Halloween cupcakes

A friend passed me a box of cupcakes on Sunday. Personally, I don't celebrate Halloween but I have no issues with people who do.


Thank you anyway!

Some pumpkins which caught my eye! Never seen such expensive and huge pumpkins before!

Profiteroles

I made these with #3 for her class party last Friday. I've been making creme puff with this recipe for ages. This is really easy after the first time. I used the recipe from the "Cook's Bible".

This one is almost similar and I'm sure it's as good if you want to try it.

Bento 307 - JLSM

I taught this Bento two weekends ago at the Japanese Language Society. This was a mixed salad in sesame dressing.

Some bunny apples.

Pancake 'wraps' with teriyaki chicken, mushroom and salad filling.

Bento 306

#2 likes to eat 'wraps'. This was one of those bentos in a rush!





Nicely packed in a bento!

"Sometimes we gotta pick up our courage and face life"

"Sometimes we gotta pick up our courage and face life"
(something in that context...)

It's been almost two weeks (30th Sept 2010) since #1 left to further her studies in UK. Last night was the first time we'd properly had a conversation on Skype. It's been a busy schedule on the BBM the rest of the time.

Things have settled in, routines have begun and exams are expected soon. Many people asked me "why UK", why not Australia? There are so many advantages if she goes to Australia, blah, blah, blah. "To each his own", I say!

I told #1 to update her blog with some pictures, she re-directed me to a new pictorial blog which she directly blogs from her new BB. The weather has been cold and then hot, it's been a merry go round with the temperature. She's learnt to cook 'perfect rice'. A few dishes which she learnt via BBM has given her the comfort of 'home cooked food'.


"WE WOULD HAVE FEWER SOCIAL AND PERSONAL PROBLEMS IF WE COULD ONLY UNDERSTAND THAT, WHEN OUR BELIEFS ARE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE IN THE WORLD, IT IS BETTER TO ADJUST OUR BELIEFS THAN TO DENY THE EVIDENCE AND CLING TENACIOUSLY TO DYSFUNCTIONAL IDEAS."

Stanovich (2004)

Bento 305

I've been trying to find an excuse to bento! Nobody wants a bento...*sigh* (so sad...).

Made this for myself today. It's "nasi ulam", some leftover "perut ikan" and a plum.



A close up picture of this delicious meal. I made the "nasi ulam" out of left over herbs from cooking chicken rendang. I don't have a recipe because I estimate my ingredients but I've linked a recipe in the top for those who may want to try it out. It's quite close to how I do it except that there's no hard and fast rule about using the specific herbs and quantities. I just estimated and improvised and each time, the "nasi ulam" is as delicious!

The "perut ikan" was a 'gift' from mum's Taichi friend. Very delicious and authentic. I haven't learnt to cook it yet. Next project to learn from my mum. *wide grin*.

Bento 304

This bento was sent to #3 at her day care center. I make it a point to send her food at least 3 times a week. Other times she orders from the neighboring Deli.

Clockwise: Campbell mushroom soup, some nests of spaghetti and tonkatsu. Cubes of orange and a small box of Mayo for the spaghetti.

Bento 303

I made this for #2 today. It was her lunch for after college. That's Caesar salad tossed in a home made sauce. I finally made Apple Strudel from an old recipe from one of Betty Yew's classes taught from her home umpteen years ago. There was also some nests of spaghetti topped with beef furikake.


A simple and delicious lunch!

It's been almost one week since #1 left for her studies in UK, with her dad to help her settle down.

God has been good and all things has traveled it's course, life goes on....

Japanese cooking class

My friend Alice who is now working in Japan used to teach Japanese cooking at a Japanese Language center down town. When she was seconded to Japan, she asked if I could help to take over the 'sinseh' (teacher) role. I was reluctant at first because of my weekend commitments but relented for the sake of helping a friend.

The Language center, JLSM offer several levels of Japanese language proficiency courses, Akido, Chirimen, Odori, Origami and other festival activities and fun.

Last Sunday, I taught Cha Soba and Gyoza. I was told that the JLSM committee members were holding their meeting at noon and was asked to help to cook extra for their lunch. Honestly, it is quite a task to make 'extra' gyoza in the short period we had but somehow all things went well and not only did the lesson finish, we managed to cook enough for lunch for another 10 people as well!

