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Raise your glass if you are a fan of cocktails. What makes this alcoholic mixed drink interesting is that there are endless possibilities of making a new cocktail recipe.

There are various combinations of one spirits or more with other ingredients such as syrup, juice or cream.

Do you know that there are official recipes for cocktails? International Bartenders Association (IBA) sanctions a list of official cocktails with official recipes which go along with them.

These cocktails are then selected by the IBA for use in the annual World Cocktail Competition in bartending.

bar 4656332 1280 — Cocktails are always a good choice if you are looking into diversifying your alcohol consumption.

Here, KajoMag has compiled 20 cocktails along with their origin stories and recipes:

1.Pina Colada

Like most origin stories behind the cocktails on this list, there are several versions of how Pina Colada came about.

The earliest known stories trace back to the 19th century. To boost his crew’s morale, Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresi allegedly gave them a cocktail containing coconut, pineapple and white rum.

This cocktail would later became the famous pina colada. However, this version is often being disputed.

Another version stated that the Caribe Hilton Hotel’s bartender Ramon Maerrero created the drink in 1954.

Meanwhile, a Puerto Rican restaurant claimed that the drink was invented by Spanish bartender Don Ramon Portas Mingot in 1963.

Regardless, Puerto Rico proclaimed Pina Colada as its official drink in 1978.

Served: Frozen
Standard Garnish: Pineapple slice and/or maraschino cherrt
Standard Drinkware: Poco Grande glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 3 cl white rum, 9 cl pineapple juice, 3 cl cream of coconut
Preparation: The first step is to blend all the ingredients with ice in an electric blender. Then, pour into a large goblet and serve with straw.

2.Tequila Sunrise

The original version of Tequila Sunrise comprised of tequila, creme de casssis, lime juice and soda water. It was first served at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in the 1930s or 1940s.

As years passed, the popular version of Tequila Sunrise came along from Sausalito, California in the early 1970s. This version now containstequila, orange juice and grenadine.

When it is served, the cocktail’s gradation colour looks like sunrise, hence the name ‘Tequila Sunrise’.

Served: One the rocks
Standard Garnish: On the rocks
Standard Drinkware: Collins glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 4.5 cl tequila, 9 cl orange juice, 1.5 cl grenadine syrup
Preparation: Pour the tequila and orange juice into glass over ice. Add the grenadine, which will sink into the grenadine. In order to create the sunrise effect, stir the cocktails gently. Finally, garnish and serve.

3.Mai Tai

There are three men who claimed to have invented Mai Tai. Victor J. Bergeron claimed he invented it at his restaurant Trader Vic’s in California in 1944.

However, Trader Vic’s forerunner Donn Beach claimed to invent it first in 1933.

Meanwhile, another colleague of Donn Beach said the drink was based on his Q.B Cooler cocktail.

As for the name, it was allegedly taken from the Tahitian word maita’I meaning good or excellence.

Served: On the rocks
Standard Garnish: Spearmint leaves and lime shell
Standard drinkware: Old Fashioned Glass
IBA specified ingredients: 4 cl white rum, 2 cl dark rum, 1.5 cl orange curacao, 1.5 ck orgeat syrup, 1 cl fresh lime juice. Preparation: Shake all ingredients with ice. Secondly, strain the drink into glass. Garnish and serve with straw.

4.Cosmopolitan

There are so many disputes on the origin of Cosmopolitan that one could do research paper on it.

One version said it came from the gay community in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

Another theory stated that the bartender Neal Murray created the drink in 1975 at the Cork & Cleaver steakhouse in Minneapolis.

Basically, the drink is made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and freshly squeezed lime juice.

Served: Straight up
Standard Garnish: Lime slice
Standard Drinkware: Cocktail Glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 4 cl vodka citron, 1.5 cl cointreau, 1.5 cl fresh lime juice. 3 cl cranberry juice
Preparation: Shake all ingredients in cocktail shaker filled with ice. After that, strain it into a large cocktail glass. Finally, garnish the drink with lime slice.

5.Long Island Tea

The Prohibition in the US took place from 1920 to 1933. That was when a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages.

At that time, there was a man who went by “Old Man Bishop” in a local community named Long Island in Kingsport, Tennessee. The drink was then perfected by Old Man Bishop’s son, Ransom Bishop.

Their version of drink included whiskey and maple syrup and varied quantities of different kinds of liquors rather than the modern version with one cola and five equal portions of five liquors.

Fast forward 50 years later, a man named Robert Butt claimed to have invented the Long Island Tea during a contest. He was working at the Oak Beach Inn on Long Island, New York.

Served: On the rocks
Standard Garnish: Lemon slice
Standard Drinkware: Highball glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 1.5 cl tequila, 1.5 cl vodka, 1.5 cl white rum, 1.5 cl triple sec, 1.5 cl gin, 2.5 cl lemon juice, 3.0 cl simple syrup, top with cola
Preparation: Firstly, add all ingredients into a highball glass filled with ice. Stir gently. Optionally garnish with lemon slice.

6.Margarita

Here is another drink that gained fame during the Prohibition. According to cocktail historian David Wondrich, the margarita is the Daisy cocktail remade with tequila instead of brandy.

The earliest account of margarita was found in 1936 Iowa newspaper.

Margarita can be served shaken with ice (on the rocks), blended with ice (frozen margarita) or without ice (straight up).

While it may be served in a variety of glasses, it is widely known to be served in a margarita glass which is a variant of the classic champagne coupe.

Served: On the rocks
Standard Garnish: Salt on the rim
Standard Drinkware: Margarita glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 3.5 cl tequila, 2 cl Cointreau, 1.5 cl lime juice
Preparation: Pour all ingredients into shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass rimmed with salt.

7.Bloody Mary

The first person claiming to have invented the Bloody Mary is French bartender Fernand Petiot. He was working at the New York Bar in Paris at that time which later became Harry’s New York Bar.

Legend has it that the original cocktail is created on the spur of the moment, consisting of vodka and tomato juice.

After Petiot, there is a handful of other people claiming to have invented the cocktail.

As for the name, “Bloody Mary” is associated with a number of historical figures such as Queen Mary I of England, Hollywood star Mary Pickford as well as a waitress named Mary who worked at Chicago bar called the Bucket of Blood.

Served: On the rocks
Standard Garnish: Celery stalk
Standard Drinkware: Highball glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 3 parts vodka, 6 parts tomato juice, 1 part lemon juice, 2 to 3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, celery salt, black pepper
Preparation: Stirring gently, pour all ingredients into highball glass. Garnish.

8.Cuba Libre

Cuba Libre was first originated in the early 20th century in Cuba after the country won independence in the Spanish-American War. While its exact origins is uncertain, the drink became popular shortly after 1900 when bottle Coca Cola was first imported into Cuba from the US.

Traditionally, it is made using rum and coke hence the alternate name Rum and Coke. The coke ingredient is usually Coca-Cola and the alcohol is a light rum such as Bacardi.

The drinks’ traditional name, “Cuba Libre” (Free Cuba) was the slogan of the Cuban Independence movement.

Since it is simple and inexpensive to make, it is one of the most common and classic cocktails drink out there.

Served: On the rocks
Standard Garnish: Lime wedge
Standard Drinkware: Highball glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 12 cl Cola, 5 white rum and 1 cl Fresh lime juice
Preparation: Build all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with Lime Juice

9.Daiquiri

Daiquiri is the name of a beach as well as an iron mine near Santiago de Cuba. It was believed that the drink was invented by an American mining engineer named Jennings Cox. He was in Cuba at the time during the Spanish-American War.

