Thai Green Chicken Curry.
Ingredients
  • 15 medium green Thai chillies
  • 1 tbsp fresh galangal
  • 2 tbsp lemongrass, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp zest of kaffir limes, chopped (substitute with zest of regular limes if not available)
  • 2 tbsp scraped and chopped coriander root (from the stems of fresh coriander)
  • 3 tbsp red shallots, chopped
  • 2 tbsp garlic, chopped
  • 1 tsp chopped fresh turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp coriander seeds, roasted and ground
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, roasted and ground
  • 10 white peppercorns
  • 1 tsp shrimp paste (substitute for fermented tofu in brine for a vegetarian / vegan version of this recipe)
Directions
  1. Put all ingredients in a blender – except the shrimp paste – and blend until smooth. You might need to use a little water to get the blending started. Never use oil in your paste!
  2. When the paste is smooth, add the shrimp paste and blend a little more.
  3. Use or store in a glass container in the fridge. Will keep for a few weeks.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify:  Emily Rice – Find Me Here

Lebanese Chicken Salad

Lunch and Light Meals, , , , , , , , ,

Lebanese Chicken Salad

Living in a hot climate we eat a lot of salads, and are always looking for new ideas to keep the meal interesting. This one combines chicken marinated in Lebanese Seven Spice Mix with a honey mustard dressing. You can make your own mustard at home or use store bought wholegrain mustard.

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp Lebanese 7 spice powder
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 150g baby spinach leaves (or other lettuce leaves)
  • 1/2 cucumber, cut into chunks of 1cm
  • 5 radishes, sliced thinly (optional)
  • 1/2 a pomegranate, seeds removed
  • optional – you could also add some feta cheese

Honey Mustard Dressing

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Cut the chicken breasts into 1 cm strips. Place in a bowl
  2. Add the Lebanese seven spice powder and 1 Tbsp olive oil to the chicken. Sprinkle over a pinch of sea salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine as a marinade.
  3. Pan fry the chicken over a moderate heat until it begins to turn golden brown. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  4. Wash the baby spinach leaves (or lettuce), and place the spinach, cucumber, and radish in a serving bowl.
  5. To make the honey mustard dressing, place the honey, mustard, olive oil, white wine vinegar, a pinch of sea salt and a few grinds of black pepper into a glass or jar. Stir well to combine (or shake to combine in a jar).
  6. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss the salad to coat all leaves.
  7. Spread the chicken over the top of the salad.
  8. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds (and feta if you are using it)
  9. Serve the salad as a light meal for 2 people

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Peter Bjorn and John – Gimme Some

Indian Palak Chicken Curry

Dinner, , , , , ,
Indian Palak Chicken
Having lived in India, our son’s absolute favorite dish is Palak Paneer – a spinach curry with Indian Paneer cheese. He demands it at least once a week! It is a great vegetarian curry and you can find Paneer in some specialty Indian stores, but it is not always easy to find. This is a variation on the same recipe, using a leg of chicken, but pieces of chicken breasts are also OK. If you are vegan you could substitute the chicken or Paneer for large chunks of white button mushrooms.
Ingredients
  • 4 chicken legs or breasts
  • 1kg spinach
  • 3 cm fresh ginger, sliced
  • 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 large garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 tbsp coriander powder
  • 1 tbsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika powder (to add sweetness)
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 2 tomatoes, blended
  • 1 tsp Garam Masala
  • 4 tbsp coconut yoghurt (optional)
  • Coconut oil
Directions
  1. Wash the spinach and get rid of the thickest stalks.
  2. Cook the spinach with the ginger and some salt until wilted.
  3. Let it cool off a little, then transfer to a blender and blend until smooth.
  4. Heat two tablespoons of coconut or olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the fenugreek seeds and bay leaves.Fry until the spices become fragrant.
  5. Add the onion and fry until soft.
  6. Add the garlic, ground spices, salt and pepper and fry for a minute more. Stir well so the spices won’t burn.
  7. Add the blended tomatoes and cook softly until most of the liquid has evaporated.
  8. Add the spinach mixture to the tomatoes and cook on a low heat for a few minutes.
  9. When using the coconut yoghurt, stir it it in a tablespoon at the time. When the yoghurt has been absorbed by the sauce, add another spoon.
  10. Add the chicken, bring to the boil, cover and cook for 20 minutes.
  11. Add a little water during the cooking process if the sauce starts to dry out
  12. Take the lid off and cook for another 5 minutes or until the chicken is done.
  13. Sprinkle with the Garam Masala and serve with a little extra coconut yoghurt, steamed rice or cauliflower rice.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Blur – Lonesome street

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Fitness Speed Juice

Drinks, , , , , , , ,

Fitness Speed Juice

Our little Juicemaster Liam has been busy again creating a new juice for after exercise. Inspired by needing a big refreshment after playing football, he created this apple, orange, lime, carrot and pomegranate juice. This might just be one of his best yet!

