My Rooting Project

By Rhizome Propagation

Kunyit.

Recently, I found out about a plant that can be used and cook in rendang - Daun Kunyit. Tried to find thru online. But they grow via rhizomes. And the lady whom I tried to order the plant recommended me to buy fresh kunyits from Pasar Tani (morning market), choose those that still looks wet, and try to propagate it myself. Coz according to her, if she sends her rhizomes over, she's afraid if those rhizomes will dry off by then.

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Rooting Project

Apple Mint

 Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens)

Culinary : the leaves can be used to make apple mint jelly, mint tea, as a garnish or salad

* Rooting of this Apple Mint has been successful. Just remember to choose a thicker stem :-)

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Dill - During rooting period

Dill - Successful :-D

Dill (Anethum graveolens)

tastes a lot like aniseed (overwhelming - so use sparingly)

Culinary : to flavour lamb, fish, potatoes & peas - to add dill at the end of cooking as cooking will destroy its flavour

Flowers to flavour pickles

Seeds - traditionally eaten after meals to soothe stomach

* My planting of dill have been unsuccessful so far. Luckily this time, it is SUCCESSFUL! YAY! 

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Unsuccessful Rooting Projects



Pineapple Mint (Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata')

Peppermint

My Garden Artsy Projects

Hanging Planter Tray

Few months back, I was finding ways to create weatherproof plantex box that saves space. This is because it is hard for me to find weatherproof racks to display my herbs. Have been scratching my head for quite some time because I've been ordering and buying lots of seeds (getting addicted to collecting seeds) and I have to place them somewhere. I can't put it on the floor because I let 1 of my rabbit wandering around my car porch.

So, I came upon this website, an idea for hanging planter box. The idea given was using steel rods. Steel rods looks more sophisticated. But it is costly as well. So, I used ropes instead. Thicker ones.

http://www.ahahomeandgarden.com/garden/how-to-make-a-hanging-gutter-garden/

The first headache I encountered for this project, I had to find ways how to cut the PVC gutter and its caps into 2. Luckily, my friend who works in the hardware shop and sold me the PVC gutters helped me to cut it. Phew. Then, the gutters (the bigger size one) I got were grey in color. So, I had to paint it white. Here is my version of my Hanging Planter Tray. At one side, I planted my herbs. The other side, I'm planting leafy vegetables :-)

I have gotten several ideas from the Internet, still pending in my head. You can view from the website link below. I totally salute those who can come out with such creative ideas :


http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2011/05/herb-garden-inspiration-ideas-over-50.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20UnderTheTableAndDreaming%20(Under%20The%20Table%20and%20Dreaming)&utm_content=Google%20Feedfetcher

I also bought the bright yellow Phua-Chu-Kang boots for my Garden deco. Still thinking of what to plant in it. Erm...

I recently bought a 2nd hand table (made of Chengal wood) that I can put under the sun and rain. Woo Hoo! And also a rattan small rack that I can put under the sun and rain too! Double Woo Hoo! Will upload of the pictures soon. 

My Seed Germinating Project - February 2012

Sowing Date : February 2012

 

Lemony Catnip (Nepeta cataria citriodora)
Medicinal : Opens obstructions of lungs & wombs
Provokes urination & menstruation
Good for internal bruises & shortness of breath
Sedative to humans
Settling upset tummy, headaches, scarlet fever, cough, imsonia & smallpox
Cuts - crush fresh leaves, damp them & apply to your cut
Drink with honey & salt, expels worms from the body
Culinary : salads & herb
Caution : pregnant ladies to avoid catnip
Germinated in 4 days

* They say cats would go crazy over this plant. So far, since I planted Catmint (Nepeta mussinii) & Catnip (Nepeta cataria), I didn't see any cats climbing over my fencing to go gugu-gaga over it. Probably it's because my dogs are guarding the compound? LOL..

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Toothache plant (Spilanthes acmella)
Medicinal : To treat toothache and throat & gum infections
Recommended as a cure for dysentery and rheumatism, and to enhance immune system
It increases the flow of saliva and is useful in fever
Used against blood parasites, especially against malaria
Leaves- treat bacterial and fungal skin diseases
Stimulates wound healing, protects from colds & flu
Numbing effect when leaves & flowers are chewed
Caution : if you chew the flower, it will numb your mouth as well
Germinated in 4 days
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Ulam Raja (Cosmos caudatus)
Ulam- Young shoots- refreshing- taste of mango
Dont let the plant flower if intend to harvest young leaves & shoots
Culinary : Boiled- improve blood circulation, reduce uric acid, reduce body heat, fibre, promotes fresh breath and strengthen bones
Germinated in 4 days
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Marigold (Tagetes)

