Flourless Chocolate Cake with Almond Meal

This recipe from really works. I didn't even have to use an electric egg beater / mixer.  Additional tips are mine. 

Preheat oven to 180 degree Centrigrade, fan forced.

Line bottom of the cake tin with greaseproof paper. The sides can be greased.

Mix instant coffee powder or coffee bag in hot water. Add to dissolved butter, cocoa powder and melted chocolate.

Lightly beat egg yolk with castor sugar till well mixed.

Beat egg white till soft peak.

Add chocolate mixture and almond meal to egg yolk mixture.

Gently fold egg white into chocolate mixture. Pour into prepared cake pan.

Bake for at least 45 mins. Move the cake tin from top to bottom half time to ensure even baking.

Cool cake before removing from pan and cutting.

Serve with ice-cream and fresh berries.

Ways with Daikon/White Radish #1 Winter Beef Mushroom Ginger Daikon Soup

White carrot or daikon is an inexpensive and versatile ingredient that can add many twists and flavours to otherwise bland home cooked meals. 

This recipe is a winter soup using a good beef stock, ginger and peppercorns as the base. As white radish is considered cooling, it is essential to match it with some warming elements such as red meat, herb and spice.  Red wine enhances the aroma but it's optional. Coriander is recommended as a garnish for the soup as it has properties to soothe cough and sore throat caused by the cold. To avoid over heating and spiciness, reduce the amount of ginger and peppercorns. It's easy! 

Bring the beef stock to the boil. Add soaked shitake mushrooms and let it boil lightly. Then add in sliced daikon, peppercorn and ginger. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add a little salt and red wine according to preference. Top with coriander leaves. It's ready to be served. 

At the time of writing this, the weather is transiting from winter to spring. Do not be deceived by the apparent sunny feeling. The air is still cool and chilly. 

Food Brighter Vision - halt macular degeneration - Greens, Fish, Nuts, Goji, Flowers

Macular degeneration (MD) affects one in seven persons over the age of 50 in Australia. While the reduction of vision is gradual, it can lead to blindness if not arrested in time.

Younger mypoic teens and adults are not spared. Macular endema which has simlar symptoms to MD can cause vision impairment if they persist to ignore or put up with the symptoms.

The good news is : the risk of developing MD and losing vision can be reduced if one follows a diet that is rich in certain classes of foods.

1. Fish oil
2. Green leafy vegetables
3. Nuts
4. Fresh fruits
5. Lucetin, zeaxanthin and carocarotenoids

Refrain from taking food laden with saturated fats (that includes margarine).

And most importantly, abandon smoking and sedantary lifestyle.
Ensure adequate protection of the eyes and face from sunlight and glare.

What the eye medical specialist and researchers recommend

* The views of opthamologists and consultants whom I've consulted.

* Information as shown on Australian TV Channel 7 two months ago featuring research findings and interviews with medical experts and patients.

Rather than dictate what and how much to eat, it is much easier to make slight modifications to our habits to improve eye health.

INCREASE INTAKE :

Spinach and silver beet are rich sources of lutein. It is important to diversify types of vegetable intake and include some green leafy vegetables at least twice a week.

Steam sweet corn is especially good for protection against M.D. It is a much better substitute to instant noodles or snacking on cookies.

Eat more : multigrains, muesli, oat bran, wheat germ and nuts.
Brazil nuts are said to be most beneficial for macular health. Almonds and cashew are good too.

Traditional herbal and Chinese remedies

Goji berries (枸杞子 Chinese wolfberries or Fructus Lycii) contains antioxidant compounds including zeaxanthin. Cone cells that affect the clarity of central vision, have a high concentration of zeaxanthin.

In TCM, goji is considered a tonic for the kidney which is believed to have a direct impact on eye conditions.

RECIPE

1. Put dried chrystanthemum flowers into a stainless steel tea ball.

2. Wash under running tap water for a few seconds. Tilt and drain the water away but do not open the teaball. Place gently into a tea pot.

3. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons washed goji berries into the bottom of the teapot.

4. Bring distilled water to the boil in a kettle.

5. Pour boiled water into the teapot and let the flowers steep for at least five minutes. The hot water will plump the goji berries which will exude a light fragrance that blends harmoniously with the flower scent.

6. When slightly cooled, pour into tea cup and enjoy.

Honeysuckle flowers are said to be good too but I have yet to research on this remedy.

I followed this chrysanthemum goji tea regimen for two weeks on a daily basis (in addition to adhering strictly to the above five classes of foods and the dos and don'ts). Without any active medical treatment safe for moisturising eyedrops, I had to rely on whatever dietary remedies at my disposal. Fortunately, I was certified to have recovered completely after six weeks by a renowned opthamologist. Of course, this is only a personal experience and may not work for everyone.

If you have symptoms of centre vision blurring, please consult a medical practioner or optometrist as soon as possible and seek more specialised expertise if necessary. Patients with positive prognosis normally take 3 to 4 weeks for complete recovery. Others may take longer or conditions may even deteriorate.

- Copyright Reserved