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Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Basic french for effective communication

Q: Why you need to learn basic French?

Do you know if you start a conversation in French, the French are more likely to answer your questions in English ?
This is also one of the tips to travel in France.
Many claim that the French do not speak English and finding someone who speaks decent English in France is mission impossible. This stereotype is not true.
It's a myth the French won't speak English. English is the standard language of tourism in Europe.
take the time to learn a few words. A simple bonjour instead of hello can considerably change the way people interact with you.
Understand their culture, shows people you care about their culture & with genuine interest in the country. people will more likely to help you, and make your time in their country extraordinary.
https://frenchtogether.com/french-speak-english/
Note: The French don't like it when you start the conversation with English. Don't know and don't want to speak to you are two different story and people usually misunderstood that. There's always unwritten rules, so be open minded to understand, learn and respect their culture.

Basic French for communication

Je m'appelle (name). J'habite a (place)Ca va? ca va = my name is (name) live in (place). hello / good? good
Bonjour = hi .
Salut! = hi
Magnifique!= magnificiant / superb
merci = thank you
le fromage =cheese
oui = yes
Cognac = alcohol & town in france
boardeaux = wine & city in france
Au revoir = bye (do not pronounce r)
A bientot! = see u soon

Note: This is not from proper language class. Learned it from French speaker through conference call for basic communication. Do search for google for more.

Credits :
https://www.completefrance.com/travel/holiday-ideas/9-virtual-tours-of-france-1-6590936
https://www.thelocal.fr/20170921/yes-you-can-live-in-paris-without-speaking-french
https://frenchtogether.com/french-speak-english/
Google: french don't like to speak english

Google

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Hong Kong Chinese Sausage rice 港式腊味饭 - 1 pot rice cooker recipe

Hong Kong Chinese Sausage rice 港式腊味饭
Servings: 1pax
Ingredients:

1/2 cup rice
1 cup water (depends on rice, some rice like basmati require more water. Typical rice is 1:1 ratio)
1 tablespoon sesame oil (1 1/2 - 2 tablespoon if require to keep warm for long time)
100g chinese sausage, diced
25g green peas
1 teaspoon kombu granules (salt for replacement)
1 teaspoon soy sauce (optional)

Procedure:

Wash rice, soak 10-15mins
add all ingredients & water into rice cooker. set rice setting, cook for 20mins like normal rice,
When cooked, stir and keep warm for 10-15mins before serve.
Add extra 1 tablespoon sesame oil if require to keep warm for long time to avoid dry harden rice texture.

Note:

due to limited ingredients during lockdown, used 25g chinese sausage & 75g garden peas.it still taste good.
if you're busy, u can cook at night, keep warm with AI rice cooker and just pack it in the morning. put extra 1 table spoon sesame oil to avoid the rice from being dehydrated.

**Recipe may improvised to 2 serving with whatever ingredients available & depends on our preferences.
**Refer credits for original recipes.

Credits :

https://tagla.com.my/%E3%80%90%E6%87%92%E4%BA%BA%E9%A3%9F%E8%B0%B1%E3%80%91%E5%88%AB%E5%86%8D%E5%8F%AB%E5%A4%96%E5%8D%96%EF%BC%81%E6%95%99%E4%BD%A0%E7%AE%80%E5%8D%95%E5%81%9A%E6%87%92%E4%BA%BA%E4%B8%80%E9%94%85%E9%A5%AD/?fbclid=IwAR2lctNKByfxXB53kP4LuRem_hhP84Zt9zhXzuyqhiBIE0YH6WlrVzbdvlg

Phantom of the Opera

Background: Phantom of the Opera

a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart, and a book by Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe.
Based on the French novel of the same name by Gaston Leroux, its central plot revolves around a beautiful soprano, Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius living in the subterranean labyrinth beneath the Paris Opéra House (Palais Garnier).
In the English-speaking world, Gaston Leroux is best known for writing the novel The Phantom of the Opera (Le Fantôme de l'Opéra, 1910), which has been made into several film and stage productions of the same name, notably the 1925 film starring Lon Chaney, and Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1986 musical.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera," staged at London's Royal Albert Hall in 2011, available to stream free on YouTube until 20 April 20 for covid 19 fund raising.
The free musical is available on Webber's "The Shows Must Go On" YouTube channel. Viewers are invited to donate to The Actors Fund, (Fund raising for Covid-19 Emergency Relief).
'The Shows Must Go On' by Universal is about musicals going from stage to screen. Will show Andrew Webber's work every Friday for coming few weeks during covid-19.