Ingredients

  • 1 green apple
  • 1 red apple
  • 1 orange (whole, do not peel it)
  • 1 lime (whole, do not peel it)
  • 1/2 pomegranate (cut in half, seeds left in, not peeled)
  • 1 carrot, whole
  • a few ice cubes
  • Centrifugal or slow juicer

Directions

  1. Cut any of the fruit to fit into your juicer as required
  2. Juice the apples on the slower speed of the juicer
  3. Juice the carrot, pomegranate, orange and lime on the fast speed of the juicer
  4. Stir to combine the juices together
  5. Serve over ice

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds –  Riverman

Homemade Mustard

Condiments and Dips, , , , ,

Homemade mustard

I wanted to make a sweet potato salad with a honey mustard dressing, but in looking at the pots of mustard I started finding a whole pile of ingredients that I didn’t recognize. Thinking it must be possible to make myself, I started exploring making different types of mustard. This is a basic recipe and you can vary it with different types of mustard seeds, and by adding more or less honey to make it sweeter. A little warning, it is quite spicy immediately after you blend it, so beware of using too much too soon.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add the mustard seeds, vinegar and water to a jar. Do not cover it, and let it stand on the bench top for 24-48 hours. (If you forget about it, then it is OK to leave it like this for up to a week.)
  2. The mustard seeds should have absorbed most of the water and vinegar before you move to the next step (this might take more or less time depending on your mustard seeds)
  3. Place the mustard seeds mixture, turmeric, salt, and honey into a blender and blend for about 2 minutes. You can blend a shorter or longer time depending on whether you prefer a smooth or more chunky mustard.
  4. Place the mustard into a sealed jar, and put it in the fridge. Let it sit for a couple of days before you eat it, as the taste will mellow and all the flavours will meld together the longer it stands.
  • Note: that the inclusion of the turmeric is only to give it a yellow colour. You can leave it out if you like, and then the mustard will be a beige colour.
  • Note: You can add more honey if you prefer the mustard a little sweeter. Try it first with 2 Tbsp, and add more later after you have let it stand for a couple of days if you prefer.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Lower Dens – Escape from Evil

Fig, Plum and Almond Healthy Snack Bars

Snacks, , , , , , ,

Fig, Almond and Plum bars

We have been buying healthy snack bars to take with us on the occasions that we are out an about and want to have a snack with us. But they are very expensive, so I took a look at the ingredient list of some wholefood ones we liked, and tried to recreate something similar. These are really easy to make and delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 a cup pitted plums (check the ingredients list to make sure you are not getting a lot of additives)
  • 1/2 a cup dried figs
  • 1/2 a cup almonds
  • A little olive oil or coconut oil for greasing

Directions

  1. Place the almonds in a food processor, and using the metal knife blade blend them until the almonds have broken into small chunks. This will take about a minute.
  2. Add the plums and figs to the food processor and blend until the mixture starts to turn into a ball.
  3. Grease a metal sheet (I used the based of a cake tin) with a little olive or coconut oil
  4. Place the mixture onto the metal sheet, and using your hands shape it out into a roughly square / rectangular shape so that you are able to cut it into bars. Make sure you press the mixture together really firmly.
  5. Cut the mixture into bars shapes and remove from the metal sheet (you might need to use a knife to do this)
  6. Store in an air tight container in the fridge or pantry

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Calexico – Edge of the Sun

Paleo Shepherd’s Pie

Dinner, , , , , , , ,

Paleo Shepherd's pie

This recipe calls out for a Winter’s dining room, complete with a log fire burning and candles on the table. Unfortunately we live in Singapore, so we enjoyed this rosemary and thyme laden dish in the heat of the summer instead. With the cold snap in New Zealand at the moment, I am sure it could warm many a stomach.

