Pressure Cooker Braised Chinese Mushrooms with Noodles | 珍菌香菇素煨麵

附中文食譜

Earlier this summer I stumbled into a cozy local health-food cafe in the heart of the Mongkok Flower Market looking to fill my midday hunger pang. Nutritious soups, tonics and healthy desserts aside, the menu features a one and only savory and more substantial signature dish - noodles with braised assorted Chinese mushrooms - with a brief description of its health-giving properties. The bowl of noodles was simple, tasty and comforting, and perfect for a light lunch or dinner; I thought I could easily make a similar version at home with my own mix of mushrooms I have in the pantry.

Each type of precious fungi contributes to creating a complex blend of intense flavors, aroma and rich textures

Every now and then, our generally meat-heavy diet at the workplace or in dining out gets me feeling in need of a break - a desperate longing for staying in and cooking something light, satisfying, and completely meat-free, something as basic as braised mushrooms. Dried mushrooms come to the rescue on days when I am just too lazy to go all out on market visits and meal prep. Thanks to their superb meatiness, Chinese dried shiitake and monkey head mushrooms can easily be the star of any vegetarian or vegan main event. As long as they are stored in a cool place and away from direct sunlight (sometimes even in the freezer), dried mushrooms keep well and make a good pantry staple.

Cut cooking time down with a pressure cooker like this Vitavit® by Fissler

Chinese braised mushrooms is familiar to many, as they frequently make appearance at banquets and especially during Chinese New Year celebrations, where special, festive occasions will often call for the most premium grade of mushrooms braised in oyster sauce and served on a bed of greens. As Chinese mushrooms already pack a heady punch of aroma on their own, they do not require heavy seasoning, although a touch of sweet and extra umami does bring out the best of them (in comes the ever indispensable oyster sauce, whose vegetarian version is now widely available in supermarkets).

At home, braised mushrooms can be just as simply prepared, with the cooking time significantly reduced with an instant pot or pressure cooker. You can opt for the most purist of all and use only Chinese dried shiitake, or use a medley of precious fungi to create a complex blend of aroma and texture unique to each type of mushroom.

The soaking liquid, rich with intense mushroom flavor, provides the "stock" - do not discard after soaking!

Monkey head mushrooms - so named for its resemblance - are like sponges that plump up in water and add incredible depth of flavor, aroma, and a juicy, spongey bite. Porcini (I recently picked up a bag on my travels to Yunnan, China) adds richness and earthiness; while the brightly orange Cordyceps militaris brings crunch and a mild bitterness along with its purported potential to improve heart health and fight inflammation, cancer, diabetes and aging. As always, experiment your own blend and use what you have on hand!

To complete the simple dish, add a side of Asian greens and ladle the braised mushrooms over your favorite noodles, be it udon, somen, buckwheat soba, or thin egg noodles. Perhaps the most enlightening light bulb moment I had at the health-food cafe was their use of chopped Chinese celery as a garnish, which adds an uncanny layer of pleasant, medicinal flavor and crunch to the braised mushrooms. Spoon the intensely flavored mushroom "gravy" over and lunch is served!

Ingredients
50 g small Chinese dried shiitake mushroom
2 heads dried monkey head mushroom
12 g dried porcini (or other mushroom of choice)
15 g Cordyceps militaris
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 inch ginger, sliced
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
3 tablespoons oyster sauce, regular or vegetarian
1 tablespoon soy sauce
20 g rock sugar
1 star anise
3 cups (700 ml) water
1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon water)

Serve with:
Chinese celery, chopped | noodles of choice | greens of choice

Directions
1. Give the Chinese mushroom, monkey head mushroom, and porcini a quick rinse, then place in a large bowl and submerge in 3 cups of water for 30 mins. Trim any hard stems if necessary. Tear the monkey head mushrooms apart into smaller chunks. Squeeze excess water out of the mushrooms, reserving the soaking water. Give the Cordyceps militaris mushrooms a good rinse and set aside.

2. In instant pot, add sesame oil on medium heat. Add sliced ginger and mushrooms and stir fry for 10 seconds. Stir in the Shaoxing wine.

3. Carefully pour in the mushroom soaking water, making sure that you do not pour in any sediment or dirt from the water.

4. When the liquid comes to a simmer, stir in the oyster sauce, soy sauce, rock sugar, and star anise. Then, on medium-high heat, fasten the pressure cooker lid and set the cooking display with traffic light function on level II. Once the green ring becomes visible, reduce heat to low and set timer for 8 minutes.

