This morning I made ‘whole wheat banana chocolate chip quinoa pancakes with strawberry syrup’ (whew).

I found this recipe at Ambitious Kitchen, and it just so happened my sister had all the ingredients in her fridge (including the already cooked quinoa). So if you’re a health nut like her and have all this at home, then throw it together to make these yummy pancakes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 3 large egg whites (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/3 cup plain greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of milk of your choice (skim, soy, almond, coconut)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (you could also use honey or maple syrup)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 large very ripe bananas, pureed
• Chocolate Chips (optional)

Home-made macaroons from our favorite bitch.

There ain’t no party without L.A. Chicken! The girl who bought it was the most popular person there.

Diplomat Cake for the birthday, Dark Chocolate-Lemon Cheesecake for the housewarming and Red Velvet just because. From the famous and delicious Diplomat Bakery.

Happy birthday to my BFF!

We had the decency to cut the cakes this time but we usually just dive in with forks.
Yep, that’s how us girls roll.

xoxo

Great words of wisdom from my lovely friends.

My afternoon Thursday classes are officially over so I met up with a friend today to watch Wanderlust. Since it was only playing at the Tinseltown theatre, we decided to grab lunch somewhere nearby. I’ve always wanted to try Dirty Apron, and lucky for me it was only a block away. I’m a big fan of their other two restaurants (Chambar and Medina) so I had pretty high expectations of their quality of food. The restaurant/store was very quaint. It had a mini gourmet grocery store inside and a counter that sold a variety of quality meats, cheeses, bakery items, freshly made sandwiches and soups. They also hold cooking classes throughout the month. There are wooden tables spread throughout the space. It had a vibe very similar to Meat & Bread, maybe it’s a Gastown thing?

I got the crab and shrimp baguette, which had a very generous amount of filling and avocado spread. It was a good size, enough for one hungry person. My friend ordered the chicken with chipotle mayo, roasted tomatoes, parmesan and arugula. We traded half of our baguettes so that we’d both get to try each others. I think the the roasted tomatoes added a very nice sweet touch to the chipotle mayo. As for who’s I enjoyed more, mine was the winner. Mmmm… couldn’t get enough of that crab/shrimp filling.

After the movie (which to my disappointment had very little to do with traveling), we decided to head over to Mink Chocolates near waterfront station. I’ve got a sweet tooth and this place was on my hit list. We both ordered a waffle with dark chocolate and whipped cream (you get a choice of dark or milk chocolate). I got the bananas to go with it and my friend got strawberries. We paired the sweetness with a nice tea brewed in individual pots. I got the African nectar tea and my friend had the green tea. The waffles were nice and crispy. I only wish they drizzled a bit more chocolate on there and a little less whip cream. It was decently priced compared to some other dessert places I’ve gone to. They serve everything on classy silver trays, which took up quite a bit of space on our tables. Mink is a really nice place to go after dinner to just sit, chat and have dessert. They’ve also got hot chocolate, lattes, espresso, fondue and parfaits on the menu. I def need to go back for the fondue.

My boyfriend is Vietnamese but I never crave for pho. I was never a huge fan and when my friends suggest it, I’ll be thinking, “mehh.. I’d rather be eating Chinese.” I do like some Vietnamese food though but only when it’s home-cooked à la Boyfriend’s mom. At restaurants, the only dish I like is bún bò Hue, which is a spicy noodle soup from Hue, the middle region of Vietnam. Differences from pho? Check out this blog which broke it down nicely. How was I introduced to this? My boyfriend’s family is Hue and the first time I had it at his house, I fell in love with it despite burning up from the spiciness. They make pho too but I always come over when I hear that mommy Phan is making bún bò Hue. Nom nom nom.

For someone who cannot take the heat (ask my Vietnamese and Korean friends whose cultures are filed with spicy dishes), I CAN handle bún bò Hue… with a huge glass of water and a bunch of napkins to wipe the tears streaming down my face. Seriously, I’m that bad. But anything for bún bò Hue.

It’s hard to find good Bún bò Hue in Vancouver but the best is definitely at Song Huong— the owners are actually Hue! Everything they make there is actually good since it’s one of best and most authentic Vietnamese restaurants in Vancouver too. For someone who does not like dining out Vietnamese, I do love Song Huong.

So what about you? Pho or bún bò Hue?