Petals - pungent, spicy flavour - fish & meat soups, rice dishes, salads & coloring for cheese & butter

Leaves - leave bitter aftertaste

Medicinal : Internal & External ulcers - antiseptic & improves blood flow to the affected area

Antifungal - treat athlete's foot, ring-worm & candida

Calendula cream - good for digestion & relieves colitis & symptoms of menopause

Insecticide : Insect control (companion plant with tomato, eggplant, chilli, pepper, tobacco & potato)

Germinated in 4 days

* So far, my experiments with Marigold plants were never successful. Seeds were successfully germinated last year. However, I accidentally over fertilized the seedlings & they died overpoisoned. LOL.

Then, this year I succeeded in germinating the seeds, but the plant (2 pots) were attacked by my rabbits when I was away on vacation. They escaped & attacked my Marigold, Summer Savory & Sunflower seedlings. Luckily, I still have 1 small pot reserved for this Marigold Neon.

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Pyrethrum Daisy (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium)
Natural source of insecticide
Insecticide : Attack the nervous systems of all insects & inhibit female mosquitoes from biting
Caution : All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction

Still hasnt Germinated yet

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Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis)

Medicinal : Chinese uses it to increase flow of breastmilk & soothes bronchial tubes

Treatment for the irritation of mucous membranes - use as a gargle for mouth and throat ulcers & gastric ulcers

Culinary : The flowers and young leaves can be eaten - often added to salads/ boiled/ fried.

Germinated in 5 days

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Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum)
Strongly scented & pungent
Insecticide : contains pugelone - rub a handful on your pants or in pocket
Caution : NOT EDIBLE

Germinated in 7 days

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Hairy Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum pilosum)
Noticeable hairy & thin leaves- contain little or no pugelone- safe to include in teas or to crush & inhale

Germinated in 7 days

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Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Culinary : Flavoring ice creams & herbal tea (often with spearmint)

Fruit dishes & candies

Fish dishes

Medicinal : Antibacterial, antiviral - against herpes simplex

Anxiolytic, mild sedative calming agent

Improve mood & mental performance

Insecticide : Crushed leaves applied on skin - repels mosquitos

Caution : for those on thyroid medication (such as thyroxine)

Germinated in 5 days

* Last year, I bought 1 whole plant. This year, I'm trying out from seeds. Looks good so far :-D

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Lemon Beebalm (Monarda citridora)
Attracts butterflies, bees & hummingbirds
Culinary : Citrus flavoured leaves- minced & added to fruit & used for jellies
Dried- brewed as tea
Desserts - flavouring cakes, cheesecakes, sauces & pies
Salads
Can give good flavour to certain seafood (crabs) & meat dishes (chickens)
Medicinal : A poultice of the leaves will numb an insect sting & kill some germs on surface skin
Colds & fever- induce sweating
Insecticide : deters flees & mites

Germinated in 6 days

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Wild Bergamot/ BeeBalm (Monarda fistulosa)
Medicinal :  Tea- treat mouth & throat infections caused by dental cavies & gingivitis
Tea - treat colds & flu
Antiseptic - poultices of the plant - skin infections & minor wounds
Germinated in days

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Lime Basil

Has strong scent & taste

Culinary : Desserts, beverages, fish dishes & salad dressings and oils

Poultry & vegetables

Germinated in 4 days

* I realized both Lemon Basil & Lime Basil are prone to bugs attack. Cant identify what type of bugs is that but they are sure tiny. Other basils I planted, they are not so prone to these attacks.

Last year I planted Lime Basil, but the whole plant was attacked by this black small bugs. The whole plant died. RIP. This time, I am more careful to put in under more sun, hoping those bugs would not bother under hot scorching sun & to quickly trim off those leaves that got attacked.

Both Lemon Basil & Lime Basil smells good when you brushed against it

Wish me luck :-D

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Spearmint (Mentha Spicata)

Culinary : Used in several mixed drinks - mint julep & mojito

Confectionary, Tea

Others : Flavoring to toothpaste, shampoo & soap

Medicinal : Aid stomachache, gas, Antifungal & excellent antioxidant

Germinated in 6 days

* Did successfully germinated my Spearmint seeds last year. However, I mixed up my mint plants. They looked almost the same Pudina & Spearmint. So, I'm going to re-germinate Spearmint & to confirm which is which

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Borage (Borago officinalis)