"The Phantom of the Opera," at Royal Albert Hall (2011):

in celebration of 25th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.
Cameron Mackintosh (British theatrical producer and theatre owner notable for his association with many commercially successful musicals) produced a unique, spectacular staging of musical on a scale which had never seen before.
Inspired by the original staging by Hal Prince & Gillian Lynne.
The lavish, fully staged production set in the scumptous Victorian splendour of London's legendary Royal Albert Hall features a cast of orchestra of over 200 & special guests.
"The Phantom of the Opera" song was performed by Sarah Brightman in closing of the musical theater .
Sarah Brightman is the pioneer for the role of Christine Daaé in first preview of The Phantom of Opera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C90eHuBPhS8
Definitely something worth to watch, the gigantic chandelier with fireworks at the opening, the organs and props are extremely impressive.
The Synopsis on wikipedia about the story is pretty much similar to the plot in the musical show and helps you to understand the stories better if u miss any part.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera_(1986_musical)

Awards:

Academy Awards & Golden Globes, nomination for Best Original Song: "Learn to Be Lonely" from the 2004 motion picture The Phantom of the Opera
Tony Awards 1988, Best Musical for The Phantom of the Opera
Olivier Awards 1986, Best Musical for The Phantom of the Opera
1988: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations for The Phantom of the Opera.

Background: Andrew Lloyd Webber

English composer, impresario of musical theatre
"the most commercially successful composer in history" - The New York Times
"fifth most powerful person in British culture" in 2008 -Daily Telegraph
the Really Useful Group (His company), one of the largest theatre operators in London. Producers in several parts of the UK have staged productions, including national tours, of the Lloyd Webber musicals under licence from the Really Useful Group.
Sunday Times Rich List 2006 ranked him the 87th-richest man in Britain with an estimated fortune of £700 million.
increased to £750 million in 2007, publication ranked him 101st in 2008.
The Sunday Times Rich List of 2019 saw him ranked the richest musician in the UK (overtaking Paul McCartney) with a fortune of £820 million.

Awards:

knighthood in 1992, peerage from Queen Elizabeth II for services to the Arts, six Tonys, three Grammys (as well as the Grammy Legend Award), an Academy Award, fourteen Ivor Novello Awards, seven Olivier Awards, a Golden Globe, a Brit Award, the 2006 Kennedy Center Honors, the 2008 Classic Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and an Emmy Award.
one of fifteen people to have won an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony.
has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is an inductee into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, and is a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors

-the information provided is based on reference materials

Credits :
Andrew Lloyd Webber
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Lloyd_Webber
https://www.playbill.com/article/following-the-phantom-of-the-opera-andrew-lloyd-webbers-love-never-dies-heads-to-youtube
Phantom Of The Opera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKHMRGMkQHU&feature=youtu.be
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera_(1986_musical)
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/18/us/phantom-of-the-opera-andrew-lloyd-webber-trnd/index.html
Gaston Leroux
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaston_Leroux
Paris Opera Hous

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais_Garnier

Sunday, April 19, 2020

monosodium glutamate MSG effect

Q: What’s MSG & what's the effect ?

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

widely used as flavor enhancer. Although generally recognised as safe by food safety regulatory agencies, several studies have questioned its long-term safety.
FDA categorizes MSG as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). also categorizes salt and sugar as GRAS.
controversy over the lack of oversight the FDA has in the introduction and use of additives by the food industry. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), many GRAS foods don’t go through the rigorous testing required for this safety claim. Trans fats were once identified as GRAS until enough research forced the FDA to change the classification.
MSG is added to many Chinese food, processed foods, including hot dogs and potato chips.
FDA does require companies that add MSG to their foods to include the additive on the list of ingredients on the packaging.
some ingredients naturally contain MSG, food manufacturers may choose to use these ingredients to avoid disclosing the name MSG on the ingredient list. If you intend to steer clear of MSG, exclude these main ingredients: autolyzed yeast, textured vegetable protein, yeast extract, glutamic acid, gelatin, soy protein isolate, and soy extracts.
Chinese restaurant syndrome: outdated term in 1960s. Refers to symptoms after eating food from a Chinese restaurant. Currently known as MSG symptom complex. Symptoms often include headache, skin flushing, and sweating.

