MY NUMBER 100 POST- PUBLISHED BY COOKING VARIETIES

MY NUMBER 100 POST
HI TO ALL MY DEAREST BLOGGER FRIENDS AND VISITORS..

THIS IS MY NUMBER 100 POST after blogging for 14 months..
This Post is more like the “ WORDLESS WEDNESDAY’S” approach... briefly

COURTEOUS asian style, CAMERA SHY- my image was covered with 7 layers to hide the 7 deadly sins in  life. Ha ha , means I have a great sense of humor.

I AM AN ARDENT FOODIE BLOGGER. Lobster is one of my favorites, so is the versatile sago and healthy seaweed and agar. Plus many more.

I LIKE GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY WORKS- EVEN IF THE PHOTOS ARE MAGNIFIED A HUNDRED TIMES- THE IMAGES ARE STILL SHARP.

This is one of my personal best, taken in the kitchen, with normal lightings, using my Nikon, but as an amateur of course. If you zoom that further, the image does not break up and will still be just as sharp. Then the food will look tempting for the taste buds.

Those who do not care about taking sharp photos, but on the other hand, are so mighty concerned that images should not have shadows etc (when in reality, shadows do exist!) , are just tweets, talking through their nose. 

I  AM A "CULTURE ORIENTED" PERSON-

I very much like " live" Theater Performing Arts,

especially in classical/ cultural dances and 

on orchestra performances.

Photo of a “malay  sumatera lady” 
in traditional costume 
of the Nusantara..

Today, Nusantara is Indonesia. The old Nusantara is Indonesia, Malaysia, part of The Philippines and South Thailand

This image is from my other blog- CV Nusantara..

THIS IS FROM ONE OF MY FRIEND’S  FAVORITE ART -  “MAGIC IS THE MOONLIGHT”

I like this scenery, so i archive it here

THE ROSELLE FRUIT OR FLORIDA CRANBERRIES-

One of my favorite fresh fruit juice recipe. You can read this at my older / (earlier 15) post link: http://cooking-varieties.blogspot.com/2011/01/fresh-fruit-juice-recipe-on-how-to-make.html

I DO BLOG ON FOODIE JOKES

I promised that I will publish any food jokes posted in my comment box, here’s two of them:

Katrina joked: It is so difficult to put my weight under control. Therefore as from now, I  will use dish-washing liquid for showering. 
ON THE BOTTLE IT CLAIMS:
 “Dissolves fat that is otherwise so difficult to remove.”    
 Ha ha ha, many thanks  Katrina, I have never seen that one before. Do check her link at my side bar-  http://www.woman724.blogspot.com

Lee said: Anyone who thinks that the way to a man’s heart, is through his stomach, must have flunked geography… link at my side bar too…

This is funny Lee, but now I know the other meaning of the word geography ha ha ha.. Thank you very much for sharing this with us.

I hope you find my 100Th  post a progressive one.

A word from my fb friend  Ash Daud:

Thought of the day - I talk to myself because I like dealing with a better class of people-

And I said:

Tip of the day- When you want to make sure you stick to your own opinion, and not get influenced by others to change it, then talk to yourself ONLY..


They said- Do not tell anyone you are on diet, they may not buy you lunch ever again :) 

THE HYPNOTIC DANCERS.THE BHARATA NATYAM DANCE. THE ODISSII DANCE.

THE HYPNOTIC DANCERS.
THE BHARATA NATYAM. 
THE ODISSII.

I AM NOT IN A COOKING MOOD .
I  am in a relaxing mood- need to clear my mind off cooking sometimes.... I  can go for a hypnotic mood tho'. Do not think of anything else, except just watch what is in front of my eyes in cyber here...

Hey presto!  I would like to share this dance with you.... a post from my dearest world class guest blogger friend, Ana Luiza of Brazil. Do visit her at    http://hellaheaven-ana.blogspot.com/

Ana, four things in common between us is that, we both like blogging and COFFEE!! Your brazilian is simply fantastic..
Third, i like the Quebebe classico you taught me , as my guest earlier

Next, we both like the hypnotic dance below  :) yay yay !!!

When i first saw this post in Ana's blog last July, i fell in love with it ever since.

http://hellaheaven-ana.blogspot.com/2011/07/hypnotic-dancers.htm

ANA LUIZA 'S PROFILE

I've  started this blog  to share the  good things people  create in  arts, science, leisure, ideas, no matter where or when.

A dash of humor, a drop of beauty and lots of creativity.

Dignity is a word that follows me, not only at the blog but my life.

