Korean BBQ Beef Bibimbap Bento

Today I tried something new again for children's bento — Korean BBQ Beef. I think it is normal that Korean dish would definitely comes with a few side dishes, and I think this new recipe that I learned is more like the Korean famous Bibimbap.

Korean BBQ Beef Bibimbap

Ingredients:

• Shabu-shabu beef slices, 180 grams
• A – Soy sauce, 1 tablespoon
• A – Sesame oil, 1 tablespoon
• A – Sugar, 1 tablespoon
• A – Rice wine, 2 tablespoon
• A – Chili sauce, to taste
• Corn flour, 1 teaspoon
• Onion, 1/4 pc

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Mixture [A] marinate the shabu-shabu beef slices, and store in the fridge for next day.

Actual Day

1. Take out the marinated beef slices, pour in the corn flour and mix together.

2. Heat up the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Stir-fry the cut onion until it turns translucent, then add in the marinated beef slices. Stir=fry till cook and transfer to plate for cooling.

Bean Sprout Salad

Ingredients:

• Bean Sprouts, 180grams
• A - Salt, ½ tablespoon
• A -Pepper, 1 teaspoon
• A - Minced garlic, 1 teaspoon
• A - Sesame oil, 1 tablespoon

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and clean the bean sprout, boiled about 500ml water. Once the water starts to boil, plunge the bean sprouts into the pot and leave them according to the size of bean sprouts. Dain the water and run cold water on the sprouts, and remove the excess water out. Put into the fridge prepare for next day.

   Actual Day

1. Take out the bean sprouts, and add in the dressing [A], mix them well.

 

Seasoned Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

• Spinach, 100grams
• A – Japanese less salty soy sauce, 1 tablespoon
• A - Sugar, 1 teaspoon
• A - Minced garlic, 1 teaspoon
• A - Sesame oil, 1 tablespoon
• White sesame seeds, little
• Bonito flakes, little

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and clean the spinach and cut into half, boiled the water. Once the water starts to boil, plunge the bean sprouts into the pot and leave them about 30 seconds. Drain the water and run cold water on the spinach, and remove the excess water out. The spinach cut into 3 - 4 cm length, and store them into the fridge prepare for next day.

   Actual Day

1. Take out the spinach, and add in the dressing [A], top with bonito flakes and white sesame seeds.

 

Salt and Pepper Fried Tofu

Ingredients:

• Fried Tofu, 6 pcs
• Garlic, 3 slices
• Black pepper, ½ tablespoon
• Salt, 1 tablespoon
• Chili, 1 pc

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Cut the fried tofu into stick shape, cut the chili into smaller pieces.

   Actual Day

1. Heat up the frying pan, stir-fry garlic till fragrance. Add in the tofu and fried till golden colour.
2. Add in salt and black pepper stir-fry, before take out add in the chilies and stir-fry till fragrance.

 

Sunny Side up Eggs

Ingredients:

• Eggs, 2 pcs

Preparation:

Actual Day

1. Heat up the frying pan. Heat the oil until slightly shimmering, then crack an egg into the pan. Lower down the heat, let the egg cook for about 3 –5 minutes and it is done.

It is consider quite a lot of works to be done, but if prepare it the night before would definitely reduce a lot of cooking on the actual day. I did add in some pan-fried pumpkin slices. Both kids came back and told me that the portion was big and they can hardly finish their lunch!

Deep-fry Shrimp Paste Chicken Bento

I saw there is a bottle of shrimp paste in the fridge, so I look for recipes on how to use that shrimp paste.Finally I came across a recipe like this online that I can try.

Deep-fry Shrimp Paste Chicken

Ingredients:

• Chicken wings, 6 pairs
• A – Shrimp paste, 1 tablespoon
• A – Sesame oil, 1 teaspoon
• A – Sugar, 1 teaspoon
• A – Pepper, 1 teaspoon
• A - Water, 200ml
• Eggs, 2 pcs
• Corn flour, 500 grams

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Use a scissor and cut the fresh between the wings and drumettes slowly, prepare for marinate.
2. Take out a Ziploc bag, put the chicken wings and the mixture [A] in and make sure all parts of the chicken wings are marinate well. Store in the fridge prepare for next day.