5. When time is up, set the cooker aside to cool and release pressure after several minutes. Next, mix the cornstarch slurry, unfasten lid, and slowly pour in slurry while stirring constantly. Bring the contents to a boil again then turn heat off.  Remove ginger slices and star anise.

6. Arrange cooked noodles of choice and greens in a bowl, then ladle over a generous scoop of braised mushrooms and sauce. Sprinkle over chopped Chinese celery and enjoy! 

Note: to cook without using an instant pot, simply extend cooking time to 30 - 45 mins or until mushrooms are cooked and tender.

Tried this recipe?
Share with me or leave a comment! #alvinspenthousekitchen 
Find me on Instagram @alvinckl and @alvin.penthousekitchen and follow my Facebook Fan Page!

【 珍菌香菇素煨麵 】

材料：
珍珠冬菇                      50 克
猴頭菇                           2 枚
牛肝菌                           12 克
蟲草花                           15 克
麻油                                2 茶匙
薑                                    1 寸，切片
紹興酒                           1 湯匙
蠔油或素蠔油              3 湯匙
生抽                                1 湯匙
冰糖                                20 克
八角                                1 顆
水                                    700 毫升
粟粉                                1 湯匙，打芡用

拌菜：
芹菜，切粒 | 麵條 | 青菜

做法：
1. 冬菇、猴頭菇、牛肝菌過水略為洗淨後以清水浸軟。猴頭菇去蒂並用手撕成小件。把多餘水份擠出，保留浸菇水備用。蟲草花洗淨備用。
2. 高速煲燒熱後下麻油，爆香薑片及雜菇。
3. 加入紹興酒後調大火加入浸菇水，注意把水中雜質隔開。
4. 加入蠔油、生抽、冰糖及八角。待水滾後蓋上高速鍋蓋，調校至 2 速，用中火煲至見綠環後轉慢火，計時 8 分鐘後熄火。
5. 粟粉加入一湯匙室溫水拌勻。將高速煲裡剩餘蒸氣排放後開蓋，倒入芡汁並以大火收汁，約一分鐘。把火熄掉，去除薑片和八角。
6.  把煮好的麵條、青菜放在碗裡，鋪上珍菌香菇和醬汁，最後撒上芹菜粒即成！

備註：不用高速煲，可依傳統做法 — 只要把所有燉煮材料用大火煮滾後收中慢火，蓋上煲子，煮 30 至 45 分鐘後打芡。

Tried this recipe?
Share with me or leave a comment! #alvinspenthousekitchen 
Find me on Instagram @alvinckl and @alvin.penthousekitchen and follow my Facebook Fan Page!

Sweet Potato and Bacon Waffles | 蕃薯煙肉窩夫

附中文食譜

Growing up, waffles were hardly part of my breakfast repertoire. We didn't grow up with a waffle maker at home. Although Hong Kong-style waffles were sold everywhere at hawker stands - generously slathered with peanut butter and condensed milk and sold side by side with egg puffs - I never really developed strong memories of waffles since street food was strictly off limits in my family.

Much in the same way as American style pancakes, waffles always felt to me like empty calories heavy with flour and laden with sugar - nothing more than a vehicle for the river of syrup or pat of butter, or the occasional bells and whistles.

Things started evolving for me when fried chicken and waffles became a thing in the U.S., something of a national obsession really. Don't get me wrong - chicken and waffles have been around for ages, with origins purportedly rooted in the South, but the formidable duo has seen a revival of late as brunch grew to become the top trend in American cuisine and beyond. In an instance, the humble waffle has been propelled to the center stage and under the global spotlight as an increasing number of restaurants worldwide are adding the combo to their menu and coming up with their own signature variations, be it savory or sweet. Waffles were no longer just for breakfast; neither are they simply just plain or sweet. My attitude towards waffles shifted. Next thing I know, I developed a craving for fried chicken and waffle and make a beeline for my favorite spot every time I land in New York.

End of last year, I picked up a multi-function sandwich maker at an appliances blowout sale that came with a waffle griddle. The machine hasn't seen daylight since until this past weekend when I decided a lazy "brunch for dinner" was in order for my little get-together with a couple of good friends. And by lazy, I mean it was just going to be waffle and gazpacho, no cooking required. I wanted the waffle to be the main event, something that was at once comforting, healthy, and satisfying. I also did not want flour to be the bulk of the waffle. So I looked to sweet potato - and sure enough - sweet potato waffles is a thing.