Thank you for the visit

The above profile was from the earlier guest post done by Ana.

THE HYPNOTIC DANCERS

ANA said: "You do something to me, something that simply mystifies me"

FROM THE LAND OF FAMOUS SPICES- indian cultural dances

Bharata Natyam is considered to be a 'fire dance’ resembling the movements of a dancing flame — the mystic manifestation of the metaphysical element of fire in the human body. It is one of the five major styles that includes Odissii (water), Mohiniattam (air), Kuchipudi (earth) and Kathakali (sky).

Most ancient sculptures in Hindu temples are based on “dance postures” - depicting celestial dancers, known on earth as Bharata Natyam, a classical dance from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu

from cooking varieties food art collection

The Odissii ((Orissi) is an Indian classical dance from the Eastern state of Odissa (Orissa).

Odissii is the oldest surviving dance form in India- is characterized by various Bhangas (Stance), which involves stamping of the foot and striking various postures as seen in Indian sculptures.

Maharis were  temple dancers of Orissa. Odissii dance, a  technique of unequal division of weight and firm footwork balancing a fluid upper torso, where the dancer achieves a sensuality that is uncommon in other classical dance styles.

Odissi music has codified grammars and lyrical in its movement, expressing love for the divine. The pace of singing in Odissi is in between, maintaining a very soothing proportional tempo.

Copying this post and images are NOT ALLOWED...

ACAR CUCUMBER AND CARROT RECIPE. USE OF SLAKED LIME IN HOME COOKING AND IN FOOD INDUSTRIES. ACAR TIMUN DAN LOBAK RESIPI

ACAR CUCUMBER AND CARROT RECIPE.  
ACAR TIMUN DAN LOBAK RESIPI
USE OF SLAKED LIME IN HOME COOKING AND IN  FOOD INDUSTRIES\

For cucumber, carrot, chili, onions and garlic :– After cutting them as per directions below, soak each in separate bowls of water, which has already been  mixed with half  tablespoon slaked lime. Soak for 1 1/2  - 2 hours. Once done , rinse away the slaked time

Ingredients:

1 large size cucumber- cut 5 cm long (about 2.5 in), cut into 4 pieces lengthwise and discard pith and seeds. For each of the 4 pieces –cut into 3, lengthwise , but do not cut all the way down, see photo

1 large carrot- cut 5 cm long. Cut each piece again, lengthwise as per photo

10 pieces shallots- use the round  red type- peel

10 pieces garlic- peel

2 pieces red chili- slit once lengthwise

3 pieces green chili- slit once lengthwise

½ cup roasted groundnuts- coarsely blend

1 cup vinegar

2 tbsp  sugar

3 tbsp curry powder- mix with water to form a thin paste

1/3 cup dried shrimp- blend

ABOVE- BLENDED DRIED SHRIMPS

Tempering ingredients:

4 cm young ginger root- julienned

2 pieces shallots- slice

6 cm cinnamon

6 pieces cloves

1 star anise

4 pieces crushed cardamoms

1 tsp cumin

Cooking oil

Heat oil in a non stick pot or wok.

Add in tempering ingredients until shallots wilted a bit..

Add in vinegar, curry paste, blended shrimps, shallots and garlic.. Slightly  pungent  aroma due to vinegar. Stir for 5 minutes, add cucumber and carrots.

When cucumber is half cooked, add in chili, peanuts and sugar

Turn off fire when cucumber is already crisp tender. Do not overcook the cucumber and carrots. No water is used in this cooking. It is a popular  vintage recipe and serves as an appetizer dish eaten with rice.

Applications of slaked lime in cooking/ food:
Calcium hydroxide or traditionally known as Slaked lime,  is a colorless crystal or white powder,  a low toxicity  inorganic compound and is also known as pickling lime or hydrated lime.

- In  this recipe, soaking in slaked lime, helps maintain the crispiness of the ingredients
- Slaked lime is used as an alternative ingredient to baking soda ( a raising agent in making “papadam”, a South Indian flatbread/ crackers )

- A condiment used mainly in India, where they  eat arica nuts, calcium hydroxide and a variety of other seeds wrapped in betel leaves. They call this "paan". We call this  kapur sireh.
- In chinese cuisine, it is used in the of making century eggs
- Natives in  South America  add calcium hydroxide, derived from burnt sea shells,  to their chewed  tobacco leaves to enhance flavor.


