FOOD: SNOW FUNGUS AND GINGKO BILOBA DESSERT RECIPE

Hi Foodies, =)

I have finally drag my feet and come up with the recipe for Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis).  This is a traditional beauty food that dates back to Tang dynasty where royal concubine Yang Guifei (713 to 756) who is one of China's famed four great beauties favourite food to maintain her beauties and youth.  

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis) is consider as a tonic food which is widely use in medicinal food.  It has contains protein, fat and various amino acids, minerals and glycogen that can strengthen the immune system and thus help maintaining youthful beautiful skin =)

Snow fungus with gingko biloba is not difficult to cook but it is not easy to find fresh ingredients from this rural place I am currently in.  Also thanks to a reader who asked me for this recipe or else I will probably buried this somewhere in the back of my mind.

Snow fungus with gingko biloba

The video version is here 

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis) tastes exactly like bird nest, also help the skin texture to be more hydrated, for anti aging and is a popular ingredient for traditional sweet dessert.  It is also called the "poor men bird nest".  Yeah, I am not rich to afford ginseng, don't like to be picking uncountable amount of bird's fur from the bird nest and doesn't want to contribute to increase in demands for bird nest.  

Besides, I admit that I like any plants ingredients that promises youthful skin without breaking my bank.  Beauty is also about inner health and also using the suitable skincare products which really makes sense since Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis) appears in medicinal and beauty products but of course the effect is better eaten =).

So, let's get into details on the recipes and ingredients.

gingko biloba 

gingko biloba shells. If you buy the one fresh with the shells, then it is painstaking removing the shells.  Most of the time, I keep nails for this reason.  Also use a nutcracker or use a hammer like I did XD.

gingko biloba 

This is the gingko biloba out of the shells . Please make sure the remove the skin or else it is going to be bitter. The one I have is about to dried up so please excuse the wrinkles look.

gingko biloba

gingko biloba in the shells.

gingko biloba

Please make sure to cut the gingko biloba in half and remove the 'heart'.  The heart is 'poisonous' and should not be eaten. Also limit your ginkgo biloba to not more than 10 else it will be overloading your body.  Gingko biloba eaten in moderation is good to lower blood pressure and also for anti aging XD.

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis)

This is the snow fungus or the scientific name Tremella fuciformis that I use.  Make sure the one you use is soft and easily breakable.  There are some others that feel, taste and smell like plastic which is far from being a delicious dessert.  Yes, this one is from China but please do not get the wrong idea.  There are quality stuff that comes from China but also many fakes and low quality stuff.  We only know how to differentiate good and bad stuff based on experience.  Snow fungus as you know is a type of fungus XD that grows from trees.  It is called with many names such as yin er, white jelly mushroom, Yin Er, Shirokikurage in Japanese and etc for the gelatinous white look.

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis)

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis)

DO not use the whole flower or else it will be too much. Half of the flower is enough for 4 bowls.  Stay away from those snow fungus that is too white. A good quality one is yellowish.

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis)

Soak the half snow fungus with boiled water (make sure the boiled water is in room temperature) and you will get something like this. Then break it up with scissors for it to be like bird nest.

Snow fungus with gingko biloba

Snow fungus with gingko biloba

Snow fungus with gingko biloba

Snow fungus with gingko biloba

SNOW FUNGUS AND GINGKO BILOBA DESSERT RECIPE

Recipe for five bowls (those Chinese rice bowl)

Ingredients: 
Snow fungus 20g (Tremella fuciformis)(soak in water and break it up)
rock sugar 200g
plain water 1250ml
gingko biloba (cleaned and removed the 'heart')

1.  Put the snow fungus, plain water and gingko biloba cooked inside the slow cooker for 4 hours on medium heat.  I am using the small slow cooker which doesn't have any heat control.

2.  After 3 hours, add in rock sugar and cooked until the until rock sugar got dissolved.


I am sorry that I could not find good red dates. You can add red dates(make sure the seeds are removed). So, who said Asian cooking is difficult?  So, if you are wondering what are the secret to youthful looking skin, Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis) with gingko biloba is one them.  It is like a long term botox for your skin XD .