"Brunch for Dinner": a cozy, happy, celebratory weekend reunion!

Sweet potatoes are considered low on the glycemic index scale - meaning the carbohydrates are slowly digested, absorbed, and metabolized and do not cause a spike in insulin levels. Not only are these wholesome sweet potato waffles low in carbs and calories (make them even better for you without the bacon - but hey, baaaaacon), they are naturally gluten-free. Most recipes on the internet call for coconut flour to be incorporated into the mixture, but considering that in some parts of the world coconut flour is not readily available or is plain costly, I recommend other nut flours or cornstarch as a gluten-free substitute.

In this savory version of sweet potato waffles, bacon, spring onions and a touch of garlic powder give incredible flavor, while paprika brings subtle heat that plays off the mild sweetness in the sweet potatoes. Top the waffles with more crisp bacon, a gorgeous, runny sunny-side-up and a generous sprinkle of chopped spring onion, and finish with a light drizzle of maple syrup and hot sauce for a delicious sensory experience. Pair the ensemble with a refreshing, appetizing cup of gazpacho (recipe to come soon!) and you have a complete brunch suited for any time of the day!

What you'll need... (for two)
1 medium sweet potato (2 cups grated)
1 bunch spring onion, chopped
3 tablespoons cornstarch*
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Large pinch of sea salt
1 slice bacon (optional)
2 eggs, beaten

To serve:
Bacon | Fried or poached egg | Avocado | Maple syrup | Hot sauce | Chopped spring onion

Note*: substitute with 2 tablespoons of coconut flour

Directions...
1. Peel and grate the sweet potato. Give the shredded sweet potato a few quick pulses in a food processor if necessary to break down any long strands. Important: lay grated sweet potato out on paper towels. Place another paper towel on top and press down to absorb as much liquid as possible.

2. Preheat waffle maker or waffle iron.

3. In a small frying pan, cook the bacon (if using) until desired crispiness, drain excess fat and crumble the bacon. In a large bowl, mix together all the waffle ingredients including the crumbled bacon until thoroughly combined.

4. Once the waffle maker is hot, grease with bacon fat or spray with nonstick spray. Spread sweet potato batter evenly onto the waffle maker, making sure it's packed down lightly. Close machine and let cook until golden brown and slightly crispy, flipping once if necessary, about 8 - 10 minutes. Remove and repeat with remaining batter.

5. While waffle is cooking, prepare toppings of choice. If making waffles in batches, lay cooked waffles on a rack and keep warm in an oven. Transfer to a plate and top with desired fixings, enjoy!

 【 蕃薯煙肉窩夫 】

非一般的格仔餅啊！近年美國掀起炸雞窩夫熱潮、加上週末嘆 Brunch 的文化漸催普及化，窩夫不再只局限於早餐或作甜品～ 早餐當晚餐又何樂而不為呢？ 用蕃薯製作的格仔餅鹹中帶甜，低卡高纖零麩質、不會令血糖飆升，配上培根煎蛋蘑菇和蕃茄凍湯，是完整完美的「早餐」啊！

材料（兩人份量）：
蕃薯                                200 克
蔥                                    1 小札
粟粉*                             3 湯匙
紅椒粉 (paprika)          1 茶匙
蒜粉                                1/2 茶匙
海鹽                                1/4 茶匙
煙肉                                1 片（可免）
雞蛋                                2 隻

伴碟：煙肉 | 太陽蛋 | 水煮蛋 | 牛油果 | 楓糖漿 | 辣醬 | 蔥花
備註*：粟粉可用 2 湯匙椰子粉代替，更為理想

做法：
1. 蕃薯去皮刨絲，建議用食物處理器把蕃薯絲略為打碎。
2. 蕃薯絲鋪在廚房紙上再放上另一層廚房紙，用力按壓，把多餘水份吸乾。
3. 煙肉煎香，切成碎片 (如使用)。
4. 雞蛋打成蛋液、蔥切成蔥花，保留少許綠色部分作裝飾用。
5. 把所有窩夫材料拌勻備用。
6. 窩夫機預熱，掃上少許油，鋪上適量蕃薯蛋漿，蓋好烘至呈金黃色和帶脆，約 8 - 10 分鐘。伴上自己喜歡的配料，即成！

備註：如分批製作窩夫，建議將弄好的窩夫平放焗爐架上用微溫保暖。

[Follow me on Instagram @alvinckl and @alvin.penthousekitchen and check out my Facebook Fan Page!]