Served: Straight up
Standard Drinkware: Cocktail glass
IBA Specified ingredients: 6 cl white rum, 2 cl lime juice, 2 bar spoons superfine sugar
Preparation: In a cocktail shaker add all ingredients. Stir well to dissolve the sugar. Add ice and shake. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

10.Mojito

Known as author Ernest Hemingway’s favourite drink, this is one of the most famous rum-based cocktails out there. It came from Havana, Cuba with its exact origin still remain subject of debate.

Some historians believed that African slaves who worked in the Cuban sugar cane fields during the 19th century came up with the basic of the drinks.

However, the original version of the drink did not contain lime juice.

There are several theories behind the origin of the name mojito. One theory stated that it relates to mojo, a Cuban seasoning made from lime. Another theory is that it is a derivative of mojadito (Spanish for a little wet).

Served: On the rocks
Standard Garnish: Sprig of mint, lemon slice
Standard Drinkware: Collins glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 4 cl white rum, 3 cl fresh lime juice. 6 sprigs of mint, 2 teaspoons sugar/sugar syrup, soda water
Preparation: Muddle mint leaves with sugar and lime juice. Add a splash of soda water and fill the glass with cracked ice. Pour the rum and top with soda water. Garnish with sprig of mint leaves and lemon slice. Serve with straw.

11.Mint Julep

One of the earliest records describing the cocktails was found in a book by John Davis in 1803.

Mint julep was described as “a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint steeped in it, taken by Virginians of a morning.”

Generally, the cocktail is associated with southern American cuisine.

Served: On the rocks
Standard Garnish: Mint sprig
Standard Drinkware: Highball glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 6cl Bourbon whiskey, 4 mint leaves, 1 teaspoon powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons water
Preparation: In a highball glass gently muddle the mint, sugar and water. Fill the glass with cracked ice, add Bourbon and stir well until the glass is well frosted. Garnish with a mint sprig.

12.Sex on the Beach

It is not known on how or who invented the drink Sex on The Beach. While the name is provocative for a drink, it is also unknown on how the name came about.

There are several variations of Sex on the Beach. For examples grenadine is used in replace of cranberry juice and coconut rum is often substituted for the vodka.

Served: On the rocks
Standard Garnish: Orange slice
Standard Drinkware: Highball glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 4 cl vodka, 2 cl peach schnapps, 4 cl orange juice, 4 cl cranberry juice
Preparation: Build all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with orange slice.

13.Singapore Sling

Here is a cocktail which has a Sarawak essence in it. There are few so called original recipes for Singapore Sling. One version is made by mixing two measures of gin with one of cherry brandy and one each of orange, pineapple and lime juice.

Another version is to have gin, Cherry Heering, Benedictine and fresh pineapple juice primary from Sarawak.

This gin-based cocktail was developed sometime before 1915 by a Hainanese bartender named Ngiam Tong Boon. At that time, he was working at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel, Singapore.

Classic Singapore Sling

Served: Straight up
Standard Garnish: Maraschino cherry, lemon slice
Standard Drinkware: Highball glass
Commonly used ingredients: 2.5 cl gin, 4.5 cl cherry brandy, 1.5 cl fresh lemon juice, 20 cl soda water
Preparation: Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into highball glass or tumbler. Optionally add one or two cubes. However, do not flood the drink with ice. Garnish with lemon slice and cocktail cherry.

American Singapore Sling

Served: Straight up
Standard Garnish: Maraschino cherry, pineapple
Standard Drinkware: Hurricane glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 3 cl gin, 1.5 cherry brandy, 0.75 cl cointreau, 0.75 cl Benedictine, 1 cl grenadine, 12 cl pineapple juice, 1.5 cl fresh lime juice, 1 dash Angostura bitters
Preparation: Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. After that, shake it well. Strain into highball glass. Finally, garnish the drink with pineapple and cocktail cherry.

14.Kamikaze

Although the name is Japanese, this cocktail does not come from Japan. According to cocktail historian, Kamikaze first appeared in 1976. Richard Stein, the proprietor of Richard’s Lounge in Lakewood, New Jersey was the one who created it.

Served: Straight up
Standard Garnish: Lime slice
Standard Drinkware: Cocktail glass
Commonly Used Ingredients: Shake all ingredients together with ice. Then, strain the drink into glass, garnish and serve.

15.Mimosa

Named after the yellow-flowered mimosa plant (Acacia dealbata), this cocktail is traditionally served in a tall champagne flute at weddings or in a business class on airlines. It is a simple cocktail of combining orange juice and champagne.

Moreover, this concept of combining sparkling wine and orange juice is commonly found in Spain for centuries.

Another variation of mimosa is by replacing champagne with vodka and orange juice with cranberry juice.

Served: Straight up
Standard Garnish: Orange juice
Standard Drinkware: Champagne flute
IBA Specified Ingredients: 7.5 cl champagne, 7.5 orange juice
Preparation: Ensure both ingredients are well chilled, then mix into the glass. Serve it cold.

16.Irish Coffee

One of the many people who claimed to have invented the Irish Coffee is Joe Sheridan. He was the head chef at the restaurant and coffee shop in the Foyness Airbase flying boat terminal building, Ireland.

He started to add whiskey to the coffee for some disembarking passengers in 1942 or 1943.

Served: Hot
Standard Drinkware: Irish coffee mug
IBA Specified Ingredients: 4 cl Irish whiskey, 8 cl hot coffee, 3 cl fresh cream, 1tsp brown sugar.
Preparation: Firstly, heat the coffee, whiskey and sugar. However, do not boil it. Pour into glass and top with cream, serve hot.

17.Manhattan

The most history suggests that this cocktail originated from the Manhattan Club in New York City in the mid-1870s.

However, there is another earlier account stating that the drink was invented in the 1860s by a bartender named Black at a bar near Houston Street, downtown Manhattan.

While this cocktail is originated from the US, it is a standard drink at almost every eatery and bar on the small island of Fohr on the German coast of the North Sea.

Legend has it that many people from Fohr emigrated to Manhattan during deep sea fishing trips. They liked the drink so much that they brought it back to Fohr with them.

Served: Straight up
Standard Garnish: Maraschino cherry
Standard Drinkware: Cocktail glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 5 cl rye whiskey, 2 cl sweet red vermouth, dash Angostura bitters
Preparation: Stirred over ice, strained into chilled glass, garnish, and served up.

18.Martini

American journalist H.L. Mencken called it the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet. Meanwhile, American writer called it the elixir of quietude.

Martini has become one of the best American cocktails, widely known for its olive garnish.

As for its origins, many believed that it evolved from a cocktail called the Martinez at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco.

Another theory is that the drink was invented by a bartender from the town of Martinez, California.

Served: Straight up or on the rocks
Standard Garnish: Olive or lemon twist
Standard Drinkware: Cocktail glass
IBA Specified Ingredients: 6 cl gin, 1 cl dry vermouth
Preparation: Pour all ingredients into mixing glass with ice cubes. Stir well. Strain into chilled martini cocktail glass. Lastly, squeeze oil from lemon peel onto the drink or garnish with olive.

19.French 75

During the 19th century, the Champagne Cup was a popular cocktail. It consists of champagne, lemon juice, sugar and ice. However, sometimes gin was added giving birth a drink similar to French 75.

The current version of French 75 is believed to date back to World War I. The combination was said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm field gun, hence the name French 75.