If you find eating sea cucumber not your thing, then this gelatinous, jelly-like and plants can probably be your anti aging food.

So, do let me know if you like this recipe or find it interesting?






Not sponsored.  I am just sharing a homemade cooking recipe.
However, the opinions expressed here are my own and honest as always.

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DURIAN THE KING OF FRUITS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

If you are up for a challenge, then do consider putting this into your list to try in the future when you are visiting Southeast Asia next time.  There is no middle ground for this fruit.  You either love it or hate it to the core.  There is no such thing as growing to love it.  This is how this fruits work.  I have never heard someone who said they grow to love it or grow to hate it.

It is a fruit of Love at first Taste or Loathe at first Taste.  I saw this hilarious representation of this King of fruits that it is so stinky that it melted all the clothes and everything from 20km away.  While this fruit is not going to melt away anything, I can't possibly send it to any country because this is going to be deemed as weapon of destruction.

Just look at those thorns and the smell are sure getaway for the custom to think that I am sending you some sort of mass weapon!

DURIAN 

The fruit is thorny and Yes, you can kill someone with it. It is heavy.

DURIAN 

The flesh inside the durians.  The size of the seed depends on the variety.

DURIAN 

More pictures.

DURIAN 

There are many food made with this King of fruits-donuts, ice cream, cookies, chocolates, cakes and even mooncake.  Unfortunately, if you hate it then you are sure to have your head spinning every time you came across Durians.

I am lucky to like it or else I think I will be suffering when my family members or anyone eats Durians.  Durian is not something that you can hide the smell so the house next door can smell it.  If you like the smell, it smells like creamy sweet flowery jam but if you hate, it sure smell like rotten garbage truck.  I don't have any ideas how the mechanics of smells works for Durians but that is how it is. A friend who hate it at the first sight puke non stop for the whole night after eating a little of the flesh.

The flesh really depends on the varieties of Durians.  It is not a cheap stuff here even if you hate it.  The Musang King (Fox King) varieties is so expensive that I can't afford it with my poor pay.  It is not easy to get it too as it is mostly exported to Hong Kong and to China.  Musang King got its name from being very cunning. It did kill someone by dropping the fruits on top of someone's head.  You can only collect the fruits at night.

 There are some rules to eating this fruit.  You are supposed to drink some water from the rind of the Durian fruits to avoid having fever which is true.  Avoid it when you are having fever or headaches or else it will make it worse.  People who have a cold or is always having cold feet is very much welcome to eat it because it will cure the cold instantly.  It is considered a hearty fruits for those who have a 'cold' body if you can eat it without puking non stop.  Also, do not eat this fruit while drinking alcoholic drink or you will just die of heart attack if you are unlucky.

A fruit eaten to avoid vampire since you need a wooden stake to open the fruits.  *I am just joking*  It is hilarious to cut through Durian with a big saw.

So, here is the fruit of the season of Durians.  Have you eaten this King of Fruits?  Do you have a fruit that you like to eat?

Product:
RM40 for three medium size Durian.
Not sponsored. However, the opinions expressed here are my own and honest as always.

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REVIEW ON JAPAN FUNBOX JULY 2016-MONTHLY JAPAN SUBSCRIPTION BOX

Introducing to you a Japanese subscription box review today because I cannot resist food and snacks!

 Japan Funbox is Japan based companies that offer three types of subscription box for Japanese snacks.  Japanbox offer free shipping worldwide.  There are three types of boxes offered for subscription.  Each of the boxes are carefully selected and they also have limited edition snacks or uniques ones such as strange flavour, DIY or ones that is only available in Japan.  The box is sent directly from Japan!

Japan funbox

the inside of Japan Funbox

I can't resist Japanese snacks because they are always surprising and unique.

1. MINI 

-$14.99／month
5-7 Items
Free shipping worldwide
Cancel online anytime


2. ORIGINAL
$32.99／month
15-20 Items
Free shipping worldwide
Cancel online anytime
1 DIY Kit Guaranteed
1 Special Items (Japanese Toy, Gachapon toy, Special DIY, Drink, Adult Candy etc …)

3. FAMILY
$49.99／month
25-30 Items
Free shipping worldwide
Cancel online anytime
2 DIY Kit Guaranteed
2 Special Items (Japanese Toy, Gachapon toy, Special DIY, Drink, Adult Candy etc …)

What I have here is the Mini box courtesy of Japan FunBox.  Let's check out what is in this box =).  Loving the snack items in the mini box for sure *love* .

