Savoury Stuff - Papaya & Fish Soup

Oh yeah, yet another savoury dish. This is for mummies who are breastfeeding as papaya and this fish is supposed to help with milk production.

Ingredients (Based on one serving slow cooker):
*Ngoh-Hyer (fish) Head - found in wet markets.
1/4 Unripe & green papaya, skinned, seeds removed and cut into chunks
1 Large red date (the huge kind)
2 Slices of Ginger
Water

*The fishmonger will cut and clean fish-head and pack accordingly. One fish-head can make 4 individual serves. Uncooked fish head can also be frozen for 2-3 weeks. For fish lovers, there's lots of meat on it too! For non-fish loving mummies, add abit additional chunks of papaya and dates, stew longer and go for the soup. For fish-aversive mummies, I am sure you know the more tricks for removing the fishy taste - e.g. pre-soak in milk or rub in salt. etc.

Steps:
1. Boil fish head in water briefly. Drain water away.
2. Add all ingredients into a slow cooker. Add enough water to cover ingredients.
3. Stew away! It would be ready in 3 hours. Stew longer for a richer taste.

The soup is sweet enough without any seasoning at all!

:)

Buttery Ruffles

Savoury Stuff - Red Dates Chicken with Chicken Essence

Oh yeah, this is nowhere close to buttery pastries, but it's something I made for my cousin who is doing her confinement now. Since cousin and cousin-in-law said it was good, I thought I might as well post it so that I will remember it!

This dish is simple to make but nutritious enough especially for mummies in confinement! I suspect this will be good for those who needs to 'bu' their tired bodies too.

Ingredients:
1 Large Chicken Thigh, skin removed
5 Chinese Mushrooms, quartered
10 Red dates, soaked in water
1 & 1/2 Tablespoon Wolfberries (Gou Qi Zi), soaked in water
1 Bottles of Chicken Essence
1 Cup of Water
Seasoning:
2 Teaspoons Brown Sugar (cos we did not have the usual white sugar)
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce

Steps:
1. Put chicken thigh in boiling water (enough to cover chicken) and boil for 10 minutes. Drain water away.
2. Add mushrooms, red dates, wolfberries and 1 cup of water. Add soy sauce and sugar.
3. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until water is about half evaporated. By now, the chicken is pretty tender.
5. Add Chicken Essence and continue to simmer until fluids has been halved. By then, the chicken is really tender and will fall away from the bone effortlessly.

Done!

I did not think of taking any pics but you will end up with a really dark sauce and ingredients. The sauce would have penetrated the chicken too!

Enjoy!


Buttery Ruffles