Cylinder Head Gasket Burned - Triton

 On 9 Feb 2022, I traveled from Kuala Lumpur to Temerloh. I must had forgotten to check the radiator water level, as engine was overheated as I was approaching my destination. I did not immediately stop to cool the engine and top up the water. I decided  to continue the journey, and that may be the reason for the engine problem. 

My return journey to Kuala Lumpur as a real test of patient. I took me 5 hours instead of the normal 2 hr journey. I had to make 5 stops, wait for the engine to cool to top up the water..

My Actions

My earlier occurrence caused me a lot of  money. For now, 

1. Seal Up - Material Liquid Glass Metalic - ( Sodium Silicate) , bought in Seberang Temerloh 

Application:   Drain the radiator and flush the system. Fill up with coolant to cover the radiator core and install loosely the raiator cap. Run the engine until normal tempertion and the put the Seal Up. Run for 20 min or the leak stop. Let the engine Cools and replace the coolant.

The system seem to seal my engine.

2. Holts Professional Cooling System Leak Repair ( Wondarweld)

Contains sealing elements.

Application: Drain and Flush Radiator. Remove the thermostat and pour the wondarweld onto the cylinderhead upstream to the thermostat. Install the thermostat and add coolant. Run engine for 15 minutes. 

KEMBARA - OVERHEAD GASKET CHANGE

 It is covid 19 season. As I am already retired and the movement is restricted, I try to change the cylinder head gaskets.

Guess what?. I find myself outdated. At my age of 68, my memory tends to betray me. I disconnected some plugs and hoses. When I was young, I knew t I will remember how to put back, but I can no longer do it.

 

Planning for Solar Panel Installation

posted 13 july 2020  This posting is transferred from my other blog .

 

My solar power system in going for more changes. Today Saturday 11 July 2020. I am planning to install the 6 additional panel or my 3 KW system.
I wanted an easy installation method requiring minimum cost and effort.

I had devised a method using a local angled bars. There is the negative point, the bar is made from iron and it can get rusted.

local angled iron

The bar can be obtained from a local hardware shop and cost about RM30 per pair.

This is how the designed of the system.

roof top design

 I also did a model to prove that the design works.

awaiting testing

SET RADIO PHILIP Z118B

 Saya telah membeli radio Philip dari Lazada..

Macam mana nak set tuner...

Program radio stations manually 

1 Tune to a radio station. 

2 Press PROG to activate program mode. » PXX displays on the screen.(XX indicates number 01-20) 

3 Press ALB/PRE-/ALB/PRE+ to allocate a number from 1–20 to this radio station, and then press PROG to confirm. » The preset number and the frequency of the preset station are displayed. 

4 Repeat steps 1-3 to program more stations. Play from an external device With this unit, you can also listen to an external audio device such as an MP3 player. 1 Press SOURCErepeatedly to select the audio source. » [AU] display on the screen. 2 Connect the audio in cable (not supplied) to: • the AUDIO IN socket on the CD sound machine. • the headphone socket on an external device

Planting Lemon Grass

The video shows how the lemon grass is being planted in Malaysia. Out of the 4 acres planted, some areas certain section of the farm, the grass grew nicely whereas in others it grew too slowly. We cannot really know the reasons for it.

Lemon grass are grown for its multiple uses. It is used mainly for cooking in the tradition Malay, Indian as well as Chinese cuisine.

There are effort being made to harvest its natural oil to be used an an ingredient for the prparation of fragrance.

Lemongrass Oil Can Promote Psychic Awareness And Purification

I was involved in the commercial farming planting lemon grass in Malaysia about three years ago. As I was retiring and had some saving from my 30 over years working for an airline, I though, why not, I am interesting in farming and the opportunities was open with the umbrella contract farming concept.

Basically the government under then , Abdullah Badawi, was steering a change from what we were under Mahathir. The infrastructure was set, with a group to take care of the processing the products and another group to produce the lemongrass to be processes by the plants.

Then when Abdullah was pressured to go, and the new Prime Minister is reverting to the drive, the like of Mahathir, the whole idea of contract farming was shelved.

We wanted to produce the original lemongrass oil for export, but we had to stop half way..

read about the benefits of lemongrass...