Applications of slaked lime in the Food industries:

- As food preservation in the making of pickles

- A calcium supplement in mineral fortified infant formula

- It is used in separating sugar from sugar canes (sugar cane beets)

- For processing water in the manufacturing of  alchoholic and soft drinks

CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS RECIPE. CHICKEN LETTUCE SALAD WRAPS RECIPE

CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS
GUEST POST

My very special guest post today is presented by my great culinary blogger friend, Ann from USA. Last week , she was busy with her “Thanksgiving menu” and had  prepared a healthy and gourmet dinner-  right on from starters to main meals, desserts and drinks, as well at table settings and cutleries. 
Do visit her at:  http://www.cookinghealthyforme.com

Ann said this in one of her latest posts:  In the cooking world you have what is known as marepoix, which is carrots, celery and onion….the base for many dishes. 
There is also“The Trinity“-which is celery, onions and green pepper.

Here in the south, you have what I called ”The Southern Trinity” – which is mayonnaise, sour cream and cheddar cheese!

A delicious casserole combination but eeek! So bad.for you!

But hey! Don’t worry, I know Ann can fix that and turn them around into healthy ones…

 I can say for certain  that Ann blogs on  healthy, authentic recipes with great photography works and here are three of her favorites:

1-Sicilian antipasto platter    http://www.cookinghealthyforme.com/2011/08/sicilian-antipasto-platter.html

2-Roasted vegetables on polenta   http://www.cookinghealthyforme.com/2011/09/roasted-vegetables-on-polenta.html

3-Vintage cherry soup    http://www.cookinghealthyforme.com/2011/08/vintage-recipes-cherry-slump.html


I have taken the liberty to add another name for this guest recipe, that is "chicken lettuce salad wraps" because of google search aspects which i am fanatic about :) .
I will always be very happy, when i get lots of visits/ page views in my blog and i achieved that mainly through google search.. it's lovely and even more loverly if many out there like my recipes and that of my guests  too. Let's hear from Ann:

Hi Everyone!
I was so happy that my friend, Wan, asked me to post a recipe on her site!  I’m always amazed at the interesting posts she provides and the nutritional background and medicinal properties of the foods she’s making!


My name is Ann and I’m over at Cooking Healthy For Me!  I started this blog because my doctor required that I start eating and living a healthy life… I knew I needed to do something to keep me on track and this blog was the delightful answer!  This has helped motivate me AND maintain my weight!
….and the biggest bonus?  The wonderful friends I’ve met, like Wan! 

I am a fan of delicious food – and if it’s healthy – all the better!  One of my favorites are these lettuce wraps.  I hope you enjoy!
 
CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS  
Serves 4 (3 lettuce wraps)
Adapted from Joy Bauer 
Ingredients

• 4 medium carrots, peeled and finely diced
• 2 stalks celery, finely diced
• 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1 (8-oz) can water chestnuts, drained and finely diced
• 3 scallions (white and green parts) thinly sliced
• 2 Tablespoons fresh ginger, grated or finely minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 cup bottled Chinese plum sauce (I used sweet & sour sauce)
• 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon hot chili paste (I used sweet chili sauce)
• 1/4 cup unsalted, roasted cashews, chopped (I used salted & roasted pepitas)
• 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro (I used 2 Tablespoons)
• 1 head Boston or bibb lettuce, cleaned & trimmed (I used Green Leaf lettuce)

Directions

1. Heat a large non-stick pan to medium high heat.  Spray with non-stick cooking spray.  
2. Add the carrots, celery, bell pepper, water chestnuts, scallions, ginger and garlic. Sauté, stirring until tender, 5 minutes.  Add water if needed to avoid scorching
3. Add ground chicken to the pan, cook until chicken is no longer pink and crumbly. Season with salt & pepper
4. Add the plum sauce, soy sauce, vinegar and chili paste.  Stir.  Reduce heat to low and simmer until heated thru.
5. remove from heat and stir in nuts and cilantro.  Allow to cool slightly.
6. Serve taco style with lettuce leaves

Calories 298, Protein 27g, Carbs 34g, Total fat 9g, Saturated fat 2g, Fiber 5g, Sodium 610 mg 

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF RED ONIONS. THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ONIONS

RED ONIONS

The common onion group includes both shallots and potato onions.

For all varieties of onions, the more phenols and flavonoids they contain, the more their antioxidant and anticancer properties.

In general, the most pungent onions delivered many times more health benefits than their milder cousins.

Shallots have the most antioxidant activity, followed by Western Yellow, pungent yellow, Northern Red, Mexico etc. The milder-tasting cultivars with less cancer fighting abilities are 'Western White,' 'Peruvian Sweet,' 'Empire Sweet etc.

