Check This Out! / Culinary Smackdown November 2010

Yesterday was a lazy and exciting Friday, all in one! Firstly, it was a holiday in Malaysia, being a public holiday for the celebration of Diwali, a celebration known as 'The Festival of Lights" for the Hindu community. I would  like to wish all my Hindu friends and family "A Happy Deepavali".

Since it was a holiday, we woke up later than usual.  The kids was still sleeping and I made some french toast for breakfast. They woke up to the yummy smell of the french toast with a happy face!  And since we had a late breakfast, I whipped up some fried rice for an even later lunch, though I should probably call it tea-time!  Then in the late evening, we went out to McDonalds, I don't really care for McDonalds, but the kids are all smiles, and it is conveniently opposite the store where I wanted to go, and I was rushing for some extra time before the store closes and after that comes the exciting part...... right after this!

Crunchy French Toast Sticks

Crunchy French Toast Sticks
This was taken from Allrecipes.com.  There was mixed reviews about this, just adjust to your own liking, though I think that the original will be quite bland. I add some salt, sugar and vanilla essence. And I use cooking oil to fry the bread instead of butter.
Ingredients :
3 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 cups corn flakes, crushed
4 slices bread, cut into thirds
1 tablespoons butter
1/2 tsp vanilla essence (my add-on)
pinch of salt (my add-on)
2 tbsp sugar (my add-on)

Directions :

1. Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla essence, salt and sugar together in a bowl.  Spread the crushed corn flakes onto a plate.
2. Dip each piece of bread into the egg mixture and then press gently into the cereal, turning to coat completely.  Place the breadsticks onto a plate while breading the rest: do not stack.
3. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, cook the coated breadsticks in the melted butter until golden, about 4 minutes each side.

Anchovies Fried Rice

Anchovies Fried Rice
(Just use whatever leftover veggies you have)
Ingredients :
3 cups cold cooked rice
50gm anchovies, split and cleaned
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small green capsicum
2 fresh red chillies
2 eggs, beaten, season with a little salt or soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon powdered anchovies
salt and pepper to taste
cooking oil

Method :

1. Fry anchovies in hot oil till crispy. Drain on paper towels and keep aside.
2. Saute minced garlic and onion till fragrant.  Add in capsicum and red chillies and stir for a minute or two. Scoop everything on to a plate and keep aside. (I usually do the lazy way and just put everything on one side of the wok).  
3. Pour the beaten eggs and scrambled fry till light brown. 
4. Add the cold rice and the ingredients from no 2 above. Fry till evenly mixed. Add powdered anchovies,salt and pepper to taste, continue frying for about 3-4 minutes.
5. Lastly, stir in fried crispy anchovies, stir and enjoy. Garnish with some chopped parsley or spring onions.

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Alright!  You've waited long enough!  Have you got your recipe going and ready for Culinary Smackdown Let's Get Tangy with Citrus November  2010 ? Remember, the challenge ends on November 29th, 2010 at 12.00 noon, Malaysian time.  

The exciting part is after our quick meal at McDonalds,  we went to the bookstore and I have picked the PRIZE for the winner of this month's Culinary Smackdown Challenge! 

CHECK THIS OUT!

The winner for this month's Culinary Smackdown Let's Get Tangy with Citrus November 2010 will receive this fabulous cookbook , HOME COOKING by RACHEL ALLEN

For more info on this fabulous book, check it out at Amazon.co.uk to read up on the fantastic reviews.  This book is suitable for what it was meant to be, home cooking!  There are lots of simple and yummy recipes that would make a good and satisfying meal in your house. You can also read this interesting post on David Lebovitz's blog on Plum and Rhubard Crisp from Rachel Allen.   So come on, send your entry and if you do not have one yet, dig out your recipes books, newspaper cuttings, magazines, whatever.... just whip out one yummy citrus treat, post it, submit and keep your fingers crossed that you will win this fabulous cookbook!

After all, one can never have enough of cookbooks, can we?  

To know more details and submit your entries, please click here

Good luck, everyone!