Huevos Rancheros | 墨西哥農場煎蛋早餐

附中文食譜

For many people, a particular dish brings memories or harbors significant emotions. It could be your mom's hand wrapped dumplings, the ramen that you subsisted on during late-night college days, or even Jagerbombs (just the thought of it makes my insides turn - I will spare you on the details).

I remember my very first taste of huevos rancheros, a humble, staple Mexican desayuno freshly cooked up in a community kitchen where we started our days volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in an impoverished neighborhood in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

That was now nearly fifteen years ago, I then a more rotund college Junior, criminally misinformed and ignorant about Mexican cuisine after years of cattle-feeding on soupy enchiladas and goopy "salsa" poured out from factory-sized tubs a.k.a. high school lunch grub. These huevos rancheros were vibrant in color, the frijoles refritos soul-warming, the sunny-side-up perfectly crisped on the edges, the spicy red salsa fresh and well-balanced, and the tortilla underneath them all golden and crunchy. It had me asking for more. It was something I have never had before. A moment of revelation, a culinary discovery. Had I have a smartphone back then (those were the days before terms like selfies and food porn came to be), I would have most likely snapped one too many photos. Fortunately, the memories and experience live on. I can still recall the face of the lady who lovingly prepared and served us meals, her painted, arched eyebrows, her wide smile, and warmhearted hospitality.

Fire-roasted tomatoes for maximum flavor

Fifteen years later, I finally put this itch to rest. I have been procrastinating for too long to revisit this memory. And thus I picked up a few things from the groceries on my recent layover in Los Angeles, scoured through my pantry, invited a dear friend over to be my guinea pig, and made huevos rancheros.

Huevos rancheros - "rancher's-style" eggs - are basically eggs served on a corn tortilla with a spicy tomato-chili salsa - a simple, stress-free, quick affair with minor variations in accompaniments across different households and regions. I like mine served with refried black beans ('coz why not?) for extra fiber and dimension, just like how I remembered. The tortilla can be either crunchy fried (more like a tostada) or lightly charred according to preference, so long it holds the wet sauce without disintegrating into mush.

Chile Guajillo, adds depth and smokiness

For the recipe, I base mine mostly on J. Kenji Lopez-Alt's from Serious Eats. For the red sauce, make use of tinned tomatoes to make your life easy - if you can find fire-roasted tomatoes in a can, all the better. I followed his suggestions and tossed in toasted Mexican dried chilies (I happen to have dried Guajillo chilies sitting in the back of my cramped pantry) for extra depth and smokiness. Substitute with Chinese dried chilies or crushed red pepper if unavailable. To finish the dish, top with crumbled cheese, cilantro, avocado, sliced cherry tomatoes, fresh jalapeños and add a side of Mexican street corn as desired.

A fiesta for the eyes, a party for your tastebuds!

What you'll need...
1 medium onion, finely sliced
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1-2 whole dried Mexican chilies (ancho, guajillo, or morita)*
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 14 oz. (400 g) can crushed tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted
2 whole chipotle chilies packed in adobo from can
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro, stem and leaves, plus more for serving
Squeeze of lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Fresh corn tortillas
Eggs
Canned or homemade black or pinto refried beans, heated, for serving
Crumbled Cotija cheese^, for serving
Avocado, for serving (optional)
Sliced cherry tomatoes, for serving (optional)

Notes:
* If not available, substitute with Chinese dried chilies or crushed red pepper flakes.
^ I used crumbled queso fresco. If neither are available, substitute with crumbled feta cheese.

Directions...

1. Trim tops off the dried chilies and discard seeds. Pop into microwave and heat on High for 15 minutes until softened and fragrant. Snip into thin strips and set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, heat oil and add onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until softened and just starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add oregano, cumin, and chili strips and cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add tomatoes and chipotle chilies with their sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Puré mixture with an immersion blender or in a blender. Stir in cilantro, soy sauce, a squeeze lime, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside and keep warm.

4. In a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan, heat oil and lightly fry corn tortillas one at a time, until lightly charred on each side but still pliable. Transfer to a paper towel to drain and stack them as you go. Cover with foil to keep warm.

5. Using the same skillet or separate pan, heat oil over medium-high heat until oil is shimmering. Fry eggs, using a spoon to baste the tops with hot oil as they cook in order to help set the upper whites while keeping the yolk completely runny. Fry until crisp on the bottom and edges and whites are set. Season with salt and pepper.