Served: Straight up
Straight Drinkware: Champagne flute
IBA Specified Ingredients: 2 cl gin, 2 dashes simple syrup, 1.5 cl lemon juice, 6 cl champagne
Preparation: Combine gin, syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into chilled champagne glass. Top up with champagne. Finally, stir it gently.

20.Moscow Mule

Sometimes known as a vodka buck, Moscow Mule is a cocktail with so many variations depending on the liquors used.

For examples, if bourbon is used then the drink is called a Kentucky mule. If bourbon and coffee liquer are used, then it is called a New Orleans mule. Mexican mule for instance is when a tequila is used.

Unlike other cocktails on this list, this cocktail is properly served in a copper mug which takes on the temperature of the liquid.

Served: On the rocks
Standard Garnish: Lime slice
Standard Drinkware: Copper mug
IBA Specified Ingredients: 4.5 cl vodka, 0.5 cl lime juice, 12 cl ginger beer
Preparation: Combine vodka and ginger in a glass filled with ice. Then, add lime juice. Stir gently. Garnish.

Share in the comment box which ones are your favourites cocktails!

All photos and illustrations are from pixabay.com

Whip up Michelin-star dishes with these recipes from Jing Yaa Tang

Published on April 18, 2020

With people staying homebound in the fight against Covid-19, social distancing measures have given rise to plenty of stay-at-home chefs who are utilising their time indoors to master new skills in the kitchen.

Located at The Opposite House – a striking hotel in the heart of Beijing, Jing Yaa Tang restaurant is ready to spill the beans on two of their recipes during this pandemic.

Renowned for its selection of dishes inspired by the famous Beijing roast duck, one-Michelin star restaurant Jing Yaa Tang uses only the finest ingredients to produce authentic Chinese cuisine at its best.

Now, the celebrated restaurant divulges two of its favourite recipes – the fragrant Kung Pao Chicken, and the saccharine Cherry Tomatoes marinated in plum sauce.

Since you cannot travel to Jing Yaa Tang in Beijing to try these Michelin-star dishes, why not make them on your own?

Kung Pao Chicken

Main ingredients:

Chicken thigh (20g)
Diced green onion (50g)
Cooked peanuts (25g)
Cooked cashew nuts (25g)
Sliced garlic (5g)
Sliced ginger (5g)
Dried chilli (5g)

Ingredients:

A.Salt (2g), rice wine (5g), sugar (1g), egg (1/3), corn flour (6g)

B.B. Sugar (30g), salt (3g), rice vinegar (50g), corn flour (10g)

Method:

1.Mix and pickle the diced chicken thigh with seasoning (ingredients A).
2.Heat the oil in a heated wok first, and fry the pickled chicken and diced green onion until the chicken is cooked.
3.Cook the sliced garlic and ginger, dry the red chilli segment first, add the cooked chicken and onion, and then stir-fry the cooked peanuts, cashew nuts and ingredients B.

Tips:

1. Cook the fried chicken and diced onion for one minute to elevate the taste.
2.Turn off the fire when adding the peanuts and cashew nuts to keep them crispy.

Cherry tomatoes marinated in plum sauce

Main ingredients:

Water (300g)
Sugar (80g)
Preserved prune slice (1 pc)
Concentrated orange juice (10g)
White vinegar (50ml)
Cherry tomatoes (200g)

Method:

1.Remove the root of the cherry tomatoes and peel with boiling water.
2.Boil the preserved prune in water, and then add other seasonings after three minutes. Turn off the fire when sugar melts completely.
3.Soak the cherry tomatoes into the sauce for 8 hours after they have cooled.

Tips:

1.Keep frozen after soaking
2.The length of time soaked will influence the tasty

10 ingredients to spice up your baked chicken breast

Published on April 17, 2020

If you are looking for a quick, delicious and less guilty source of protein to make for your dinner, look no further than baked chicken breast.

Chicken breast is a great source of lean protein. It is perfect for those who are looking to build their muscle mass since it contains low fat.

Additionally, it is easy to cook, especially if you buy it skinless and boneless from the supermarket.

You can reduce the oil in your cooking by making baked chicken breast with simple seasoning such as salt, pepper and olive oil.

But what if you get bored with your own cooking, especially if you are not even close to Gordan Ramsay’s skills?

Here are 10 ingredients to put some varieties in your usual baked chicken breast:

chicken 1081088 1280 — How do you like your baked chicken breast? Credits: Pixabay

1.Pesto sauce

Do you know that pesto is the past participle of the verb ‘pesta’ which means ‘to pound’ or ‘to crush’ in the Genoese dialect in northern Italy?

This term refers to the original method of making a pesto whereby the ingredients are crushed or ground in a mortar.

Traditionally, it consists of garlic, European pine nuts, coarse salt, basil leaves, hard cheese such as Parmesan cheese and blended with olive oil.

While it is commonly used on pasta, pesto is also good with baked chicken breasts.

There are plenty of cooking blogs publishing 2-ingredient or 4-ingredient pesto chicken recipes.

Basically, these recipes are all the same. It is made with skinless and boneless chicken breast fillets covered with pesto sauce as well as salt and pepper to taste.

The dish is then baked in the oven for at least 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, Tasty of Buzzfeed upgrades their version of pesto chicken by topping them with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.

2.Barbecue sauce

Besides pesto sauce, you can also make baked chicken breast with barbecue sauce.

Just cover your chicken with your favourite BBQ sauce along with a little salt, pepper and oil then oven-bake it.

However, if you want to grill the chicken, do not brush it with barbecue sauce. Instead, grill the chicken on greased grill over medium heat for seven to eight minutes on each side. Then turn and brush the chicken on both side with the sauce for the last few minutes.

Check out this recipe!

3.Teriyaki sauce

The four main components of a teriyaki sauce are soy sauce, sake or mirin, sugar and ginger.

To use it for you cooking, soak the meat, vegetables, fish or tofu for at least half an hour before cooking.

If you want to make baked chicken breast in teriyaki sauce, you can start by arranging your chicken breasts on a lightly greased baking dish.

Cover your chicken with teriyaki sauce before covering the baking dish with foil. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in a preheated or until the chicken is cooked.

Once it is cooked, do not waste any excess liquid. Drain the pan and pour the remaining teriyaki sauce over the chicken before serving.

4.Mustard

Have you ever wondered why there are different colours of mustard out there?

This condiment is basically made from the seeds of a mustard plant. Then, these seeds are either ground, cracked or bruised before mixing them with water, vinegar, lemon juice and salts.

The colour ranges from bright yellow to dark brown depending on the added flavourings or spices such as turmeric or green juice of unripe grapes.

The most common ingredient that goes along with mustard when preparing baked chicken breast is honey.

Other common ingredients are olive oil, apple cider vinegar and of course salt and pepper to taste.

Since there are many types of mustard out there from dijon mustard to French mustard, you can always try which type suits your taste the best.

5.Honey

Speaking of honey, a honey garlic baked chicken breast is another common dish. The marinade is made by whisking together soy sauce, honey, garlic, lime juice, Sriracha, sesame oil and cornstarch.

If you are not a fan of garlic, The Spruce Eats has a recipe for honey baked chicken breast.

The ingredients are honey, brown sugar, red wine, light soy sauce, flour, salt, dried leaf thyme, paprika, ground black pepper, butter and canola oil.

6.Italian dressing

If you have a bottle of Italian dressing in your fridge, you can opt not to just use it on your salad but also to marinate your chicken breast too.

Commonly found in American and Canadian cuisine, Italian dressing is a vinaigrette-type consisting of water, vinegar or lemon juice, vegetable oil, chopped bell peppers, usually sugar or corn syrup.