Culinary : A popular reviver in some drinks
Young leaves add flavour of cucumber to salads
Older leaves- vegetable
Flowers- cooked in batter as fritters
Medicinal : Infusion of leaves & seeds- folk method to increase milk supply of nursing mothers, to treat coughs, cold & depression

Germinated in 5 days

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Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

Flower - fragrance - sweet, fruity & crisp & herbaceous (apple-like scent)

Flavours food, cosmetics, perfumes & tea

Flowers - to lighten hair dye

Aromatherapy : calming, end stress & aid sleep

Medicinal : Dropsy & jaundice

Antiseptic, antibiotic, disinfectant, bactericidal, vermifuge

Germinated in 4 days

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Baby Carrot

Germinated in 7 days

* My Baby Carrot seeds did germinate. But they kind of grow at slower rate. My first batch, my rabbits escaped & attacked the seedlings. And there were nothing left. Just plain soil! Now, I have to re-sow the seeds again. And I'm caging it too! LOL
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Wheatgrass/ Catgrass
Medicinal : Cancer prevention, heavy metal detoxification
Helps bloodflow, digestion & generav detox

Germinated in 4 days

* My first try on wheatgrass, the seeds germinated. But plenty of the seeds were pecked off by the notorious birds! Argh! Am planting 2nd round. This time, I'm caging my wheatgrass tray. LOL

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Vera Lavender
Hasnt Germinated yet

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Lettuce 'Prizehead'

HongKong Kai Lan

HongKong Choy Sam

Germinated in 4 days

* My 1st try out on planting leafy vegetables. So far, so good. Am fertilizing it organic way - My rabbits poo. My rabbits (3 of them), their diets are rabbit biscuits & my herbs. :-)
I usually snip & trim to make my herbs bushier, and would give them to my rabbits. Among the herbs I give them, they love basils the most.
They also eat Thyme, Sage, Marjoram, Rosemary, Tarragon, Mint, Perilla, Patchoulli, Catnip & etc. And they even eat my Morning Glory plant (the flowers). At 1 time, I saw them eating the leaves too. But I only knew the flowers are edible (there's a type of morning glory stir-fry dish in Thailand), didn't know the leaves are edible too.
So, my organic fertilizers are high in nutrients too (coz my rabbits consume so many type of organic herbs) :-)

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Geranium Rose-scented (Pelargonium graveolens)

Germinated in 15 days

Geranium Apple-scented (Pelargoniuim odoratissimum)

Germinated in 17 days

  Plants have a wide range of foliage types and habits and are used for making potpourris, sachets, and tea flavorings.

I previously bought seeds online for these both plants. There were instructions given to increase the probability of successfully germinating the seeds. Geranium seeds have a very hard seed coat which can inhibit germination, so home gardeners often scarify seeds (scratch to break the seed coat) to allow water to enter.

Being the lazy me to soak or cold-stratify ( I'm not the type of person to sit down & read the manual books. Yes, I'm more of a picture person than wordings & instructions  :-P ),  I did not follow the instructions. What the heck, I got 15 seeds each (not cheap), I tried my luck by just spreading half of each seeds on the peat moss. And 1 from each germinated! YAY!!! And I think some very tiny seedlings emerging as well! Yay! I will just do the same for the remaining half of the seeds! :-p

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My Seed Germinating Project - January 2012

Sowing Date : January 2012

Shiso

Shiso/ Beefsteak Plant (Perilla Frutescens)
A cross between basil & mint
Medicinal : Curing cancers, asthma, colds, cough, lung afflictions, influenza prevention, nausea, vomit, abdominal pain, constipation, food poisoning, allergic reactions
Insecticide : Repel ticks (crushed plants)
Others : Companion plant for tomatoes
Culinary : fish, rice, vege, soup, stir-fries, tempura & salad

Germinated in 4 days

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Lemon Basil

Lemon Basil (Ocimum citriodorum)
Popular herb in Arabic, Indonesian (Kemangi), Lao, Persian and Thai cuisine

Germinated in 2 days

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Basil Ararat

Basil Ararat
Bi-color appearance with slight licorice flavour

Germinated in 2 days

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Sweet Mace

Sweet Mace/ Spanish Tarragon (Tagetes Lucida)
Glossy leaves with small anise-scented orange flowers
Salad (flowers), soups & stews (leaves)
Dried leaves & flowering tops - aniseed tea

Germinated in 2 days

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Hyssop

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
Medicinal : antiseptic, cold & congestion, when applied to bruise-heal cuts promptly- deter spread of infections
Culinary : slightly bitter minty flavour - leaves can sprinkled sparingly over salad/ add to apple stew & pies, a few leaves- rich stews & marinade
Insecticide : repel flea beetles & lure away cabbage moths