Last Friday, my sister and I decided to drive all the way to New Westminster for dinner at Gino’s. It’s an Italian/Greek/Mexican place …I think? Not really sure how to classify the restaurant since they had everything from pasta to tex mex to souvlaki on the menu. Actually, I think they’ve got an identity crisis as they had items on the menu that doesn’t fall into those 3 categories! Nonetheless, it was a good variety and at really reasonable prices.

She ordered the Friday special which was a prime rib dinner with veggies, salad and her choice of potatoes (she chose baked). I absolutely LOVE greek style lamb, so I got the roast lamb shoulder with roasted potatoes, rice, greek salad, tzatziki and pita bread. *droooooooool* Last time my sister came here she said the service was super slow so to be on the safe side, we got the fried zucchini sticks and potato skins to start. This is why I love eating out with my sister— she always wants to try everything on the menu and ends up ordering a lot. She also always gets the bill (hey, don’t judge, I’m a starving student).

Well, we were wrong for thinking the service would be slow because the everything came incredibly fast and the serving sizes for everything was huge. I think I was already getting full from eating the starters. They even gave us 3 large bowls of baked potato toppings (onions, bacon and sour cream). Definitely over-estimated how hungry we were.

My lamb had a little bit too much gravy on it. I would have preferred it plain. Other than that, it was deliciousss! I’m not much of a beef person so I only had a tiny piece of my sisters steak and it turned out to be nice and tender. And of course, we didn’t finish everything— we barely dented the huge amount of food we had… typical Asian girls. We packed everything up for my mom to eat, but I’m pretty sure my sister finished everything when we got home. She was eating a muffin in the car on the way home after complaining at the restaurant about how full she was. She is not kidding when she says she is always eating something.

Next time, if I’m ever in the area again, I’ll be sure to go to Gino’s and try the moussaka and spinach pie …mmm..

We have many girls' nights... always stocked with wine, cheese... Goose and lots of other goodies. And they're always filled with laughter, shrieks and unimaginable chaos— I don't think we've ever NOT have a good time.

I'm a lucky girl. My boyfriend makes me fresh salad rolls for dinner and cooks me a ton of other stuff (and even washes the dishes!)... my next mission is to make him love whole-wheat pasta because it's so yummy and hearty. Speaking of healthy, we went for ALL YOU CAN EAT BACON that ended up in a soju-overdosed, fun-filled night. Speaking about fun... nothing is more fun than catching up with super old friends over good bubble tea and Taiwanese food and reminiscing about all the crazy shit we use to do when were still young. Yes, STILL young... I can't party like how I use to any more.

One of our favorite things to do is to get dressed up and EAT. Me? I really just like to eat.

I was ecstatic to NOT get dressed up and party this NYE but somehow got dragged out to a super fun and casual dinner and drinks with my best friends. This was the BEST NYE ever! I even got to wear sweats. AND we somehow ended up with a free beer glass.

And somewhere in between were all the working, eating, snowboarding … but barely any sleeping.
Why sleep when there are fun and productive things to do?

1. Apartment hunting with my sister eventually turned into food hunting, and Meat and Bread just happened to be right around the corner.
2. Indulged in a grilled cheese and a turkey confit sandwich. Guilt-free goodness.
3. Despite having a Vietnamese boyfriend, I never crave for Vietnamese food, and not am a huge fan of it (shhh) but the seldom times we do go out for it, I only order bun bo hue. My choice of drink is a soda egg yolk condensed milk or a durian milkshake. I do like home-cooked Vietnamese food though… but nothing can beat home-cooked Chinese food.
4. I’ve never had All-You-Can-Eat hot pot this late before. Good thing food always tastes good at night… especially after a night of screaming and laughs in haunted houses with my favorite guys and gals.
5. Post workout fun: laughs and drinks with the boyfriend and the best friend.
6. This is definitely not authentic poutine, but it’s my favorite poutine.  NEW YORK FRIES!

Home-cooked bun bo hue! My favorite. Who needs pho?

I’ve been craving mini donuts for weeks. Got really annoyed when Boyfriend wanted one. Mine. Mine. MINE!

The cake that got ambushed by the kids right after this picture was taken (stripped of fruits, holes, fingerprints…)

Finished the weekend off with tea, macaroons and and blog-hopping on the Macbook in bed.

Clams, snails, duck head (what we came for), pig intestines, hot and sour soup… my hands were too dirty after that to take anymore pictures of dishes that came afterwards. No manners required… we savagely ate the duck head.

I feel like we should be drinking right now…

What are some of your favorite and unhealthy Chinese foods?

