Tag Archives: Staub

Lazy Monday Dinner – Japanese Curry Rice

31 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by in Gastronomy, Home Cook Food, Kitchen wares, Shopping

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This has got to be one of hub and my favourite lazy meal. It’s so tasty and easy to prepare. At one time, we have this almost every fortnight at home.

Not to mention, I just got something special back from Paris which I couldn’t resist using… My brand new cocotte – the 20cm black Staub. Yes !!! I am crazy enough to lug it back all the way from France. How can I resist?! It’s so cute and i love the color. And the price !!! (It’s only about EUR 72 after VAT – about RM 290). Hence, I’m going to use this little baby to make my Japanese curry.

For me, the most important thing for a good Japanese curry is the stock you make from vegetables. This gives it an extra sweetness (without adding sugar). I prefer to use Russet potatoes when making Japanese curry rice. The reason is because I love the soft grainy texture it adds to the sauce when some bits of the potato disintegrate.

Simple ingredients – Carrot, Onion, Potatoes and meat of your choice (I prefer to use pork)

Sauté the pork in the pot until semi cook. Let the meat rest before slicing it.

After that, sauté the diced potatoes, carrots and onion till brown. Add hot water to fully cover the ingredients. Allow it to simmer until all the vege is soft. With the Staub, I only need to let it sit for 10 mins on low fire and everything gets really nice and soft.

After that, place the meat into the pot and allow it to simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Usually, I add the curry roux block piece by piece. That way, I can gauge if the thickness is to my liking or not. Once all the roux melts, the consistency of the broth will be stew-like.

Serve it with rice. (I prefer to use the Japanese short grain). ** Remember to cook the rice first. ;p

Yummy comfort food in less than 20 minutes.

Caramel Croissant Pudding with Cast Iron pot

17 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Gastronomy, Home Cook Food

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When I first saw Nigella (famous celebrity chef) made these on TV, I was hooked and couldn’t wait to try it out. The way she made it look so simple !!! She really makes cooking easy and fun.  

Instead of baking it on the oven, I use my 24cm Staub cast iron pot.

And, I made a few adjustment on the receipe based on our taste preference.

For the custard,

  • ½ cup              Caster Sugar
  • ¼ cup              water
  • 1 tbsp              butter
  • 250ml              Cream
  • 250ml              fresh milk
  • 5 nos               eggs
  • 1 tsp                vanilla essence
  • Pinch of salt to taste.

Boil the water and sugar till it turn golden. Turn off the heat and whisk in butter till all melt. Next, whisk in the cream, fresh milk, vanilla essence, eggs and pinch of salt to give it a little contrast. I continue to whisk until everything it mixed well and forms a very nice custard-like colour. 

Next, I lightly spray my pot with canola oil. Heat up the pot and start tearing in big chucks of stale croissant. I let the croissant fry a little in the pot before I pour in the custard sauce. I used about 6 pieces of croissant here. I fold and press each piece to make sure the sauce soaks thru. After about 2-3 minutes, I turn off the fire. 

Cover the pot with the staub lid (which i think is the same weight we the pot !!!! so heavy…) and continue to let the pot do its job while I ran off to shower. 

 

When all of us head down for breakfast (about 15-20 mins later), the pudding is cook perfectly and still hot! (the recipe can easily feed 4-5 people)

It’s such a great and wonderful recipe for lazy-me. And hubby thinks I’m amazing for whipping something like this up for breakfast !!! MUAHHAHAHAHHA….and all this is Thanks to Nigella (One of my many favourite TV chef).

Normally, I will have some leftover which I just keep in a tupperware. It will still taste amazing the next day after reheating in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes. OR, just have it cold with some ice cream ! yummmzzz….

No knead bread – failed

26 Tuesday Apr 2011

Posted by in Baking, Gastronomy

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My mom (who is a cooking instructor) used to bake us fresh bread when we (my siblings and I) were young. After we hit teen years, she stop baking. By that time, we were quite sick of breads anyway, so, we didn’t mind as much. And also because we stop eating her bread, mom realised that she was giving most of them away instead of feeding us. hehehe…  ;p

Yes yes – we don’t know how lucky we are. But, imagine having bread everyday!! AND on top of that she will bake tons of other stuff. So, the novelty wear off after 10 years !!

Anyway, now that she has retired. She REFUSED to bake anymore. le sigh..

Considering that I grew up with a baker / cooking instructor, many relatives think I should be blessed to know how to bake as well. Sadly, I don’t. I only know how to eat those breads and cakes. I was only forced to learn how to cook when my mom pack me off to Australia. The first meal I prepared for myself was a disaster. Rice was half cook. Chicken tasteless. Broccoli half cook (and I just throw them in hot water). It was a sad sad dinner indeed. While sitting down by myself, eating horrible tasting food, I realised how fortunate I am to have nice tasty food all this time. After that, I was determination to learn to cook. During the summer holiday, I went home and started bugging mom and my aunty to teach me how to cook. 10 years plus later, I think I am a pretty passable cook now.

Recently, I started thinking about making my own bread. Seeing my friends with their babies made me realised that I would love to be able to give my kids freshly baked bread too. Just like what I had during my childhood. So, being a zero experience baker, I was so excited when I come across the No -knead bread. Wow. This is so easy. Everyone says that even 4 year old can do it. So, I set off to give it a try.

Last night, I measure everything and get the dough ready.

The recipes calls for 12-20 hours of rising time. I thought since I am in a hot and humid country, 10 hours should be sufficient.

I waited patiently. (in fact, I was so excited I hardly sleep the whole night). Around 6 am this morning, I woke up to prepare the bread. It  has risen nicely. Took it out. Folded it as per shown on you tube. Throw it into my Staub cast-iron pot (which was pre-heated) and ran back upstair to shower.

When I come down, took the lid off. The bread was so beautiful. I was so excited. I took of the lid and let it bake for another 20 mins (to get the crust)

Looks amazing, right?

I let it cool on the rack before slicing it.

It was a GREAT disappointment.

Inside was dense. Not much big bubbles which I have seen from other people’s blog. the only plus point is that the crust was nice and crispy.

ARGHHH…. I failed. sobbb sob..

And to add to my injury, 4 year old can bake it better

T__T