Beef Salad

I tried this salad in Evia Yoghurt for the first time and fell in love straight away. The smell of coriander, succulent beef and tasty vegetables are the treat you'll get in one bowl.  Then I tried to make my own with little twist and modifications, and the results had always been great, so I thought I'd share it with you.

Here it is:

Beef  Salad

2 pcs cucumber - diagonally sliced

2 pcs tomatoes - cut into wedges (you can also use 250g cherry tomatoes)

3-4 leaves lettuce - coarsely chopped

1-2 bunch coriander leaves  - coarsely chopped (use the stalks for dressing)

3-4 stalks spring onion - diagonally sliced

1/2  red capsicum - thinly sliced

300g grilled beef steak - thinly sliced (you can also use leftover beef)

Dressing:

2 cloves garlic              }

1-2cm ginger                }put in the food processor

coriander stalks           }

1/2 stalk lemongrass  }

lime juice

soy sauce

palm sugar - diluted with lime juice

sesame oil

Garnish:

a handful of toasted peanuts - coarsely crushed

Combine the ingredients with dressing and garnish with toasted peanuts. Enjoy!

Bean Salad

This lovely salad is so refreshing, you could eat this by itself or with your favourite meal. Here I use Aldi Five Bean Mix, they includes red kidney beans, green baby lima beans, great northern beans, small borlotti bean and small chickpeas.

Here is the recipe:

Bean Salad

2 pcs cucumber - seeded & diced

2 pcs tomato - diced

3-4 leaves lettuce - coarsely chopped

3-4 stalks continental  parsley - finely chopped

3-4 stalks spring onion

1/2 green capsicum - diced

a quarter of Spanish onion - finely diced

some mint leaves -  finely chopped

a can of Five Bean Mix - drained & heated (in the microwave)

Dressing:

2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

lemon juice from 1 lemon

salt & pepper - to taste

Mix all ingredients and dressing until all well combined.

5 Cool kitchen Gadgets under $12

1.      Stick blender

To me, this is the coolest kitchen gadget ever! It is wonderful to purée soup, smoothen your dips, whip the cream, make fruit smoothies or even froth your milk. One big advantage is, you don't have to transfer your ingredients, it can be used right on your pan, cup or bowl. It is so easy to clean, too, just use soap & water. Love mine so much and it's very affordable. I think every kitchen should have this. Big W $12.00.

2.     Julienne slicer

How we hate chopping carrots and slicing them thinly, I always can't get it right. This thing makes my job easier, it slices carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, apples, etc. effortlessly and efficiently. It comes in two sizes, coarse or fine, you can also buy the holder so it won't hurt your finger. Street shop $7.50 each.

3.     Chips/Pizza Crisper

These things are the new hero in my kitchen. I used to fry the chips because my family like them crispy, but now I just put them in the oven using the chip crisper and they will be crispy on both sides, just like we wanted, healthier too! And the use is limitless, not just for pizza and chips, we can use them for pastries, nuggets, roasted vegetables, etc. Don't forget to brush some oils on the base of the tray to avoid food sticking on it. Aldi (promotional) $2.90 each.

4.     Mini grater

This is the little thing that makes your meal perfect. Use it to grate parmesan cheese for  garnish, grain your nutmeg, zest your lemon/orange for extra flavour, or grate your ginger/garlic  for making sauce. They are available in plastic or stainless steel. Hot Dollar $2.50.

5.     Dumpling mould

Being Asian, I make dumplings a lot, so having this thing is a must. Just put the skin first then the filling in the middle, press it, and voilà.. the dumpling is done! You can get it from 2 dollar shop or Daiso. It's a delight! Daiso $2.80.

If I were a Jewellery Maker

I was introduced to jewellery making by the local group and loving it since then. It's amazing how you could put together beads and string to create something new. You don't have to be an expert, even an amateur like me can do it.

You will need:

 - Crimping Tools

 - Beads

 - String/wire, elastic  or chain

 - Hooks & pins

Here are some of the things I've made.

Bracelets with elastic

Blue beads

Clear pink beads with matching earrings

Clear green beads with matching earrings

Bracelets & necklace with chains

Clear blue and white beads with ring connector

Blue & white beads with gold chain & matching earrings

Clear colourful beads with matching earrings

Necklaces with wire

Red & black beads with matching earrings

Silver & clear beads

Necklaces with string

Earthy beads with ring pendant and matching earrings

8 necklace