winter winter

go on, go on rain; just keep pouring,

as we won't be able to feel you til next Jan 09.

That's the weather in capital of ca.

As the rain took a rest, i walked, smelling the clean air,
blowing breeze aches the bone.

Watching the pond filled with water, two geese having fun.

It is so relaxing. no stress, nothing to give a thought of,
swimming so calm and gentle.

Wish I could read what's in the brain of these geese, ha ha.
Keep warm everyone.
Let's wait for the spring, it will be there before we realize

Lemongrass Substitute

****** Yeah ! a substitute for lemongrass. *******

Lemongrass is a key ingredient in some of south east cooking.

However, lemongrass is only available in asian stores.

Even we can purchase the ground dry lemongrass from stores,

but it certainly can't replace the flavor and aroma of fresh lemongrass.

If unable to find lemongrass, here's a substitute; it makes about 2 teaspoon

I came across this easy lemongrass substitution tip from a cooking book,

which I got from the library.

Here it is:

6-8 mint leaves
2 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp granulated sugar
1/4 tsp chopped fresh ginger

Squeeze lime juice in a bowl and add sugar and stir until sugar dissolve. Then add the chopped ginger. Then add the finely chopped mint leave into the bowl.

In most cooking, the roots of lemongrass chopped and grind to used,

my friend thought me that long grassy leave can be added into,

when boiling tea, makes aromatic herbal tea, and soothing in this winter weather.

Chicken Rendang

Happy 2008 to everyone!

Hardly can blog, since kids were home for holidays.

Aahh! Let's talk about what I made here.

This dish is a Malay food called Chicken Rendang.

The preparation takes awhile, since needed grinding of ingredients, but the taste; I like it.

1lb chicken

Ingredient A:
2 stalk lemon grass /serai - ground
1 inch galangal / lengkuas -ground
1 tbsp chopped ginger - ground
2 tbsp chopped garlic - ground
1/2 cup chopped onion - ground

3-4 chillies & 1 small tomato - grind to make a paste

Ingredient B:
1/4 cup shredded coconut - roasted and ground fine
1/4 cup peanut - roasted and ground
few kafir leaves / limau purut

On the stove, in a heavy pan, add 2 tablespoon of oil, then include chicken and all ingredients from A. Keep stirring as it cooks. Don't forget to add salt to it. When the chicken is all cooked, add ingredient B to it, continue stirring for 5 minutes.

Then ready to enjoy! Serve with rice.