Stir-Fried Mee Tai Mak (炒老鼠粉)

These noodles are known as Mee Tai Mak (米台目), Mouse-tail noodles (老鼠粉) or Silver Needle noodles ( 银针粉).

There are many ways to cook noodles, this is a dry stir-fry version.

These noodles are fried with garlic, sliced pork, dark sweet sauce and fish sauce. Giving it a good balance of sweet and savoury taste. It may look simple, but when everything comes together, it taste amazing.

As with most Chinese cooking, prepare all the ingredients in advance, the actual cooking time takes no more than 15 mins. The quick stir-frying results in fragrant noodles which is slightly springy and soft.

Deep-Fried Radish Cake (香炸萝卜糕)

Most people have tried Fried carrot cake or Chai Tow Kway as this is a popular hawker food. Have you tried this deep-fried version?

This version is a common street snack known mostly to older generation of Singaporeans. It has become a rarity in modern days.

Radish cake is made of radish and not carrot. The main ingredients of radish cake are radish and rice flour, this mixture is steamed in block, then cut into smaller pieces and deep-fry till golden in colour. Deep-frying gives the cake a golden crust.

Traditional deep-fried radish cakes are rectangular or triangular shapes. There are some innovative hawkers who cut it into sticks/fingers, making them look like local French Fries.

Unlike commercial ones, my version here has a delicate sweet taste of radish. They are cut into mini triangular shapes and deep fried till crispy on the outside and soft and chewy inside.

This homemade delicacy is a savoury and sinful treat.

Chinese Seafood Soup (海鲜汤)

This light and refreshing soup has flavors that are characteristic of Chinese cooking.

A healthy and delicious soup that will bring the scent of the ocean to the dining table.

Chinese Seafood Soup is available in most hawker centres. This is one of the few hawker dishes that is easy to recreate at home.

I love this home-cooked version as my bowl is filled with generous serving of fish, prawns and squids.

The secret to a good bowl of seafood soup is a good broth, sans MSG and fresh seafood.

To compliment this dish, shredded ginger and sliced chilli in a vinegar and fish sauce dip is served on the side. This really elevates the taste of the seafood and adds a wonderful depth to the flavor.

Brioche French Toast

Brioche is a highly enriched bread. The high egg and butter content gives it a rich and tender crumb.

This rich, soft, buttery, fluffy and flavourful bread is perfect for both sweet and savoury applications. And it makes the most amazing French Toast.

Serve this light and fluffy french toast with butter, icing sugar and maple syrup, it is truly an indulgent.

Steamed Yam Cake (芋头糕)

As a self-taught home cook, I cannot remember how many times I tried making this. I was determined to learn to cook this, not only because this is one of my favourite food but also because good traditional food are slowly disappearing.

This is one of those versatile food that you can eat for breakfast, as a snack or even serve as a light lunch.

A good yam cake should be light and fluffy and filled with chunks of yam in every bite. A feature of home-made yam cake is you get lots and lots of yam chunks, you have the luxury to add more condiments such as dried shrimps, dried mushroom and Chinese sausages.

Although I have since learnt to make this cake successfully, I made this normally around Chinese New Year. This is one of those Chinese New Year food that you can prepare in advance and consume during those busy days of hosting or visiting friends, and when you are too tired to cook.

This is truly a local delicacy.

Fishball Kway Teow

In Singapore, Fishball noodles is a local favourite. They are served dry or in soup, with a variety of noodles to choose from.

We can make this in our kitchen, it is quite simple to put together. Blanched kway teow is toss with shallot/garlic oil, soy sauce and oyster sauce; with a spoonful of dried shrimp chiili on the side. Served with a bowl of fishball soup.

The clear soup, which comes with fishballs, slices of lean pork and pea shoots gets a boost of flavour from the garlic oil and fried garlic. The fishballs are big and bouncy and have a nice bite.

Chee Cheong Fun (猪肠粉)

Chee Cheong Fun or Steamed Rice Rolls are commonly served for breakfast or as a snack.

There are many types of Chee Cheong Fun. One is the Hong Kong / Dim Sum style, which is filled with char siew, prawns or youtiao. The other is the plain version, served with garlic oil, soy sauce, a sprinkle of roasted sesame seeds and a dollop of red or brown sweet sauce. And other variations in between.

Good Chee Cheong Fun should be soft, smooth, silky and glide down your throat.

This Cheong Fun are ready-made, they are available in markets or supermarkets. I steamed the rice rolls in a double boiler till soft, cut into sections, then drizzle with garlic oil, soy sauce and a sprinkle of roasted sesame seeds.

The soy sauce and garlic oil make this Cheong Fun very fragrant. A small plate of sweet sauce is also served on the side for dipping.

This is a simple and fuss free breakfast option. Although not freshly made, this Cheong Fun is soft and silky. Assembled with the right amount of sauce, toppings and garnishes and they are turned into a lip-smacking breakfast or snack item.

Chicken Soup Mee Sua (鸡汤面线)

If you need a break from the heavy food and treats of the holiday season, try this Chicken Soup Mee Sua.

Mee Sua, wheat vermicelli (面线) also known as longevity noodles (长寿面), symbolizes longevity. Hence, many Chinese eat Mee Sua on their birthdays.

Chicken Soup has acquired a reputation of being a remedy for common colds and influenza. It’s warm, soothing, nutritious, and satisfying. There really is nothing more comforting than homemade chicken soup, it just makes you feel good (心灵鸡汤).

This Chicken Soup is made entirely from scratch, using fresh chicken. The Mee Sua is toss in at the very end of the cooking as it takes only two to three minutes to cook.

The silky noodles will soak up the flavors of the chicken soup. I slurp up all the soup every time I have a bowl of this. This is my go-to dish for a light meal, I can eat this every day.

Simple Breakfast

A simple breakfast – ham and egg with cinnamon toast and tomato salad.

After a long night of sleeping, our bodies need fuel to get us going. Breakfast provides us with the fuel for an active day.

I personally prefer a cup of coffee with my breakfast. Coffee complimenting breakfast provides me with a stimulating boost to kick start my day in a good mood.

When you have something for breakfast, you’re not going to be starving by lunch.

– Bruce Barton

One-pot Chicken Stew

When planning meal for a big group of people, one-pot meal can be your best friends.

Need a delicious, hearty meal that is healthy too? You really can’t go wrong with chicken stew.

This stew is made with chicken drums and thighs; with onions, broccoli and carrots and a bunch of selected herbs. Made in one-pot, but packed with tender chicken and vegetables and will keep everyone satisfied.

This is a “forgiving” sort of dish, you can substitute any kind of vegetables and herbs. You can serve this on it’s own, or with crusty bread or rice.

It is simply scrumptious.