Actual Day

1. Take out the marinated chicken wings, coat with corn flours.

2. Heat up the oil in a frying pan over high heat. deep-fry the chicken wings till golden brown and crispy.

Butter Lotus Roots

Ingredients:

• Tiny wings, 6 pcs
• Lotus roots, 100 grams
• A – Butter, 5 grams
• A – Salt, 1 teaspoon
• A - Sugar, 1 teaspoon

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and clean the small wings, put into 600ml of water, low heat to boil the water for 30 minutes, make it into chicken stocks.

2. Peel of the lotus roots skin, wash clean, and cut into about 0.7cm thick slices. And cut into quarter for every slice.

3. Take about 300ml chicken stocks, add in the cut lotus roots and cook for another 10 minutes. Turn off the fire, let cool and keep in the fridge. Keep the rest of the 300ml chicken stocks.

Actual Day

1. Take out the lotus roots, and put into the bento box.

 

Tamagoyaki Lady Fingers / Okra

Ingredients:

• Lady Fingers, 8 pcs
• Eggs, 4 pcs
• A – Salt, little
• A - Sugar, 1 teaspoon
• A – Stocks, 20ml

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and clean the lady fingers using salt to remove the outer hair, and remove the stem of okra.

Actual Day

1. Beat the eggs, add in the mixture [A].
2. Heat up the Tamagoyaki frying pan, add in a bit oil, add in the beaten eggs, and place 4 pcs of okra onto the egg sheet. Use the spatula to roll up the okras together with the cook egg, and wrap the whole okras up.
3. Push down the eggs, and add more beaten eggs into the pan, keep on the rolling and wrapping method.
4. Take out and let cool, and cut the tamagoyaki okra into half.

 

Broccoli with Corn

Ingredients:

• Broccoli, 1 pc
• Sweet corn in kennel, ½ can
• Garlic, few slices
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash clean and cut broccoli into florets, store in the fridge for next day.

Actual Day

1. Boil a pot of water, add in some salt, and put the cut broccoli florets into the boiled water for 45 seconds, take out and rinse with cold water and let dry.
2. Heat up the frying pan, stir-fry the garlic slices till fragrance, add in the sweet corn kennels, and add in the broccoli, finally add in the salt and pepper to taste. It’s done and let cool.

There are some of the new dish that I learned today too: okra or lady fingers tamagoyaki, butter sautéed lotus roots and stir-fry broccoli with corn.

So satisfy with a table full of my cooking ^^

Corn Burger Steak Bento

Today I had tried a few new recipes that I try. I had failed in making the cheesy potato balls. It tasted alright, just the potatoes balls indeed looked horrible! I was kind of like indeed really feel silly and funny that I had came out of this dish XD XD!

Corn Burger Steak

Ingredients:

• Ground pork, 300 grams
• Salt, 1 tablespoon
• White pepper, little
• A – Corn Kennel, 100 grams
• A – Minced Garlic, 1 tablespoon
• A – Minced Onions, 1 tablespoon
• Rice Wine, little

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Use a big bowl, put in the ground pork, add in the salt, white pepper and use hand to knead the minced pork and throwing the meat. This is to make the texture denser and therefore yields a chewier texture in the burger meat. Repeat this thrusting motion for about 20 times.
2. Finally add in [A], mix it well using hand, and store in the fridge to the next day.

Actual Day

1. Take out the marinated grounded pork. Take a handful portion and throw it between your both hands, to reduce the air in the meat, finally press it to form a burger shape.

2. Heat up the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Turn to low heat,pan-fry the corn burger steak for about 4 –5 minutes for each side. Add in a little of rice wine along the pan, cover with the pan lid for the steak easier fully cook for about 4 –5 minutes again. It would be done.

Cheese Potato Balls

Ingredients:

• Sweet potatoes, 1 pc
• A - Butter, 30 grams
• A – Salt, 1 teaspoon
• A - Sugar, 15 grams
• B – Black sesame, ½ tablespoon
• B – corn flour, ½ tablespoon
• B – flour, ½ tablespoon
• Cheese, 3 pieces

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and clean the sweet potato, peel off the skin, cut into cube size and put in the steamer and steam.

