[Recipe] Begedil with Minced Beef

This has got to be one of my favorite side dish when I have my nasi padang fix! Better still, when you have begedils to go with bee hoon soto or mee rebus! It somehow brings out even more flavor to these noodle dishes.

Usually the ones sold at the food stalls are meatless but I had been wanting to try out one with minced beef filling, although you can always omit the meat from this recipe if you prefer.  Best part is, it's relatively quick and easy to prepare! I made 11 patties, ate 1 and the rest was walloped by my family! Definitely a keeper!

Preparation time : approx.40 mins  Portion : 10 or more, depending on size

Ingredients :

- 500 grams holland potatos (because russet potatoes tend to be too flaky)

- 150 grams minced beef

- 1 tbsp shallots (I've used store bought one in a bottle to save cooking time)

- a bunch of spring onions, sliced

- 1 tsp coriander powder

- 1 tbsp salt

- pepper to taste 

- 1 egg, beaten (used for coating)

- oil for frying

Method :

 - Boil the potatoes till cooked. Skin and mash it when it has cooled down.

- Mix all the ingredients together.

- Scoop out 2 tablespoon portion and shape/compress them into round patties. Make sure it's not too thick, so it'll be easier for the beef gets cooked.

 - Heat oil in frying pan. You can either deep fry or pan fry, so less oil is used. I've used the latter.

- Once the oil is ready, dip and coat the patties in the beaten egg, one at a time, before putting in to fry.

- Fry both sides till golden brown. Approximately 2 minutes on each side.

- Serve and enjoy!

Till the next post, have a blessed week!

HPV Vaccination Against Cervical Cancer - Do or Don't?

To all my female readers, here's a question for you to consider.

If you know that there is a vaccination that can protect you and the important women in your life against cancer, would you take it? Or would you risk it and think that "it won't happen to me"?

I'm touching on a serious topic in my post today. Something I know I can take charge of especially for the sake of my daughter - because as her mother, I want to protect her in every way possible, for as long as I can.

Photo taken at the "Protect to Tell" - Cervical Cancer Awareness talk, held exclusively for female bloggers. Participants were invited to draw on balloons on what we like/love to do and with a short message about anything to anyone. My balloon captured the attention of the host, Shandy, during the talk.

We had two distinguished speakers at the talk -
A/Prof Anne Goh, President of Singapore Pediatric Society and
Prof Tay Sun Kuie, Senior Consultant for SGH's depart of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus or HPV for short, is a common virus that can infect different parts of a body. It can cause warts on limbs or at the genitals, though most of the HPV infections are not cancerous. However, 15 out of the 130 different types of HPV strains causes cancer in the cervix, along the passage between the vagina and uterus. The great news is, getting yourself and your loved ones vaccinated against these HPV strains early, will prevent and reduce the risk of developing pre-cancers and cervical cancer. 

Statistics in Singapore show that the number of cervical cancer cases has decreased tremendously. While this is an awesome data, there are still many women out there who are at risk - the young, the old, the beautiful, the healthy, the sporty, the rich, the poor. Regardless of our status, all women are not spared. Early cervical cancer has no signs or symptoms.

Statistics have also shown that women who take charge of their lives by going for regular pap smear screenings, play a critical role in detecting any changes in cervical cells. Though pap smear tests may turn out normal for many of us, it is still not enough to protect us from cervical cancer. Did you know, women can still be infected with the virus from having just one partner?  It is so important to have a pap smear test done once in every 3 years. Or even yearly if we are able to commit financially.

Of all the information that I have gathered during the talk, my biggest question was :

WHY must this vaccination be introduced to adolescents, as young as 9 years of age?

I have only one daughter and naturally, this has been a nagging question in my mind ever since I knew the vaccine exists. Thanks to the internet, there are many articles I've read pertaining to this vaccine. Some raved about the while others vehemently slam it. Which should I believe?

I learned that the best time to vaccinate is prior to sexual debut. Studies have shown that this is a very tolerant vaccine and it's immune response is stronger when young. There is no known side effects of the vaccine, other than the possible mild fever, fatique or site pain from the injection. (It is just like the vaccinations our children obtain during infancy or booster jabs at primary school.) There is no known causes of interference with adolescent development.

For now, the decision to go for HPV vaccination is based on informed choice. So I think it is very important that we, as educated parents, make the decision for our daughters to be vaccinated against this dreadful disease as soon as possible. As much as we want to educate the young from promiscuity at an early age, it is a fact that youngsters these days, start relationships earlier. Having this vaccination is not to encourage them to engage in sexual activity. The main goal is to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Prevention is definitely better than cure.

Ladies, we all can play a part and make a difference! 
Take charge of your lives, your daughters' lives or give a friendly reminder to your loved ones and friends around you.

