Toasted Corned Beef Sandwiches

Corned beef was another dish that used to crop up now and again at the dinner table growing up. We would have it with rice in addition to other dishes as well. I wouldn't say I was crazy over it but then I didn't dislike it altogether either.

The last I cooked corned beef was years ago. To be honest, I found it very salty and didn't really take a liking to it. I have forgotten how I prepared it but remember thinking it was not going to be on the dinner table anytime soon.

That was until I went to my sister's house for dinner one Friday night. It was a simple dinner of rice and a few other dishes. There was the corned beef. Sitting smugly in a bowl looking all delicious. I had some and finally realised I was making it all wrong this while.

This is my sister's recipe which I thought turned out great. The ingredients are very basic. Instead of having it with rice, I made sandwiches out of them.

What you need:

1 can corned beef 

1 onion sliced

1 teaspoon chilli powder

1/2 teaspoon meat curry powder

Pinch of salt

2 tablespoon cooking oil

What to do in 3 easy steps:

Step 1

Heat cooking oil in a non-stick pan. Add in the onions and fry till translucent and fragrant for a few minutes.

Step 2

Add corned beef. Break up any lumps. Add in chilli and meat curry powder and a very tiny pinch of salt.

Step 3

Stir for 10 minutes.

Your corned beef is ready.

Serving Suggestion:

Toast two slices of bread. Butter both sides. Spread corned beef mixture on one side. Top with shredded lettuce. I used wholemeal bread.

This is the can of corned beef I used.

An easy simple meal for 2 persons for those lazy nights. Tuna sandwiches are another great alternative.

Luncheon Meat Fried Rice

If you want to whip up something simple yet delicious at the same time, luncheon meat fried rice is one option. If you want something healthy instead, then you best stop reading.

This is the brand of luncheon meat I prefer to use. I am aware there are other brands out there, but it all depends on which brand you like. If you've yet to try cooking luncheon meat at all, I would suggest this brand.

What you need:

2 cups cooked rice
I can luncheon meat (diced into small cubes)
3/4 tbsp chilli powder
1 small onion (sliced)
3 garlic cloves (sliced)
3 eggs
2 tbsp cooking oil

Seasoning:
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp light soya sauce
Few drops of dark soya sauce
Black pepper or white pepper

What to do:
1) Scramble the eggs in a wok and set aside.

2) In the same wok, add a tiny amount of oil. Put in the luncheon meat and stir fry. Add the chilli powder and mix. Keep stirring till luncheon meat is coated in chilli powder. You can add a little bit of water, if the luncheon meat is sticking to the wok. Remove and set aside.

The chilli powder is the killer ingredient here. It gives the luncheon meat and the whole dish an added kick!

3) Heat 2 tablespoon cooking oil. Fry onions and garlic till fragrant. Add rice and the oyster sauce, light soya sauce and just few drops of dark soya sauce for colour. Mix well.

4) Add in luncheon meat and stir well. Add in eggs towards the end and keep stirring. Season with pepper and mix.

5) Your fried rice is ready.

Note: Heart-shaped framed as a weak reference to Valentine's Day. Sorry. Just had to.

I have another fried rice recipe here as well using another killer ingredient.

Tips:
1) The seasoning such as the oyster sauce and light soya sauce can be adjusted according to taste. You may wish to add more.

2) If using leftover rice from the fridge, remove from fridge about 10 minutes before frying. Also be sure the rice are free from lumps.

3) For ultimate satisfaction, serve the fried rice hot and garnish with fried shallots.

Random:
Do you remember how your mum used to prepare luncheon meat? Mine used to fry it with lots of onions and chilli powder. Served with rice and some additional dishes. It was da bomb!

All hail the luncheon meat!

In Taiping Having Cendol

Yummylicious cendol from Taiping

A concoction of shaved ice, coconut milk, starch noodles and palm sugar (with red beans)

I wanted pulut (sticky rice) as well but it hadn't arrived! WTH? Most customers were asking for pulut. This here is RM1.20

This is the famous stall in Taiping selling the yummylicious cendol. It's on Jalan Barrack. Look out for Bismillah Cendol Taiping. Cendol is a kind of sweet dessert enjoyed here.