6. To serve, smear refried beans on each tortilla, top with a fried egg, and spoon salsa over the top, keeping the yolk exposed. Finish with a sprinkle of cotija cheese, sliced cherry tomatoes, and minced cilantro a Enjoy immediately. Buen provecho!

《墨西哥農場煎蛋早餐》

這一頓簡單而豐富的早餐，就是十五年前令我對墨西哥地道菜一見鍾情的那一道菜式。
十五年後的我終於重溫當年在墨西哥當義工時吃過的一頓難忘的早餐。

材料：
洋蔥  1 小個  切絲
蒜頭  3 瓣  剁碎
墨西哥乾辣椒  1 - 2 隻（ancho/guajillo/morita/或用一般辣椒乾代替）
乾奧勒岡  半 茶匙（墨西哥的品種最為理想）
小茴香粉  般茶匙
罐裝番茄  400 克（fire-roasted 的最為理想）
罐裝墨西哥 chipotle 辣椒 in adobe sauce  2 條
芫荽（剁碎）7 克
新鮮青檸汁  少量
生抽  1 湯匙
墨西哥玉米捲餅皮
雞蛋

自選配料：
罐裝豆泥
Cotija 芝士碎（或用 feta 芝士代替）
芫荽碎
牛油果
車厘茄  切片

做法：
1. 墨西哥乾辣椒先去頭去籽，放進微波爐以強波叮 15 秒至軟化和帶香。用剪刀把辣椒剪成絲，備用。

2. 小煲中落油炒香洋蔥和蒜頭，約 5 分鐘。加入乾辣椒絲、奧勒岡和小茴香粉，炒約 15 秒後再加入罐裝番茄和 chipotle 辣椒。煮開後轉小火加蓋燜煮 10 分鐘。

3. 用手持式攪拌捧或攪拌機把煲中食材打成蓉。拌入芫荽、生抽和青檸汁再作適當調味。備用。

4. 鑄鐵鍋或易潔鍋中落油把捲餅皮逐一煎至輕微焦香及軟中帶脆，並用錫紙保溫。

5. 煎太陽蛋。

6. 完成品製作步驟：煎好的捲餅皮上先塗上一層豆泥，然後放上一隻太陽蛋，再淋上番茄辣椒莎莎醬（不要完全覆蓋太陽蛋啊，特別是蛋黃啊！），最後撒上芝士碎、芫荽、車厘茄，牛油果和青檸角拌碟，完成！

[Follow me on Instagram @alvinckl and @alvin.penthousekitchen and check out my Facebook Fan Page!]

Lemongrass and Turmeric Fish en Papillote | 香茅黃薑紙包魚

附中文食譜

One of those nights when you just want to throw a few things together and make a simple, light but well balanced dinner and catch up on Netflix... fish en papillote is the way to go. As flashy as the name sounds, cooking en papillote - or cooking in a packet - is a classic French technique that is fancy enough for a restaurant yet works wonders at home. All you need is parchment paper or foil to create an enclosed pouch that cooks the food in its own juices inside an oven. With little effort, you can have a meal ready in under twenty minutes. What's more, serve the packet straight from the oven and you've got one less plate to wash!

This fish recipe brings in vibrant flavors of Vietnam. Cooking the fish in a pouch ensures moisture while infusing the flavors of lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and turmeric. Any white fish such as halibut, cod, or flounder will work beautifully. For an easy, well balanced meal-in-one, layer some vegetables such as sliced mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, kale, broccoli, onions, or asparagus underneath the protein. Best served with a side of brown rice or quinoa!

For quick step-by-step instructions in Cantonese for making this dish, check out this video! I recently had the opportunity to work with Bosch at their flagship showroom in Central, Hong Kong - making it my second time to ever speak in front of a camera! A great big thank you to Bosch for this precious opportunity.

What you'll need...
140g Hoki fillet (or any other white fish)
2-3 stalks lemongrass
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 inch ginger, minced
1 bird's eye chilli, deseeded and minced
1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 small lime, cut into wedges for juice and garnish

Directions...

Prepare the spice mixture: Trim the green ends and the base of the lemongrass stalks and peel away the tough outer layers. Using a pestle or the blunt side of a knife, bruise the stalks to release the flavor then slice into thin rings. In a small bowl, mix together the lemongrass, garlic, ginger, chili, and turmeric. Add a squeeze of lime then, using a pestle, pound the mixture until fragrant and combined.

1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
Take a sheet of parchment paper roughly 15 inches in length, scatter vegetables (if using) across its width, season with salt and pepper. Lay the fish fillet on top, leaving enough paper overlapping to seal in the fish.

