Cream of Mushroom Soup & Garlic Bread

Home is where the heart is! Do you agree with me? This tag line will definitely capture everybody's attention, especially during weekends where we spend most of the time at home. For a working mum like me, I would spend my weekend at home preparing most heart-warming meals for my family. Today, I would like to spread some heart-warming recipes to you whom wish to spend a warm and relaxing evening with the family.

Since it is a rainy season here, having something warm and soothing are one of the most tantalizing meals at home. A bowl of warm Cream of Mushroom Soup with some Homemade Garlic Bread will definitely make your heart warm in the evening. Don't you? Cream of mushroom soup and garlic bread are my family all time favourite. Instead of having them outside where contain plenty of artificial seasonings, why not we have it fresh & pure at home?

This recipe has been improved from my previous Cream of mushroom recipe. Besides, I have also made some garlic bread to savor with the mushroom soup! This is indeed a prefect combination for an evening break or snack! Agree?
Mushrooms contain 80 - 90% of water and very low in calories, they are also low in sodium and fat, a prefect source of fiber, ideal food for weight management. Besides, mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium, a rich source of riboflavin, niacin, and selenium.

"According to this site, Crimini Mushrooms also know as Brown Button or Italian Brown have a distinct rich brown or tan colour. Crimini have an earthy rich flavour when they are cooked and a nutty creamy taste when raw. They may be used in dishes together with white button mushrooms or alone in soups, stew, salads and side dishes."
Reference from BCMUSHROOMS
"Crimini or brown button mushrooms are coffee colored and richer in flavor and nutrients than the more common white button mushroom, crimini mushrooms are available throughout the year."

Thus, I chose Swiss Brown button mushroom this round to find out the differences compare to white button mushroom. To my surprised, it really brings out more flavour to my mushroom soup! With some bay leaves, it enhances the taste, at the same time it brings fragrant smell to the soup.

"Mushrooms are as mysteriously unique as they are delicious. While often thought of as a vegetable and prepared like one, mushrooms are actually a fungus, a special type of living organism that has no roots, leaves, flowers or seeds. While mushroom can be cultivated, they can also be found growing wild in many regions of the world."

Tips on How to Select and Store:
• Look for mushrooms that are firm, plump and clean.
• Those that are wrinkled or have wet slimy spots should be avoided. Since mushrooms darken as they age, choose those that are either creamy white or tan, depending upon whether you are purchasing white or Crimini mushrooms.

Tips for Preparing Mushrooms:
• Mushrooms are so porous that if they are exposed to too much water, they will quickly absorb it and become soggy.
• Therefore, the best way to clean mushrooms without sacrificing their texture and taste is to clean them using minimal, if any, water.
• Wipe them with a slightly damp paper towel or kitchen cloth. You could also use a mushroom brush, available at most kitchenware stores.
Reference from WHFOODS
Check out variety of mushrooms here!

This recipe is based on my own preference: Serves 4 Ingredients: 200gm Fresh Swiss Brown Button Mushroom 1 medium-sized Celery 1 medium-sized White Onion 400ml Chicken stock/broth 250ml Fresh Milk (I used Dutch Lady fresh milk) 3 tbsp Butter 3 tbsp Plain flour 2 medium-sized Dried Bay Leaves Salt & Black pepper to taste Methods: 1. Rinse button mushroom with colander then pat dry with a dry cloth. 2. Slice button mushroom. Set aside. 3. Chop celery and white onion coarsely. Rinse bay leaves and set aside. 4. Heat up pan, add butter and let it melt, immediately add in onion. Sautee until onion is translucent. 5. Add in celery and sautee for another minute. Add mushrooms, sautee until mushrooms turn brown or until the water in the mushrooms have suppressed. Stir in flour and mix well. 6. Pour in chicken stock/broth, add bay leaves. Simmer under medium heat for 20 mins. 7. Add in fresh milk and simmer for another 10 mins under low heat. Stir occasionally. (Do not over-boil the milk) 8. Let the soup cool a little. Transfer to a blender, blend batch by batch and pour to another pot. 9. If you prefer some chunky mushroom texture, do not blend too long. 10. Add salt and black pepper to taste. 11. Dish up to a soup bowl, serve while hot with homemade garlic bread. Chicken broth recipe: Boil 550ml water, add in half of whole chicken (in chunks or pieces). You may use those remaining chicken bones to make this broth. Simmer under medium heat for 1 hour. Drained, sieved with colander and set aside. Make sure the chicken broth is sufficient for the above recipe. Homemade Garlic Bread recipe: Ingredients: French loaf or English bread ( I used wholemeal bread) Garlic powder Butter spread Italian herbs (basil, oregano or parsley) Grated parmesan cheese (optional) Methods: 1. Cut french loaf or English bread into slices. 2. Spread butter on each slices. Sprinkle garlic powder. 3. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and Italian herbs. 4. Baked at 400ºF for 5 - 10 mins or until cheese is melted and bread turns crispy. 5. You may need to adjust the temperature and timing according to your oven.

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Tuna & Mushroom Potato Top Pie

Pie is my family all time favourite. It has become a tradition of our family to have pie whenever there is a special celebration, such as Christmas, Easter, New Year day, sometimes birthdays too. I was first introduced to homemade pie by my Mother-in-law when I was married few years ago. She is simply a good cook and a good baker with so many tested traditional recipes. I was thrilled and inspired by her ability and talent in making all sorts of pie. I must be thankful to her as she has guided me in many of her traditional cooking and baking.