Ingredients

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • coconut oil to fry
  • 500g beef mince
  • 4 Tbsp soya sauce, tamari or coconut aminos
  • 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp thyme leaves, dried
  • leaves of one stick of fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 tsp rosemary, dried)
  • 50ml water
  • 1 sweet potato (yellow looks best, but any colour will do), sliced finely
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit)
  2. Heat the pan to a moderate heat and add the coconut oil. Fry off the onion, garlic and carrot until the onion is soft and fragrant – about 3 minutes
  3. Add the beef mince and fry until it has browned
  4. Add the soya sauce / coconut aminos, balsamic vinegar, thyme and rosemary to the pan and stir well. Cook for 2 minutes stirring occasionally
  5. Sprinkle over a pinch of sea salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine.
  6. Add the water and turn the heat down to a low heat. Leave it to slowly cook for around 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it and add a little more water if needed to stop it from drying out.
  7. Remove the meat from the heat and pour into a pie dish. I used one 25cm x 15cm.
  8. Slice the sweet potato finely and layer over the top of the pie in overlapping rows. Sprinkle over sea salt and more rosemary (fresh or dried)
  9. Place the pie dish into the hot oven and cook at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for 15-20 minutes until the sweet potato has cooked through and become crispy. They should be like potato chips on top of the pie.
  10. Serves 2-3

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify:Tourist LeMC – En Route

Espresso Chocolate Cake / Brownies

Treats, , , , , ,

Chocolate Gateau Cake

Somehow I seem to have become obsessed with making the perfect gluten free, dairy free, sugar free chocolate cake. One that actually tastes good! And with this recipe I think I have gotten pretty close. If I didn’t tell you all of the above, you would have no clue! So I tried it on a colleague this week, and he really liked it, and couldn’t believe it was gluten free. Mission accomplished – now go make it yourself, what are you waiting for?

Ingredients

  • 50g dark chocolate (check the ingredients list to avoid high sugar contents)
  • 50g good quality cocoa powder (sifted)
  • 100ml freshly brewed espresso (two double espressos) (long black)
  • 100g ground almonds or almond flour
  • 50g rice or tapioca flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 150ml olive oil or coconut oil (not extra virgin olive oil, it tastes too strong)
  • 100ml honey or maple syrup
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 banana, mashed
  • 100g dates or figs, chopped (you can use cheap dates here, no need for the gourmet ones from the fridge)
  • 100g frozen cranberries, blackcurrants, raspberries or blackberries
  • 50g chopped cashews nuts (optional – if you want to turn it into brownies in a rectangular tin)

Directions

  1. Heat the oven at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
  2. Break the dark chocolate into a metal bowl. Place over a bowl of hot boiled water to melt.
  3. Sift the cocoa into a bowl. Add the freshly brewed espresso and melted dark chocolate. Stir well to make a smooth paste. You may need to add 2-4Tbsp of hot boiled water to get a smoothe paste. This depends on your cocoa and the exact measurement of the coffee. Put aside to cool down while you prepare the rest
  4. If you are using almonds, then grind them in a blender to make a fine powder (I use a grinding attachment, you may have a small bowl for your foodprocessor that could do the same job instead). Alternatively, measure the almond flour into a separate bowl. Add the rice flour. Add the bicarbonate of soda and salt and set aside.
  5. In the bowl of a food processor or mixer, add the oil, honey and eggs. Mix for about 2 minutes until well aerated.
  6. Add the chocolate mixture to the mixture in the foodprocessor or mixer. Mix thoroughly.
  7. Add the mashed bananas and vanilla to the foodprocessor or mixer. Mix quickly.
  8. Add the flour mixture to the foodprocessor or mixer. Mix thoroughly.
  9. Prepare a round cake tin of 25cm in diameter, or a rectangular slice tin of 20cm in length with a base lining of baking paper. Oil the sides of the tin with a little coconut or olive oil.
  10. Pour the mixture into the tin.
  11. Scatter the dates/figs and frozen berries over the mixture to make sure they are spread evenly through the cake. Sprinkle over the cashew nuts if you are adding them. Pat them into the mixture using the back of a wooden spoon until they are covered by the mixture.
  12. Cook the brownies for 30 minutes in the oven or until it is cooked through. Prick with a skewer to check if it is cooked through. The skewer should be clean when you pull it back out.
  13. Serve warm or cooled down.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Balthazar – Thin Walls

Ginger, Lemongrass and Mint Tea

Drinks, , , , , , ,

Ginger, Lemongrass and Mint Tea

This is a very refreshing drink, that can either be drink hot or over ice as a refreshing iced tea on a hot day. It is very simple to make, but it is best if you have a tea pot with a strainer section in it so that the mint leaves are not poured out with the tea.

