Squid Curry Stir Fry

The curry base for this seafood dish is similar to Thai southern curry.

Marinate squid slices with 2 tsp of meat or seafood curry powder and pepper.

Stir fry red curry paste in oil till fragrant. Next fry onions, followed by squid. When almost ready, put a few dashes of dark soy sauce. Add sliced chilli if a spicier taste is desired.

Tip : do not cover the pot or overcook the squid.

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Baked fig in proscuitto wrap

An easy appetizer recipe using sweet and savoury ingredients - fig and prosciutto. Only two main ingredients and two steps. No kidding!

1. Grease baking tray with a thin coat of almond or macadamia oil.
2. Bake in preheated oven at 150 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes.

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Cooking Abalone - festive delicacy

According to Chinese beliefs, abalone symbolises assured abundance. Though canned and vacuum packed abalone are easily available from speciality grocery stores, uncooked chilled abalone tastes superb. If you have a few hours to spare, you are better off cooking abalone dish from scratch than to use precooked processed abalone which contain preservatives and not as yummy.

Preparation : wash away dirt on fresh abalone under running tap. Do not soak as it will dilute the taste of the shellfish.

In an airtight heavy steel pot, cook abalone whole in cool or lukewarm superior chicken stock, preferably homecooked or restaurant grade commercial packed ones. Ensure that the stock adequately covers the the abalone. Never cook abalone in boiling water as it will shrink and toughen the texture. Add dried scallops which have been washed and soaked for at least 2 hours (do not discard the water but add to the rest of the ingredients).

Add a stalk of shallot (white part only), garlic clove (with skin intact) and 2 slices of ginger.

Maintain an even temperature of soft boiling for the entire 3 hour cooking process. Alternatively, double boiling would take more 4 to 6 hours.

When ready, discard the spring onion, garlic and ginger. The soup can be presented as another course, separate from the main abalone dish.

To prepare the gravy, dissolve tapioca or corn starch in solution of water, oyster sauce, pepper and cooking wine (optional).

You may line the base of the serving plate with cut iceberg lettuce. Soft, slightly chewy, and extraordinary flavours!

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