The best part of making baked chicken breast using this ingredient is that you do not need any other ingredient – not even salt and pepper.

All Recipes came up with a recipe by combining six skinless, boneless chicken breast with one bottle of Italian-style salad dressing.

Seal them in a zip lock bag and place it in the refrigerator for one hour, or even overnight.

Then bake the chicken in an oven for at least one hour.

You can check out the recipe here.

7.Yogurt

To make yogurt baked chicken breast, you need at least two other ingredients; garlic and panko bread crumbs.

Firstly, marinate your chicken with plain yogurt, crushed garlic for one to six hours.

Then transfer the chicken to a baking pan. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the chicken before baking.

If you need that extra taste of herbs, add in thyme in your yogurt mixture.

8.Gochujang

If you are not familiar with gochujang, it is basically Korean red chilli paste. It is a fermented condiment made from chilli powder, glutinous rice, fermented soybean powder, barley malt powder and salt.

Gochujang is an essential ingredient in making Korean cuisine such as Korean braised chicken.

Korean food blogger Jin Joo from Kimchimari reinvented Korean spicy chicken by oven baking them.

The key step in making this recipe is to make gochujang marinade. She combines chopped garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, sesame oil, Korean red chilli pepper, black pepper and not forgetting gochujang.

Then she marinates the chicken breasts overnight in the fridge.

Finally, she bakes the breasts in the oven for 17 to 18 minutes. Jin Joo also suggests broiling the chicken for one extra minute to caramelise it.

9.Alfredo sauce

If you have Alfredo sauce laying around the house, you can use it to bake your chicken breast. Or you can make one from scratch if you don’t have one.

Add cream and butter to a saucepan over medium heat and bring it to simmer. Then whisk in the garlic and simmer for 30 seconds.

Turn off the heat and whisk in the Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. To make the sauce smooth and creamy, continue to whisk it until the cheese has fully melted.

As for your baked chicken breast with Alfredo sauce, spread a layer of the sauce on the baking dish. Place the chicken breast over sauce before season the meat with salt and pepper.

Add some chopped broccoli over the chicken. Before the chicken make it to the oven, pour the remaining sauce over the chicken and broccoli.

You can top it with Parmesan cheese if you want to. Finally, bake it for 40 minutes.

10.Balsamic vinegar

Here is another ingredient from Italy that makes the list. Balsamic vinegar is a very dark, intensely flavoured vinegar, made wholly or partially from grape must.

It is used sparingly to enhance the flavour of steaks, eggs or fish.

Make a marinade using balsamic vinegar, then you can make another version baked chicken breast.

Mix together balsamic vinegar, olive oil and other flavouring such as salt, black pepper and garlic to make the marinade.

Remember, you can always tenderise your chicken breast before baking using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Check out baked balsamic chicken recipe here.

20 videos you should watch on Youtube about Covid-19

Published on March 31, 2020

During this coronavirus pandemic, fake news and conspiracy theories are also spreading like wildfire alongside the Covid-19 virus.

In an effort to combat fake news, Facebook launched a coronavirus and Covid-19 information hub to provide a central resource for people to get the latest news and information.

Designed to offer reliable official information about the pandemic, the new hub will appear at the top of a user’s News Feed.

Meanwhile, Twitter is removing tweets that are spreading dangerous misinformation about Covid-19. This was after many complained that its policies on misinformation were too lax.

Instead of those unverified news from the social medias and WhatsApp, get yourself educated through proper channels.

If you prefer visual explanation, here are 20 videos you should watch on YouTube about Covid-19:

1.The Lockdown: One Month in Wuhan

At 10am on Jan 23, 2020, Wuhan went into lockdown. This was a crucial step to stop a deadly virus from spreading further across the nation.

This documentary by China Global Television Network (CGTN) focuses on the medical personnel, volunteers, deliverymen and community service workers in Wuhan.

It is inspiring to see the frontliners keep their spirits up while working tirelessly against Covid-19.

Additionally, the documentary also follows lives of those under quarantine. For example, when one of the patients under investigation is a Muslim, how did the Chinese authority take care of his meals?

Instead of focusing on the illness, The Lockdown: One Month in Wuhan showcases the human stories of the Covid-19 pandemic.

2.Coronavirus in China

Here, DW Documentary brings you life during lockdown in the Chinese capital of Beijing.

The video follows journalist Sebastian Le Belzic who works in Beijing who has been living in quarantine at home with his family.

It gives you a glimpse of life in Beijing going to the mall, the supermarket, boarding the subway during lockdown.

Besides this, the documentary also showcases how China’s communist history helped in maintaining order during this period of time.

Just like any other country, the Chinese government continued to spring up new rules almost on a daily basis for the safety and convenience of its people.

For example, every store that sells face masks sells them in daily ration. They are not allowed to sell more than certain amount of face masks in one day.

3.Big Story: Epicenter- 24 hours in Wuhan

This is another documentary brought by CGTN. It is a human interest story of how the frontliners works against Covid-19 pandemic.

They visit the houses of patients infected by the virus and disinfect them. Besides this, they offer to buy groceries for the patients’ families, especially the elderly. They also give out pamphlets about the virus to the families.

While many younger generations are able to rely on technology for information, there are those – especially the elders – who do not have access to internet.

Giving out pamphlets with emergency contacts in a smart and crucial ideas to keep them informed; something that is applicable to other countries as well.

Watch the video here.

4.Coronavirus: How the deadly epidemic sparked a global emergency

In interviews filmed on smartphones, Chinese activists and Australian trapped in the lockdown explain what they are going through in China.

The documentary charts how the outbreak occurred and investigates whether a cover-up by Chinese authorities allowed the virus to spread.

It also shows how the medical field in China is coping with the virus.

5.Journalist goes undercover at “wet markets”, where the Coronavirus started

60 Minutes Australia in this video interviews Professor Gabriel Leung, who led the fight against the SARS virus.

Prof Leung believes that 60% of the world’s population could become infected with COVID-19.

Moreover, he predicts that up to 45 million people might die from it.

The video also follows Liam Bartlett who travels to Hong Kong and Thailand to find out the likely cause of the disease as well as the latest ongoing efforts to combat it.

6.COVID-19: Tracing the First Month of the Novel Coronavirus

Learn about what happened the first month after the Covid-19 outbreak.

The interviews featured in the documentary including a nurse, a Wuhan native and an infectious diseases specialist.

It also explains how having exotic food could lead to exposure new viruses from the wild.

7.Coronavirus: Inside Italy’s Covid-19 Lockdown

Reporter Emma Alberici taps into her network of family and friends in Italy to tell stories behind the lockdown for this special report.

The video follows how a young family live their lives in lockdown, how those who still work in essential services and how a young girl does school from home.

It also follows the head surgeon at one of the city’s major hospitals has contracted the Coronovirus from one of his patients. In this video, he shows his life under isolation and how he is being treated for the infection.

Watch the video here.

8.Covid-19/Coronavirus: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnostics

If you are willing to sit through a science class, watch this video by Ninja Nerd Science.

Learn about the origin and zoonosis of the virus, the routes of transmission, epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnostic tests used to identify Covid-19.

Basically, the Ninja Nerd Science compiles the most up to date and recent data on the virus (as of Mar 15, 2020) and present them in this video.

As new information and research is published, the channel continues to provide the latest updates and all the recent data about the new coronavirus.

Watch the video here.

9.Covid-19: Your questions about coronavirus, answered

If you have questions about Covid-19 especially on how it will affect the economy, this is the video for you.

