PIneapple Tarts Recipe

Golden and mildly crispy pastry filled with spiced pineapple jam,   that’s the  captivating  pineapple tarts. This recipe features the open-face version, also known as Nyonya pineapple tarts, a favorite during festive seasons and special occasions. Making pineapple tarts may be a tedious job, but homemade tarts are always worth the effort (TEA GOJI BERRY JELLY). 

What makes these homemade pineapple tarts unique compared to other fruity tarts?

 

Butter

Creates an extra crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth texture (BUTTER CAKE RECIPE). 

 

Corn flour

Binds the dough, making it tender and crisp, while enhancing the filling and extending shelf life.

Istanbul, Turkey

Uniquely positioned at the junction of Europe and Asia, Turkey is a country that shares land borders with eight countries. It is also surrounded by the Aegean Sea to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Black Sea to the north. With over 85 million people, the official language is Turkish, though English is widely spoken in tourist areas (COPENHAGEN DENMARK SITES). 

Most travelers enter Turkey through Istanbul Airport, though there are also airports in Ankara and Izmir. Mention Istanbul, and the words mentioned are stunning, historic, and aplenty things to do in Istanbul. Truly a must-visit city for Turkey travel. No surprise, countless attractions in Istanbul have stood the test of time, drawing travelers from throughout the world (VENICE ITALY THINGS TO DO). 

Easy Pork Belly with Salted Fish

Pork belly and salted fish. Imagine these two ingredients coming together in one Chinese dish. That’s Pork Belly (PORK CHOPS CHINESE STYLE) with Salted Fish, a popular and much-loved recipe. You’ll often find it at Chinese mix rice stalls, and in restaurants, it’s served bubbling hot in a claypot as Claypot Pork Belly with Salted Fish.

At home, though, it’s all about easy cooking. This steamed version is simple and even considered the healthier choice. Just prep the ingredients, place them on a steaming tray, and steam away.

Thai Red Prawn Curry

Bright red, rich, and filled with the aroma of Thai herbs. Exactly how a Thai Red Prawn Curry should be. Thai curries are usually made with one of the three main pastes: red, yellow, or green curry paste (THAI GREEN EGG CURRY). This recipe uses the Thai red curry paste, the key to bold and fragrant flavor.

There are different ways to prepare red curry paste, from simple homemade versions to more complex blends. A vegetarian red curry paste works as a good base and can be easily adapted into a non-vegetarian curry. Choice of Thai herbs and ingredients can also be adjusted to taste.

Chinese Rice Congee

Rice congee is the watery, lighter version of rice. It’s comfort food at its best. Ideal for rainy or chilly days when you need warmth. Or for those times you’re under the weather yet still crave rice, just in a soft, soupy form. And of course, for true congee lovers, anytime is a good time for a bowl of rice congee.

While congee recipes may seem similar across cultures, Chinese rice congee stands out because it’s not cooked into a mushy, sticky lump. 

Instead, the rice grains remain soft, grainy, and cooked to just the right texture, with enough water to create a light, soothing broth.

Jelly Recipe: Chrysanthemum Goji Berry Jelly

Herbal jelly with loads of health benefits. It’s indeed a Chinese jelly recipe, as chrysanthemum tea and dried goji berries are part of their cooking. Imagine the refreshing and cooling chrysanthemum tea and also the natural sweetness of goji berries (THAI RED RUBIES). 

In a mildly crunchy, yet wobbly jelly, made with lump sugar. Let alone only 4 ingredients (excluding water) for this not a common jelly. But it’s truly a sweet dessert pleasure, whether preferred at room temperature or after chilling in the fridge (ONDEH-ONDEH/KUIH BUAH MELAKA). 

Indian Crab Rasam (Crab Soup)

Among the versions of Indian Crab Rasam (Nandu Rasam), from rustic village-style to modern twists, this spiced South Indian Crab Soup stands out as both nourishing and tasty. Whether you cook with the meaty claws of mud crabs or the smaller legs of blue crabs, the choice is yours (EASY CRAB CURRY).

You can prepare the rasam paste from scratch with fresh spices or use a ready-made spice powder.

 

From a quick, simple crab rasam to a more elaborate version, the heart of the dish lies in a blend of Indian spices. Simmered with crab claws, tamarind juice, tomato, and curry leaves, it carries a bold, spiced taste.

Sri Lankan Mango Fish Curry: Miris Malu:

Village cooking, traditional cooking,  also Kerala style and Sri Lankan style heritage cooking (SRI LANKAN COCONUT MILK FISH). Cooking in clay pot is not only truly meaningful, but considered healthier because it preserves nutrients, requires less oil, and allows slow, even cooking.

This fish curry takes the Sri Lankan fish curry recipe, known as Miris Mallu, cooked in clay pot, but with its own tweet and twist. Still, featuring from a stratch, homemade curry paste. Pan roasted spices to release their aromas, and traditionally pounded, but for easy cooking, blended (KEEMA RECIPE). 

Chilli Chicken Recipe: Chinese Style

A popular order during Chinese meals, or as one of the dishes in a Chinese mix rice (chap fun) eatery, Chilli Chicken features dried red chilies, spring onions, and soy sauce with tender chicken pieces. Its simplicity makes it a sincerely appetizing dish (BEANS STIR-FRY CHINESE STYLE). 

This recipe follows the same high-fire stir-frying (woi hei) style found in eateries. It also includes crispy fried cashew nuts. This gives it the name Cashew Nut Chilli Chicken or Chilli Chicken Cashew Nut, depending on which you prefer to put first.

 

Get your plate of rice ready. The pairing does not have to be elaborate for this classic Chinese-style chilli chicken (CHILLI PRAWNS CHINESE STYLE).