By Emma Sanford

Plant Origin: India, Guatemala

Extraction Method: Steam distilled from leaves

Lemongrass therapeutic-grade essential oil has a strong, herbaceous and lemony scent. Lemongrass itself is a popular ingredient in Asian cooking, and just like the herb, lemongrass oil is bright, light and cheerful.

Therapeutic-grade essential oil of lemongrass is said to be an effective aid for mild depression, as it is a strong tonic for the nervous system. It is thought to be beneficial for getting rid of anger and other negative emotions. Lemongrass oil can also be quite soothing to the muscles and nerves. It is a wonderful addition to a bath when you need to calm and relax.

Lemongrass Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oil is refreshing, rejuvenating, stimulating and balancing. It is said to be good for mental clarity, psychic awareness, to regenerate connective tissue and ligaments, and has been used in traditional Indian medicine to treat fever and infection.

Lemongrass oil is a popular addition to perfumes, though it is rather quick to evaporate. You can use it in your own blends for perfume or room sprays that will brighten your space and make you feel better as well.

Lemongrass is wonderful for blending with a whole range of other therapeutic-grade essential oils, including ylang ylang, rosemary, orange and lavender.

When using Lemongrass Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oil on the skin, it is a great idea to dilute the oil in a carrier oil, such as olive oil before using, especially on sensitive skin like the face and neck. When taking lemongrass oil internally, a drop should be diluted in four ounces of rice or soy milk or another liquid.

Lemongrass Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oil can also be used in hair care and body care products. It is thought to be helpful for reducing acne because of its antiseptic properties and is also helpful for oily skin. It may also be helpful for getting rid cellulite. If your hair is dry and lacking shine. Massaging lemongrass oil into your locks may help them look healthier.

Lemongrass oil is thought to be an immune system stimulant and a digestive tonic as well as an aid to the liver.

As with all other therapeutic-grade essential oils, take care not to get lemongrass oil into your eyes and make sure you wash and rinse your hands thoroughly before and after working with the oil. Do not use it near flames or sparks. Keep therapeutic-grade essential oils out of the reach of children

--

This entire article is available for reprint electronically or in print, for free, as long as it is done in its entirety, and the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. E-mail to: ghgs@youngliving.org

Emma Sanford is a Registered Professional Nurse, Founder and Wellness Consultant of Good Health - Good Scents, a distributoship of chemical free edible wellness products, located in Atlatna Ga. Ms. Sanford writes and publishes a FREE weekly ezine " Good Health -Good Scents Wellness Tools." Safe subscribe for a FREE copy. Visit, [http://www.goodhealth-goodscents.com] and http://www.ultimatewellness.blogspot.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emma_Sanford

RECIPE: VIETNAMESE CHICKEN LEMONGRASS

Adapted from Food & Wine Magazine, October 2007
“Simple, Tasty Vietnamese Cooking”
INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons fish sauce
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast/thigh, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons cooking oil
2 fresh lemongrass stalks, tender inner white bulbs only, minced
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
3 chilies, seeded and minced
1 scallion for garnishing

METHOD:

In a bowl, combine the fish sauce, garlic, curry powder, salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the sugar. Add the chicken meat to coat.

In a small skillet, mix the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar with 1 tablespoon of the water and cook over high heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Cook without stirring until a deep amber caramel forms. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of water. Transfer to a bowl.

Heat a wok over high heat. Add the oil and heat until shimmering. Add the lemongrass, shallot, and chilies and stir-fry until fragrant. Add the chicken and caramel and stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is slightly thickened. Transfer to a bowl and top with the scallion. Serve with steamed white rice.

Planting Lemongrass in the kitchen

Planting lemongrass in the pot is rather easy. What it require is a relatively warm temperature, above 20 C, and plenty of sunshine. the soil should not retain too much water.

1. Prepare the pot, at least 8 inch in diameter and 6 in of soil. Let the soil set for a week or two with constant watering.

2. Get about three stalk of fresh lemongrass, make sure the bulb is still available.

3. Put the stalk in upright position in a shallow water. The water barely touches the stalk, leave them for about 3 days.

4. After 3 days, the roots should start to come out.

5. Make small holes for each of the stalk. The depth is about 2 inches, and the distant from other stalk is about 3 inches.

6. Firm up the soils, and water it until the water comes out from the bottom of the pot.

7. Leave it in the sun,and water it one a day, either morning or late afternoon.

Good luck.