Some of the questions are will Covid-19 trigger a financial crisis or is that an overreaction, which industries will be affected the most, how will low-income countries be affected.

The panelists in the video also discuss will some leaders try to use the pandemic to cement their grip on power and why do mortality rates differ from country to country.

Of course, some of you might want to know when will the crisis reach its peak and how long will we need to wait for the vaccine.

10.How wildlife trade is linked to coronavirus

This video not only explains how the new coronavirus is linked to wildlife trade but also why the disease first appeared in China.

One of the experts in the video stated, “The majority of the people in China do not eat wildlife animals. Those who consume these wildlife animals are the rich and the powerful – a small minority.”

Hence, the video explains how the people of China are themselves victims of the conditions that led to coronavirus.

11.Why fighting the coronavirus depends on you

In this video, Vox explains how we could slow the virus down from spreading entirely.

It must be done so that severe cases get spread out over a longer period of time and hospitals are less likely to be overwhelmed.

Vox also explains how social distancing is the best way to slow down the spread for everyone.

12.The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do

For those who love animation, then watch this video by Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell.

The team behind this video aims to make science look beautiful and the way they explain things is “with optimistic nihilism”.

This animation explains what actually happens when it infects a human and what should we all do in fighting Covid-19.

Watch the video here.

13.The Science Behind the Coronavirus, the complete series

“Thank you Dr. Soon. You explained it in a way that I understood everything. This was very informative”; “The doctor has given a very enlightening and simplified explanation on this virus”; “I loved how he broke this down so it could be easily understood”; these are some of the comments left on this video.

Here, the executive chairman of the Los Angeles Times, Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong offers and overview of the coronavirus.

He proposes that understanding how the virus infects our bodies and strategies toward treatment can help as allay our anxiety about it.

14.What this chart actually means for Covid-19

You have heard the phrase and seen the hashtags, “Flatten the Curve” but what does it mean?

It’s Okay To Be Smart explains through animation why flattening the curve is important and what we can do on our parts.

One of the comments on this video said that we need to “share this video with all the selfish people refusing to quarantine themselves.” And we couldn’t agree more.

15.What Coronavirus symptoms look like, day by day

After being exposed to the Covid-19 virus, it can take from two to 14 days for symptoms to develop.

Every case range from mild to critical. While the average timeline from the first symptom to recovery is about 17 days, some cases are fatal.

Here is a video showcasing what it looks like to develop Covid-19, day by day.

16.Why Pandemics like Covid-19 keep happening

From the black death to the coronavirus, why pandemics keep happening to the world?

Apparently, there are plenty of factors attributing to a pandemic. If you dissect the problem closely, then it involves sort of social, cultural, political issues and many more.

Here, the Bloomberg explains what we need to think about in order to tackle pandemics.

Watch the video here.

17.How soap kills the coronavirus

People have been stocking up on hand sanitizers. The idea behind any alcohol-based hand rub like hand sanitizers is to use them when no soap and water is available.

So when you are at home; with soap and water readily available, there is no use for hand sanitizers.

Here Vox explains how plain old soap and water absolutely annihilates coronavirus.

18.The new coronavirus: How Should the World Respond?

As the new coronavirus is shutting down the Earth, what should we do? Here the Economist takes on what lessons can the rest of the world learn from China, Singapore and South Korea.

19.The Race to Develop A Coronavirus Vaccine

Even when scientists are racing against time to discover the vaccine for Covid-19, it might take at least one year or one year and half before the race is over.

CNBC explores what is at stake and when the world can expect a coronavirus vaccine.

20.Dr Martin Blaser Answers Coronavirus Questions from Twitter

When should we expect to see mutations? Does Covid-19 have a lifespan? Is coronavirus the 0.01% that soaps and sanitizers can’t kill?

Dr Martin Blaser, the professor of medicine and infectious diseases at Rutgers University takes on questions from Twitter.

What makes this video interesting is that they cover all kinds of questions, even questions that might not sound so serious. For example, should we limit how many times we use sanitizer in a day.

As there is so much new information and research found on daily basis, it is important to keep yourself updated with new knowledge every day.

What WHO wants you to know about the new coronavirus, COVID-19

Published on March 27, 2020

Environment

Who better to tell you on what to do during this pandemic caused by COVID-19 other than the World Health Organisation (WHO)?

It is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The organisation’s main objective is to ensure “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.”

Basically, the public can rely on them for the most accurate information when it comes to pandemics, diseases and overall health.

While you cannot rely on your minister’s advice – the one who advised that drinking warm water will fight the coronavirus, or your president who wants to end the lockdown while the virus is advancing – you can always rely on WHO.

Since the virus is new, scientists are racing against time to research more about it. According to The Guardian as of 26 March, about 35 companies and academic institutions are working on a vaccine, and the US has already started human trials, so while researchers are still doing their jobs, any other unconfirmed news about the coronavirus should not be shared.

WHO is constantly updating the public with the latest information and discovery on the coronavirus.

Here is KajoMag’s summary of what the World Health Organisation wants you to know about the new coronavirus, COVID-19:

1.Why you should wash your hands regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub?

You have heard it over and over again; wash your hands! Frequently washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand solution kill viruses that may be on your hands. It is as simple as that but still very important.

hands 4934590 1280 — Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Credits: Pixabay

2.Why is it important to cover your nose and mouth with a bent elbow or tissue when you sneeze or cough?

Droplets spread the coronavirus. By following respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from contracting viruses such as cold, flu and coronavirus.

https://www.facebook.com/WHO/photos/a.167668209945237/2981616371883726/?type=3

3.Why you should avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth?

You hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses, Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

4.Why social distancing is important?

By maintaining at least one metre’s distance from others, you are helping to avoid breathing in any droplets from someone who sneezes or coughs in close proximity.

If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets including the COVID-19 if the person coughing has the disease.

covid 19 4939288 1280 — Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

5.Are smokers and tobacco users at higher risk of COVID-19 infection?

Smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 as the act of smoking means that fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with lips which increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth.

Besides, smokers may also already have lung disease or reduced lung capacity which greatly increase risk of serious illness.

Debunking some myths on coronavirus

COVID-19 virus CAN be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates.

From the evidence so far, COVID-19 CAN be transmitted in ALL AREAS including areas with hot and humid weather.

So it doesn’t matter if you are out in the sun where the beach is or in an air-conditioned room, the virus can transmitted in ALL AREAS.

According to WHO, the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands.

By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth and nose.

Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronovirus.

To date, there is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus.

The normal human body temperature remains the same regardless of the external temperature or weather.

Again, taking a hot bath does not prevent the COVID-19 virus because your temperature still remain the same.

An ultraviolet disinfection lamp cannot kill COVID-19 virus.

In fact, these lamps should not be used to sterilise hands and UV radiation can cause skin irritation.

Eating garlic cannot help prevent infection with the COVID-19.

Garlic may be a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence that eating it has protected people from the new coronavirus.

Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?

No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria. Therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.

However, if you are hospitalised for COVID-19, you may receive antibiotics because co-infection is possible.

Here are some of the things WHO has not confirmed about the coronavirus as research is still underway:

1.Are pregnant women at higher risk from COVID-19?

The data is limited but there is no evidence that pregnant women are at a higher risk for severe illness than the general population.

Nonetheless, due to the changes in their bodies and immune systems, pregnant women can be badly affected by some respiratory infections.

Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to report any possible symptoms to their doctors.

2.How long can COVID-19 can survive on a dry surface?