2. Top the fish with the spice mixture and lightly season with salt and pepper. Fold the parchment paper over and roll the edges in tightly into an air-tight parcel. Bake for 13-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish.

3. Unwrap the parcel and garnish fish with some coriander, mint, and a lime wedge. Enjoy!

《香茅黃薑紙包魚》

今次示範煮充滿越南風味的《香茅黃薑紙包魚》，

這道菜的食材和做法超級簡單，

只需 15 分鐘烹調時間、健康有營、低鹽無油，

容易清潔，洗碗無難度，最適合忙碌但追求健康的您！

材料：
新西蘭鱈魚柳  140 克
香茅  2-3 枝
蒜頭  2 瓣
薑  半 寸
指天椒  1 隻
黃薑粉  1/8 茶匙
青檸  1 隻（切角）

做法：
1. 首先將香茅青色部分及根部約 1 公分切除，脫除乾硬的外葉。在針板上用研磨棒捶打香茅數下至軟身，然後把香茅剁碎。
2. 蒜瓣和薑剁碎、指天椒去籽剁碎。放到碗中跟香茅拌勻。
3. 加入黃薑粉和少量青檬汁，然後用研磨棒舂至完全混合。
4. 預熱焗爐至 180C。魚柳洗淨，用吸水紙印乾。
5. 準備一張約 15 寸長的牛油紙，對摺後攤開。
6. 把魚柳放在摺痕其中一旁，鋪上香料後撒上少量鹽和胡椒。
7. 把牛油紙對摺，將邊緣捲好，成為一個密封的包裹。
7. 將包裹放入焗爐焗 13-15 分鐘。取出後打開，隨意拌上青檸角、芫茜、薄荷葉等即成！

備註：如慾輕鬆炮製出一個完整的健怡餐，可以在焗魚柳時同時放入各種蔬菜，例如菇類、翠玉瓜、甘筍、羽衣甘藍、西蘭花、洋蔥、蘆筍等等。在牛油紙上先鋪放蔬菜並撒上少量鹽和胡椒調味，再放上魚柳。建議拌上糙米或藜麥。

[Follow me on Instagram @alvinckl and @alvin.penthousekitchen and check out my Facebook Fan Page!]

Miso Glazed Cod with Fiddlehead Ferns and Miso Sesame Soba

附中文食譜

Sometimes, all you want is a quick and easy dinner, using simple ingredients and steps and ending up with a healthy, complete meal that not only looks expensive but also tastes wonderful. This Japanese-inspired fish recipe fits the bill. With minimum advance preparation, you can practically have your meal ready in under twenty minutes of active cooking time. And half of those "active" twenty minutes is standing idly watching your fish cook inside the oven.

I was grocery shopping in Tokyo recently and picked up some fresh cod (ぎんだら, Gindara), a buttery white fish that is well-suited for this dish for its high fat content and melt-in-the-mouth silkiness. I then came along some precious fiddlehead ferns that seemingly just popped out of the Avatar film. Harvested early in the season, these crunchy, furly fronds are mild in flavor and take well to boiling, sautéing and a pinch of salt and pepper.

As for the miso, white (shiro) miso are most often used as it is milder with a hint of sweetness; however, I have tried red miso with similarly great results.

Any fatty fish works well for this dish. Try salmon or black cod!

Serve the dish alongside multigrain rice, or get impulsive and toss some buckwheat noodles in a creamy, savory dressing of miso and sesame oil to complement the fish.

I have been making this humble dish at home long before I heard about celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, whose renowned signature creation at Nobu has been replicated far and wide. Here is my simplified version of the recipe. いただきます!

What you'll need...
2 cod fillets, about 1/2 lb or 200g each
100g soba noodles (per person)
Fiddlehead ferns (or other greens of choice)
Black and white sesame seeds, toasted, for garnish
Sliced scallions, for garnish (optional)

For the miso marinade:
1 heaping tablespoon miso paste
1 tablespoon sake
1 tablespoon mirin
1 teaspoon shoyu
1 teaspoon sugar

For the soba noodles miso sesame dressing:
1/2 tablespoon miso paste
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Some warm water to thin the mixture

Directions...

For the Miso Glazed Cod: 

1. Prepare the marinade: whisk miso paste, sake, mirin, soy sauce, and sugar together. Adjust proportions to taste.

2. Pat fish dry with paper towel. In a container, coat the fillets with marinade and keep refrigerated for one hour up to overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 200C/400F.