Recipe Chicken lemongrass

I would prefer to use fresh herb in my cooking. This is because the fresh herb will bring about the fragrance to the food, the processed sauces, although easy to use, it would have loss the natural oils and flavor in its drying process.

Ingredient:

1. 1 chicken, cleaned and cut to the right sizes

2. Blend these ingredients:

. 6 cm galangal

. 6 cm ginger

. 8 cloves garlic

. 12 shallots

. 2 cm turmeric

. 8 red chillies

. 4 candlenuts

. 1 teas spoon of black peppercorns

3. Other Ingredients

. 4 stalks of lemongrass

. 3 pieces of tamarind slices

. 3 cm of palm sugar

. salt

. 1 table spoon cooking oil

. 1 stick of cinnamon

. 3 cardamoms

. 3 cloves

. 1 star anise

. 3 cups of freshly squeezed coconut milk

THE PROCESS

Heat up the cooking oil in a pan. Add the dried spices and saute until you get the aroma. Add the lemongrass and tamarind slices. before pouring the blended items.

Season it with salt and cook until the oils surfaces to the top. Add the chicken and stir it until the chicken change color and become opaque.

Add the coconut milk and simmer until the chicken is cooked and the gravy thicken to your requirement. Serve it with hot rice.

How to Grow Lemon grass commercially

Introduction

Lemongrass or scientifically known as Cymbopogon is a genus of more than 50 species of grasses. It is the native of warm tropical regions 0f Oceania and the Old World. It comes with different sizes, and slightly different scent and flavors.

Although there are many species, it can generally divided into two, edible and non-edible variety.

The names varies according to where you are. Commonly known as lemon grass, lemongrass, barbed wire grass, silky heads, citronella grass,cha de Dartigalongue, fever grass, Hierba Luisa or Gavati Chaha.

Growing Lemon grass commercially

Planting it on commercial scale is relatively easier than other short term plant. It does nor require much attention, except for the first month, when watering is required for the initial 7 days. It can grow effectively in almost any soil condition. It requires tropical weather with a lot of sunshine. Due the ease of growing, it had created high competition causing the drop in price.

The followings are the suggested steps to grow it on commercial basis:

1. Planning stage:

a. Viability study: This is when the decision is made whether to proceed with the project or not. Calculate your potential profit and loss and scheduled cash outflow. Calculate and secure the resources, the land, the capital, manpower, and equipments. Depending on the situation, the land preparation can be a lengthy process, if your are starting the farm at virgin jungle or forest. Add in the unknown variation to the cost and revenue.

b. Secure the market. As the cycle is about 6 months, securing buyers is the critical element of the project. You may like to sign up a contract farming vendors. However the contract farmers normally buy the product at a low price and impose a specified restriction such as you may have to buy the seedling and fertilizers from them.

c. Equip yourself with the necessary skills and knowledge. It will be a good idea to attend courses and seek advice from the agricultural authority. Although the process seem to be easy, however there is many factors and small processes that can effect the outputs and cost of the farm.

d. Familiarize with the list of suppliers of seedlings and equipments. They can be a source for information and advice.

e. Plan the detail of the project. The project can be divided into 4 steps.

i. Site preparation

ii. Planting and first month.

iii. Growing Stage

iv. Harvesting and Marketing.

2. Site preparation. Evaluate the site with an expert to check for suitability of the soil and the suitable fertilizers. Although lemongrass can be grown in a wide range of soil conditions, it would require specific treatment and fertilizing techniques for different soil type. This treatment can add up to the cost.

Synchronize the site preparation with the purchase of the seedlings. Planting is preferred to be done in the raining season, to reduce the need of watering. If you are planting in a dry session, you may require to build suitable sources of water. A well or dam and the related watering system may be required.

The site preparation can be as follows:

a. If is a virgin jungle, can may be able to sell some of the trees. Negotiate with the company that deal with timber and jungle clearance. Once the land is clear from the valuable trees, then the heavy machinery can be brought in to clear the trees. Take care not to remove the fertile top soil.

b. Leveling: It will be good to ensure the land is reasonably level. Any low patches will trap rain water. Lemongrass will not survive if the roots are covered by water for 24 hrs and more.

c. Depending the acidity of the soil, lime powder may be required. Spread it evenly before ploughing the land. Get expert advice on the soil treatment. Clear the land and plough is twice, the final is using the rotor.