2. Cut 3 slices of cheese into 9 equal size each.

3. After the sweet potato is ready, take it out and while still hot, add in the mixture [A] mix well, and then add in the mixture [B].

4. Take out small part of [3], gently give pressure and do a small bite size potato ball with putting the cheese in the middle. Make it a small ball shape. Store in the fridge and ready for the next day.

Actual Day

1. Take out the cheesy sweet potato balls, heat up the oven unto 180 degree Celsius. Let the oven bake for around 10 minutes. Take it and let cool.

 

Easy Asparagus Bacon Wrap

Ingredients:

• Bunapi mushrooms, 12 pcs
• Bacon, 6 pcs
• A – Soy sauce, 1 tablespoon
• A – Rice wine, 1 tablespoon
• A – Sugar, ½ tablespoon
• Umami seasoning, little to taste

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and clean the Bunapi mushroom.

2. Lay the bacon flat, put a bunapi mushroom on top of the bacon. Wrap the bunapi mushroom diagonally till it fully wrap. Continue for the rest. Store in the fridge for the next day.

Actual Day

1. Heat up the frying pan. Add a little oil, take out and put into the pan the Bunapi mushroom bacon wrap. Slowly pan-fry about 1 –2 minutes.
2. Slowly pan-fry till the bacon turn to golden brown. Add in [A], let the bacon and the gravy thicken, take it out onto a plate and sprinkler some umami seasoning.   

I have added a quick stir-fry Choy Sum to add in the bento. I feel so guilty of asking both Issac and Annabelle eat the cheesy potatoes balls that I made… but Annabelle said the taste is nice just the look only very funny LOL!

Moving Forward

Here is the first talk from October 2020 General Conference Saturday Session by President Russell M. Nelson.

Moving Forward

by President Russell M. Nelson

The global pandemic and other natural disasters have turn the world upside down, but it can not block the progress of the Lord’s work and His Church.

“… Amid social distancing, face masks, and Zoom meetings, we have learned to do some things differently and some even more effectively. Unusual times can bring unusual rewards.”

Missionaries have been “resourceful, resilient, and truly remarkable.” Temples were closed for a time and construction projects briefly delayed. But the family history work has been increased and new wards and stakes have been created. Church have provided pandemic humanitarian aid for 895 projects in 150 countries.

Meanwhile, increased gospel study in many homes is resulting in stronger testimonies and family relationships.

I am so amazed with President Nelson’s heart and encouragement being the servant of the Lord with such heavy burden, but still always counsels us to see things in the eternal perspective.

I know that President Nelson too, has his own challenges in his 96 years old of age and being a Prophet of God is no easy too. That is why I should not have any reason to loss faith or complaints because my prophet being an exemplar to me how to live this life!

“I pray that we as a people are using this unique time to grow spiritually. We are here on earth to be tested, to see if we will choose to follow Jesus Christ, to repent regularly, to learn, and to progress. Our spirits long to progress. And we do that best by staying firmly on the covenant path.”

“Through it all, our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, love us! They care for us! They and Their holy angels are watching over us. I know that is true.”

“As we gather to hear the words the Lord has inspired His servants to deliver, I invite you to ponder a promise the Lord made. He declared that “whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning … and the wiles of the devil, and lead the [disciple] of Christ in a strait and narrow course.”

I will take his counsel for this – lay hold upon the word of God! Amen!

Love Your Enemies

President Dallin H. Oaks opening message was profound by stating the current situation in which we live in a time of anger and hatred. He was referring to the destructing protest and campaigns that were happening in the United States which is also happening in other countries of the world.

Love Your Enemies

by President Dallin H. Oaks

It is no different here in Malaysia, with the sudden changed of the government last year had resulted the hatred which was propaganda by the political statements issued by different political parties. These hatred raised among the different races and especially religions as well.