Place fish skin-side up on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, gently brush off excess marinade to prevent burning. Bake or broil for 8-12 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillets. Garnish with toasted sesame and scallions.

For the Soba and the Miso Sesame Dressing: 

1. Bring a pot of water to boil, submerge the noodles and cook through, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, mix miso paste and sesame oil and dilute the mixture with some warm water. 

2. When soba is cooked, drain and toss in the dressing while still hot until the strands are well coated.

For the Fiddlehead Ferns:

If boiling: Bring a pot of salted water to boil, boil the greens until barely tender, about 6 minutes. 
Prepare a cold water bath. When the ferns are cooked, dunk the ferns in cold water to stop the cooking.

If sautéing: boil the ferns, drain, and sauté briefly with olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Enjoy this quick, easy, and tasty meal!

《味噌醬燒鱈魚柳》/《麻香味噌蕎麥麵》

鱈魚柳 2 件 （各約200克） 
蕎麥麵 100 克 （一人份量計）
蕨菜  （菜類可隨喜好）
黑白芝麻  少量
蔥花  少量

鱈魚醃料：
白味噌  1 大湯匙
清酒  1 湯匙
味醂  1 湯匙
日本豉油  1 茶匙
白糖  1 茶匙 

麻香味噌拌麵醬：
味噌  1/2 湯匙
麻油  1 茶匙
溫水 適量，稀釋用

《味噌醬燒鱈魚柳》
1. 先將醃料拌勻。鱈魚柳洗淨抹乾後加入醃料放在雪櫃醃一小時或以上。
2. 預熱焗爐至 200C / 400F。
3. 醃好的魚柳放在鋪了烘培紙的焗盤上。
4. 輕輕拭去多餘的醃料，然後放入已預熱焗爐中，視乎魚柳厚度焗約 8-12 分鐘。
5. 烤好了上碟再撒上芝麻及蔥花即成。

《麻香味噌蕎麥麵》
1. 味噌和麻油拌勻加入少量溫水稀釋。
2. 滾水煮蕎麥麵約 5 分鐘至軟硬適中，瀝水後同醬汁拌勻即成。

《清炒蕨菜》
1. 蕨菜可用加了鹽的沸水浸燙後過凉上碟，或瀝乾後再落油清炒。 

[Write to me under comments! Follow me on Instagram @alvinckl and check out my Facebook Fan Page!]

Ditch the Restaurants, Enjoy Brunch in Bed this Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! A day anticipated by most, dreaded by some, but nevertheless a day filled with love and cliché - so why not stir things up a little this year?

Valentine's Day is typically a time when couples feel obliged to deck out and dine out in some fancy restaurant (with reservations made weeks in advance), inevitably bound by predictable set menus that take advantage of defenceless diners (let's sneak a strawberry into the glass of bubbles and a few shavings of truffle somewhere). Guys' wallets, in most instances, bear the brunt of this one night-out's romantic assault, not to mention the prerequisite "surprise" gift for the beloved. Valentine's Day is a social-commercial institution, really. So this Valentine's Day, why not shake things up a little?

A double-punch in omega 3!

To make things better, Valentine's Day this year falls on a weekend. Sunday brunch in bed, anyone? In my book, the little effort and thought put into preparing food for a loved one exudes more romance than a night out can ever provide. Plus, you get to indulge in snuggling without judgamental eyes snooping in scrutiny.

This Valentine's Day I prepared something simple and foolproof, yet does not fall short from your average brunch out in your favorite cafe. All of the ingredients happen to be readily available in my pantry, saving me a last minute trip to the grocers. Whether paired or single, enjoy a chill morning in, or even surprise your family with some love!

A feast to the eyes, most certainly a party for the belly - do something special for Valentine's Day

Baked Egg in Avocado
Coconut Cashew Maple Granola, Greek Yoghurt, Blueberries (Recipe here!)
One Skillet Rosemary Potatoes with Pancetta and Caramelized Onions
Frozen Banana Mix Berries and Oats Smoothie

Recipes to come soon!

Homemade Granola is so easy and addictive you'd never go back to store-bought ones!

[Write to me under comments! Follow me on Instagram @alvinckl and check out my Facebook Fan Page!]

Caprese Croissant with Speck and Garlic Balsamic Mayo

Think juicy, sweet vine-ripened tomatoes, and fresh, moist mozzarella melting underneath a blanket of fragrant, garden-fresh basil - all wedged into a buttery, flaky, toasted croissant... I think you get the idea.