3. Planting and first month. Planting can be done two weeks after the soil preparation stage. Three seedlings will be planted into each hole, aligned in grids of 4 feet by 3 feet. Insert the seedlings about 2 inches into the soil and firm up the soil. Water it immediately. The plants will need daily watering for 7 days. Then weekly round to replace the dead seedlings for the first month. After the first month, the replacement of the dead seedlings should stop.

At the end of first month, the first round of fertilizer will be applied. It is suggested, the urea fertilizer to be used for the first round and the second round at the end of second month.

Fertilizers:

1st day 30-40.......... urea

2nd day 60-70........... urea

3rd day 90-100......... npk 15/15

4. Growing Stage: Lemongrass does not require close attention while growing. Fertilize is monthly for first three month. Clear the weeds manually. It does not have natural enemies and insets do not attack the plant. It can withstand dry season, as it will catch the natural dews formed on its leaves at night.

Beside keeping the soils free from weeds, the other optional activity is to trim off the leaves. This will get the sunlight to the lower part of the plant and simulate growth of seedlings.

5. Harvesting and marketing: Harvesting is the most difficult and time consuming task as has to be done manually. Depending on the contract with the buyer, the lemongrass can be harvesting in 3 ways depending its usage. For oil extract, cut the leave about one foot from the ground. You can repeat this cycle monthly for 4 times (4 months). For seedlings, when harvesting, leave a small amount of roots and cutoff the leaves leaving about a foot length of the stalk. If it is to be marketed for consumption, the harvesting is similar to that for the seedlings except the roots have to be cut-off.

With proper planning and controlled implementation, growing lemongrass can be a profitable proposition. The demand for the product has increased as the Asian foods are widely accepted by the West.

The video shows the lemongrass 2 months after planting them. In this example, plastic sheet is used to cover the soil, its advantages are, it reduce the weeding efforts and it helps to maintain the moisture in the soil. Disadvantage, additional cost and extra amount of work.

lemongrass gentle soap

I was searching for some good articles on soap with lemongrass essential oil. I came across this simple but informative article on the benefits of lemongrass soap. Happy reading....

Have you been searching for a soap that is gentle on your skin yet powerful enough to finally get rid of severe oily skin or acne? I want to introduce to you a Natural Healing Agent that is very inexpensive and will produce positive results within three to seven days.

Lemongrass soap is a natural healing agent that is richly scented with lemongrass essential oils and embedded with lightly exfoliating real lemongrass. In addition, to being refreshing, invigorating and a mild astringent, lemongrass soap is a soothing skin soap made from the gentlest of oils, moisturizing butters and works great for all skin types and has an uplifting scent.

This natural healing agent is a skin care product utilized to smooth fine lines & wrinkles while being silky soft on your skin.

Lemongrass soap opens pores, tones tissues, and balances excess oil production and is great for people with acne or oily skin, fungicidal/bactericidal aliments, as well as athlete's foot and excessive perspiration.

Lemongrass is a wild grass native to Southeast Asia, and is used extensively in handmade soaps, perfumes and cosmetics. 100% all-natural, organic soap that is vegetable based, dye free and will not clog your pores it's hand made from a blend of olive, vegetable, lemon, castor oils organic Coconut, Palm, Olive and Palm Kernel oils.

This natural healing agent soap produces a rich, creamy lather that envelops your skin in nourishing, healthy ingredients and release a refreshing aroma that delivers a spa experience in your shower or tub.

My passion is to find, develop and deliver body care products that are natural, pleasurable and effective.

For more information on this product please visit http://naturalhealingagents.blogspot.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Jackson

growing lemongrass in the kichen

If you are leaving in tropical country like Malaysia, growing lemongrass is never an issue. It grow easily in pot or in the small plot of land behind your house. It will require watering for the first 14 days, then it will be on its own. Lemongrass cannot withstand the weeds, as such keep the surrounding clear.

If you intent to plan it on commercial basis, you are invited to view my earlier postings. I was planting it on commercial basis until the market was flooded and making it non profitable to grow it any longer.

The Essential Oil From Lemongrass

Get the Highest Quality
Aromatherapy Ingredients Now

Lemongrass is grown in warm tropical countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. There are many variety, some widely used for cooking. With special hormone given to the seedlings, the lemongrass will be producing more oil.

