First attempt at otah

Result : very savoury but texture is too liquid and should cut back on salt if I use otak udang again.  I packed too much into the banana leaves and the otah just burst out. Could also have added even more vinegar - too cautious coz its not in recipes but it offsets the otak udang nicely.

Chili paste : 20g dried chili, 10 buah Keras, 4 small onions, large thumb of galangal, 2 thumbs of tumeric plus a dash more of he powder, 3 lemon grass (core stem only), tblspn of coriander powder. And.... (Heresy) A small can (12g) of otak udang otherwise known as he gou - basically like balacan but sweeter. I was too lazy to go and get some as I couldn't find it on the shelf, but it seems to serve well (but must remember to omit salt and sugar which most recipes call for). Also added a teaspoon and a little of apple cider vinegar (to offset the sweetness).

Blend the chili paste to a smooth paste and then fry in veg oil for about 15-20 mins till very fragrant, stirring to avoid burning.

Then when cooled, mix with 500g fish and (here's another deviation), 100ml of coconut cream and the chiffonated kaffir leaves (5) and one egg. I should have added corn starch at this stage (maybe 3 tablespoons).

Banana leaf courtesy of the banana tree below my father in laws flat. I had too few leaves and I guess I packed too much in causing the burst. I put some in my leftover puff pastry as well.

Had the puff pastry later with a glass of Pouilly Fuisse - nice. The otah in the banana leaves looks ugly but still tasty.

The chili paste is nice by itself - a basic recipe that I might be able to use in other dishes.

Something to try

Just saw this. I want to try this the next time I have some spare herbs (wan sui especially). Looks nice.

The recipe.

Though I'm thinking instead of capers, I'll use the green olives in vinegar I have in my fridge. Instead of an avocado, i could use ..... steamed/roasted parsnips? Instead of creme fraiche, yoghurt (naw... I don't think so)?

Pretty good for instant coffee

Breakfast in 25 mins

Omelette french style with a little Parmesan cheese. Left over cucumber, carrot, and cherry tomatoes (olive oil drizzled on). A little tapenade on the side. 

The omelette wasn't wet enough inside.

My first Apple Danish

I did a Apple Danish for the first time today.

Based quite faithfully on this recipe (for once I did no significant deviation) : http://acozykitchen.com/apple-cheese-danish/ 

I did use a bit more vanilla and a little less icing. 

Result tasted quite nice (seems like everyone liked it) but could have been better. In particular I was too conservative with the icing else the sweet, tart, savory balance was good. My icing looks weird too - i think i didn't get the mix exactly right and my drip squeeze technique is bad or something.

Rather a lot of photos this time coz of the unfamiliar process.

Spread cream cheese mixture.

Apple slices (with cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg and lemon juice)

First fold

Start of braiding

Done braiding

With egg wash

Had a little conundrum on how to lift the pastry out of the waxed paper onto the tray. Solved by putting the pastry + wax paper into the freezer for half an hour. It came off nicely and I then let it sit for a while to warm up before putting in oven.

Finished product.

Fearsome looking chopper contributed by my Father in Law, but it does the trick of cutting neatly.