Steamed french beans with preserved olive leaves

I don’t know why but most children love eating preserved olive leaves more than other types of condiments.  It is really delicious eaten with plain congee. Some children don’t like eating beans but they will eat the beans cooked this way.

Preserved olive leaves are not made from olive leaves. Actually, it is made with a combination of minced green olives and Chinese mustard greens. The basic process is to boil the green olives for half of an hour, then stir-fry it with Chinese mustard greens with oil and a few choice spices. This unique concoction originated in Chao Zhou and the cuisine from this region is called Teochew or Chiu-chow cuisine. Nowadays there are so many brands to choose from.

Ingredients

1 pack dwarf French beans

3 tbsp preserved olive leaves

Remove the ends of the beans, wash and place on a heat proof plate

Place the plate of beans in the steamer

Cover and steam the beans until cooked

Transfer the steamed beans to a mixing bowl

Mix thoroughly

Transfer the beans to a serving platter

Garlic

I use a lot of chopped garlic in my cooking because the children will not eat it if I slice it. The only way to get them to eat garlic is by “hiding” it in the food. I find it very tedious chopping garlic each time I need it. What I do is chop a whole bulb and keep it in the fridge. To make sure that it stays fresh, do not wet the garlic and use a dry knife and chopping board.

Garlic is a plant that belongs to the Allium (onion) family and is closely related to onions, shallots and leeks. A whole garlic head is called a bulb while each segment is called a clove. Garlic has a characteristic pungent, spicy flavour that mellows and sweetens with cooking. It is also used for medicinal purposes as a supplement whereby it can prevent and reduce the severity of common illnesses like cold and flu. It helps fight heart ailments by clearing up blocked arteries and lowers blood pressure. It is great for rejuvenation and healing of skin scars especially for small children who are constantly falling down.

 Tip for chopping the garlic

1 garlic bulb

Separate the cloves

Put the garlic cloves into a plastic bag

Use a meat hammer to smash the garlic

Remove the garlic from the plastic bag.

Leave the garlic skin in the bag for easy disposal

Chop the garlic finely

Transfer the chopped garlic into an airtight container

Cover and keep in the fridge 

Steamed red snapper with pau sum (ginseng)

According to Chinese tradition, it is best not to eat chicken after surgery because it may interfere with the healing process. If you do not like pork, then the next choice of protein source is fish. This dish is suitable for children, especially when they are starting to walk as it can give them a boost in energy.  

Ginseng is a perennial herb with characteristic branched roots in the form of a human figure. The term "ginseng" is derived from the Chinese term "ren-shen" which means "in the image of a man."  Ginseng root is a popular traditional herbal remedy that's been used in different parts of the world for centuries. Ginseng may help with stimulating physical and mental activity among people who are weak and tired. The body is the part called ‘yan sam’ and is the most expensive. The legs and arms are called ‘pau sam’ and are normally used to increase internal energy.  

Ingredients

1 block red snapper

A few slices of pau sam. Do not use too much otherwise the food will be bitter.

Steam or double boil the pau sum over low heat for 2 hours

The ready steamed pau sum

Wash and season the fish with a little salt. Pour the steamed pau sum over the fish.

Steam for 20 minutes or until fish is cooked

Serve hot

Enjoy!!!

Steamed french beans with minced meat

This is another favourite with the children because of the crunchy bite. Another reason is because most children love the taste of dark soy sauce so any food with it will be a hit.

Thin green finger-length beans are called French beans, haricots verts, fine beans, string beans, or even squeaky beans. The whole pod can be eaten as well as the seeds. Green beans are very delicious with a crunchy texture and great flavour. Some of the health benefits of green beans include reduced risk of heart disease and colon cancer as well as improved regulation of diabetes. They also provide a big boost to the immune system, the health of the eyes and bones, while regulating the digestive processes. They have also been shown to reduce the risk of birth defects for pregnant women. The dwarf variety is much sweeter and very good for using in baby’s porridge.

Green beans can cause allergic reactions involving rash and itching in some people. It also contain oxalic acid may crystallize as oxalate stones in the urinary tract in some people. 

Ingredients

1 bundle of French beans

Minced pork or chicken

Chopped garlic

Cooking oil

A little sesame oil

Salt and pepper

Remove the ends of the beans, wash and place on a heat proof plate

Place the plate of beans in the steamer

Cover and steam the beans until cooked

Heat the oil and sauté the garlic until slightly brown.  

Add the minced meat and stir until it changes colour.  

Add 1 tbsp black soy sauce, ½ tbsp ouster sauce

Season the meat with a little salt, sugar and a dash of pepper.

Add a little water

Transfer the steamed beans to a serving platter

Pour the cooked meat onto the steamed beans and serve with rice

Enjoy!!!

Chicken parcel

This dish is very easy to prepare and is another favourite with children.

Ingredients for one parcel

1 chicken whole leg per person

½ medium size onions

2 potatoes

6-8 fresh white button mushrooms

Salt and pepper

Season the chicken joints with salt and pepper.

Wash and slice the mushrooms

Peel, wash and slice the potatoes

Peel, wash and slice the onions

Making the parcel

Place some potato slices in the centre of a square of foil

  

Place some mushrooms on the potatoes

Place one chicken leg on the mushrooms

Place some onions on the chicken

Pour one dessertspoon cooking oil evenly on the chicken

Fold along the top of the parcel

Next fold the sides upwards

Make sure the edges are sealed tightly

Place on a baking tray and bake in the oven at 400 degrees F

Once done, open the parcel and transfer to a plate.

Serve with additional vegetables if desired