FOOD REVIEW: Bak Kwa - Episode Four - I have received requests for several food reviews. One is for me to create a healthy bacon meal. I am, personally, not a huge fan of these cuts of meat because of their fat content. However, bacons are fatty and ought to remain fatty for that juicy tender texture and that ultimate droolsome flavor! Bak Kwa or Rougan (肉乾) is usually eaten during the Lunar/Chinese New Year period in Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and various parts of Asia because of its amazing crimson hue, which many believe is auspicious. The name simply means "Dried Meat" and is the Chinese version of Beef Jerky. It is a mix of sugar and spice and everything nice! The intoxicating aroma of smoked meat caramelizing over an open grill as it tickles our senses is... Pure bliss. Combine the minced pork/beef/chicken (fattier meat will result in a juicier and more tender morsel) with fragrant Thai fish sauce and Chinese five spices powder. Add a few drops of sesame oil and some Chinese rice wine together with a little white pepper powder. Blend the mixture with some light soy sauce and some dark soy sauce (not too much), adding in caster sugar and/or honey to the concoction. For authenticity, add a few drops of red food coloring. Mix the ingredients until it is thoroughly combined and its consistency is gluey. Next, we need to dry out the mix! In ancient China, they used to leave it out in the sun! But now, we just need an oven preheated to 100°C! Roll out the meat into a thin strip and leave it in there for about twenty minute to dehydrate it. Once done, use a pair of scissors to cut them to your desired shapes! Bring out your grill or broiler and grill each piece of heavenly delights until it caramelizes and is a little charred! Mmm! If you don't have a grill, crank up your oven to 180°C and bake until the sides are a little burnt. Now, enjoy your sweet barbecued pork, chicken or beef! As I always say, it is really up to your creativity! Who knows if your next experiment with food could be the next food trend! MUACKS! Bon appetit! =) Yours Truly, Brother_Matt Chill! Have a Bento Set!
Hermano JOPOBABY!!! Of course! I wonder if the Chinatown in your country sells these delightful morsels! Kaitohbaby! I'm sure we can make heart shaped Bak Kwa! It doesn't matter what shape it comes it! The taste is equally awesome!!! But heart shaped Bak Kwas can be sold during valentine's for an exorbitant price. Idea. Idea. Idea indeed.
Lol matt, they sold it for mother's day recently. Anyway, Bak Kwa taste nice with bread and porridge too
I am not a chef by profession heidibaby. But I sure am a chef at heart. Some of the pictures are my own creations while some are found in google. Haha! I can't possibly make so many different kinds of dishes at once!
Breadtalk!!! Yummy! Their breads are delicious! I've never tried them in porridge. I think I wanna go try some porridge buffet soon! Hopefully they have Bak Kwa as dish! Did you get Bak Kwa for your mommy, kaitohbaby?
I don't really fancy fatty meats too. Scared to get fat. I'm a SMEXY chef and I intend to stay in shape and yet create sinful dishes! But I'll make my victims... Ermm... I mean my fans and friends taste my delightful yummies!
Hermano JOPOBABY!!! What?!!! No Chinatown?!!! This is cruel. Simply cruel. Well, at least you've got the recipe now. Perhaps you can make some yourselves. I'm sure you guys at least have an Asian supermarket right?
Aww jopo.. Try it next time when you have a chance to then It's an accquired taste though Matt, you trying to tempt everyone with fatty food huh?
Kaitohbaby. It is an acquired taste? I don't know about that. I thought it tastes like a greasy, but more yummy version of beef jerky. YES!!! I'm gonna make everyone fat so I will become the smexiest yummilicious chef in the whole wide world! Just you wait! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!! *evil laugh* ahem... Ahem.
Lol.. Every type of food is an accquired taste Jopo, I don't think they sell Bak Kwa in chinese restaurants... Do they? Lol. Evil laughter eh, matt?
Heh heh heh! Bitebaby. I am here to please. Perhaps you would like some serving of sadomasochism? Or let me WHIP up some tasty morsels that will CHAIN you to me, BEGGING me for more yummies...
Kaitohbaby. I think their chinese restaurants will have fortune cookies! Where I come from, though we have many chinese restaurants, fortune cookies aren't a norm. I find those cookies hilariously fascinating!