Nian Gao (年糕) Puffs

What do you do with your leftover 年糕 (pronounced as nian gao which literally means Year Cake)?  I believe the norm is to sandwich with sliced yam and sweet potato, coated in a thin layer of flour and egg batter and fry them.

During the Chinese New Year period, I saw this Taiwanese program (女人我最大) on cable and they prepared this with puff pastry.  Sonia made them too and I thought they looked yummy.  I made mine with instant roti prata instead and they turned out well too.

Nian Gao Puffs

Ingredients

Nian Gao, cut lengthwise

Instant Roti Prata, slightly thawed
Black and White sesame seeds

Method

1. Remove instant roti prata from freezer, thaw for 2 - 3 mins and cut into half.
2. Place 年糕 on roti prata and roll it up, seal the edges.
3. Sprinkle some sesame seeds on top and bake at preheated oven of 200C for 25 - 30 mins or till golden brown.

Crispy Crabstick

It is a tradition for married couples to give red packets to unmarried juniors during Chinese New Year.   Red packets are also known as 压岁钱 (which literally means using money to suppress or put down the evil spirit) during this period.  It is also a tradition to put brand new notes inside red packets.

My first trip to the bank was unfruitful as they ran out of new notes and was told to come back the next day.  The second trip yielded no favourable result too as new notes were running out fast.  I only managed to exchange new notes on my 4th trip to the bank.

While I in the queue, I overhead a commotion.  A couple in their fifties and an elderly (probably in her eighties) were attended by a Malay staff.  The staff explained that since the elderly only speaks and understands Teochew, she couldn't proceed with the withdrawal transaction as she was worried the elderly may not be aware that money will be withdrawn from her account.  The staff explained that she will have to refer them to her Chinese colleague so that mutual communication may be carried out.  The couple showed their displeasure and insisted that the old lady is aware of the happenings.  Apparently, the withdrawal is in the form of a cheque, addressed to the younger lady.  Given the benefit of doubt, the elderly may be withdrawing money on own accord but we have heard and see many cases of elderly being cheated of their hard-earned money.  I applaud the staff for their conscientious towards this matter.

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XY shared this very interesting snack in a mothers' forum a few weeks ago.  I never like the idea of deep frying so I started off with the microwave.  They turned out crispy alright but some ends turned brown due to the uneven heating.  Next I tried baking in a low temperature oven, with and without oil.  The crabstick turned out crispy but the whole lot got stuck together despite a stir in-between baking time to break them up.  Finally I resorted to deep-frying but it was way too oily.  I'm definitely going to make this again either with the microwave or oven, no more deep-frying.  This is a simple yet delicious snack.

I'm sharing the method of cooking this with microwave.

Fried Crabstick

Ingredients

1 packet crabstick, shredded

Method

1. Lay shredded crabstick on a microwavable plate in a single layer.
2. Microwave on High for 2 mins, remove and give it a stir, microwave for another 2 mins.

Marinated Guava

This is yet another simple "recipe". Actually, there's no recipe, just slice the guava into thin slices and add some thinly shredded mandarin orange peel, chill before serving.

Marinated Guava
Ingredients
1 Guava
1/2 - 2/3 packet Dried Mandarin Orange Peel

Method

1. Cut guava and remove seed. Slice thinly into 2mm thick. Set aside.
2. Slice/cut dried mandarin orange peel into thin stirps.
3. Marinate everything together and leave in fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Crispy Anchovies - Microwave

My children loves anchovies but I hate to fry them. Don't like the oil and the cleaning up part :P Sis C taught me this years ago and I've been using this method, quick and easy, and most importantly, healthier!

Method

Microwave on High for 2 mins, remove and give it a stir, microwave for another 2 mins.