As at the time of writing, there is no data available on COVID-19 stability on surfaces. So far, laboratory studies have shown SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV that stability in the environment depends on several factors.

These factors include relative temperature, humidity and surface type.

However, the preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days.

3.Can the COVID-19 virus be transmitted through the air?

Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.

However, WHO is assessing ongoing research on other ways COVID-19 is spread and will share updated findings.

WHO also advised to keep yourself updated on the latest COVID-19 hotspots. These are the cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely.

If possible, avoid travelling to such places especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease.

At the end of the day, keep yourself updated only from verified news. Do not rely on forwarded text messages or unverified testimonies on social media. Who cares what your parents’ neighbours’ third cousin says about the coronavirus – if it has not been scientifically proven, do not believe in it.

#KajoAsks: UINAH Ginger Beer, the beer that won’t get you drunk

Published on March 13, 2020

With just 1.1% alcohol content, UINAH Ginger Beer does not qualify as an alcoholic beverage, according to the Non-Alcoholic Beverages regulations 362 to 384, 386 and 386A under the Food Regulations 1985.

So, this beverage is the perfect drink to be enjoyed in copious amounts especially now when the weather’s slightly warmer.

‘Uinah’ is Sabahan slang for ‘wow’. UINAH Ginger Beer was first launched in 2018 at Jesselton Artisan Market in Sabah.

It is made from ginger from Tambunan valley in Sabah and its other key ingredients include filtered water, citrus lemon, sugar, probiotic yeast and carbonation.

This ginger beer does not contain artificial flavouring or chemicals and has probiotic properties – which means it is good for digestive system.

KajoMag got in touch with UINAH Ginger Beer as we are curious about this thirst-quenching product.

KajoMag: When and how did your interest in brewing ginger beer start?

UINAH: Our founders, James Wong and Matthias Liew, are Sabahan boys with a love for quality craft beverages. A few years ago, they started brewing ginger beer as a hobby and found they had a knack for it; wherever they went, people loved it!

So, in 2018, they started UINAH Premium Craft Beverages, and we offer two products: UINAH Ginger Beer and UINAH Roselle Paradise.

KajoMag: Can you tell us what makes UINAH Ginger Beer different from other ginger beers?

The ginger is from Tambunan, Sabah (Picture source: Uinah Ginger Beer)

UINAH: Our flagship beverage, UINAH Ginger Beer, is unique because we use some of the spiciest gingers in the region found in Tambunan, Sabah. This gives our ginger beer a spicy zing with a Bornean twist that sets it apart from other brews.

KajoMag: For those who have never tasted it, how would you describe UINAH Ginger Beer?

UINAH: Our ginger beer is spicily refreshing! With a crisp and cool finish, it’s not overly sweet and the tartness of lemon balances well with our ginger’s strong kick, making it a great choice for Borneo’s sunny days. What may surprise you, though, is that our ginger beer is also sought after on cold, rainy days because ginger warms the body.

KajoMag: What was the most memorable comment you received when you first launched?

UINAH: James remembers a time back when we first began. We had run out of stock when he received a phone call from a lady who was in confinement after having delivered her child.

“Where’s my ginger beer? I need my ginger beer,” she was saying, because apparently our ginger beer had been keeping her body warm and she was relying on it. Of course, it is a tasty drink too. That opened our eyes to the fact that there were other markets we could reach out to, like mums in confinement!

KajoMag: What dishes or flavours would you recommend to pair with UINAH Ginger Beer?

happy06 — The ginger beer can be paired with a variety of delicious food (Picture source: Uinah Ginger Beer)

UINAH: UINAH Ginger Beer pairs extremely well with what we call pusas in Sabah: finger foods such as barbecued chicken wings, fried dumplings, satay, roasted wild boar (sinalau bakas) and grilled fish (ikan bakar).

We’d recommend it with some of Sarawak’s favourite dishes such as ayam pansuh or tomato mee. Our Ginger Beer goes well with Asian flavours, so wok-fried noodles with all the finishings or a hearty curry would be yums. For a Western palate, we’d recommend pub grub like burgers and fries, crispy-skin fried chicken and good ol’ fish and chips.

KajoMag: Where can one find Uinah Ginger Beer?

UINAH: You can find UINAH Ginger Beer at most supermarkets as well as at select cafes, restaurants and hotels in Sabah. We’ve also expanded to West Malaysia, so you’ll be able to find us in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang or Malacca.

KajoMag: Will we get to see Uinah Ginger Beer in Sarawak?

UINAH: Yes, we’re definitely hoping to bring UINAH to Sarawak. We’ve got our eye on Kuching, Miri, Bintulu and Sibu in 2020, so stay on the lookout for both Ginger Beer and Roselle Paradise.

Fingers crossed, we’ll be hitting your shelves soon. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll even be available at your Rainforest World Music Festival!

20 craft business ideas for creative entrepreneurs

Published on March 4, 2020

A craft business is perhaps one of the longest forms of trade. Craftsmen have been making things with their hands and selling their small-scale products before factories and machines came along and mass-produced almost everything.

Nowadays, these craftsmen often identify themselves as artisans. Since many of these craft-making skills are slowly disappearing, there is a new wave of appreciations for those who can make things by hand.

If crafting is your hobby, a craft business makes an excellent startup idea.

According to a study published in 2019, the worldwide market for Arts and Crafts is a expected to grow at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of roughly over the next five years. The number is expected to reach USD53100 mill in 2024 from USD38400 in 2019.

Recognising the skills of displaced artisans, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) started a new initiative called MADE51 a couple years ago.

MADE51 work closely with social enterprises to support refugee artisans in producing craft products.

A craft business is not just about profit-making. For many social enterprises, a craft business is part of empowering and providing solution for the community.

Check out these 20 craft business ideas if you are looking into creative entrepreneurship:

1.Glassblowing

person in black shirt holding glass rod 220990 — Glassblowing is a craft of inflating molten glass into bubble with the aid of a blowpipe. Credit: Pexels.

Glassblowing is a technique that involves inflating molten glass into bubble with the aid of a blowpipe.

The most common objects made from glassblowing are table-glass, chandelier piece, paper weight and art sculpture.

When comes to a craft business, sometimes it is not necessary to have the skill yourself. You can seek local glassblowers and buy from them.

When Glassbaby, a multi-million glassblowing company was first started, they did not make their own product. Their glasses were made from glassblowers around Seattle city. From there, they then slowly opened up their own glassblowing studios and stores.

Now, they have more than 80 glassblowers crafting each an every product. The company even had Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on board as investors.

2.Woodworking

wood working 2385634 1280 — The craft of carpentry still has its own niche market. Credit: Pixabay

This craft business involves making any kinds of items from wood from furniture making, wood carving to carpentry.

Some people prefer uniqueness and individuality even when comes to their spaces. For them, there is no room for mass-produced furniture at their homes or offices. This is when a woodworking business comes in to cater this kind of need in the market.

Bintulu-based company Matahari Furnishings is an example of making business out of woodworking skill.

The company handcrafted all kinds of furniture such as baby cot, cabinet, bed, table and chair.

Another example of woodworking is woodturning. It is a craft using the wood lathe with hand-held tools to cut a shape that is symmetrical around the axis of rotation.

An artisan can use woodturning to make tool handles, candlesticks, egg cups, Christmas ornaments and hollow forms items such as bowls and plates.

3.Candle making

photo of candle on wooden tray 3654619 — There is a new craze for hand-poured candles. Credit: Pexels.

Did you know that the Romans started to make candles since 500BC? Since then, the art of candle making have been developed independently across the world. The Chinese made their candles from whale fat during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC).

