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~ for the love of family, friends, food & travel.

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Monthly Archives: November 2013

WATERMELON BOWL WITH ASSORTED FRUIT DELIGHTS

12 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by Veronica in Recipes - Desserts Hot & Cold

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

DESSERTS, fruits, water melon, WESTERN CUISINES

It’s always a joy to be invited to Mr & Mrs RKR’s annual Diwali party, an occasion where ex-colleagues & long time friends reunite over happy conversations, wine and good food – all provided by the warm hosts, also my ex-employer, a wonderful couple full of hospitality. As usual, we all had a great time catching up with each other, rejoicing over new family additions, good health and adventures.

To thank our generous hosts, I brought a bowl of assorted fruits contained in a bowl carved out of a watermelon, a contribution that I knew would delight Mrs RKR. It is really quite easy to make, just make sure you get an evenly round or oval-shaped one that can sit nicely on its base. Start with making a simple one without a handle. Once you have experimented with it, the task gets easier with the next one. Persevere and by the third one, you will definitely be confident enough to attempt one with a handle like a basket. It’s really not that hard 😀

WATERMELON BOWL WITH ASSORTED FRUIT DELIGHTS

What you need
1 sharp knife
1 small paring knife
1 fruit scoop / melon baller
1 large spoon
2 large bowls
1 large disposable plastic sheet to protect work surface (contain drips while carving the fruit)

Essential cutleries

Essential cutleries

Ingredients

1 watermelon
some assorted fresh or canned fruits (green & red grapes, pineapples, peaches, longans, rambutans, etc)

Directions

1) To begin with, cover the work surface with a plastic sheet. With a sharp knife make a clean-cut across one-third off the top of the melon (you may use a marker to draw around the fruit where the cuts should go).
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2) Get ready a large bowl. Using a fruit scoop or melon baller, scoop out the flesh and transfer it to the large bowl. Take care not to scoop out the white rind.
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3) Smooth out the inside completely with a large spoon (I used a knife as well). Put it into the other large bowl and set it aside to blend into juice later.
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4) With a small paring knife, cut a diagonal design (or a wave) around the edge of the bowl.
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5) Fill up the hallowed out melon bowl with the melon balls and some assorted fresh or canned fruits. There ! Your very own beautiful piece of fruit art 😀
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6) Blend the melon scraps into juice. Add some ice cubes, mint leaves and lemon juice to it for a refreshing summer drink. No wastages !

The chilled watermelon  juice may also be added into the bowl together with the assorted fruits

The chilled watermelon juice may also be added into the bowl together with the assorted fruits

A much look forward part of our dinner last night – ann irresistible spread of mouth-watering desserts !

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James 1:12
New International Version (NIV)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

ALOE VERA & PEARL BARLEY DESSERT

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Veronica in Recipes - Desserts Hot & Cold

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Tags

aloe vera, DESSERTS, pandan leaves, pearl barley, WESTERN CUISINES

It was just a baby plant when my brother gave it to me several months back. I had it repotted into a bigger pot and placed it in a cool and bright area with our other potted plants. Except for a dose of sky juice every day, we didn’t really pay much attention to it. It was only yesterday morning as we excitedly rejoiced over the first fruit of our tomato plant that we noticed how big the Aloe Vera plant has grown and surrounding it were countless offsprings.

See how much it has grown !

See how much it has grown !

The Aloe Vera plant is well-known for its medicinal and skin care properties. I once asked a girl friend the secret to her fair and smooth skin and she shared that she faithfully massaged some fresh aloe gel on her face nightly and rinse it off just before bedtime. Judging from her facial condition, it’s definitely worth the effort! For more amazing uses on the aloe vera plant, check out http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/amazing-aloe-vera.htm

On the spur of the moment, I cut off some succulent leaves with a sharp knife from the mother plant and made a sweet dessert out of it. This easy to make refreshing dessert can be consumed either hot or cold.

ALOE VERA & PEARL BARLEY DESSERT

Ingredients
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4 aloe vera leaves
4 pandan leaves, washed and cut into short sections
1/2 cup pearl barley, rinsed
some white or palm sugar (I prefer palm sugar)
1.5 litre water
several limes (for cold dessert)

Method

1) Wash the aloe vera leaves, peel the thorny edges and green skin from the pulp and rinse off excess sap with tap water. Cut pulp into smaller pieces and set aside.
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2) Bring water and pandan leaves to boil for 10 minutes. Add pearl barley and continue to boil for another 10 mins. Add aloe pulp and palm sugar and continue to boil for a further 10 mins or until pearl barley is thoroughly cooked.
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3) Serve warm.

A warm & soothing  dessert especially on days when one is under the weather

A warm & soothing dessert especially on days when one is under the weather

4) Or serve chilled with some fresh lime juice added to it.

An instant thirst quencher when served chilled with a squeeze of lime juice added.

An instant thirst quencher when served chilled with a squeeze of lime juice in it.

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1 Corinthians 3:6-9
New International Version (NIV)

6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

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