A dish that springs forth from bamboo

Bamboos are some of the fastest-growing plants in the world, due to a unique
rhizome-dependent system. Bamboos are of notable economic and cultural significance in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia, being used for building materials, as a food source, and as a versatile raw product. Bamboo as a higher compressive strength than wood, brick or concrete (on an ounce for ounce basis)) and has a tensile strength that rivals steel.

A traditional forest vegetable in China for more than 2,500 years, bamboo shoots are not only delicious but are also rich in nutrients, and rank among the five most popular healthcare foods in the world. In Japan, the bamboo shoot is called the King of Forest Vegetables.

The properties of bamboo shoots were recorded in the book of Compendium of Materia Medica, a pharmaceutical text written during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), with the following words.
"It’s slightly cold, sweet, non-toxic, and it quenches thirst, benefits the liquid circulatory system, supplements Qi, and can be served as a daily dish."

Modern research finds that the bamboo shoot has a number of medicinal benefits from cancer prevention and weight loss to improving appetite and digestion.
It is also low in sugar and therefore can be used for treating hypertension, hyperlipemia and hyperglycemia.

Japanese scientists recently discovered that bamboo shoots contain anti cancer agents and making them a regular parts of your diet effectively eliminates the free radicals that can produce dangerous carcinogens.

With the economic development and the improvement of people's living standards, demand for natural foods, especially organics food has greatly increased.

Moso bamboo does not contain toxic substance and its products are made in strict accordance with the food safety standards, it is an ideal resource for natural foods.

The main nutrients in bamboo shoots are protein, amino acids, fat, sugar and inorganic salt. They are rich in protein containing between 1.49 and 4.04 grams ( Average 2.65g ) per 100gm of fresh bamboo shoot. The bamboo protein produces eight essential and two semi -essential amino acids.

Although the fat content is comparatively low (0.26 - 0.94%)  it's still higher than in many other vegetables and the shoots contain rich essential fatty acids.
The total sugar content, 2.5% on average, is lower than  that in other vegetables. The water content is 90% or more.

Bamboo Shoot And  Prawn Curry recipes with my Canadian friend's compliments.

My curry pictures and lemon cake pictures all taken with my digital pocket Canon camera.

Bamboo Shoot And  Prawn Curry
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp fennel powder
6 cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
3 garlic cloves
4-6 dried red chilies
1 tbsp rice vinegar
Note: Wash and soak dried chillies in hot water until soften. Remove the seeds, blend the chilli with a bit of water until very fine.

For the spice paste

For the curry:
350 g tiger prawns
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp curry powder
Dash of pepper
1 tsp salt or to taste
1/2 canned winter bamboo shoots
1 large tomato - cut wedges
1 large onion - chopped coarsely
2 tbsp toasted coconut
2 green chilies - slice thinly
200 mls thick coconut milk ( 1st coconut milk )
500 mls thin coconut milk ( 2nd coconut milk )
2 tbsp cooking oil
Fresh curry leaves ( optional )

Note: For those who want to use packet coconut milk, replace the 2nd coconut milk with water.

Bamboo shoots info
While tinned bamboo shoots can be use in this dish, but nothing compares to the crunchiness and delicate flavors of the fresh shoots.The narrower shoots are packed with maximum flavors and when not processed properly, they can ruin a dish with their bitterness.

So make sure to peel off the hard, outer layers and soak the tender part in water overnight to get rid of any unpleasant flavor. However, if you can't wait to enjoy your bamboo shoots, boil them in salted water, drain and soak them in fresh cool water for at least half and hour before using.
Once processed properly, the bamboo shoots are ready to blend with the spicy flavors to please your taste buds.

If using canned bamboo shoots, wash and slice the bamboo shoots 1/8 inch thick. Boil the bamboo shoots with a bit of salt for 5 mins. Drain off the water, rinse and soak for 2 to 3 hours.

Bamboo forest

Method for cooking bamboo shoot and prawn curry
1/  Wash and trim the prawns. Marinate the prawns with curry powder, turmeric powder, pepper, sugar and stir them all together until well coated, chill in the fridge for 1 to 2 hour.
2/  Meanwhile, toast the coconut until dried and fragrant. Keep aside. Toast the coriander seed for several minutes until they spluttering and give out a spicy aroma. Pound the coriander seeds.
3/  For the curry, heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or wok and throw in the dried chili paste, stir fry for 1 min. Throw in sliced chilies, garlic as well as onions. Saute for about 5 mins.

5/ Stir in the tomato, bamboo shoots and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring often.
6/ Add in prepared spice paste and salt into the pot/wok along with few splashes of water.