We might not rely on candles like we used to because we now have electricity and light bulbs but it does not mean there is no market for it.

Author Peter Drucker once said, “Innovation is the specific instruments of entrepreneurship. The act that endows resources with a new capacity to create wealth.”

CandleLab+Co is a perfect example of candle making innovation. Using 100 per cent natural soy wax, the company makes creative designs of candles cater to different kinds of festivals in Malaysia. During Chinese New Year for instance, it offers scented candles in the shape of lokam.

4.Sewing

person holding sewing machine 2973392 — A sewing skill is always comes in handy daily lives.

Sewing is perhaps one of the most useful craft skill that everybody needs. It does not matter if you are not planning to open up a craft business, this skill still comes in handy when you need to sew a button.

Since it is a common skill, create something niche and different if you want to stand out as a business.

Erpha Ahdayani Othman used her sewing skills to create gowns for Silkstone Barbie dolls.

These are collectable items with collectors around the world are willing to money for their costumes.

5.Crocheting

person holding crochet hook 2897128 — Always take your skill into another level if you want to start a craft business.

If you want to turn crocheting into a craft business, you must first think of uncommon types of crochet products.

Instead of the usual blankets, hats or bags, how about giving amigurumi a try?

Amigurumi is a Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures.

In 2006, amigurumi was one of the most popular items on Etsy, an online craft marketplace.

This Japanese craft is slowly gathering fans outside of Japan now. Tiny Rabbit Hole from Singapore made adorable stuffed animals using the art of amigurumi. Each product they handmade looked like an art piece on their own.

6.Soap making

soap 1209344 1280 — Who does not love to use good old soap bar?

While humans have been using soap bars for cleaning for ages, they slowly became unpopular when shower gels came around.

Now, the craft of soap making is back again as people are slowly getting rid use of single-use plastic products such as shower gel bottles.

Most of these crafters even took soap to another level by making them in unique shapes and sizes.

Kuching-based social enterprise Crafter’s Studio for instance specialised in making soap bars looking like Malaysian desserts.

What made this business more interesting is that they work with drug rehab patients and local communities to improve their livelihood through soap making.

7.Knitting

knit 869221 1280 — If knitting is your hobby, why not turn it into a business?

Here is an example of a successful craft business which was started with a knitting blog.

From 2008 to 2014, Christina Fagan-Pardy was knitting through her college days.

In the meantime, she started a knitting blog called shitthatiknit.com

In 2015, she quit her job to knit full-time. By 2016, her company production was outsourced to a team of women in Lima, Peru.

Now, her blog Sh*t That I Knit is a full-blown website selling knitting products such as wraps, earrings and beanies.

8.Hand Embroidering

floral design on white textile 2089949 — Embroidery artists often share their work on social media network. It is also a great way to promote their products.

In the last couple of years, we started to see the resurgence of hand embroidery through social medias. Now we have embroidery artists sharing their crafts through social networking sites such as Instagram.

An example of an embroidery artist who took the craft to the next level is Sheena Liam. Some might remember her as the winner of the second season of Asia’s Next Top Model.

Liam let the threads fall freely from her hoop, turning them into locks of flowing hair. This gave an almost two-dimension effects to her embroidery.

Her innovative way of hand embroidering was like breath of fresh air to the art. Innovation is always the key to a successful craft business.

If you choose hand embroidering to start a craft business, be innovative like Liam. Create something new or reinvent something old in a new way.

9.Decoupage

If you cutting and pasting is your thing, then you might want to try decoupage. It is an art of decorating an object by gluing coloured paper cutouts onto it in combination with other decorative elements such as gold leaf.

Crafters can create 3D decoupage by cutting out elements of varying sizes from a series of identical images and layering them on top of each other.

Another style of this form of craft is pyramid decoupage. In pyramid decoupage, a series of identical images are cut into progressively smaller. Then the images are layered and fixed with adhesive foam spaces to create a pyramid effect.
Browsing through Etsy you can find thousands of decoupage items selling online.

Chopping board, tray, candle, box, card, bowl are just the few materials used for decoupage craft.

10.Scrapbooking

scrapbook on white textile 3115623 — You can start to offer a service helping people to keep their memories in a scrapbook.

Speaking of cutting and gluing, here is another form of craft that could be turned into a business.

Did you know that there are people out there offering professional scrapbooking service?

You can hire them to create a scrapbook for you based on the photos and information you provide.

Charges vary depending on the time, size of the project and the cost of supplies.

If you already have fun keeping your own memories through scrapbooking, why not try to make money out of it?

11.Leather craftwork

person knitting brown leather textile 982657 scaled — Book binding is one of the many ways to work with leather.

The beauty of leather crafting is that there are so many things you can do. You can dye, paint, carve, stamp, mold, laser cut, perforate or used it for pyrography.

When it comes to handmade leather products, there are so many possibilities. From the common items such as bags, jewelry, watch straps to unconventional (but most profitable) ones like BDSM gear.

12.Macrame

In the 1970s, macrame was so popular as wall hangings decorative and plant hangers.

By the early 1980s, it slowly fell out of fashion but recently, this craft began to gain its followers again.

There are many things to make with macrame like hammocks, bags, table cloths and jewelry.

Additionally, using macrame as a craft business has its own selling point. You can use only biodegradable cotton cord and you can already build your brand around this environmentally-friendly product.

In the United Kingdom, the flower and indoor plant market is worth £2.2billion and 36 per cent of adults there prefer gardening as one of their favourite pastimes.

Furthermore, hanging houseplants has becoming the latest trend since it does not take so much space.

Making plant hangers using macrame is definitely a business venture that should be considered.

13.Quilting

According to the Fall Fashion 2020 runways, the world of fashion is still obsessed with quilting.

From padded jackets to bags, fashion designers still pay homage to this classic craft.

There are so many types of quilting that one can tap into from hand quilting to machine quilting.

By sewing two or more layers of fabric together, quilting is used to make blanket, bed coverings and other variety of textile products.

14.Pottery

hands slow motion pot brown 54216 scaled

Pottery is considered one of the oldest human inventions that originated before the Neolithic period.

It is a process of creating something using clay and other ceramic materials which are fired at high temperature.

There are three main types of pottery; earthenware, stoneware and porcelain.

Like any types of business, it is important to diversify your products and services.

If you are looking to tap into this craft business, do not just sell your product but offers pottery classes too.

You might also want to spice up your class by giving your students a chance to recreate the famous pottery wheel scene from Ghost (1990).

15.Paper filigree

Do you know that during the Renaissance, French and Italian nuns and monks used paper filigree to decorate religious book covers?

Today, you do need to be a religious person to make paper filigree. This form of craft is made from using strips of paper that are rolled, shaped and glued together to create decorative designs.

It is commonly used to decorate greeting cards but paper filigree is also used to design abstract arts, pictures and miniatures.

16.Jewelry making

work 4678695 1280 — Metalsmithing is one of the many ways to make a jewelry.

The craft of making jewelry out of metal combined with precious stones has been around for many centuries.

While there are countless jewelry stores out there, there are always demands for hand-crafted, custom-made jewelry.

Left&Right, Aini Ali Designs, Sue Ling Jewelry are just among the few artisans who painstakingly craft their own pieces.

Then we have artisans who take the uncommon path of jewelry-making.

Beejooz for instance handcrafts every piece of jewelry using real flowers. As for Malaysian based Woodie Pie, they utilise breast milk to make their jewelry. Unconventional right?