I felt blessed as I proud to be a Malaysian because Malaysia consists of all races and we live harmony despite so many different cultures, languages, and people. It is just like a big melting pot which we are respect to each other culture and live harmony. And we learn from each other.

Unfortunately the recent political changes and trends just showed to the people how certain politicians whom are greed and crazy for powers can bring so much destruction to the country’s economy and people’s living. But that is not the topic today.

Savior taught,

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”

President Gordon B. Hinckley also reminded us that loving our enemies and our adversaries is not easy.

“Most of us have not reached that stage of … love and forgiveness. It requires a self-discipline almost greater than we are capable of.”

But it must be essential, for it is part of the Savior’s two great commandments to “love the Lord thy God” and to “love thy neighbour as thyself”. And it must be possible, for He also taught, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find”.

“So, we are to follow the laws of men (render unto Caesar) to live peacefully under civil authority, and we follow the laws of God toward our eternal destination. But how do we do this—especially how do we learn to love our adversaries and our enemies?”

How do we learn to love our adversaries and our enemies?

The Savior’s teaching not to “contend with anger” is a good first step

• “The devil is the father of contention, and it is he who tempts men to contend with anger. He promotes enmity and hateful relationships among individuals and within groups.
• President Thomas S. Monson taught that anger is “Satan’s tool,” for “to be angry is to yield to the influence of Satan. No one can make us angry. It is our choice.”
• Anger is the way to division and enmity. We move toward loving our adversaries when we avoid anger and hostility toward those with whom we disagree. It also helps if we are even willing to learn from them.”

To understand and relate to people of a different culture

• “We should try getting to know them… In countless circumstances, strangers’ suspicion or even hostility give way to friendship or even love when personal contacts produce understanding and mutual respect.”

To seek to understand the power of love

• “Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “it is a time-honoured adage that love begets love. Let us pour forth love—show forth our kindness unto all mankind.”
• President Howard W. Hunter taught: “The world in which we live would benefit greatly if men and women everywhere would exercise the pure love of Christ, which is kind, meek, and lowly. It is without envy or pride. … It seeks nothing in return. … It has no place for bigotry, hatred, or violence. … It encourages diverse people to live together in Christian love regardless of religious belief, race, nationality, financial standing, education, or culture.”
• President Russell M. Nelson has urged us to “expand our circle of love to embrace the whole human family.”

An essential part of loving our enemies is to render unto Caesar by keeping the laws of our various countries

• “Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.
• “Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be”

Articles of Faith 1:12

• “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honouring, and sustaining the law”

He closed this talk with his testimony that the Lord has taught him that it is possible to obey and seek to improve our nation's laws and also to love our adversaries and our enemies.

To love our enemies is not something new to me, but to love my adversaries is something caught me eyes. Most of the time, there are so many occasions or situations or may be trials that just came and I hate that moments of my personal life, that situation of my family had put me through which gave me insecure feelings. And that tried my faith to Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.

It is so hard to control what I think or to control my mind and heart not to get angry and feel hopeless. Most of the time, I would just swallowed and cry to release those tensions which would helps me feel a little better. Eventually, after the whole ‘episodes’ of the trials through, I would write down and at that time I would able to see how these events have brought me closer and see the Lord’s hand in my life.

Even till now while I am writing this, I am facing the shortage of some financial that I might not able to pull through by end of next month. With my pay cut after the impact of the Covid-19 still not yet fully recovered and the monthly extra monies from EPF I-Lestari have been ended last month. With the current commitment of the hire-purchase instalment, housing loan, medical insurance for both my children and myself that need to be fulfilled every month, and the food expenses that now I have reach to my bottle neck and hardly breath!

Sometimes I will think of the blessings and the windows of heaven that promised to those whom committed to pay a full tithes, I would wonder where is that little window?

But I know that I need to be patience be grateful what I have now and believe that He is there and knows what I need. I know that He lives and Jesus is the Christ and is my Redeemer! Amen.

Tofu Burger Steak Bento

Learning new recipes today. I personally like the lotus roots tuna salad. It taste so nice and refreshing!