7/ Add in the 2nd coconut milk. Stir them all together to mix well and bring the mixture to a simmer. Continue to simmer for 5-7 minutes.

8/ Add the toasted coconut. Simmer further for another 10 mins over slow flame.

9/ Dump the marinated prawns into the curry and reduce the heat back to low.
10/ Simmer for 6-8 minutes or until the prawns turn pinkish, indicating that they are cooked through.

11/ Add in the 1st coconut milk, mix well. Turn off the heat and let the curry rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to develop further.

Serve hot with steamed rice and have fun!

Scene from movie "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon", Chow Yun Fatt fighting with Zhang Ziyi on top of bamboo.

The coconut milk mellow out the spiciness to some extent and teams up with the marine flavors of the prawns to create mouth watering result.

The many uses of bamboo.
Bamboo pictures contributed with compliments my Canadian friend.

Bamboo raft

Canadian made bamboo bicycle

Bamboo bed

Bamboo  bridge

Bamboo furniture

Bamboo kitchen flooring

Bamboo house

Bamboo umbrella

Canadian made bamboo clothes

Made in Canada T-shirt for women ( for men too )

Canadian  made bamboo dresses

Mercedes car with bamboo centre console

Canadian bamboo health care
Boo bamboo/ hair and skin care

Bamboo, natures fastest growing plant. I'm sure that up until now you have only thought of it as.... food for panda, a great eco-friendly material to build that tiki bar you've fantasized, or as a gift of 'good luck' given to your friends before a monumental day. Well, bamboo is slowly making itself known as a valuable ingredient in the beauty industry, and with great reason. One company fully embracing the benefits of bamboo for hair & skin care is Boo Bamboo, a Canadian company.

Bamboo Extract is rich in mineral and organic proteins, specifically Silica (nearly 70%, WOAH)

 which helps strengthen the hair follicle and retain moisture promoting shine. 

But that's just the surface, having adequate Silica levels can also help promote: 

Increased Collagen Production (Upwards of 50%) 

Hydrate & Softer Skin 

Reduced Appearance of Wrinkles and Fine Lines 

Strong, Healthy Nails.

​Description: No matter how late it is, or how tired you are before falling into bed, Kaia Bamboo Facial Cleansing Cloths will cleanse your skin and remove impurities and makeup without rinsing or water!
This four-in-one product performs the combined function of a cleanser, toner, eye make-up remover, and cleansing cloth, leaving your skin feeling refreshed, soothed, and nourished.

Formulated with organic Canadian honey and infused with eight pure citrus essential oils and sunflower seed oil, it cleans impurities without leaving behind a tight-skin feeling. These cleansing cloths are so effective that they remove mascara, even waterproof mascara, gently, without tugging and pulling! Suited for all skin types including sensitive.

​Sweet Dreams Lemon Cake recipes with my Canadian friend's compliments.

This cake is crispy on the outside and soft inside. Best to go with iced coffee or a cup of lemon tea.

One of the best lemon tea I ever tried.

Ingredients for making Sweet Dream Lemon Cake
250 gm cake flour/ plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
250 gm salted butter, softened
200 gm sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 large eggs
1 cup plain yogurt

For the glaze:
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 to 1/4 cup lemon juice

Drizzle the lemon cake with glaze while the cake is still warm.

One spoon in your mouth, you'll blink your eyes 3 times, smack your thighs and scream yeeeeeehaaaaaa......

1/  Pre heat oven to 180 deg C.
2/  Sift flour with baking powder and baking soda.
3/  Beat butter, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice with mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
4/  Beat in eggs one at a time until blended.
5/  With mixer on low, alternate flour mixture and yogurt until batter is mixed and fairly smooth (Do not over mix).

Silicone rose shape cake mould, gift from a lovely lady friend.

6/  Pour mixture into bundt pan or any fancy silicone mould and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.
7/  Bake 50-60 minutes until a wooden pick inserted into cake comes out clean. For small cake bake 20 to 25 mins.
8/  Cool cake on wire rack for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, shift the icing sugar. Whisk glaze ingredients together in a small bowl. Sugar will not totally be dissolved but it's ok.

This slice of lemon cake look like dinosaur's body. LOL

9/ Invert cake from pan onto the wire rack.
10/ Brush glaze all over hot cake until absorbed. Cool completely.
11/ Transfer cake to a serving plate and cover, allowing cake to rest several hours or overnight.

With much appreciation to my Canadian friend for his kind contributions.

 Thank you very much, my dear friend. This cake is for you.

Enjoy with reckless abandonment!

Have a nice week ahead,regards.
Amelia