Do I like cooking? Maybe yes! But it hasn't always been like that. Hahaha my husband reminded me how I changed from someone who could only cook instant noodles and fried egg to someone who can cook a variety of things today!
Well I still think I cook rather simple dishes and not always something elaborate. Occasionally when I have more time or a dish that I am so excited to replicate, then I will take time to work and study a recipe for it. Orherwise, it has been pretty much the same dishes. So it can be a bit boring.
So when I find an ingredient to enhance my cooking, I am extremely over the moon. I have been a big fan of China Chinese cooking that involves a lot of spices. I have a very heavy taste bud so anything extra flavourful is my thing. I have been to China once and I cannot forget about the taste of the food there till now.
One of their common ingredients is Cumin or 孜然！ I always hear them adding it in their cooking over some variety show. I have been looking out for one from China and I found it yesterday so guess what? I HAD TO USE AND INCORPORATE IT IMMEDIATELY INTO MY COOKING!
I had already decided to cook a simple minced beef dish with broccoli and carrots. Adding this magic ingredient into it has up leveled it to an ethereal level!
Ingredients:
- Minced or ground beef about 300g
- broccoli
- sliced carrots
- generous amount of garlic
- shallots
- cumin powder
- chicken stock
- light soy sauce
- white pepper
Firstly marinate the beef with some dashes of white pepper and light soy sauce. Then add in the cumin powder for marinade too.
I have butter today so I used that. If not you can use peanut oil or palm oil. Heat up the oil in the pan.
Next, add in the aromatics which are garlic and shallots.
After that, let's brown the marinated minced beef.
After the beef is partially cooked, we can add in the vegetables. You may use any type of vegetables and even potatoes.
Season with some chicken stock powder which is optional and add in some more cumin powderand white pepper.
Add in some water to steam up the vegetables and let it simmer for a while to reduce.
Finally it is done!! BEST SERVED WITH WHITE STEAMED RICE OR PASTA.