How it has not occurred to me until now that the Insalata Caprese actually resembles the colors of the Italian flag, I don't know. But what I do know is that in Italy, this genuinely Neapolitan antipasto is a tribute to the essence of fresh ingredients that is almost emblematic of the country's renowned gastronomy. The key is to keep the dish simple, dressed at most with a touch of olive oil, and never any balsamic vinegar or pesto.

Fresh produce from Italy. A few quality ingredients are all you need for a mouthwatering sandwich.

When serving this Italian classic in a breakfast sandwich, I think we are allowed to be bold and play it up just a little. I recently returned from northern Italy with a bunch of produce and groceries, among which are the ever important balls of mozzarella and parcels of deli-sliced prosciutto.

Hunger strikes, and the idea of a "croissan'wich" comes. Perfect to jumpstart a sluggish weekend or as a hangover cure, this "recipe" is really more an idea than a proper recipe. If you swear by dressing your sandwich with a spread, try a light smear of tangy Garlic Balsamic Mayo that takes only minutes to make. And if you swear by meat, trade greasy bacon for a couple slices of speck (Italian cured and smoked meat) ...and voilà, we just have an irresistable spin on the classic BLT with an unmistakably Italian flair.

Are you in yet?

To prepare...
2 croissants1 ball (125 g) of fresh mozzarella, sliced 1/3" thick
Small, vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced (I used pomodoro picadilly)
Fresh basil leaves
4 slices of speck (optional)

For the Garlic Balsamic Mayo... (optional)
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon balsamic glaze (or balsamic vinegar)

Got no speck? Substitute with turkey, ham, or some good ol' bacon

Oh yeah... feels good

1. Preheat oven to 200C/375F. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, garlic and balsamic glaze and set aside. Slice the croissants lengthwise without separating the two halves. Lightly spread mayo mixture on the bottom half of the croissant. 

2. Layer on speck, followed by tomatoes and mozzarella, insulating the tomatoes well from direct contact with the croissant to avoid soggy buns.

3. Pop the sandwiches into the oven open-faced for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese begins to melt and croissant is nicely toasted without charring. Remove from oven and top mozzarella with whole basil leaves. Enjoy the sensation of stretching cheese and the explosion of fresh flavors! Buon appetito and have a great weekend.

[Write to me under comments! Follow me on Instagram @alvinckl and check out my Facebook Fan Page!]

Southwestern Black Bean Quinoa Corn Salad

Me being a happy camper in Puebla, back in 2009!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Today, cities across the United States with sizeable Mexican-American populations are celebrating the Fifth of May, commemorating the Mexican military victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the U.S. Cinco de Mayo has over time evolved into a grand celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, sometimes even mistakenly confused with Mexico's Independence Day.

In honor of this tradition, I decided to create something simple and healthy yet nothing short on the colors, flavors, and bang that Mexico is known for (it makes even more sense that this Black Bean Quinoa Corn Salad is probably more distinctly Southwestern U.S.-style).

This salad is inexpensive, packed with nutrition, and so easy to make! Also try it with grilled corn!

As temperatures rise, this cool and mildly fiery salad is also a great way to kick start your Spring. Chilled, this salad stays fresh for days and makes for a light and very nutritious lunch and a fantastic snack on the go. Make a big batch for entertaining and pair it up with blue corn chips and guacamole. Add in other vegetables and fruits such as bell peppers, jalapeños, and even mangoes as you wish!

To prepare...
1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup fresh or canned whole kernel corn*
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
A handful of cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 medium lime, zested and juiced
1 ripe avocado
A generous splash of Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce^

1. Rinse and place quinoa in a saucepan with 1 cup of water. Bring water to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer and let cook for 15 minutes, covered. Meanwhile, prep the other ingredients. Take pot off heat, leave covered for 5 additional minutes. Uncover pot and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Set aside to cool.

2. Mix black beans, corn, onions, tomatoes, quinoa, and cilantro together in a large bowl. Add in lime juice and zest, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Add a generous splash of Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce for some smokey heat. ^Note: Alternatively, whisk together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and some salt and pepper and drizzle over the salad.

4. Finally, top salad with sliced avocado. ¡Buen provecho!

*Note: Now that I got a new cast iron grill at home, I will probably try this recipe again with grilled fresh corn - the flavors will deliver even more bang with charred corn kernels! Hope to come back with an update. 

[Write to me under comments! Check out my Facebook Fan Page and follow me on Instagram @alvinckl]