One of the most popular pies in every occasion in the family is "Traditional Chicken pie". Using variety of ingredients in the chicken stew and baked it with homemade pastry top, it is wholesome, easy & tantalizing! Is it great to be able to savour homemade pie during special occasions? Besides Traditional Chicken pie, "Family pie" is another traditional and simply mouth-watering pie which makes you fall in love with it. It is also an easy-to-make pie with the mixture of eggs & evaporated milk as the top. This pie is creamy and delicious. I managed to baked this pie under her supervision someday ago. (Check out the recipe here!). I must say it is a great way to learn variety of traditional recipes from the older generation & those experienced cook.

Well, today I would like to share with all of you a modern pie recipe which I chanced upon. Besides pastry pie, I wanted to try something more savoury, creamy & cheesy! Potato top pie is a good choice and it is indeed easier to make. It is similar to shepherd's pie but instead of using minced mutton or beef, I go for Tuna. This recipe is adapted & modified from the Women's Weekly Food Book - Easy healthy meals - Tuna, onion potato top pie. This was my first attempt in making potato top pie, which I can assure you, it is simply delicious and easy to make. For my case, I have added fresh white button mushroom & dried herbs in this pie to enhance the taste and at the same time to added more fiber in my son's diet. The recipe is suitable for kids, especially those picky eater. This recipe called for tuna, which is a good source of protein & Omega 3. Moreover, tuna is healthier and low in fats compared to meat. You may add extra ingredients such as carrots, green peas or corns to add more vegetable range. Isn't it great to have a wholesome meal for the whole family? I would definitely make this again for any special party or celebration, it is such a simple & quick recipe for any occasion.

Serves: 4 Ingredients A: 3 large US Potaotes, washed & peeled 1 tbsp Butter 1/2 cup Milk (I used full cream milk) Ingredients B: 1/2 cup Fresh White Button, chopped coarsely or sliced 1 Onion, peeled and finely chopped 2 cloves Garlic, finely chopped 2 sprigs Curry leaves, removed stem 2 cups Tuna (use canned tuna chunks in sunflower oil) Salt & black pepper to taste 2 tbsps Lime juice 2 tbsp shredded Cheddar cheese 4 medium-sized Oven-proof bowls Methods: 1. Preheat oven at 300ºF. 2. Peel and wash potatoes, cut into small chunks. Bring water to a boil. Add in a pinch of salt & potatoes. Make sure the water cover the potatoes. 3. Boil potatoes until soft. Drain. Mash hot potatoes with butter & milk. Set aside. 4. Heat up oil in a frying pan over medium-high fire. Brown onions for one minute, add in garlic and curry leaves. Fry another minute. 5. Add in mushroom and saute until fragrant. Add the tuna and toss well. Sprinkle some salt & black pepper according to your taste. Off fire. Stir in lime juice and mix well. 6. Spoon tuna mixture into 4 medium-sized oven-proof bowls. Press mixture into the bowls with the back of a spoon. 7. Top with mashed potato and use the back of the spoon to smoothen the surface. Use a fork to make patterns on the top of the mashed potato. 8. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over and add a sprinkling of black pepper. 9. Place in the oven and bake for 15 mins at 400ºF or until the top is golden brown. Do not over baked. Note: • Mash potatoes with potato masher while it is hot to make the process easier. • Use US Potato to get the soft and moist texture.

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Baked Rice with Cheese

Hey! Baked rice with cheese! Sound very familiar and such a tantalizing, quick & easy one pot dish. I came familiar with this dish when I dined in one of the famous Hong Kong restaurant in town, their baked rice with cheese is simply delicious that can make you hook into it. Now, even my family loves baked rice with cheese to bits. Thus, I make my own version of baked rice with cheese at home. It save a lot of cooking and washing time too.

Since I want to make a wholesome meal, a balance and nutritious ingredients from several food groups will be a good combination in this dish. This is a good way to let my little boy to consume various food pyramid group especially vegetables. I also added some Italian dried herbs to enhance the taste. Great way to cook a quick & easy dish that tastes delicious. If you are looking for a simple, quick and easy one dish meal, do give this a try! You may also want to try the Seafood Baked Rice!

Serves 4 Ingredients: 4 cups cooked rice 200gm chicken fillet, cubed or sliced 12 pcs large-sized prawns, removed shells & veins 10 florets broccoli, blanched with boiling water & salt 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 nos shallots, minced 2 tbsp butter Olive oil Shredded cheese - Mozarella or Cheddar Dried parsley, oregano, basil or any preference herbs Salt & pepper to taste Methods: 1. Prepare 4 cups of cooked rice. Set aside. You may need to adjust the rice according to personal appetite. 2. Wash prawns. Remove shells and veins. Pat dry. Marinade prawns with pinch of salt, sugar & pepper. 3. Marinade chicken fillets with pinch of salt & pepper. 4. Blanch broccoli with boiling water & a pinch of salt. Drain & set aside. 5. Heat up olive oil, pan-fry prawns until 80% cooked. Dish up & set aside. 6. Heat olive oil again, stir-fry chicken fillet until 80% cooked. Dish up & set aside. 7. Heat up butter in another wok, saute garlic and shallots until fragrant. 8. Stir in cooked rice, stir-fry until rice is fragrant & well coated with butter but not too soft. 9. Add in chicken fillets, prawns & broccoli. Sprinkle some dried herbs, salt & ground black pepper. Mix well. 10. Transfer half of the rice to a baking dish. Sprinkle some shredded cheese, mix well. 11. Add in the remaining rice. Sprinkle more olive oil & dried herbs. Top or cover the rice with cheese. 12. Bake at 350ºF until cheese is melted but not golden brown. In this way, you will have creamier cheese taste. 13. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle with extra ground black pepper if you prefer stronger pepper taste. Serve. Note: • You may choose your own selection of vegetables & meat. • The cooked rice may vary on the person consumption.

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