Ingredients

  • 1 lemongrass stalk
  • 2 cm fresh ginger
  • 2 stalks of mint

Directions

  1. Bruise the lemongrass stalk either by laying a knife over the base of the stalk and hitting it with the palm of your hand until it breaks open, or hitting it with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
  2. Slice the ginger into thin slices so that more of the ginger will be exposed to the water.
  3. Place the ginger and lemongrass in a teapot (preferably one with a strainer built in). Pour over boiling water.
  4. Leave to stand for around 10 minutes
  5. Add the stalks of mint, and let it stand for another 5 minutes.
  6. Either drink hot, or pour over ice for an iced tea.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Bic Runga – Anthology

 

Our favourite coffees of Singapore

Escape, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
cappucinos with latte art
Singapore is a such a stop over destination. On the way between Europe and the Pacific, transit hub between many Asian destinations, and an often visited business destination. What ever your reason for visiting (or living in) Singapore, a mini break to a great coffee bar is a nice way to Escape. 
 
Here are some of our favourite cafes of Singapore for a great cup of coffee. 
 
40 Hands (78 Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru ) was established in 2010 (and that is a long time in the hospitality industry), 40 hands was one of the original coffee bars that aimed to bring high quality coffee, or known origins to Singapore. Over this time, its presence has also turned Yong Siak Street in Tiong Bahru into a trendy street that is worthy of an afternoons stroll. Nearby “Books Actually” bookstore is also a great place to sift through the shelves for gifts or unusual books, such as the “Alter SG” guide to Singapore.
 
La Ristrettos (8th floor, Novena Medical Centre, enter from Novena Square – Square 2 shopping centre) has virtually become our local coffee shop. With coffee roasted on site, the owner really knows his coffee, and makes a great espresso. Located in a slightly strange location on the 8th floor of a medical building, it does share an outside courtyard where you can sit in a little oasis in the sun and enjoy your coffee or tea.
 
Dutch Coffee Colony (Pasarbella: 200 Turfclub Rd) imports beans from around the world, and uses a number of different types of coffee brewing methods to create delicious coffees. Located within the PasarBella Food Market, it goes from bean to cup to create smooth tasting coffees. You can buy different coffee brewing machines and their imported beans.
 
Chye Seng Huat Hardware (CSHH coffee bar, 150 Tyrwhitt Road) got its name from the hardware store that stood in this location before it turned into a high end coffee joint. From the same owners as Papa Palheta and Loysel’s Toy. This flagship store features a coffee roaster, an island coffee bar, a coffee school and a private coffee tasting room. It’s a convenient spot to stop for a good coffee when you’re exploring Little India.
 
Just Want Coffee (1 Everton Park) located in the ground floor of a renovated HDB (housing building), Just Want Coffee is a cosy little cafe to have a chat and watch the world go by. Brewing a nice cup of coffee or tea, it has a relaxed informal feeling to it and music to match. Just what we love in a local coffee shop. 
Just want coffee cafe at Everton Park Singapore
Common Man Coffee Roasters (22 Martin Rd) is the same owner as 40 hands, and you will see their coffee in many other cafes around Singapore. Including a café, coffee bar, and wholesale coffee roasting service, Common Man knows a thing or two about coffee, and it doesn’t brew a bad cup either.
 
Letoile Cafe (160 Owen rd) is a cute little cafe, with a chill out space on the second floor. A strange combination of Japanese and French influences, it (unlike the rest of this list) is actually a place to go for the food and the ambience rather than the coffee. It can’t compete with the other coffees on this list, but it is a great cafe to hang out in and escape the city. 
 
Jewel Cafe and Bar (129 Rangoon Rd) is located not far from Letoile Cafe in Farrer Park. With an extensive menu (including the delicious Red Mullet Fish salad), and an industrial feel, it is a great place near Little India for a coffee. It’s a bit on the expensive side though.

The Plain (50 Craig Rd) serving Genovese coffees, The Plain is a great place to sit down while you explore the Duxton Hill and Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood. The menu is not particularly inspiring, but it does do a great cup of coffee. It can be a bit hard to find but it is located next to the antique shop with the large yellow banner.

Stranger’s Reunion (35 Kampong Bahru Rd) was opened by Ryan Kieran Tan, Singapore National Barista Champion 2011 & 2012. In a row of beautiful shophouses and with an adjoining cafe serving waffles, it serves the top coffees you would expect of a Barista champion. It is not far from the Outram Park Metro station.
 
The Clueless Goat (189 Thomson Road, ) has become our new local. Recently opened in Novena, and across the road from the Novena Square Shopping Centre, the young owners brew a great cup of coffee that has us as repeat visitors. Its relaxed vibe and friendly staff is really refreshing. And our 6 year old son is a big fan of their waffles 🙂
 
Department of Caffeine (15 Duxton rd) has a great little location tucked away in Duxton Road. With an industrial feel to it, and a short walk from the shophouses of Duxton Hill, it is a great stop off location between Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar.
Department of Caffeine