Effect

Hypertension
Effects on Brain -high MSG intake can have adverse effects on brain. prolonged intake can lead to damage.
Headache - can transform into migraine. (intense pain, vision modification, nausea)
Effects on Nerves -tingling, burning sensation in the neck and face. MSG is neurotransmitter that induces the nerves and misbalances the neurotransmitters. These disorders can contain diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s has connection with Ajinomoto.
Sleeping Disordered Breathing -improve the risk of snoring and sleep-disordered breathing.
Risk of Cancer -has cancer-triggering capabilities. consumption of MSG can increase the chances of cancer.
https://atchayapathrafoods.com/harmful-effects-ajinomoto/
sensitive individual may suffer from headache, giddiness, sweating, abdominal pain, and urticaria
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5278591/
MSG has been linked with obesity, metabolic disorders, Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, neurotoxic effects and detrimental effects on the reproductive organs.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938543/
induce hypothalamic lesions and leptin resistance, possibly influencing energy balance, leading to overweight
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2610632/
Promotion of tumor development in MSG‐induced obesity. Obesity models in mice can be established via treatment of newborn pups with MSG

-the information provided is based on reference materials

Credits :

Background
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6952072/
https://www.healthline.com/health/chinese-restaurant-syndrome#monosodium-glutamate
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51139005
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938543/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2610632/

Effect
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5278591/
https://atchayapathrafoods.com/harmful-effects-ajinomoto/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1541-4337.12448

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6952072/

https://www.healthline.com/health/chinese-restaurant-syndrome#monosodium-glutamate

https://atchayapathrafoods.com/harmful-effects-ajinomoto/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2610632/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1541-4337.12448

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Hummus Pasta Recipe

Hummus pastaServings: 2pax

1.Gordon Ramsay, Angel hair pasta
Ingredients:

½ tablespoon salt (Normal salt)
4 grind seasoning salt (Himalaya pink salt)
3 dash pepper
2 tablespoon olive oil
100g angel pasta/Capellini N1 (2pax)

Procedure:

Add water to large pan, cook evenly.
Add ½ tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil
boil the water (stops pasta from sticking)
add 100g angel pasta, 3 1/2 - 4 minutes (3 minutes if require further cook in pan with sauce) , set timer (time depends on pasta manufacturer, tried with pasta that require 5-7 minutes)
turn with tongs until it starts to melt & twist into pan.
lift a strand to test & ensure al dente.
into a colander, drain pasta
add 4 grind salt, 3 dash pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil, stops it from sticking together

**pasta cooking time depends on type of pasta & manufacturer.
**Refer credits for How To Cook The Perfect Pasta - Gordon Ramsay

2. Hummus pasta
Ingredients:

100g cooked angel pasta/Capellini N1 (2pax)
110ml hummus
1/8 cup sun dried tomatoes (oil drained)
1 tablespoon olive oil / tomato oil
10g garlic , minced
1/4 cup pasta reserve water (1/2 cup lighter consistency)
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olives
1/4 cup cherry tomatoes
1/8 marinated artichokes
5 grind Himalayan pink salt /to taste
3 dash pepper /to taste

For garnishing (optional):

1-2 leaves chives
few grates, Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tablespoon Italy white truffle oil
few dash red chili flakes

Procedure:

Heat olive oil (medium heat)
Add 10g garlic, sun dried tomatoes cook 1-2 minutes (stir frequently until golden on the edges-don't overcook)
Add hummus and pasta (stir to combine). Carefully add 1/4 reserved pasta-cooking water (or until sauce reaches desired consistency)
Off the heat, add Himalayan pink salt,pepper, garlic powder, fresh lemon juice, olives , cherry tomatoes, marinated artichokes
For dressing, add 1-2 leaves chives, few grates Grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 table spoon Italy white truffle oil, few dash chili flakes

**Recipe may improvised to 2 serving with whatever ingredients available & depends on our preferences.
**Refer credits for original recipes.

Credits :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYhKDweME3A
https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/265915658
https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/articles/how-to-make-an-antipasti-plate

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Wontan noodles

Servings: 1pax

Ingredients:

cook noodles

500 ml water
1 tbsp olive oil

noodles seasoning

2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce (1/2 tablespoon - lighter taste, 2 tablespoon -more concentrated taste)
5 grind salt / to taste
1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
2 tsp sesame oil (1 tablespoon for lighter taste)
3 dash pepper
1 pcs dried noodles (use nan shan misua as alternative)
1 teaspoon garlic oil
spring onion (optional)

Procedure:

Boil water and add 1 tablespoon olive oil.
place noodles into boiling water and cook for 4 mins (depends on brand, the brand i'm using recommended 3-5minutes)
Drain the water and 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Mix to avoid noodles from sticking together.
Mix seasoning in another bowl.
Add seasoning into noodles and mix well.
Add garlic oil & spring Onion for garnishing

Note: typical wonton noodles is made of egg noodles. For coronavirus lockdown we used nan shan misua noodles with natural ingredients as alternative. texture and noodle size are quite similar to egg noodles. texture and noodle size are quite similar to egg noodles. Lockdown with limited ingredients just made us re-imagined food, improvised recipes and replace things with all kinds of alternative.