The plant itself is a tall breed of grass, sometimes growing as high as 4 feet. It is from the leaves that the essential oil of the plant is extracted using steam distillation techniques.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL

The essential oil of the lemongrass plant is characterized by its yellow color and watery consistency compared to other oils. As the name suggests, the oil and the plant itself have an aroma that can easily be described as citrus or "lemony" in nature. The scent is sweet and while it is powerful initially, the smell of the lemongrass will quickly fade after it is diffused into a room.

It is the lemon-like smell that makes the essential oil so popular in everyday products. The extract is often used in everything from cleaning supplies and personal care products, like deodorant, to even perfume.

BENEFITS OF LEMONGRASS ESSENTIAL OIL

There are a myriad of benefits that are associated with lemongrass essential oil. Aside from being an effective insect repellent, the oil has uses in personal care as well. Lemongrass essential oil is sometimes used in shampoo to help add shine and luster to dull, damaged hair. The oil is also employed to combat acne. A word of warning, the essential oil of the lemongrass plant can cause skin irritation. It must be properly diluted to be used safely and you should always consult your physician before applying it on your skin.

LEMONGRASS ESSENTIAL OIL AND AROMATHERAPY

In regards to aromatherapy, the lemongrass essential oil has the benefit of blending well with other essential oils. The strong, sweet scent of the oil has both the ability to calm and the ability to revitalize those who smell it. Its citrus aroma also has a cleansing effect, helping you wash away the cares of the day and begin anew.

Thai Food everywhere

Saturday January 16, 2010
Thai food everywhere
THAI TAKES WITH PHILIP GOLINGAI
philipgolinai@gmail.com


Most Thai restaurants worldwide, and even in Bangkok, dumb down the flavour to cater for the local as well as Western palate, but to the purist that’s to the determent of authenticity.

THE other day I was eating Thai food in a restaurant in a Bangkok suburb with a Malaysian tourist and my guest was surprised that the dishes did not taste like the ones in her favourite Thai restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.

“What’s the difference?” I asked.

“Well, now that I’ve tasted this,” the 30-something woman said, pointing at her Tom Yam Kung, “the one in KL tasted very Malaysian”.

Me, being me, I had to gloat over why I brought her to Kratip restaurant in Bang Kapi Mall, about 30km away from the heart of Bangkok’s tourist traps.


Quality matters: Co-owners of Bangkok’s Bo.lan restaurant, Bo and Dylan, adhere to the principle that Thai food must be prepared correctly.

“The food here is authentic Thai. If you look around, there’s not a single farang (Thai for ‘westerners’) in this restaurant,” I said.

And then exaggerated, “See, everybody is drinking SangSom (a popular brand of Thai whisky).”

“What’s authentic Thai food?” she asked.

I was stumped. An unsophisticated foodie would say “spicy”. But that would be incorrect as Thai cuisine can’t be boxed in; it varies from region to region.

For example, Kaeng Matsaman Neua (Massaman Curry with beef), a popular southern Thai dish, is similar to the beef curry found in Kelantan, which was part of the Pattani kingdom.

Her question was food for thought. And a few days later, I headed to Bo.lan, a one-year-old fine dining Bangkok restaurant with the catch phrase “Thai food as it ought to be”.

Bo.lan does not dumb down its dishes to cater for the non-Thai palate as it believes that the food it is cooking must be prepared correctly.

A customer insisting on prawn instead of beef for its Green Curry with Beef will be told: “We are sorry sir/madam, unfortunately we are not able to do that today because our green curry paste is made specifically for beef and to use prawn will be incorrect.”

The restaurant’s name is inspired from the name of the co-owners – Bo (the nickname of 29-year-old Thai Duangporn Songvisava) and Dylan Jones, a 28-year-old Australian.

Both chefs previously worked at Nahm (the only Thai restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star) in London.

“What’s authentic Thai food?” I asked Bo and Dylan.

“We were discussing this the other day, trying to pin down what Thai food really is,” said Dylan. “And I believe there are many factors that influence what real Thai food is.

“But it comes down to one thing, and that is the final product. The flavour of the dish dictates whether it is really authentic.

“For example, a real Green Curry is slightly salty, sweet (obviously from the coconut cream) and quite hot (as there is a lot of chilli in the paste). And it is non-authentic if it is salty and sweet but not that hot,” he explained.

