I initially thought that making fresh pasta was very intimidating. But, having seen more and more people succeed in making pasta from scratch, I realised that my perception was wrong. Getting inspired, I began my pasta making journey.   The steps in making pasta are pretty straight-forward. They can be summarised as below: • Combine the ingredients • Knead the dough • Rest the dough • Roll...

  Sweet potatoes are not only naturally sweet,  but also packed with a nutritional punch. They are rich in dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates, carotenoids, vitamins (A, C, E, B2, and B6) and essential minerals (manganese, potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium). Furthermore, sweet potatoes have more vitamin C, fewer calories, more fiber and fewer total cabs than white potatoes. Although they contain...

  From our local wet markets, I can easily find cheap and fresh corns year-round. So, I always buy some to keep. Before storing in the fridge, I wrap them un-husked with plastic wrap. This helps them to remain fresh for a week or two.   Fresh corns have wonderful natural sweetness. They are also versatile cooking ingredients. Thus, I love to add them to my soup. Previously, I had shared some corn...

  My son was eager to learn how to make a pudding. So, I chose this quick and easy chocolate avocado pudding recipe for him to try out.   This pudding has a unique combination of two star ingredients – avocado and chocolate. Avocado is a superfood rich in healthy fats and has many essential vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin B5, vitamin K, fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and potassium). Chocolate...

  Chicken stock is the secret ubiquitous ingredient that enhances our cooking. It’s the essential base for soups, sauces, stews, stir-fry etc. Homemade chicken stock is far more superior than what you can buy at the store. It is guaranteed to be 100% natural, free of preservative and is nourishing. I use chicken stock in most of my cooking and have started to make my own chicken stock after I realised...

  I love tomatoes for their vibrant colour, flavour and nutrient. I buy tomatoes almost every week from my favourite vegetable seller who sells his own produce from Bukit Tinggi, at the foothill of Genting Highland. Their tomatoes are not only fresh and cheap but also pesticide-free. As you can see from the photos, they even come with green stem attached. How lovely!   Tomatoes are so versatile that...

  Making nut butter from scratch is pretty easy. Once you have learned the basic blending techniques, you can easily whip up any kind of nut butters (such as peanut butter) or mixed nut and seed butters, in small or big batches, as and when you like.   This “so heavenly good” almond chocolate butter is truly the almond version of Nutella, as described by Love and Olive Oil, which I can’t agree...

  On a scorching hot afternoon, nothing could be better than having a cool treat to chill you down. Homemade popsicles are my son’s all-time favourite cool treat. Whenever there are fresh and cheap berries in the market, I will make a bunch of popsicles and stock them in the fridge. The berries season is back now, and it’s time to dig out my popsicle moulds again.   Homemade popsicles are not...

  If you don’t have an oven but plan to make a simple snack for your kid, what could you make? My answer is definitely PANCAKE! With just a few ingredients and some simple cooking equipment, a batch of homemade pancakes will be ready in no time.   There are lots of methods in making pancakes. Each method has its own uniqueness. Interestingly, even for the same recipe, a slight change will yield...

  My family is a great fan of granola. Since making my first granola one year ago, I have stopped buying granola from the supermarket. This is because it is healthier, more nutritious and delicious. It also gives me more savings too.   Making your own granola is a breeze. It also allows you to take full control over the selection of ingredients and the amount of sweeteners to be used. You can...