Japan Funbox

The items for the box are printed in a piece of paper colored!

Japan FunBox JULY 2016 for mini box

Calbee Pizza potato chips

Calbee Pizza potato chips

Calbee Pizza potato chips - I love this thin crispy potato that has the zig-zag cut.  This pizza potato with cheese flavour is only in Japan.  It is my most favourite snacks in this box XD.  The potato chips is so nicely cut with just the right amount of seasoning that I can't stop munching on it.  I really love this chips XD.

Bourbon Alfort

Bourbon Alfort

Bourbon Alfort-bite size biscuit coated with rich milk chocolate.  The chocolate has just the right sweetness which is really good and it goes so well with the whole grain biscuits.  Bourbon chocolates are just absolutely delicious =) .

Glico Pretz Tomato

Glico Pretz Tomato

Glico Pretz Tomato taste-  The long biscuit is very crunchy on the outside and crispy on the inside.  The biscuit is really different from the many varieties that I have tried so you do have to taste it to get the kind of feeling you get from it.
Every bites is enjoyable with minimal effort and it has the light sweetness of tomato and vegetables.

Meisan Ume-Pachi

Meisan Ume-Pachi

Meisan Ume-Pachi- this is combination of crackling Ume(plum) candy and sour Ume taste(plum) granules.  It is a new texture candy.  It is really sour and the popping effect last quite long inside the mouth.

Kabaya Shuwabo

Kabaya Shuwabo

Kabaya Shuwabo- It is long soft candy which bubbly sour powder inside. the orange flavour and the lemon flavor combines into the mouth to create a third coke flavor.  It is tasty.  Kids will like this =) .

Whistle Candy:Grape Flavor

Whistle Candy:Grape Flavor

Whistle Candy:Grape Flavor- It is a popular and regular snack candy that can make the sound of whistle when you blow it. Parents hate but children love it XD.  There is the secret toy which is a plastic soldier in it. Brings me back to when I was a kid where we love the Rambo soldier XD.




Overall, there is a good mixture of snacks inside the box and if you are someone that wants to try some Japanese snacks that are known to be innovative, healthy and also delicious then try looking into what Japan Funbox offer.


Product retails for
MINI-$14.99／month (free shipping)

ORIGINAL- $32.99／month (free shipping)
FAMILY- $49.99／month (free shipping)

For more information, please visit Japan Fun box official website. Product is sent for my consideration.  However, the opinions expressed here are my own and honest as always.
*contains affiliate links that I will receive a small commision to produce more content in the future.

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FOOD:INSTANT NOODLES IN SOUTH EAST ASIA

Alright, this is not a healthy food post to say XD.  I am sorry that I do eat unhealthy once in awhile.  If you have been watching any Asian drama especially the modern drama from Hong Kong, then seeing instant noodles which is a common thing.  Many will question if it is that delicious.  Yes, I am afraid to say so that these instant are so good that they are addictive.

It is common here, when people ask if you can cook, it does not include cooking  'instant noodles'.  This bowl of instant noodles might look like it is cooked by some high end restaurant but it is actually done in less than 5 minutes if you include the eggs XD.

There are many flavour but this is a vegetarian flavour so it is suitable for vegetarians.

There are instructions on how to cook it.

So here is the ingredients.  It is not health so only this like once in a while.

I like it with eggs and some vegetables since eating the noodles is just boring.

It is easy to cook it.
Instruction.
1.Boils the water.
2. Once the water is boil, add vegetables and fishballs.
3. Put the noodles in and cooked for 2minutes.
4..Add fried eggs.
5. Add in the flavour according to your needs.  I usually only add half a packet or else it is too salty.


Most people in Malaysia prefer the curry, laksa, white curry which are spicy XD.  There are many other flavour such as the fried instant noodles too.  Instant noodles are really common here since it is easy to cook and delicious although they are not healthy at all.  So please do not cook this for your Asian parents or Asian parents in law because it is serious culture faux unless you want them to be unhappy about you feeding their precious children with instant food.