“It is done that way (less spicy) because customers don’t want it hot.”

Bo added: “Tom Yam should be spicy. And if a customer comes here and says ‘I want a Tom Yam, but I don’t want it hot (with chilli)’, you can’t call it Tom Yam, you have to call it something else.”

Nodding, Dylan said: “You can’t put a Ferrari badge on a Toyota and call it a Ferrari.”

However, Bo conceded that there were Thai dishes that could be different in terms of spiciness. “Take Som Tam (papaya salad), you can have it with or without chilli.”

As I was curious to know why my friend thought that the Thai food in her favourite restaurant tasted “very Malaysian”, I asked Bo and Dylan for their take on the authenticity of Thai food in restaurants outside Thailand.

“That’s a tricky question,” said Bo. “In general, Thai restaurants abroad cater for the local palate.

“However, I believe that there are restaurants (overseas) such as Nahm which serve authentic Thai dishes.

“And in some restaurants, if you say you are Thai and you want to eat authentic Thai food, they will do it for you.”

But Bo said: “There are also Thai restaurants in Thailand that dumb down their flavour as they cater to tourists or foreigners.

“When a customer asks for the dish to be less spicy, they are more than willing to do so because they don’t want to lose that customer.” But how about the food?”

Dylan answered, “… to the determent of authenticity.”

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Spicy Grilled Fish

Tuesday November 24, 2009
Hot off the grill
CULINARY QUERIES with AMY BEH

MY family is tired of eating steamed fish every day as my maid only knows one method of steaming. Can you please give me a recipe for another style of cooking fish that is tasty and healthy? – Maria Tung

Here’s an interesting way to cook fish.
Spicy Grilled Fish

600g shad (ikan terubuk)
1 tsp salt
2 stalks lemongrass
2-3 slices galangal
1 tbsp oil
1 piece banana leaf
1 sheet aluminium foil

Chilli dipping sauce (combined)
10 bird’s eye chillies, finely chopped
5 shallots, sliced
Juice of 2-3 limes
2 tbsp water
1 tsp sugar or to taste
Salt to taste

Remove entrails from fish, and wash and clean it properly (do not scale). Rub the fish with salt.
Brush banana leaf with oil and arrange lemongrass and galangal on it. Place fish on the lemongrass and galangal. Wrap up the fish and place the parcel on top of the aluminium foil. Wrap again into a neat package and grill in a preheated oven at 220°C for 10 minutes each side.

Unwrap and serve fish with the chilli sauce.
I AM keen to roast chicken as I have just purchased an oven. Do you have a recipe that is fast and easy to cook? I have tried roasting one whole chicken and it failed because it took a long time and the chicken was not fully cooked. – Quek Sow Yin

For fast cooking and easier carving of your chicken, always go “flat” with the chicken. Place the chicken breast side down on a chopping board. Use a pair of kitchen shears and cut down either side of the backbone.

Remove and discard the backbone, then turn the chicken over. Use the palm of your hands to press firmly on the breastbone to open the chicken flat.

Wipe the skin and cavity with several pieces of paper towel, then rub seasoning over the chicken skin.

Peel the skin back from the breast and rub more seasoning mixture over the flesh of the chicken. Pull the skin back over. Wrap up the chicken and refrigerate for several hours.

To roast, place the chicken breast side up in a roasting pan. This will cook your chicken faster.

CAN you share with me a recipe for chicken or any other meat cooked in wine? I tasted a similar dish at a friend’s home when she had a full moon party. – Wendy Choo

Here’s the recipe as requested.

Drunken Chicken
1 free-range chicken, about 600-650g, chopped into 6 pieces
¼ cup sesame oil
350g mature ginger (preferably Bentong ginger), smashed
800ml good quality glutinous rice wine
300ml water
Salt to taste

Heat a wok until hot; dry-fry the smashed ginger for 10 seconds until fragrant. Add sesame oil to the wok and continue to fry the ginger until aromatic.

Put in chicken and fry for 1-2 minutes. Pour in wine gradually followed by water. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and cook until chicken is tender. Season to taste. Serve the soup hot immediately.