Eye irritation can happen when peeling onions, due to it’s gas that reaches the eyes. This can be avoided by cutting onions under running water or submerged in a basin of water. 
Another way is do not cut off the root of the onion (or do it last), as the root has a higher concentration of enzymes.  
Chilling or freezing onions before cutting, prevents the enzymes from activating, so lesser gas is generated. Use a sharp knife to chop onions will limit the cell damage and lessen eye irritation.

Health Benefits of Red Onions: Sulfur Compounds

One group of chemicals responsible for the health benefits of red onions are the chemicals that produce the odors of onions ( sulfur-containing allyl propyl disulphides). These sulfur compounds may help reduce the risk of heart diseases and the risk of head and neck cancers.

Health Benefits of Red Onions: Flavonoids

Flavonoids, prevent oxidative damage that can lead to cancer and heart disease. The most important flavonoid in onions is known as quercetin- a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, that may prevent the growth of certain types of tumors.

Quercetin also has natural anti-histamine properties which may make onions somewhat effective against allergy symptoms. 
All onions have quercetin, but red onions have the most. Red onions, over its paler counterparts, are lower in calories and fat.

Onions are extremely helpful in fighting chronic pain and inflammation.

Quercetin, inhibits the inflammation present in “Osteoarthritis” and “Rheumatoid Arthritis”. Onions destroy the bad “osteoclats”, which break down bones.

Onions flavonoid acts much like Fosamax. Fosamax is a very successful bone strengthener drug, but, it’s beneficial effects gradually disappear if the drug is discontinued.  (excerpts only-  wiki and yahoo contributors)

FOOD JOKES- THE FORBIDDEN LOVE IN BEIJING. AUTUMN LEAVES OF THE MAPLE TREE.

FOOD JOKES- THE FORBIDDEN LOVE IN BEIJING.

AUTUMN LEAVES OF THE MAPLE TREE.

Cindyrina’s heart throb- she found Forbidden love in Beijing- his food menu is cute

My heart is with Toronto’s autumn leaves- a magnificent beauty of the maple trees that produce maple syrup for us.

Nature’s gifts for all of us, the stunningly beautiful maple trees in autumn.. about a week’s time, the leaves will fall- ready for winter..so mesmerizing! I must have this image published before fall is done.

My very special thank you to Lee, for his kind thoughts in sharing this magnificent beauty with all of us… have a wonderful day always Lee. 

The yellow leaves maple tree was published just before this post. The maple trees autumn leaves are very striking, especially when the tree trunk and branches are of deep black color.

GUEST POST:

My very special Guest blogger for this post is Cindyrina or Rina from Malaysia. A very special thank you to you Rina, for your willingness to do this guest post for me. You have always made me laugh a lot when reading some of your blog posts ha ha. Do visit Rina at: http://www.princesscindyrina.blogspot.com/

BEIJING, THE FORBIDDEN CITY

The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty (14 & 10 emperors). It is located in the middle of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum.

For almost 500 years, it served as the home of 24 emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of the Chinese government.

The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is listed by UNESCO  as The imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasty and also listed as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.

“The Forbidden City" referred to the fact that no-one could enter or leave the palace without the emperor's permission - wiki extracts.

Let’s read more from Rina..
A Forbidden love, found in the Forbidden city.

ABOUT ME;

Thank you Wan for giving me this opportunity!

Glad to know you Wan in this Cyber world… 

I am a Management Consultant by profession for almost 3 years now. I tell lead companies who are interested to change from the traditional ways of managing business into a modern and dynamic management approach. I hired many people and fired many too!

Yeah! My profession sounds boring and too serious.

When you visit my blog (http://www.princesscindyrina.blogspot.com) , I don’t even sound like one of those serious professional but more towards a crazy and lunatic person hahahaha… Yeah! That’s me for sure… 

I love travelling to other countries alone, to explore different cultures and experience others lifestyle.

MY GUEST POST:

“A FORBIDDEN LOVE” AT “THE FORBIDDEN CITY” IN BEIJING

Recently in September, I went to Beijing. Apart from experiencing others lifestyle and culture I also wish I could find love in another country. Most of my ground travel and exploration in Beijing  were self prepared- mostly using MRT and walking.

For  the Great Wall of China exploration, I hired a  local English speaking travel agency for a day. My tour group was joined by tourists from other countries, consisted of one couple from USA, one family from France ( husband and wife and their 7 years old son), Belgium man, French lady and me from Malaysia. 