Want to impress your Asian parents in law?  Check some of the tough cooking recipe in my blog. XD


So, do you like instant noodles or what is your favourite flavours?


Not sponsored.  However, the opinions expressed here are my own and honest as always.

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FOOD REVIEW ON MY KLUANG COFFEE

Hi foodies,

I am sorry for lack of food reviews or recipes.  Here is a food review on  MyKluang Coffee.
Kluang is famous for coffee and food.
This outlet I went is in Kluang.  It is a corner lot shop next to Aeon Kluang.  You will find most people are here for their drinks and cakes.

MY KLUANG COFFEE

Bat theme

Bat theme carved with your table number.

Very nice, clean and beautiful interior design.

Chrysanthemum tea .  The tea tastes great =) . Not too sweet but just just nice and it is really fresh brewed with the perfect temperature.

Kuey Teow goreng.  There is quite a lot of bean sprouts in this plate.  The kuey teow goreng feels lukewarm which is not a preference since I like my food warm.  The taste is acceptable but nothing really great about it.  There isn't much ingredients in it but for the price of RM5.90 I guess I can't ask much.

Tomato Spaghetti comes with a lot of sauce so much so that my spaghetti is soak in it.  I wouldn't complain if is not that sourish.  The spaghetti is well cooked and it is not too soft except for the sauce. I wish they could make it less sourish T_T .  Portion is good because it is just right for my big stomach.

Mee Rebus is average because I keep comparing it with the one in Perak which is the best Mee Rebus I have ever tasted.  This is sweet and I guess it is the usual mee bandung which is supposedly sweet and comes in brown sauce.  The ingredients and portion are great but not the sauce.  I am sorry that this is another rant.

Classic Fish and Chip
Okay, after so many rants, here is a food that I like.  The wedges are really warm, soft and crispy.  The portion of wedges, the fish and chips are also huge which I think is really cheap for that price that I pay.  It comes with two sauces which is really thoughtful so I can dip into whichever sauce I like.  I will recommend to order the fish and chips, any of their drinks or their cakes which I didn't because I am too full to order dessert.


Their customers service is great.  The waiter serving us repeat the items I orders and serve us once we have seated despite other customers coming in.   The workers wear clean uniform and are quick to our request. Their toilets are really clean and well maintained.

Overall, I think My Kluang needs to improve on some of their dishes because seriously that is going to drawn more customer in.  Other than that, everything is great and I would visit My Kluang again.


Food prices:
Mee Rebus RM4.90
Classic Fish and Chip RM11.90
Fried Kuey Teow RM 5.90
Tomato Spaghetti RM 7.90
Chrysanthemum tea RM1.90

Price include GST and they provide free wifi =)

For more information, please visit My Kluang facebook page. Not sponsored. However, the opinions expressed here are my own and honest as always.

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REVIEW ON CUBECRATE JUNE 2016

This month box from Cubecrate is a good surprise.  This month theme is Father's Day and I love the items inside the box.

This month advertisers.

 Here are the items in the box.

After Peel Banana Juice

After Peel Banana Juice

After Peel Banana Juice
De Succo Enterprise at Puchong or afterpeel@gmail.com

The banana juice taste really good with some bits of banana in them.  I was surprised that it lasted through the journey from Kuala Lumpur considering that there is no preservatives in it at all.

Fraiche Designer Granola clusters 

Fraiche Designer Granola clusters (Original Superfood)
Snack pack (200g) RM15.50
regular (400g) RM27.50
0123362464

The granola snack pack is just as awesome and healthy with cranberries, flaxseed, pecans, cinnamon in them.  I ate it all in one siting XD.

Mycare Malaysia 自白肌 toner sample

Mycare Malaysia 自白肌 toner sample


I love this month box which is good for the hot weather now.


Product retails for
A box is Rm35 plus shipping
RM 90 for 3 months
RM 197 for 6 months

For more information, please visit Cubecrate official website, Cubecrate Instagram and Cubecrate Facebook.
Product is sent for my consideration. However, the opinions expressed here are my own and honest as always.

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