Tom Yam Talay

Tom Yam Talay (Mixed Seafood Tom Yam)
Recipe by Amy Beh

Cuisine Thai • Recipes • Restaurants
Type of Dish Soups
Cooking Method Boil

Ingredients

8 freshwater prawns, shelled and deveined with tails intact or you can choose not to shell the prawns
150g sotong, cleaned and cut into pieces
2 blue crabs, cleaned and cut into halves
5 pieces red snapper fish meat
100g abalone mushrooms
6 cups chicken stock
20g galangal (lengkuas)
3 stalks lemon grass (serai)
12 cilipadi
3 roots Chinese parsley
4 tbsps chilli paste in oil (Nam Prik Pao)
6-8 kaffir lime leaves (daun limau purut)

Seasoning:
1 tsp salt, or to taste
1-2 tbsp fish sauce (nampla)
3-4 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp oil
2 tbsps Maggi chicken stock granules
Monosodium glutamate to taste
Garnishing:
Chopped coriander leaves

Method
Smash the galangal and lemon grass slightly. Put them in a pot, add the cilipadi, parsley roots and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and add nam prik pao and kaffir lime leaves. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Put in all the seafood ingredients and mushrooms and bring to a boil until the seafood is cooked. Add in seasoning to taste. Serve hot and garnish with coriander leaves.


johaRahman

Tom Yam Recipe'

Tom Yam Recipe


Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup
A subtle blend of hot and sour with citrus overtones, tom yam goong is the most famous of all Thai soups. Each region has its own particular variation of the recipe.

Recipe:
8 oz (250 g) shrimp/prawns, shelled and deveined, with shellsreserved3 cups (24 fl oz/750 ml) water2 garlic cloves (kratiem), minced5 kaffir lime leaves (bai ma-good)3 thin slices fresh or dried galangal (kha)1/4 cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) fish sauce (nam pla)2 stalks lemon grass/citronella (ta-krai), lower 1/3 portiononly, cut into 1-in (2.5-cm) lengths2 shallots, sliced1/2 cup sliced straw mushrooms5 green Thai chili peppers (prik khee noo), optional1/4 cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) lime juice1 teaspoon black chili paste (nam prik pow)1 tablespoon chopped cilantro/coriander leaves (bai pak chee)

How to cook:
1. Rinse the prawn shells and place them in a large pot with the water. Heat to boiling, strain the broth and discard the shells.2. Add the garlic, lime leaves, galangal, fish sauce, lemon grass and shallots to the stock, then the mushrooms and chili peppers, if using. Cook gently for 2 minutes.3. Add the shrimp to the soup, and reheat to boiling. When the shrimp are cooked, place the lime juice and black chili paste in a serving bowl. Pour the soup into the bowl, stir, garnish with the cilantro leaves, and serve.

SERVES 4

Information from: "Thailand the Beautiful Cookbook". Buy this and other cooks book at

Keeping food fresh

If you have the chance to visit India, and have the opportunity to sample their food, you would have notice a distinct chracteristics. You would probably noticed that Indian us alot of turmeric. Have you ever wondered why Asians use alot of turmeric in their food. According the latest research conducted by a group of established scientists from Japan, the turmeric enhance or prolong the freshness of the sea food.

For the very same reason,whenever you have a piece of fried fish in a stall, the chance is, 90% of them were marinated with turmeric and salt before being deep fried. The usage of turmeric and salt dated back to the days when there was no refridgerator, and most people do it to prevent spoilage.

If you have a few slices of fish, or chicken or seafood, you can marinate with tumeric and salt, or better still with fresh turmeric alone. This method is very useful especially during festive seasons, when the whole family return, as it is likely that the fridge can no longer take the full load.

Mixture of turmeric and salt can be very usefull to remove the muddy ordour from fresh water fish. Just prepare a thick mixtureand marinate the fish. Put extra quality especially at the stamoch area. Leave it about half an hour and then rinse it.

The same mixture help to keep the flaky texture of the fish. Turmeric can also be used to threat boil. Fresh turmaric is roasted until it turn into ashes, mix it with small quantity of water and use it as poultice. It will speed up the process of ripening and the centre part can be squeezed out and the hard core can be removed.

Welcome

Introduction

Lemongrass can be purchased at almost any part of the world nowadays. Thanks to our modern transport system. It is consumed by all nations as the recipes of peoples in Asia are utilized in Europe and Usa.
It was not that way a few hundred years ago, when the transportation was slow. Some claim it to be the native of India, some say it that of Thai or Malaysia. The lemongrass is grown in abundance in these countries, and in other hot tropical states. In East-Indian, also called Cochin Grass or Malabar Grass (Malayalam: ഇഞ്ചിപ്പുല്ല്ല്ല്(inchippull). It is also known as serai in Malay and Indonesia.

