Cantonese Roast Duck

Preparation was somewhat tedious. I had to first blanch the duck in boiling water for a few minutes, prepare the stuffing (which is where the magic is), insert the stuffing into the cavity of the blanched duck, sew it up, glaze the duck with honey dissolved in rice vinegar, tie a string onto its neck and hang the duck overnight to dry. 

Honey glazed, stuffed, and ready for the oven

Roast duck fresh out of the oven

Carving the roast duck

Succulent pieces of duck breast meat

For the stuffing, I first fried finely chopped ginger roots and star anise in vegetable oil until fragrant, then added in a mixture of yellow bean sauce, hoisin sauce, five spices powder and chinese wine. I then tossed in a bundle of chopped spring onions, and let the gravy boiled for a minute or two. 

Pasta for Vegetarian and Seafood Lovers

It's a little more complicated when there's a vegetarian in the house of meat eaters. To make sure that everyone has a satisfying meal, the vegetarian gets enough nutrients and there's no over-cooking, the menu needs careful consideration. For that reason, I cooked two different types of pasta. Spinach tagliatelle with brussels sprout, asparagus and goat cheese for the vegetarian, and spaghetti with clams and green mussels for the rest of us.

Boil tagliatelle

Stir-fry brussels sprout and asparagus in olive oil with garlic

Mix in pasta and goat cheese

Cook for a few minutes, and you'll have spinach tagliatelle with brussel sprout, asparagus and goat cheese. I used 1 tablespoon of goat cheese just for flavouring. If you prefer a more cheesy or creamy flavour, you could add more goat cheese to taste. This is a light and healthy pasta, as long as one uses a considered amount of olive oil and cheese.

Spaghetti with clams and green mussels was a crowd pleaser. One can't get it wrong with seafood. It's so easy to cook, and sure to impress your guests.  I first stir-fried the clams and mussels in garlic-infused olive oil, then added in a little white wine for extra flavouring, and finally mix in the pasta.  I let the pasta cooked for a few more minutes in the clams/mussels base. 

Spaghetti with clams and green mussels

A Simple Dinner for Five

It has been months since I last cooked a complete meal. Now that the house is ready, it's time to unpack the wok and cook up a storm. Not exactly....

It's not easy to pick up the pace after a long time away. For me, this applies to everything in life, including cooking. I need to be inspired, and inspired I did.  This weekend, I tried cooking something based mostly on imagination and a little on past experiences. Yup, first-time dishes and with no recipe, I whipped up a light dinner for five. 

Briyani-styled Rice

Fish curry with assorted vegetables

Beef Rendang

Stewed Pork Ribs with Bitter Gourd

As always, I enjoyed setting up the table. Nothing elaborate as it was a casual dinner for family members. A good presentation helps to wet one's appetite.