Below is the "Cold Cha Soba"


You can see the condiments laid in front of the metal tray of Cha Soba
(L-R) Sesame seeds, Spring onions, Quail eggs and a tube of Wasabi.



There were two pots of "Cold dipping sauce"



A pot of boiled Gyoza (the fried ones had long gone into the student's stomachs and take away boxes)


A pot of Miso soup.

Donburi

Left over minced pork, some eggs and French beans made a delicious donburi.

Snack Bento

This was a snack bento, prepared in a jiffy. In it is a "kai tan kow" (steam egg cake - a la Chinese style), some grapes and papaya cubes.

Onigiri on the go

Today, #2 travels down south with a college mate and several college staff. Apparently there are scholarship interviews taking place in two states and assistance is required.

#2 still struggles with her braces and asked that I make some Onigiri for her to take along just in case.

The large triangle ones are filled with Salmon and Avocado.
The barrels are mixed with furikake - a variety of beef and chicken.


The top box was packed with a croissant filled with Avocado, Mayo and Salmon.


The croissant cut into three pieces and packed in cling wrap.


A close up of the Onigiri.

Bento 302

I packed this box from left overs, one of those random days when a quick lunch bento was necessary.

This bento was mine and I had rice, some left over minced pork, vegetables and bits of waxed meat.

I really enjoyed it.

Korean Mandu aka Gyoza

Over the last week, I learnt how to make mandu. It's Korean dumplings.

Ingredients required:
Glass noodles
Bean curd
Taugeh (bean sprouts)
Onions
Garlic chives
Green onions
Mushrooms




Mix the above with pork or beef or both. Add an egg if necessary.



Wrap in ready made wrappers or home made ones.


Boil in a pot of soup stock comprised of Anchovies powder, garlic and onions.


Yum Yum!

Dinner Post

One of those random days when I cooked a really quick dinner in a great hurry. I had a large pot of water boiling the spaghetti.



And then I had another pot sauteing the onions and mushrooms before I added the cream and Swiss meatballs from IKEA. I peppered the cream sauce and added salt and chopped basil for more flavor.


I also made Chirashi Sushi in a separate casserole from leftovers.


Yummilicious!

Bento 301

It'a been a lonnnggggg while since my last post on Bento. Below is a simple lunch for #3.

Clockwise: ABC soup, piping hot rice topped with some sakura denbu (for color) and a box of chicken karaage and lots of grapes. You'll notice there are no vegetables because #3 doesn't eat them!


The "TIGER" flask all ready to go.

Of Birthdays and family

Last week, #3 turned 11 years old. We had a small family celebration in the midst of a everybody's busy schedule. Dad-in-law was in town and brothers-in-law too. Lots of men. (and a Holy man)

Mum and I planned the menu. As usual, mum has the last say and she very quickly eradicated my list of choices. In the end we had a braised duck, prawns and petai sambal, Ginger wine and chicken, braised pork, vegetables, pickled carrots, cucumbers and chillies, braised tongue and a pork bones and arrowroot soup.

My collection of bone china casseroles.


Braised tongue. Had raving reviews for this dish.


Mum braised duck for the first time and it was simply delicious.
A great cook always becomes a greater cook!


Sambal petai and prawns. Yummilcious!!



Dishes served...


"Death by Chocolate" by Just Heavenly.
Happy Birthday baby!

Julie Andrews shares @ 69

So, an anonymous comment in my inbox tells me that this article I received and published here was a hoax (thank you).
Apparently snopes.com debunked it ages ago.

Nonetheless, I like this parody of "My favorite Things" because I'm beginning to be able to relate to it. *Bleah*

Thanks Em for sharing!


It wouldn't be funny if it weren't so true... Julie Andrews turned 69 and to commemorate her 69th birthday on October 1, actress/vocalist Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was "My Favourite Things" from the legendary movie "The Sound Of Music."

Here are the actual lyrics she used:

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favourite things.

Cadillac's and cataracts, and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favourite things..

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favourite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favourite things.

Back pains, confused brains, and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short, shrunken frames,
When we remember our favourite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.

Steam Boat dinner

Last night was one of those rare evenings we could have a long dinner together and not rush off for some appointment or other. I made some fish cake (the longish looking ones), the other two fish balls and mushrooms came from Jusco.


There was fresh squids, prawns and fish in the menu.


Delicious home made pork balls mixed with chopped prawns, more mushrooms and straw mushrooms.




Simply dunk into a hot pot of delicious stock.