I wanted to wear nude pumps but I had to keep in mind that I was spending a fun and food-filled night at Section 3 with my short little Asian girlfriends who I had no intention on towering over, especially with the fact that there would be cocktails involved. It’s alright though because I got to wear boots, which means fall is “officially” here (to me anyway)!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Banana
• 1/2 cup Quaker oats
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 cup Fat-Free Cottage Cheese
• 1/8 teaspoon Baking Powder
• Drizzle of Splenda
• Dash of Cinnamon
• Dash of Vanilla Extract
• Dash of Salt

1. Blend it all together in your blender until smooth.
2. Spray a pan with non-stick spray & cook.

Note: I found this recipe on a Tumblr. If it was yours, let me know and I’ll link back.

1. In a large bowl, combine the apple, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper.
2. Crumble chicken/turkey over mixture and mix well.
3. Shape into 8 3-inch patties.
4. In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook patties over medium heat for 5-6 minutes on each side or until no longer pink.
5. Drain if necessary.

I used extra lean ground turkey and served it with scrambled eggs + egg whites on the side.

Salad:

• 1 cup brown rice, cooked (1/2 c dry)
• 1 head butter or romaine lettuce, chopped
• 8 oz. imitation crab meat or cooked shrimp, chopped
• 1 English (seedless) cucumber, thinly sliced (and peeled if not organic)
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 1 carrot, grated
• 3 T pickled ginger, chopped (available in the Asian section of most supermarkets)

Dressing:

• 3 T rice wine vinegar
• 1 T light soy sauce
• Wasabi powder to taste (start with 1/2 t)

Garnishes:

• 1 T sesame seeds
• 1 large sheet nori (seaweed), toasted and broken into small pieces

1. Combine all ingredients for dressing in a small bowl and whisk ingredients together.
2. Divide clean, dry and chopped lettuce among four large bowls. Top with crab meat, avocado, cucumber, carrot and ginger. Drizzle dressing over salads, then top with sesame seeds and nori.
3. Makes 4 servings at about 200 Calories each

After starting the day with a yummy breakfast, of course.

Love love LOVE Shanghainese food. One of my favorite Asian cuisines.

A typical night at a girlfriend’s place…

…and she always makes us a delicious kimchi stew with lots of spam.

The beginning of another great dim sum adventure.

This is my favorite thing Boyfriend’s mom makes (other than bun bo hue); her udon noodle soup.

God, I love poutine so much…

And anything with roasted duck in it.

Especially PEKING DUCK WRAP!!

Speaking of wraps, the cafeteria at work serves a piece of heaven wrapped up in delicious goodness. The saddest feeling is taking the last bite.

I craved for and ate sushi almost every night last week.

This was the funnest sporting event I’ve been to (even compared to a Canucks play off game) from screaming until I could barely talk and throwing ponchos at TFC fans. Remind me never to go to an away game.

Imagine if you were under the flag that made it’s way around the stadium several times and we scored a goal. I would’ve been so choked!

Anyway, I have to get back to work. =(

Speaking of work, dogs make a happier and more productive work place (despite amusingly watch one chasing it’s own tail for 10 minutes).

Easy Mix-In’s
Take one can of tuna and add one of the following ingredients.

Tuna Salad
2 tbsp low fat mayo and some chopped onion

Old El Paso Tuna
¼-1/3 cup salsa

Mustard-Dill Tuna
Mustard to taste sprinkled with some dill

Oriental-Ginger Tuna
1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp chicken broth, ginger and garlic powder

Balsamic Vinegar
1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Tuna Italiano
1-2 tbsp fat free Italian salad dressing sprinkled with oregano or Italian spice

Tuna Melt
Once tuna is on a plate, cover a low fat cheese slice and place under broiler. Add some ketchup if desired.

Tuna Parmesan
1-2 tbsp tomato sauce plus 1 tbsp parmesan cheese

Creamy Chive Tuna
1-2 tbsp low fat or fat free cream cheese sprinkled with chives

Tuna Chili
Mix 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp cumin and a sprinkle of cayenne powder with tuna. Add a slice of low fat cheese and melt it the microwave

Terryaki Tuna

Mix together 1 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp vinegar with 1-2 packets sweetener and 1 tbsp dry onion soup mix. Add to tuna.

Those are some very easy options if you only want a dish that has one or two ingredients. Pair it along with a healthy source of carbohydrates such as a baked potato or some brown rice and some vegetables grilled in olive oil and you have a well balance complete meal.

The recipes below require slightly more preparation as it’s not just adding a few ingredients to the tuna but are also relatively quick and easy. They are perfect for nights when you have a little more time but still want the quality nutrition that canned tuna has to offer.

Low Carb Tuna Patties

• 1 6oz can of tuna
• ½ cup low fat or fat free cottage cheese
• 1 whole egg
• chopped green onions if desired
• salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and form into small flat patties. Meanwhile, heat a non-stick skillet and spray with cooking spray. Lay patty on the grill and cook over medium heat until browned on one side. Flip over and continue to cook the other side. Serve with ketchup if preferred.

Tuna Muffins

• 1 can tuna
• 1/3 can uncooked oats
• chopped celery
• chopped parsley
• 2 eggs

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, making sure oats are evenly distributed throughout mixture. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spoon muffin mixture into a sprayed muffin pan. Cook for approximately 20-25 minutes. Serve with mustard if desired.

Tuna Quiche

• 3/4 cup dry brown rice
• 2 cups water
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon dill
• 2 cans of tuna
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
• 1 cup skim milk
• 1/3 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
• 10 mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped

Cook rice in water until tender, about 40 to 50 minutes. Mix with 1 beaten egg and dill. Press into 9-inch pie pan, forming crust. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8 minutes.

Mix tuna together with lemon juice, onion and parsley. Then add the remaining eggs along with the milk and Cheddar cheese.

Assemble the quiche by placing mushrooms on the bottom of the crust, then add the tuna mixture and finally sprinkle with chopped pepper. Pour egg mixture over to cover. Bake at 450 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Afterwards, reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake 30 more minutes or until center is firm.

Quick Tuna Casserole

• 1 cup cooked barley
• 1 slice low fat cheese
• 1 can of tuna
• Skim milk to suite preference
• Salt and pepper

Combine barley, tuna and cheese and microwave until heated through. Add skim milk until desired consistency is reached and then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Can be served with ketchup if desired.

Yogurt Tuna Salad

• 1 can of tuna
• ¼ cup celery
• 3 tbsp chopped onion
• 1 chopped dill pickle
• 2-3 tbsp plain lowfat yogurt
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mix the first four ingredients together in a bowl. Drizzle over yogurt until mixture is well covered. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Tuna Burgers

• 1 (6 ounce) can tuna, drained
• 1 egg
• ½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup onion
• ¼ cup celery
• 2 Tbsp fat free mayo
• 2 Tbsp mustard
• ½ teaspoon dried dill weed
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce
• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce

Combine tuna, egg and bread crumbs. Once mixed add all other ingredients. Mix well. Shape into 4 patties (mixture will be very soft and delicate). Refrigerate for 30 minutes to make the patties easier to handle.

Coat a non-stick skillet with cooking spray; and fry patties for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through. These can be quite fragile so be careful when flipping them over.

[Source]

• Day old rice
• Chinese sausage a.k.a. lap-cheung
• Season eggs with salt, soy sauce and a hint of SUGAR before scrambling
• Fish sauce
• Green onion

Fried rice is super easy to make; you can basically chop up and throw any leftovers in your fridge in a pan and fry it with some day old rice. My favorite fried rice is simply with the 5 ingredients above.

What’s your favorite fried rice recipe?

Grilled Cheese sandwich with homemade tomato soup (it's lumpy because I was too lazy to puree it).

Vermicelli noodles with bok choy.

Steak with rice and tomato.

Books. I go through phases where I’m reading every second I’m free and I’m going through one of those now. Last Sunday was spent at Chapters on Robson after a good hearty brunch… and Boyfriend asleep on the giant beanie chair beside me (and snoring loudly… in the store).

I highly recommend this trilogy:

Waterbottle. I’d die if I didn’t have water with me anywhere I go. It has turned into an annoying obsession and not to mention I have to go pee every half-an-hour.

Boots. Four words: FALL IS BOOT SEASON!! Well actually, boot season is every season… even summer.

Poutine. I love poutine so much that Boyfriend and his friends spent 2 hours making this giant pan of poutine for me on my birthday. I almost licked the pan afterwards… until some drunk guy rubbed his nasty hands all over the pan looking for more poutine that I just ate. But yes, another sick but delicious obsession. BEST BIRTHDAY EVER.

From the outside, Phnom Penh looks like a dingy Asian establishment that you’d never think twice to eat at. Inside, you’ll find the best Cambodian/Vietnamese cuisine, the best chicken wings, the best bo luc la… just some of the best Asian comfort food in the city. Now, I’m not picky with it comes to food… I’ll eat just about anything and everything but most of the time, I’d definitely eat at my list of favorite dingy Asian restaurants around the city than one of the high-end steakhouses downtown. I’m almost always craving for Asian food… and most of the time I’m craving for Phnom Penh! I don’t care if the food is ladled with oil and MSG… it’s yummy, okay.