Germinated in 2 days

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Lemon Gum Tree

Lemon Gum Tree (Corymbia citriodora)

Insecticide : Crushed foliage gives off refreshing spicy lemon aroma to deter mosquitos

Germinated in 6 days

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Basil Lettuce-Leaf

Basil Lettuce-leaf
Large leaf variety of sweet basil
Sweet but not as strong as other sweet basils
Culinary : Salads/ wrapping fish, chicken/ rice stuffing for grilling

Germinated in 2 days

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Greek Basil

Greek Basil
Smaller leaves & softer stems with quite strong flavour
Antibacterial & antispasmodic
Can be applied to insect bites

Germinated in 2 days

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Purple Delight Basil

Basil Purple Delight
Similar to purple Dark Opal Basil- strong scented

Germinated in 2 days

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My Summer Savory seedlings

Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis)
Somewhat peppery flavor with a minty thyme undertone
Culinary : traditional flavouring for broad beans & lentil soup, enhance fish, vege, eggs & cheese, pea soups, beans and many other dishes
Combines well with other herbs

Germinated in 4 days

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Orange-scented & Lemon-scented Thyme

Orange-scented : combines flavor of Old English Thyme with orange & balsam scent & pale pink flowers
Culinary : flavor hardy meals, bone warming soups & piquant sauces, fish, poultry, veal, roasted vege, stews, soups, marmalades & chutneys
Blend with Tarragon & Savory
Add parsley & bay leaves- enliven & give depth to the flavour of soups, stews & sauces
Aids digestion of high fat foods and used to preserve meat
Medicinal : tea of 2 tsp dried herb per cup of boiling water- steep for 10minutes. Add sage if you have a nagging cough. Stronger tea is useful as a mouthwash/ rinse to treat sore gums

Lemon-scented : Whole plant can be used- leaves, flowering tops & oil

Medicinal : A week herbal tea can be made to help with respiratory problems, including asthma in children

Culinary : leaves - flavour fishes, stuffing for poultry & vegetable

Germinated in 2 days

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Yellow Evening Primrose seedlings

Yellow Evening Primrose (Oenothera)

Young roots can be eaten like vege (peppery flavour)

Shoots - salad

Medicinal : Ease bruising & speed wound healing

Seed Oil : prevent PMS & beneficial to skin of the face

Leaves - edible, leaf vegetable

Germinated in 2 days

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Sweet Green Basil seedlings

Sweet Green Basil

Tastes of mints & cloves

Culinary : courgette, tomato dishes, pesto, salad & pasta

Germinated in 2 days

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Oregano (Origanum Vulgare)

Aromatic, warm & slightly bitter taste

Culinary : tomato sauce, fried vegetable, grilled meat, pizza

Medicinal : Cure for stomach & respiratory ailments

High in antioxidant activity

Germinated in 2 days

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Chrysanthemum morifolium

Medicinal : Chrysanthemum Tea - to treat influenza

Germinated in 5 days

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Apple Scented Gold Pom Poms

Tea (grass) - aroma similar to pineapple with hints of strawberry & caramel

Apple scented when brushed against

Germinated in 6 days

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Greek Myrtle (Myrtus communis)

Evergreen shrub with small fragrant dark shiny leaves when crushed

Culinary : flavour similar to bay leaf/rosemary.  

Use sprigs and/or wood on the coals of the grill or place chicken, fish or pork directly on top of the herb which has been placed on the rack.

Stuff sprigs inside a chicken or turkey before roasting.

Try using the leaves in a marinade for any meat.

Use sprigs in herbal vinegar.

Use fresh tender new growth finely chopped with squash or zucchini.

The small purplish-black berries that the follow the flowers can be used like juniper berries, such as in roast meat or any marinade.

Athenians nibbled on myrtle berries as a confection, with the added benefit of having sweet-smelling breath. The berries were also made into a wine that would not intoxicate.

Have not germinated

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Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Culinary : leaves - fish, potatoes & soup

Juice of leaves : fighting fungal activities, mildew & scap

Repels Insects

Have not germinated. Chives seeds need to germinate in the dark



The Year 2012

For the previous year, I have started sowing seeds. In the beginning, I tried sowing fruits that I ate. Knowingly my father in law has successfully grown mango, apple, starfruit and lychee trees from seeds of fruits he ate and threwn onto the garden, I thought of giving it a try. Unfortunately, I must admit that I dont have the green fingers. So, I tried my luck for the second time with seeds I bought online and in KL. It worked better that way :-)

All you need is Seeds germinating tray or pots, Peat moss and a lot of patience.