There many species, with varying colors, aroma and taste. Lemongrass is a versatile herb, source of aroma, mosquito repellent and garden ornamental. A member of the grass family (Gramineae), lemongrass may function as part of an herb, scent or container garden, or as a remedy for various conditions of discomfort. Lemongrass is widely used in Thai and Asian cooking. In India C. citratus is used both as a medical herb and in perfumes. Cymbopogon citratus is consumed as a tea for anxiety in Brazilian folk medicine.

Some species are used for the production of essential oil, which is used in soaps, as an insect repellent in insect sprays and candles, and also in aromatherapy, which is famous in Bintan, Indonesia. The principal chemical constituents of citronella, geraniol and citronellol, are antiseptics, hence their use in household disinfectants and soaps. Besides oil production, citronella grass is also used for culinary purposes, in tea and as a flavoring.
Living in a tropical country, I am involved in planting the lemongrass since three years ago. I must say it is one of the easiest grass to plant. With minimum cares, it can be harvested within six months. The lemongrass that I planted are mainly used for direct consumption at the local markets.
I would like to share that experiences, I also include the recipes, and other lemongrass products for you to try and experience the gift of nature.
Thank You for visiting my lemongrass blog.

johaRahman

Benefits of Lemongrass

Health Benefits of Lemon Grass
Be it ever so humble, there is no grass like a lemon grass. A very useful medicinal plant and a tasty food flavoring.
Lemon grass or the local tanglad (scientific name: Cymbopogon ciatrus) is one of those wondrous herbs that one can always associate with Asian cooking Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese homegrown meal enthusiasts always have this tropical grass at hand for its aromatic citrus flavor with a trace of ginger. Few people know that its other popular name is citronella - the common scent you usually find in candles, perfumes and soaps.

Citronella is known for its calming effect that relieves insomnia or stress. It is also considered as a mild insect repellant. But more than scent, tanglad or lemon grass provides a lot of health benefits. Studies have shown that the lemon grass has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Mixed with pepper, it's a home therapy for menstrual troubles and nausea. Drank as tea, it is an effective diuretic. When it comes to pets, citronella is used to neutralize excessive barking of dogs. Since dogs hate citronella, it is sprayed to dogs to prevent them from barking or just to lessen the behavior.

The Lemon grass is a good cleanser that helps to detoxify the Liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder and the digestive tract. It cuts down uric acid, cholesterol, excess fats and other toxins in the body while stimulating digestion, blood circulation, and lactation; it also alleviates indigestion and gastroenteritis. It is said that lemongrass also helps improve the skin by reducing acne and pimples and acts as a muscle and tissue toner. Also, it can reduce blood pressure. Just make a concoction by boiling some lemon grass leaves, let it cool for a while and drink the liquid.

The leaves and base of this tender perennial are used as a food flavoring, particularly in fish and poultry dishes, and its essential oils are used medicinally. Its distinctive flavor balances hot chillies and contributes to the elaborate, multi-layered flavors of many dishes in South East Asian cuisine.

As the long, thin, grey-green leaves are tough and fibrous, the outside leaves and the tips are usually chopped very finely or discarded from the dish before it is served. The base is often ground. Citral, an essential oil also found in lemon peel, is the constituent responsible for its taste and aroma.

Lemon grass, also known as Sweet Rush and sometimes called Fever Grass in the Caribbean, can be used as a remedy for ague, fevers, and colds.

Filipino ingenuity has produced a commercial beverage made from lemon grass. A concentrate composed of lemon grass juice and muscovado sugar bottled in attractive design.

A recent study by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the department of Science and technology ( DOST ) claims that every 100g of edible tanglad when boiled can contain up to 24.205 micrograms of beta-carotene the anti-oxidant that scientists believe can help prevent cancer. Another DOST study shows that lemon grass oil has the potential as a tropical eye medication against keratomycosis, an inflammation of cornea often associated with burning or blurring of vision.

About the author: Manolito Montala is a webmaster and one of his interests is collecting local medicinal plants information which can be found in Filipino Herbs Healing Wonders.
By Manolito Montala