Saturday, November 6, 2010

Check This Out! / Culinary Smackdown November 2010

Yesterday was a lazy and exciting Friday, all in one! Firstly, it was a holiday in Malaysia, being a public holiday for the celebration of Diwali, a celebration known as 'The Festival of Lights" for the Hindu community. I would  like to wish all my Hindu friends and family "A Happy Deepavali".

Since it was a holiday, we woke up later than usual.  The kids was still sleeping and I made some french toast for breakfast. They woke up to the yummy smell of the french toast with a happy face!  And since we had a late breakfast, I whipped up some fried rice for an even later lunch, though I should probably call it tea-time!  Then in the late evening, we went out to McDonalds, I don't really care for McDonalds, but the kids are all smiles, and it is conveniently opposite the store where I wanted to go, and I was rushing for some extra time before the store closes and after that comes the exciting part...... right after this!

Crunchy French Toast Sticks


Crunchy French Toast Sticks
This was taken from Allrecipes.com.  There was mixed reviews about this, just adjust to your own liking, though I think that the original will be quite bland. I add some salt, sugar and vanilla essence. And I use cooking oil to fry the bread instead of butter.
Ingredients :
3 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 cups corn flakes, crushed
4 slices bread, cut into thirds
1 tablespoons butter
1/2 tsp vanilla essence (my add-on)
pinch of salt (my add-on)
2 tbsp sugar (my add-on)

Directions :
  1. Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla essence, salt and sugar together in a bowl.  Spread the crushed corn flakes onto a plate.
  2. Dip each piece of bread into the egg mixture and then press gently into the cereal, turning to coat completely.  Place the breadsticks onto a plate while breading the rest: do not stack.
  3. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, cook the coated breadsticks in the melted butter until golden, about 4 minutes each side.

Anchovies Fried Rice



Anchovies Fried Rice
(Just use whatever leftover veggies you have)
Ingredients :
3 cups cold cooked rice
50gm anchovies, split and cleaned
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small green capsicum
2 fresh red chillies
2 eggs, beaten, season with a little salt or soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon powdered anchovies
salt and pepper to taste
cooking oil

Method :

  1. Fry anchovies in hot oil till crispy. Drain on paper towels and keep aside.
  2. Saute minced garlic and onion till fragrant.  Add in capsicum and red chillies and stir for a minute or two. Scoop everything on to a plate and keep aside. (I usually do the lazy way and just put everything on one side of the wok).  
  3. Pour the beaten eggs and scrambled fry till light brown. 
  4. Add the cold rice and the ingredients from no 2 above. Fry till evenly mixed. Add powdered anchovies,salt and pepper to taste, continue frying for about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Lastly, stir in fried crispy anchovies, stir and enjoy. Garnish with some chopped parsley or spring onions.
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Alright!  You've waited long enough!  Have you got your recipe going and ready for Culinary Smackdown Let's Get Tangy with Citrus November  2010 ? Remember, the challenge ends on November 29th, 2010 at 12.00 noon, Malaysian time.  

The exciting part is after our quick meal at McDonalds,  we went to the bookstore and I have picked the PRIZE for the winner of this month's Culinary Smackdown Challenge! 

CHECK THIS OUT!
The winner for this month's Culinary Smackdown Let's Get Tangy with Citrus November 2010 will receive this fabulous cookbook , HOME COOKING by RACHEL ALLEN








For more info on this fabulous book, check it out at Amazon.co.uk to read up on the fantastic reviews.  This book is suitable for what it was meant to be, home cooking!  There are lots of simple and yummy recipes that would make a good and satisfying meal in your house. You can also read this interesting post on David Lebovitz's blog on Plum and Rhubard Crisp from Rachel Allen.   So come on, send your entry and if you do not have one yet, dig out your recipes books, newspaper cuttings, magazines, whatever.... just whip out one yummy citrus treat, post it, submit and keep your fingers crossed that you will win this fabulous cookbook!
After all, one can never have enough of cookbooks, can we?  

To know more details and submit your entries, please click here

Good luck, everyone!

14 comments:

  1. Your food looks absolutely beautiful! I think the flavors added to the french toast, were very good indeed. Thanks!

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  2. Love both of these recipes! They look fab and I can't wait to try the French toast sticks for breakfast! The cookbook looks excellent, too!

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  3. Both of those dishes look yummy! Your addition to the french toast sound good- I bet the cornflakes make it nice and crunchy! The rice looks delicious too- it would be lovely for a luncheon. I'm still thinking about a citrus recipe!

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  4. I usually don't eat french toast because of its soggy texture, but your crunchy french toast sticks change all that and sound like something I'd enjoy.

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  5. Love the look of those crunchy french toasts - never would have thought of that, it's a great idea. Also love your add-in of the vanilla, salt and sugar.

    Sue :-)

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  6. wow That French toasts just got me crave for some! Mouthwatering!

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  7. I love you French Toasts!! What lovely Book I loveit!! have a lovely day! gloria

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  8. fried rice please! i'll have the french toast for dessert

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  9. Ho appena scoperto il tuo graziosissimo blog io sono sempre molto interessata in ricette diverse dalle mie.
    spero di vederti anche sul mio blog!
    Adesso ti seguo:)
    Buona giornata
    Babrara

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  10. Hi Melynda,
    Thank you. Have a nice day!

    Hi Marguerite,
    Thank you. Have a nice day!

    Hi scrambledhenfruit,
    Thank you. Well, you still have lots of time to think of a citrus recipe! Look forward to your entry!

    Hi Lisa,
    Hope you enjoy trying out the crunchy french toast. Have a nice day!

    Hi C&C,
    Thank you. Have a nice day.

    Hi Angie,
    Would love to pass some over to you! Have a lovely day!

    Hi Gloria,
    Thank you. Have a nice day!

    Hi mr. pineapple man,
    Would love to pass them over to you too! Have a nice day!

    Hi Cucina di Barbara,
    Thank you for stopping by and being my newest follower! I have hopped over to yours! Have a lovely day!

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  11. What a lovely mummy you are to wake up early on a holiday and make your family french toast. :) Your fried rice looks fantastic too. Can't get those nice, big, fat anchovies here. :-(

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  12. That French Toast looks great. It's morning here in CA and you got me craving breakfast. All your food looks yummy! :)

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  13. Je connais le pain perdu français et c'est très bon.
    Mais avec des cornflakes, je trouve ça génial.
    A tester rapidement.
    Bonne semaine et à bientôt.

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  14. Hi KY,
    Thanks! Make sure you get some anchovies on your next visit!

    Hi Priscilla,
    Thank you! Have a lovely day!

    Hi Nadji,
    Thank you. Have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete