Homemade Spinach Noodle and Capati

No McDonald's, Pizza Hut or KFC when we need a quick lunch here in PD. The nearest thing to fastfood is Warong Kak Yah where we go to for Curry puffs and Nasi Goreng.
It has been mainly homecooked food since moving here.

We first tried spinach noodles in a little cafe in JayaOne and have wanted to try making it one day. So when we bought a pasta machine, the first item that JY wanted to roll out with her new toy was Bayam Noodles.

We searched through the web for the simplest recipe. The portion was rather small so JY decided to double the amount.

We used 2.5 cups of compressed spinach leaves. Fai tore the leaves up.

JY stirfried the bayam in 4 tablespoons of water till it was cooked

then blended the leaves with 2eggs, 1teaspoon salt

The blended mixture was poured into 2.5cups of flour and kneaded till it was smooth and pliable

After letting the dough rest for 20minutes, it was rolled out into thin sheets and was left to rest again, this time for 2 hours.

By this time the kids were very hungry.

Finally, the rested flat dough was put through the pasta machine again to get noodles. the noodles were a bit clumpy and sticky, so JY sprinkled more flour onto the sheets before the cutting process. Fai and Ean were enlisted to toss the noodles up in the air to avoid getting clumpy noodles.

the noodles were cooked in boiling water and then dipped into a basin of water

Lunch is served! The noodles in fish broth (leftover fried fish boiled for 2 hours with a few slices of ginger and crushed peppercorn) and some fried ikan bilis and sayur manis.

Later that day, Han insisted on making capati. He had observed Uncle Sony numerous times in preparing the dough and flipping the capati.

After pouring in the flour for him, Han estimated the amount of water required, the proceeded to knead the dough.
He showed me how it was done by pressing the dough down with his knuckles. He continued with this technique till he was satisfied with the results.

Then to roll out the small amounts of dough. Ean joined in too.

The capati came in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

No oil is used. Just a flat pan and high heat. The capati was allowed to cook on one side till it fluffed up then flip over.

Capati anyone?

Helping out in the Kitchen

The girls trying hard to get rid of black squid ink after helping to clean and gut the squids for lunch.

Han enjoys watching his grandfather cook and would ask endless questions.

What are you doing now?

What did you add in?

He is happiest when put to task and would ensure he does a good job. He can now crack eggs without leaving bits of eggshells in and is able to cook his own omelette.

Fai helping Pohpoh pound onions.

Cooking with the boys April2011

The boys insisted on making playdough - just flour and water kneaded into a pliable dough. They have played with this many times before and now make the dough themselves. They now know how to estimate the amount of water required and the feel and texture of the dough when it is done right.

I can't wait for them to progress further, so that I can have homemade LaMien - hand-pulled chinese noodles.

Playdough left overnight gave out a yeasty beer smell. The dough became bubbly and rose a little. Bacteria at work.

The boys do occassionally help me out in the kitchen. All 3 are adept in using knives.

Chopped onions by Ean and me.

Ean's chopped onion on the left is handed to me for further chopping(right). My 2 year old likes to cut. He helps to cut fruits and vegetables most of the time.

Chopped tomatoes by Fai and me.

Crumb coating production line.

Fai tosses the chicken bits into flour, dips it into egg then passes it to Ean, who will coat it in cornflakes crumbs.

Han pounding cornflakes for the crumb coat with a pestle and mortar.

Han stir frying the onions in olive oil for the spaghetti sauce

Han washing up.

Where was their sister?

She was busy preparing for her first wedding cake order.