Speaking of unconventional, Kelly Lee made her jewelry using polymer clay looking like Malaysian foods. Who doesn’t want a pair soy sauce bottles or nasi lemak hanging from their ears, right?

17.Beading

When it comes to jewelry, beading has become increasingly popular. However, beading is not limited to one string bead after another to make necklace.

Artisans have been using beads to create handbags, coasters, hats, outfits and even painting for ages now.

There are plenty of beading techniques to master if you are looking to turn it into a craft business.

Besides stringing, one can use it in loom weaving, bead embroidery, bead crochet and bead knitting techniques.

For example, Ran & Nong Creations’s 3D beaded statement necklaces are the perfect illustration of intricate beadwork.

18.Weaving

craftsman 1839920 1280 — Make your own fabric through weaving.

Although we have machines to make our textiles nowadays, fabric or cloth made through weaving is still very much in demand.

There is still a great appreciation for skillful artisans out there who take on or carry on this rare skill.

Across the world, there are many types of traditional weavings found in different culture.

The Iban people in Sarawak are known for their pua kumbu, the Malay people are known for their songket and the indigenous people of the Amazon basin weave their product using palm-bast.

As long as the quality is there, woven products such as scarf, rug and clothing will never go out of style.

Additionally, weaving is not limited to textiles. Some artisans turn to basket weaving to make a business out of this craft while others use it to help those who are in need.

For example, Penan Women Project focuses on helping the Penan women of Sarawak to earn regular incomes from crafting handmade bags using their traditional basket weaving technique.

19.Floral arrangement

The floral industry is growing all thanks to the ever-growing interest in flowers. It grows so much so that there are official training provided in floral design worldwide.

Furthermore, people are getting more creatives than they used too. We now even have money, beer, chocolate incorporated into flower bouquets.

No matter where you are in this world, we can find flowers for almost every important occasion throughout your life. People need flowers for their weddings, as gifts and also for funeral.

Speaking of gifts, Gem&Feather is an example of artisans who preserved real flowers that can last for years. It is perfect gift for those who do not want their flowers to wither.

20.Resin casting

By using a one to one ratio of epoxy resin and polyamine hardener, a crafter can make all kinds of wonders with resin casting.

But before that, make sure work in a well-ventilated area and always wear eye and hand protection.

Resin casting is primarily used for industrial prototypes and dentistry. However, there is a new wave of hobbyist trend where you’ll see people crafting resin into collectible toys, figurines, miniatures and even jewelry.

7 people who turned their daily lives of living alone into YouTube sensations

Published on January 17, 2020

If you think living alone is not interesting enough to be filmed and put on YouTube, then think again.

There are people out there who have posted their ordinary lives of living alone on YouTube. Some of these channels even have more than 2 million views.

woman sitting on bean bag white using macbook in front of 169915 1 — How do you spend your alone time? Credits: Pexels

Imagine millions of people watching you doing the things you usually do on a normal day, like making your bed, cooking for breakfast and preparing to go to work. Heck, some of these YouTubers have even filmed themselves cleaning up, but the effect is so cinematic!

Maybe because of the cinematographic work put into these videos, these real-life Home Alone channels are quite interesting to watch.

Some of these videos could even be mistaken for a short film or commercial video.

Most of them do not talk on their videos or even show their faces, relying on captions to tell their stories.

Some viewers commented these videos are ‘inspiring’, ‘calming’ and ‘therapeutic’. We could not agree more because watching other people waking up early to make breakfast really reminds ourselves how lazy we are.

The phrase sometimes used to describe these videos is “hygge”, a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfort as well as contentment.

Thanks to the internet, people are watching everything online. From watching people eating on camera (“mukbang”) to watching people studying on camera (“gongbang”).

Now, watching people living alone is also a thing.

As for filming oneself while living alone, there is a South Korean TV show showcasing celebrities living alone in their homes.

If you are interested to watch people living alone in their respective homes, here are five YouTube channels to follow:

1.Tina’s Life

Racking up with more than 285,000 subscribers, this channel is run by a Japanese woman living alone in Tokyo. She welcomes her viewers to add in subtitles onto her video, so do not be surprised if you can see so many language options on her videos. Some of the languages are Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, Turkish, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Korean and so on.

Her videos can be divided into two categories; her routine and Vlog. Most of her videos show how she prepares a meal for herself at home. The effort she puts on her food, even for simple snacks, is just inspiring, especially for those who always eat instant noodles when living alone.

The best part about Tina’s Life is that she even shows her mistakes on her channel. One time, she baked a cake but accidentally mistaking salt with sugar.

2.Ondo

There is not much to know about Ondo, except that she is a Korean woman. Apart from showing how she spent her time alone at home, she also filmed how she goes shopping alone.

Other videos include how she spent her hours after work and weekend with friends.

Ondo seems to enjoy entertaining so you can see in some of her videos how she prepares food when her friends come over.

That is the perk of living alone, you can invite your friends anytime you want and they do not have to tip-toe around your housemates or family members.

Basically, this YouTuber just show the people online her normal activities like cooking, decorating her home, doing bullet journals. By doing just that, she gathered more than 930,000 subscribers.

3.Sueddu

This Korean YouTuber filmed herself living alone with her dog Bebe while doing activities such as cooking and painting.

While her cute dog could have stolen the limelight from her, what is more impressive is the level of aesthetic of her videos. Combined with the soothing background music, her videos are almost addictive to watch.

Working as a freelancer means Sueddu spend a lot of times at home alone. According to her, her life as a freelancer and writer is a repetition of busyness and idleness.

She shared in one of her videos that it takes a lot to do everything alone including film herself, edit the videos and share them online. The things that a freelancer who lives alone can relate to.

4.Rhea Y.

Rhea Y. is originally from the Philippines but is living and working in Japan.

On her YouTube channel, she shows what happens in a day of her life, what she eats in a day while living alone and her minimalist lifestyle.

Though her contents are not as many as other homebody YouTubers, it is still fascinating to watch her living a simple life on her videos.

Her reactions while living alone are very honest like saying ‘O shit!’ when she accidentally screws up her cooking.

5.PlanD

Understandably, most of these homebodies turned YouTubers did not reveal much about themselves. Since you are already telling the whole world that you are living alone, it’s not such a smart move to tell them about your identity.

For example, all we know about PlanD that she is a South Korean. She shows how she spends her weekends, preparing her meals and sewing.

Some of her videos do not have any English subtitles but she still managed to gather more than 97,000 subscribers.

Her video of how she spend a whole weekend by herself has more than 400,000 views. And when you thought spending time alone by yourself on weekend could be draggy!

6.Nyangsoop

Here is another aesthetic video of people living alone. Everything is so aesthetic about her videos; even when she filmed a Q&A video by answering subscribers’ questions using an old typewriter.

Nyangsoop admitted once that she does not know how to cook but continuously perfects her skills so that she can film herself cooking and baking.

And the highlight of her videos? Her cat who often make appearances in her YouTube channel.

As for the works behind her video, Nyangsoop shared that she uses tripod to film herself and then does the editing by herself.

She always come back from her work at night so she only films herself on weekend morning when the lighting is great. Then she spends the rest of the time editing the videos.

7.DALGO

Do you know that some people love watching other people clean? If you are one of the people who have that fetish, then you might love this YouTube channel.

But let me warn you, her house already looks tidy and clean in the first place so it is not a home makeover kind of cleaning.

Get this, her video of cleaning shower curtains get more than 16,000 views.

Overall, her channel is mainly made of Vlogs of her almost wordlessly going through her days of living alone.