Pressed Tofu Burger Steak

Ingredients:

• Ground pork, 300 grams
• Japanese pressed tofu, 150 grams
• A – Minced Ginger, 1 teaspoon
• A – Salt, 1 teaspoon
• A – Sugar, 1 teaspoon
• White pepper, little
• Egg yolk, 1 pc
• Bread crumbs, 4 tablespoon

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Squeeze the water from the Japanese pressed tofu.
2. Use a big bowl, put in the ground pork, add in mixture [A]. Use hand to knead the minced pork and throwing the meat. This is to make the texture denser and therefore yields a chewier texture in the burger meat. Repeat this thrusting motion for about 20 times.
3. Finally add in the tofu, mix it well using hand, and store in the fridge to the next day.

Actual Day

1. Take out the marinated grounded pork with tofu. Take a handful portion and throw it between your both hands, to reduce the air in the meat, finally press it to form a burger shape.

2. Heat up the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Turn to low heat,pan-fry the corn burger steak for about 4 –5 minutes for each side. Add in a little of rice wine along the pan, cover with the pan lid for the steak easier fully cook for about 4 –5 minutes again. It would be done.

Lotus Roots Tuna Salad

Ingredients:

• Lotus roots, 200 grams
• Tuna fish, 1 can
• Cherry tomato, 1 pc
• Salt, 1 teaspoon
• Sugar, 1 teaspoon
• Sesame oil, 1 tablespoon

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and clean the lotus roots into thin slices, the cut into quarter sizes, put into boiled water for about 3 minutes, take out and rinse off the access water. Store in the fridge for next day.

Actual Day

1. Open the tuna can, remove the water, add the tuna flakes into a bowl, add in the lotus roots, add salt, sugar, and sesame oil and mix well. Finally, top up with the cut cherry tomato.

 

Scramble Eggs

Ingredients:

• Egg, 4 pcs
• Stocks, 30ml
• Sugar, 1 teaspoon
• Soy sauce, 1 teaspoon

Preparation:

Actual Day

1. Beaten the egg, add in stocks, say sauce and sugar and mix well.
2. Heat up the frying pan, add in oil, add in the beaten eggs after the pan is hot. Use the chopsticks to stir-fry the eggs in a circular motion in the pan, till the egg is cook.   

A quick stir-fry garlic Siew Pak Choy add on to the bento today.

Stir-fry Tomato Beef Bento

Today I cooked another two new recipes — tomato beef stir-fry and shrimp soybean rice ball. I also stir-fried Yau Mak Choy with garlic and a pan-fried pumpkin slice.

Stir-fry Tomato Beef

Ingredients:

• Beef slices, 180 grams
• Tomato, 1 pc
• Sugar, 1 tablespoon
• Mirin, 1 tablespoon
• Soy sauce, 1 tablespoon

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Cut the tomatoes to crescent moon shapes, stored them in the fridge.

Actual Day

1. Heat butter in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts, put the beef slices and pan-fried. Sprinkle the sugar, mirin and soy sauce accordingly onto the beef.
2. Stir fry the beef slices till half-cook, add in the tomatoes prepared earlier, mix well and stir-fry until all cooked.

 

Prawn Soybean Onigiri

Ingredients:

• Organic Soybean, 100 grams
• Prawns, 150 grams
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Rice, 3 bowls

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Unfrozen the organic soybean and boiled for 1 minutes, take out and put in cold water and dried, put into the fridge.

Actual Day

1. Heat up the pan, put in the prawns, add in salt and pepper to taste. Stir-fry until cook and take out.
2. Put the organic Soybean, shrimp, and rice together and mix well. Give just enough pressure to shape the rice into the typical triangle shape! Wash your hand clean and start to do the onigiri.

 

Pan-fry Pumpkin Slices

Ingredients:

• Pumpkin slice, 100 grams
• Butter, 15 grams
• Salt, to taste
• Cheese powder, to taste

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and clean the pumpkin, cut into thin slices and stored in the fridge.

Actual Day

1. Heat up the pan, melt the butter, put in the pumpkin slices, pan-fry until both sides turn into golden colour, add in salt and pepper to taste before taking out.