I am not naturally good with kids and never interested with kids at all. Basically I am an ice queen when it comes to kids. 
There you go- a seven year old French boy, totally madly deeply in love with me.

He followed me around and always tried to look for me when I am far behind from the group. Even his dad and mummy were worried about him. His Dad kept telling everyone in the group that his boy is falling for me deeply. He refused to stand or walk by his dad or mummy’s side.

 He tagged along with me and as usual I just ignored and totally with my ice queen snobbish act. Sometimes I will just give him my cold smile. 

Of course deep inside my heart, I felt touched with his cute and adorable smile. He even snapped many of my photos with his dad’s   iphone and his mum’s camera, during lunch where he sat across my table eating his white rice with just ketchup! Huh! Rice with ketchup ????

THE COOLEST RECIPE IN COOKING VARIETIES BLOG SO FAR- ha ha ha

My wish came true!

I found love in Beijing.

But my! l dream love….

7 year old boy…totally sinful for that huge gap!!!

Mum & Dad need to hold his hand most of the time 

Enjoy my young lover snapshot from behind…..never thought of taking many of his photos because most of the time I was so embarrassed, because that small boy was totally into me and kept staring at me…Goshhhh!!!!! 
What- with me???? 

There you go- Dad need to hold Alan’s hand to go down the stairs at Underground Castle 

Dad still holding Alan’s hand…mmmmm Alan can’t climb further due to his minor age and lack of strength.. ha ha ha

cooking varieties said: HI ALAN-  FORBIDDEN CUTIE PIE !

He kept holding his Dad ‘s Iphone and snap my photos…… from behind seat..

He left his parents, just to be with me by sitting opposite me and start his paparazzi style of photography….  ha ha ha

He said nothing else but did introduce himself as Alan to me with his thick French accent during our first stop…

When I said my name is Rina his pronunciation make me startled…. 
Huh Ghino????

 Ah!!! That is so wrong my dear Alan!!!!   Nevertheless, sooooo romantic.....

Best of the day is he ate rice…with just ketchup and nothing else….huh???

And his Dad did mentioned Alan’s  favourite is Hamburger!!!!

But Alan ate rice for Ghino's sake- how romantika......

Dad totally told me Alan is too young to fall in love and I totally got it Dad!!!…..

cooking varieties said:  
OUCH  Rina! I think you did not visualize specific enough on your potential love finding.  In your prayer, you should have spelt the age group you wanted to meet.. I know you did mention “cute’ you did not say handsome or charming - ish issh  ishh…  see what you got-   he is so cute with that cheeky twitch on his mouth, yay , adorable, expensive smile eh! Your prayers answered with perfection ha ha ha.

Great lesson learnt: When you want to ask from God to meet you up with your true love, be specific, ask properly ok.. .don’t be shy to quote the “age group” and never blunder and use the word “cute” again.  ha ha ha – disasterous..

So The Forbidden city of Beijing turned out to be The Forbidden Love city for Rina Ghino and Alan boy.

When Alan got startled and said Huh ! Ghino? Wow, what kind of feeling/ emotion  was he expressing huh? I wonder, wonder-  I wish I am good at analyzing for you Rina. Anyone, help us here please…. I am so curious and I cannot get curious, I will die standing..

 A consolation for you Rina is that, he is the one broken hearted, not you- luckily… ha ha ha, my stomach muscles ache so bad these days, due to so much laughter everywhere. Ouch !

Yes, at first  I thought  your recipe is gonna be an exotic chicken burger with “blue color fries” at the side and one scarlet  red apple (as in adam’s or steve job’s  apple)- yum yum.. Alan’s meal together gather with you..

 OUCH !  Tomato ketchup over White rice! Hey, this is even more romantic- a scarlet and white series.. like a shadow (untouchable) .. Forbidden Love… Ghino, romantika-  I wish you the best of luck next time… skip the French people and blue French fries ok.. Skip Beijing too. 

Go to the Bahamas instead.

Here Rina, this image is for you, I did a digital art on one of my foodie photos- tomato ketchup and rice, hope you like it for keeps . ha ha ha

JUST DISCOVERED:  Today I am featured (guest) blogger at Jasna’s  real authentic culinary blog.. do visit  this link below and comment in your support. would appreciate that, Jasna is a very ethical blogger-  she will visit you back. thanks

http://jasnaskitchencreations.blogspot.com/2011/11/cooking-varietiesfood-and-health.html

see you there ok