Breakfast Idea: Bagel with Scrambled Egg

The Bagel can be purchased from local bakery. Scramble the egg in the morning. Cut the ham into small size, then mixed into the scrambled egg. Serve with slice of tomato, salt and pepper.

Banana Muffin

On one fine evening, Grace came out with the idea to make a banana muffin. I thought this was her old competitive spirit that come back after my successful venture with Chocolate Chip Cookies. "No", She said. "We just have too much stuff in the fridge that we need to finish before it expire". The fact is that, those stuff she mentioned is mostly similar to the ingredients of my Chocolate Chip Cookies.

She eventually made one a few day after. And what was called Banana Muffin was actually really everything-in-the-fridge mixed together. In addition to Banana, Grace put some oats, carrots, raisin, and almond. So much extra stuff added that the taste of Banana is barely noticeable.

The Banana Muffin

The mix adds to the richness of texture in the muffin. Most sweets come from the raisin, which is different from raw sugar. The oats and the almond add the crunchiness of different type, one is bigger, and the other is smaller. From nutrition perspective, these additional stuff add additional nutrient from any traditional muffin.

I was running in a race yesterday, and the muffin definitely made an additional after-race meal, in addition to companion of evening coffee.

Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Review

Jive Kitchen was invited to the launching of Starbucks VIA Ready Brew. Of course, we do some research of what is this Starbucks VIA is all about, a ready to brew coffee. My initial reaction is surprised: What the heck Starbucks is doing by launching an instant coffee? Seriously, I didn't come Starbucks for the coffee, but because the overall experience, and the convenience to grab a cup of coffee.

We came home with 2 flavor of Starbucks VIA Ready Brew coffee, with several coffee-time snacks and cookies that Starbucks was launching at the same time. I put it aside for some time while thinking of the purpose of this new product. Then one day, I decided to give them a try.

First I unpack the Italian Roast. I didn't smell the strong aroma of a coffee. I regularly grind my own coffee every morning, so I kinda used to the smell of freshly grind coffee. Pour in the hot water, and still nothing smells like a freshly grind brewed coffee.

I was quite surprised on my first sip of the coffee: it taste good! I was expecting bitter sour taste like any other instant coffee. Instead, what I got is nutty taste and light sweets.
The Columbia is slightly different from Italian Roast. I was expecting something stronger. Instead, I taste a flat taste. My preference definitely goes to the Italian Roast.

The Starbucks VIA Ready Brew coffee is sold in package of 3 for Rp. 25.000 or package of 12 for Rp. 88.000. Slightly expensive, but worth the simplicity of having a decent cup of coffee.

Sausage & Zucchini Carbonara from Jamie Oliver

This dish is one of our real use of ipad in the kitchen. We got the recipe from Jamie Oliver ipad apps. The apps was pretty great. In addition to the recipe, we also got the step-by-step instruction, complete with photo.

As how the real Carbonara was made, the egg was cooked by putting the boiled pasta to egg mixture, cooking the egg while the pasta cools down. The recipe cleverly use Italian Sausage for the meatball. It was a perfect choice and much simpler, rather than making meatballs from minced meat.

The result is the rich flavor of Carbonara sauce, topped with meaty meatballs and crunchy zucchini. Add some grated parmesan and some Italian herbs for more flavor

Chocolate Chips Oatmeal Cookies

Who doesn't know Chocolate Chip Cookies? The round fat dark brown cookies, with small chips of chocolate spread on top will definitely entice the taste of anyone's sweet tooth. In an attempt to make the snacks, while keeping healthy food in mind, we baked the healthy version of Chocolate Chips Cookies

Start with the flour, we used whole wheat flour richer in fiber. And to even further add the amount of fiber, we mix large amount of rolled oats to complete the "Chocolate Chips Oatmeal Cookies"

We also cut the amount of sugar, as the chocolate chips we use also have some sugar added. Why not replacing it with artificial sweetener you may ask. In our opinion, the artificial sweetener, no matter what they are made from, contains chemical materials which might not be healthy in the long term.

Some thing is still being tested in the ingredients and process. There might be some room to reduce the amount of sugar while maintaining the taste. And using steel-cut oats instead of rolled oats might have different outcomes. But in the mean time, we are happy to enjoy our Chocolate Chips Cookies with our evening coffee

Aglio Olio, the Honest Pasta

With simply garlic and chili, Aglio e Olio is the most simply honest pasta have ever invented. Don't be fooled, however. With only 2 main ingredients, only a skillful chef can prepare a decent one.

Pasta need to be perfectly al dente, chili and garlic need to be fresh, as no cream and tomato to shield the taste. Add generous Olive Oil, and drizzle bit of Italian herbs and pepper. And you will have a perfect dishes of Aglio e Olio, if you hit it right.

Meatlovers can add slices of Cervelat. The peppery taste of Cervelat would perfectly complement the strong taste of Aglio Olio.

Want to make one? Follow the recipe here: http://www.malaysiabest.net/2006/04/04/recipe-spaghetti-aglio-olio-with-portobello/. The recipe highlight the most important thing that I always overlook: To put generous amount of Olive Oil.

Next time I'm going to put in white wine, and see if the taste match.