My Seeds Tray - Marigolds, Lemon Balm, Lime Basil, Roman Chamomile

My first try worked out fine. Most of it germinated. Half of it was destroyed due to my inexperience. Sigh!

This year, I'm planting many types of seeds. Culinary, medicinal, fragrant, insecticidal and unique plants. And my main aim now is to attract beneficial insects like butterflies and ladybugs :-D

 

It's sad that I love herbs & spices and my in-laws don't. I love spicy & curry food and they don't. I love western food and they don't. So, I will just experiment and cook it elsewhere - My Own House where my parents, siblings and my friends would be happier to be my white mice! :-)  

Try view some of the recipes I have in the other page in this blog. These recipes are recommendable :-)

The Other Existing Trees in My Garden

My husband's parents, especially my father-in-law, he loves throw the seeds of fruits he ate onto the garden. Many of it grew from seeds to trees.

In the older days, they used to live in a kampung (village) with a vast land. According to my husband, there were pink guava tree (been wanting to plant this tree myself, but couldn't it in the nurseries), guava tree, mandarin oranges tree (orange and green skin as well), jambu air, mango, nona & etc.

So, in our current garden now, it's half a fruit orchard! We have starfruit tree, mango tree, longan tree, papaya tree, limau purut tree, sugar cane, passion fruit, and even an apple tree! But this apple tree has never bear apple fruits before. It has flowered and still is, but we did not see any apples on the trees. We have seen small red fruits before. Probably got snatched and pecked off by the birds coz they have been pecking off my sunflower and wheatgass seeds as well! Seeds were pecked off from the germination trays before they could grow into seedlings! Argh!!

My mother-in-law herself has been planting this shrub called senduduk putih, of which she has been drinking dried flowers' tea. According to her, this plant is like a fairy tree that heals many sickness. But I don't think so! LOL. According to other websites, this plant Melastoma decemfidum roxb./Melastoma Imbricatum, the plant help heal old cough, for children who has trouble in talking, for diarrhea and also for white discharge. There are 2 type of this plant - white flowers or red/pink flowers. But according to my mother-in-law, the white ones are harder to find and has more medicinal values.

Senduduk Putih

 

Recently, my father-in-law has been craving for green skin mandarin oranges. My mother-in-law said this crave started 2 years ago! But she only told us that last week. It has been hard for us to find the edible fruits for sale in our area. So, my husband and I went to search for the plant in a nursery. Lucky us, they sell it. So, off we went to buy the plant - a new addition to our so-called "Fruit Orchard".

Green skin Mandarin Orange

Some Recipes That are Gathered, Tested & Proven

Laksa Baked Salmon
Recipe taken from GoodFood Asian Edition Magazine

3 tbsp laksa paste
2 tbsp dessicated coconut
1 handful laksa leaves (daun kesom/ vietnamese mint) - finely chopped
2 tbsp coconut milk
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 egg yolk
Pinch of salt & pepper
2 skinless salmon fillet (150g each) (i prefer to use cod fish)
Banana leaf (optional)/ aluminium foil

1) Put all ingredients into a large mixing bowl- mix well.
2) Spread mixture evenly on top of the salmon fillet- chill in fridge for 10minutes.
3) Preheat oven to 170¤C.
4) Bake crust side up 5 to 7 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Crunchy Apple Salad
Recipe taken from GoodFood Asian Edition Magazine

2 apples, cored & thinly sliced
Juice of 2 limes
1 tsp Thai fish sauce
Pinch of sugar
Small bunch of coriander leaves roughly torn
Small bunch of mint leaves roughly torn

1) Mix lime juice, fish sauce & sugar
2) Stir in apple slices. Add in coriander and mint.

Frozen Lychee & Mint Cocktails(makes 4)

1) 400g can of lychees - drain the syrup into a blender
2) Add 4 of the lychees, a small bunch of mint leaves, 100ml vodka & juice of 2 limes
3) Add 2 handfuls of ice & blend until slushy
4) Serve in glasses garnished with a mint sprig & a lychee

Thai Basil Chicken Stir-fry
(serves 2-3)

Chicken fillets
Thai basil leaves
Some garlic (cut finely)

Stir-fry sauce :
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp lime juice
1/4 cup chicken stock
1-2 tsp chilli sauce/ 1/2 to 3/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Optional :
Onions - sliced
Red chillies

1) Heat up oil
2) Add in garlic pieces. Stir till golden brown
3) Add in chicken fillet. Stir fry for a while
4) Add in the stir-fry sauce
5) Add in the basil leaves. Serve.