• Singapore Cancer Society provides free pap smear screening to ladies above 25 years old to prevent cervical cancer. Call 6221 9578 or email cancerscreening@singaporecancersociety.org.sg for more information.
• HPV vaccinations are available at polyclinics or speak to your family doctor about it. This vaccination is subsidized by Medisave for females aged between 9-26 years.

Or visit the Health Promotion Board site for more information on cervical cancer.


Till the next post, stay safe and healthy.    Have a blessed week!

Disclaimer : Protect to Tell – Cervical Cancer Awareness” on 12^th April 2014 Sat (the “Event”) was held as a lunch session, organized and sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Pte Ltd. The Accidental Mom Blogger was not paid for participating in the Event. All personal views expressed here are entirely my own.

I Will Protect My Integrity

From the people who know me (family or non-family) or worked with me, I am not a brash nor an irrational person. Sometimes, I allow myself to be a pushover for the reason of not wanting to stir ill-feelings with anyone. A few know I put up with matters that bother me big-time and take all the blows for the sake of keeping peace.

As Confucius said,

“Don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you.”

I  live by this mantra as much as possible, however, I can't say that everyone else will sing to the same tune.

When it comes to committing to a task that you are not prepared to undertake, there will be unnecessary stress and unhappiness that comes with it. Sometimes, it is just a matter of putting your loved ones' priorities first, if it means more to them. However, most times, your acts of respect or kindness goes unnoticed, unappreciated and worst of all, misunderstood. I have learned to somewhat manage to live and let live. God knows my heart. Having close friends to listen to my woes and providing me with emotional support, helps me overcome the temporary animosity too.

Recently, I was very taken aback by a customer's reaction to my decision not to take on a clay bead making order. As my initial quotations were not accepted during the first few times she inquired many months ago, I cited my present commitment to a jewelry making project and also expressed my desire to cease taking in clay bead making requests as much as possible, when she asked me about it again. Instead of respecting my decision, she lashed out her disappointment with me by questioning my integrity.

In the course of my work in the past 8 years, though there have been difficult customers, there was none that was this overbearing. Naturally, my integrity took a beating and it took me some time to get back to my feet because I believe it plays a major role in sustaining my little business. I would never think of ditching this part of me that has brought me to where I am. I have never been unscrupulous.

Despite apologizing toward the way she feels about my decision and hoping for understanding toward my stance, I was harshly reminded to be humble and criticized for allowing success to get into my head. It has never occurred to me that a simple declination could bring about such malignment about me. I am saddened that this customer bore such bitter resentment toward me, even though this is not the first time I am working with her. I don't know if I should be the one disappointed in her, than her with me. It sure felt like it was a personal attack.

"You don't have to explain yourself to her." 

- said one of my buddies whom I confided into. 

Well, it is because I value my integrity and would protect myself at all costs. It would be very unwise of me to take on a job which I have no heart for because it would be reflected in the end product - my standards will be compromised. That is not something I would want in my undertakings as a crafter/seller. I have to believe in what I do in order to produce my best.

I sincerely hope that my customer has somewhat calmed down and perhaps realize that the inflictions she has caused, was uncalled for and a mistake. It may have taken just 10 minutes to lose this customer of mine (I would think I lost her), but I am so glad that I did not lose myself over this. I am pretty sure I did the right thing and would not change my decision even if I could turn back the clock.

So thank you once again, my friends, family and supporters of my craft, for believing in what I do, for coming back to me to make you more jewelry creations and endorsing me with your referrals. It has been a humbling experience.

Moving on, gambatte to me!

  Till the next post, have a blessed week!

[Recipe] Clams in White Wine

I'm sharing a super simple, savory and very satisfying dish - clams simmered in white wine. Not so much a "filling" dish, but great as appetizers if you are entertaining guests or maybe you are on a protein diet. Yes, clams are protein food! You can eat this to your heart's content with no guilt.

Preparation time : 10 mins  Cooking time : 15 mins  Serves : 3-4

Ingredients :
- 600gms fresh clams (razor or venus clams - I bought mine from Sheng Siong)
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp butter
- a few sprigs of chinese parsley
- pepper and salt to taste (optional)

Preparation :
- soak clams in water for at least an hour or more in the fridge and add about a tbsp of salt to water to help with removal of impurities. Seal the bowl in cling wrap.
- When you are ready to cook, rinse the clams thoroughly and drain well.
- in a large stainless steel pot, add butter and garlic. Saute till fragrant.
- add the wine and mirin, let it boil for a minute before adding the clams.
- give it a stir before covering the pot. Let it cook for 10 minutes or until clams have opened.
- discard any unopen clams.
- Add salt or pepper to taste, at your discretion.
- Add the parsley and give it a good mix before serving.
- Enjoy!

Tip : this dish would go great with baguette with the reduced sauce! Yum!

  Till the next post, have a blessed week!