Dim Sum Breakfast (x10). This was just the beginning.

Chinese fast food: brunch at Cafe de Coral. Boyfriend’s favorite place.

Lunch. This wasn’t all of it… was suppose to be for 10 but 4 of us ate 90% of it.

Guilt-free sweets.

Afternoon snack of fish balls and various animal organs.

Fresh seafood dinner.

Mango-filled desserts.

Evening snack of delicious dumplings.

Midnight meal.

Late night dessert.

Perfect drunk food. Ramen with spam and egg = definition of lazy Asian.

• There are bugs ALL over Phuket. Don’t be surprised if you find a dead spider in your rice, fearless flies on your food during dinner, and ants and lizards crawling up the wall behind you.
• Sales girls at the malls are extremely rude and just sit around talking, but employees everywhere else are super nice ,and definitely knows the meaning of hospitality.
• Most places don’t believe in AC.
• But the beaches definitely felt like heaven on earth.
• Thailand makes you want elephant and monkeys so bad, it’s not even funny.

Phuket

Beijing:

• Beijing food was such a huge disappointment; it was okay but definitely not my favorite. I also had the worst PEKING duck I’ve ever had there. Ironic.
• I felt like I was covered in 10 layers of dirt every day from the smog and heat.
• But the heat was bearable because it was dry and cool in the shade (unlike Hong Kong’s humidity).
• I took a deep breath by accident and my throat was scratchy and irritated the rest of the day. Air pollution is no fun!!
• It was weird that we were in a lot of touristy places (even the airport and a 5-star hotel) and employees barely knew English. It took so much effort just to explain “brown bread” to them.
• I was scared to drink anything because I didn’t want to use their public washrooms.
• If I have to pee in another hole in the ground again with the most pungent smell emitting from it, I’m going to scream! Some of them were so bad that I was willing to hold it in for an hour long bus ride… I give huge props to the cleaning ladies who sits in the washrooms all day. I am so prissy. But I really tried.
• On the other hand, the washrooms that do have 1 or 2 stalls with actual toilets are pretty clean since they are barely used (but still smelly).
• Despite all this, I had more fun in Beijing than I even did Phuket! I’m obsessed with Chinese history so I was in so much awe being in places that I only read about.
• I want to come back again with proper gear to conquer more of the Great Wall. Vancouver trails are nice and some still a good challenge, but the Great Wall really lives up to it’s name and is full of historical significance which makes it that much better (Grouse Grind, my ass). Just don’t wear a dress and sandals like I did.
• Going up the wall is so much easier than going down. Hella steep with uneven and worn-down steps + my weak knees = not a good combination. It took me double the time to go down, and I was secretly racing an old man but he beat me.
• I also want to come back to spend more time in the Summer Palace; so beautiful there.
• I already knew this but holy shit, Air China really sucks ass.

Great Wall of China

Hong Kong:

• Hong Kong = food heaven!! There are so many restaurants and bakeries here it’s not even funny— and they are always full.
• But then I don’t think I can survive here because there are way too many people. Not as many as China but still to many.
• The first week we were here, I dragged Boyfriend out and we literally shopped till we dropped every single day …well he just held my bags. It didn’t help that public benches are practically non-exist in HK so we always came home exhausted (and I consider never shopping again), get a really good sleep but then do it all over again the next day.
• He loved it when I went into shoe stores where he can sit and bask in air-conditioned glory— those were the only times he encouraged me to take my time and shop.
• I hate it when “dirty water” drips on me.
• I hate that I have to dress so conservatively while the weather is so hot and humid or else the locals will stare and make you feel like an idiot. I won’t care in Vancouver but I do here even though I’ll never see them again.  The bitches in Vancouver need to take stare-down lessons from the old Chinese ladies here.

60+ DELICIOUS skewers (chicken, beef, gizzards, chicken hearts, lamb, squid) + 8 beers + 1 bottle of nasty but super strong alochol = less than $20CDN. The only catch is that it was from a probably really dirty food stall but then we didn`t get sick so who cares.. I want more!!