**Recipe may improvised to 1-2 serving with whatever ingredients available & depends on our preferences.
**Refer credits for original recipes.

Credits :

https://www.nyonyacooking.com/recipes/wonton-noodles~SJ-yOPiDzqW7
https://rasamalaysia.com/wonton-noodles-malaysian-wantan-mee-recipe/
https://whattocooktoday.com/dry-wonton-noodles.html

Sunday, April 12, 2020

Authentic Hai Di Lao steamboat paste -review

Q: Which hot pot / steamboat paste & what flavour is recommended for homemade hotpot?

Hai di lao hot pot seasoning
Soup : Spicy Vegetable oil/ 麻辣清油, fragrant tallow (beef)/麻辣浓香牛油 , mellow tallow/麻辣醇香牛油, delicacy pickled fish/上汤酸菜鱼, excellent spicy boiled fish 精品水煮鱼, sour soup/泡椒酸汤
Dry/without soup: Spicy Chili Pot/ 麻辣香锅
Sauce: Fragrant peppery flavor/ 麻辣味火锅蘸料
Refer official link for full series of hotpot soup base & seasoning http://www.yihchina.com/en/product.html

Hai Di Lao hotpot seasoning

Recommended? : Yes

easy to use and taste compatible with those in hotpot restaurant.
can add plain water only. add homemade chicken/pork bone soup will elevate the taste.

Spicy level? : 2-moderaterating scale: 1-mild, almost none, 2-moderate, 3-extreme

Moderate spicy: Spicy Vegetable oil/ 麻辣清油, fragrant tallow (beef)/麻辣浓香牛油 , mellow tallow/麻辣醇香牛油, Spicy Chili Pot/ 麻辣香锅
Mild spicy: delicacy pickled fish/上汤酸菜鱼, excellent spicy boiled fish 精品水煮鱼, sour soup/泡椒酸汤, Fragrant peppery flavor/ 麻辣味火锅蘸料
require to add additional Sichuan peppercorn if you opt for the extreme spicy level in China hot pot restaurant.

Serving: 2-5 pax/ pack

Typically 1 pack = 1-2 round of soup
Recommended to buy at least 2 packs / flavour for each round of steamboat for better taste and able to add >2 round of soup.

Storage life : 12 months
Key Features:

Produced by Yihai International holdings, a food distribution and seasoning manufacturer for Haidilao hot pot chain .
Zhang Yong (the haidilao founder) holds majority stakes of Yihai international holdings. So don’t worry, this is legit haidilao sauce.

Brand awards

Top 10 hot restaurant award for 5 consecutive years in China
won more than ten titles and honors such as “advanced enterprise”, “consumer satisfaction unit”, “famous hot pot” famous hot pot in Sichuan, Shanxi, Henan and other province in China.
"Haidilao” trademark was awarded “China Famous Brand”
"Chinese Famous Hot Pot" by the CCA.
“National Well-known Trademark” by the Trademark Office of the State Administration of Industry and Commerce
“Top 100 Chinese Catering Enterprises” for 5 consecutive years.

Original Price :

(2020, April), steamboat soup paste ~RM8.45 -RM9.5/pack.
(2020, April), sauce ~RM3.5/pack.

Hai Di Lao Background:

Hai Di Lao is one of the reputable China’s hotpot giant and for this company quality and service comes first.
Sichuan style hot pot chain famous for its unique special service with manicure, hand care, free leather show cleaning service, free photo printing, offers massage chairs, have children's play rooms (accompanied by special personnel), Sichuan's characteristic face-changing performance, fusion of Chinese martial arts performances, noodles making performances. It also provides variety of snacks, fruits, and games. During birthday celebration, the staff will sing birthday songs with Happy Birthday LED panel.
Typically require to queue for hours, there’s limited seats / day and might not be able to get seats.
Haidilao founder Zhang Yong. Forbes has named him as Singapore’s third richest, has also been listed as the 224th richest man in the world.
Haidilao is a successful Sichuan-style hotpot chain with 466 stores at the end of 2018.
has oversea outlets in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan.
has more than 36 million VIP members and 60,000+ staff.
Zhang Yong (Hai Di Lao founder) has majority stake in Haidilao Catering, Hai Di Lao International Holding (parent company of Haidilao), Yihai International (food distribution and seasoning manufacturer for Haidilao).