Homesick for Asia

Andy is not around and I am feeling super home-sick, more than the usual, and I've become just a little bit sad. Good thing the cooking is not affected - I have been trying to cook Asian food I loved but didnt know how to make. Easy, veggie stuff that is great on the taste buds but not heavy on the stomach. I made all the recipes up (except for the japanese veggie curry!)

1st Saturday Andy is Away

Miso-garlic soba with mushroom and eggplant

* Miso dressing - 1 tbsp red miso paste, 2 tbsp olive oil, minced garlic to taste, 1 tsp ground sesame seeds (I put this into a little food processor), mix with soba

*Eggplant and mushrooms - saute with 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tbsp oil, and minced garlic to taste

1st Monday Andy is Away

Japanese Vegetable Curry

* Super easy!
* Just buy Japanese curry roux - it's very cute, like chocolate cubes :)

* saute garlic and some white onions, toss in potatoes & carrots

* Pour 3-4 cups water and bring to a boil

* When boiling, toss in the roux and mix until it thickens

* Simmer for about 10-15mins until carrots and potatoes are tender - throw in the eggplants last, because they cook quickly

1st Sunday Andy is Away

I cant even descrive what the vegetable I cooked was - it looks like a lotus root?
* Saute garlic, sliced green onions in 1tbsp Sesame Oil

* Mix 1 tsp corn starch, 3 tbsp water, 1/2 tsp dashi powder and 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce

* simmer tofu, sliced mushrooms and lotus root for 5 mins

* Serve with brown rice and egg

Scones and Risotto

RISOTTO AND BAKED FISH
I just wanted to post a dinner I made for Andy and his friend John. I made a green salad with cooked potatoes, beans (like a Nicoise salad), and baked the fish (I forget what it was) with lemon juice and pepper. I am not too excited about this meal, so I'll just post the photo which is pretty.

SCONES

I first ate scones funnily in Bangkok - Starbucks to be exact. It wasnt very yummy, very floury but I felt like this English biscuit had potential. I ate scones again last week, and it left a lot to the imagination. Last night I decided I'd make my own - the recipe is simple, and it took me 30mins to make -a few tips:

- cook it full for 12 mins, I undercooked mine slightly

- I glazed it with milk, brown sugar and then put (winning move) some organic maple syrup

It was crispy on top, but moist inside I didnt have to put jam, etc, because it had enough sweetness on it - the recipe can be found here - http://www.ecurry.com/blog/starters-snacks/scones-cranberry-almond/

I just ate the scones now and its super yummy!!! Cooking really allows me to appreciate my food better, I feel the same as my fellow yogini and foodie Shane when she said that eating sweets in restaurants, etc just dont taste the same - most are too sweet, and i dont know, it tastes 'mass produced' haha!. Back to the scones, something I read on the blog site where i got the recipe,

" The scone is a small British quickbread (or cake if recipe includes sugar) of Scottish origin. Scones are especially popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada, but are eaten in many other countries. They are usually made of wheat, barley or oatmeal, with baking powder as a leavening agent. The scone is a basic component of the cream tea or Devonshire tea.” (Wiki) Originally the scones were griddle baked but today they are more flour based, baked in the oven & are usually savory or sweet. There are two ways to pronounce scone; “Skon” is usually used in Scotland and Northern England and “Skoan” is used in the South parts."