Cooking up a storm out at sea

Her dishes also proved to be one of the most popular foods among the residents of the isolated islands on the Pacific Ocean and sailors that the couple met, Wan said with a big smile.

Another invention of hers was banana thin pancakes, which were usually served for breakfast.

She stored items like tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, celery, onions and eggs at the bottom of the cabin, which was very close to the sea and much cooler than any other spot on the boat.

To make the eggs last longer, Wan turned them from one end to another every day so that they could be stored for a month even with daytime temperatures that hit about 29 C.

However, most of the vegetables except for the potatoes and onions could be saved for just seven to 10 days. The supply from the islands could not be guaranteed either because most of them lacked fresh water.

So when she found some carobs from one of the islands, she immediately boiled and dried them, then put them in soy sauce for a week, for frying with meat later.

Nylander lost 18 kg and Wan 14 kg from the tough trip.

"I never thought of cooking in such a small and churning kitchen, with an area of just 1 sq meter, but I made it," said Wan proudly.