Homemade Chicken Balls Soup & One Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway

Ok, now my unpacking is done, nomore sick family member, but for the past one week was still busy - a big group of relatives came in town and was out whole day for almost the whole week - fun and tiring at the same time :P
Been absent from blogging world for few weeks - feel like a lifetime! I guess now I can get back on track :)

Ok, this is one dish I've made quite sometime back - yummy homemade chicken balls - it's a keeper :)

Recipe is from HERE

What you need:

500 gm chicken breast, cut to smaller pieces

½ cup (125ml) icy cold water
1 tbsp fish sauce
½ tsp salt
½ tbsp sugar
½ tbsp oil
2 tbsp cornflour
1¼ tsp baking powder

dash of white pepper

Mince the meat in a food processor until a paste is form. Add 5 tbsp water (a tbsp of water at a time) to get a smooth paste

In a separate cup, mix together the remaining water, fish sauce, salt, sugar, oil, cornflour and baking powder
Remove the chicken paste from the food processor and put in a big bowl. Pour the liquid mix to the paste and stir well slowly until the liquid is absorbed into the paste (use either your hand or a fork)
For the taste test...microwave or boil a teaspoon of the paste. Season to taste with more salt or sugar
Cover bowl with clingwrap and place in the freezer for 30 minutes
Boil a pot of water. Once the water has boiled, remove the pot from the heat
Add pepper to the paste and stir to combine. Scoop the paste onto your wet hand. Push the paste through your thumb and 2nd finger by making a fist. Use a wet spoon to scoop and drop it into the hot water. To prevent the paste from sticking to your hand and spoon, wet the spoon and hand with water
Continue until the chicken balls form a layer in the water. Now turn on the heat but do not let it boil. Just simmer slowly without bubble....if not your chicken balls will not have 'bounce'

While cooking the chicken balls, any leftover paste should be kept in the freezer

Fill a big basin with icy cold water. When the chicken balls starts to float, leave for a few more seconds

(Cut one in half to see if it is cook. The inside should not be pink). Scoop out and let it cool in the cold water

After the chicken balls have cooled, use as required or freeze

Note:

* Further boiling after this stage will not affect its bounciness

* Squeeze test : when the meatballs start floating, get one out of the hot water and give it a squeeze between the fingers. When it is ready it will be 'springy' between your fingers. If it hasn't got a good bounce yet, put it back into the water. Try another

Now, the chicken balls are ready

Time to make the soup...

Easy peasy....boil chicken bone and a pot of water, discard all the floating waste

Add in sauteed garlic (in a little oil), salt, pepper

After boiling, lower the heat and simmer

Add in hard boiled peeled quail eggs, cut carrots, and cut xiao pek chye

Add in boiled bean vermicelli (tanghoon) just before eating

What a hearty meal :)

Ok, now, I was so surprised to realize that two days ago on 27 August, it was the first anniversary of my this humble blog! I was so busy I only remember today! :(

Well, it's still better to be late than never to share to all of you how glad I am having decided to start this blog one year ago - no turning back but keep moving on instead!

For the past one year, I have learnt a great deal from other bloggers I met online, and really look forward to meeting even more - will never get tired of learning too!

For the past one year, I have enjoyed experiencing cooking and baking with more confidence and with some hiccups occassionally, I now have more knowledge than ever!

For the past one year, I have seen myself and yes, it's so true that cooking and baking is my passion which I finally acknowledge - as well as my family!

I love, I cook, I bake - indeed! :)

I feel so grateful with all the experience for the past one year - many more to come! :)

To share my thankfulness, I have little giveaways :P

Two sets of cookie cutters with different animal shapes for two winners

Set A

Set B

To participate, please write in the comment box anything you'd like to share with me your opinion about my blog - anything related to it, the layout, content, cooking, baking, picture...anything - constructive suggestions are mostly welcomed! :)

Closing date will be on Sunday 4 Sep 23.59

My lil girl Abby will random choose 1 winner, and my lil boy Ian will choose another 1 winner and I''ll announce the winners on Monday 5 Sep

Really look forward to your participation! ;)