Misc:

• I will never take Vancouver weather for granted ever again!! *complains about the shitty weather when I get off the plane*
• I miss clean and smog free air.
• I hope Vancouver bans the use of air conditioners that sucks hot air back outside. It’d be so sad if Vancouver becomes so gross and humid like HK.
• I was standing in the aisle of a supermarket today feeling so bad for myself for living in North America because our [junk food] choices are so boring. Asia has all of it PLUS MORE.
• I like how breakfast at hotels here always serve congee.
• I’m so sad that we didn’t get to eat creepy crawlies in Phuket or Beijing but we have one more visa entry to China so hopefully we still can.
• You guys were right, I lost 5lbs from the heat and all the walking but I’m pretty sure I gained like 10% body fat. I don’t know what’s worse.
• We are getting so awesome. AT BARGAINING! But bargaining just for $0.30CAD is sooo ridiculous and tiring even though you do it anyway… because you’re in Asia and will feel like you’re getting ripped off if you don’t.
• I can’t wait to be in Korea for the World Cup. I know I can only hope, but obviously I’m routing for an Asian team and it doesn’t get any crazier than in Korea!
• The country never sleeps!
• I complain a lot but I still love Asia!! Complaining is more interesting than praising.

Edit— Check out this article: Look What I Bought (or Got Free)

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup mashed bananas (2-3 bananas)
• 1/4 cup non-fat milk
• 1/3 cup honey or Splenda
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons walnuts, crushed (optional)
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
2. In a larger bowl, beat egg whites lightly. Stir in milk, mashed bananas and honey (or Splenda). Add flour mixture and stir until well blended.
3. Pour into greased loaf pan.
4. To make the topping, combine the rolled oats, crushed walnuts and maple syrup in a small bowl and mix until moistened. Sprinkle over the top of the batter.
5. Put in the oven and bake at 350°F for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Serves: 10

Nutrition Content (per serving):
205 calories, 3g fat, 0g saturated fat, 42g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 5g protein, 284mg sodium

Sundubu Jjigae

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Bun Bo Hue

Beef Tataki

Terung Udang Kering

I love cuisines from all around the world but 80% of the time, I’m craving for something Asian.

What are some of your favorite dishes?

Spinach is a power house of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is a rich source of iron, vitamins A, C and K, potassium and magnesium. As well as being packed with nutrients, spinach is low in calories and fat. In fact a serving of spinach (1/2 cup cup cooked) contains only 21 calories and less than 1 gram of fat!

All you do it toss together:

• spinach (I use A LOT)
• salt
• chicken brother powder (optional)
• water (as much “soup” as you want)

Bring to boil and then simmer for a couple minutes or until desired tenderness. Tastes awesome with rice and very filling. Nom. Of course, you can add whatever seasonings you want but I just add the basics listed above and I’m satisfied.

I know boiling spinach will take away some of it’s nutrients, so I also suggest throwing in more raw spinach at the very last minute so you have a bit of both worlds: the awesome taste of spinach soup + crunch spinach (with more nutrients in it).

Ingredients:

• 1 packet of cake mix
• 1 can of diet cola
• 2 egg whites (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix cake mix + diet soda in bowl. *Ignore the eggs/milk/etc. it tells you to add!
2. Mix and bake as per instructions on the back of the box.

The cake comes out super moist and delicious although the texture is pretty crumbly. You can add the two egg whites to better bind the mixture together if you want although it’s not really necessary since you’re just going to eat it anyway!

It’s recommended that Diet Coke only be used in chocolate cakes and white cakes should use Diet Sprite. You can also experiment with different sodas for different types of cakes like Cherry Coke, Orange Crush, Root Beer, etc.

Also, I’m not responsible for cravings the picture above may have been responsible for.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose whole-wheat flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup butter
• dash of salt
• juice from half a lemon
• 6 apples (peeled + cut into chunks)

1. Preheat oven to 375° F (190.5°C).
2. Spread out apples in a baking dish. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and butter and mix until it creates a “crumbly” texture. Tip: use your hands!
4. Sprinkle mixture over apples.
5. Squeeze juice from lemon all over.
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes until apples are golden brown or until desired tenderness.
7. EAT!! Nomnomnom.

The amount of “crumble” you need really depends on how much fruit you are using and I usually just eyeball it and make more if I need to. A lot of people add a couple tablespoons of white sugar into the apples too but I don’t like mine too sweet so I leave it out. You can also mix the cinnamon with the apples instead of the crumble mixtures and also experiment with different ingredients like nutmeg, raisin, almonds, etc.

If you’re using berries, you might want to eliminate the lemon juice and add white sugar (or Splenda) because the berries might be sour.