Bento *eggsperiments*

I've been wanting to do this for a long time!!! Finally after two attempts I've barely succeeded but I'm satisfied that I did what I've been wanting to do.

I played with my EGGS (Tamago)!!!

Last week, #2 had some friends over and I did my first "eggsperiment" because I had to have people consume the eggs. I hard boiled six eggs and I did this to them!

(Top) Simple sliced eggs using an egg slicer

Star shaped egg using a star mould
(the shape is disfigured)

Scarface!! Put two black sesame seeds for eyes

Onigiri shaped egg using an Onigiri mould

Star shaped egg using the star shape mould
(see the egg yolk 'bursting')

I found that the eggs I used were too large and the shapes didn't turn out the way I wanted them to. I was only too happy to make an egg mayo dip for the kids to eat with water biscuits and Ritz biscuits. They finished about 90% of the dip *smiles*. The only sad thing was that the pictures were blurry! I was in a hurry and didn't check if they were okay. *Sigh*

Today, I bought slightly smaller eggs and I hard boiled four. They came out very much nicer!!!

I made another 'star' egg. Notice that it didn't have 'extras' hanging out!!

This heart shape egg was perfect!

This bear face is my favourite creation.
As far as I know, I haven't seen this in anyone's blog yet!!

Open faced flower shaped eggs

All the eggs from tonight's 'eggsperiment'!

The tools I used for the 'eggsperiment'!!

All these shapes are easy to achieve if you can get the right size eggs. Most blog posts will call for 'large eggs' but I've found that it's not really a good choice. I think the medium ones fit the moulds better. If you don't have the egg moulds, just be creative and use a knife an cut the egg a little and you can get 'scarface'!

I used the bear rice mould to get the bear face!

The Call - Regina Spektor - Prince Caspian

We watched Prince Caspian last week and it was AWESOME!!! Those of you who have been planning to go should just go NOW!!! I'm going to watch it again for sure!! Love this song too!!!

Memories...

Four days at a youth formation camp was another awesome roller coaster ride. I've been to so many and sometimes it gets a little predictable, but this one was an amazing eye opener to see so much being achieved in so few days. God is good!

Came back on Tuesday and was sick like a drowning toad! Coughing and croaking with an unceasing migraine. Today, I feel much better after having rested well. Haven't done much cooking as it's holidays but #2 has been quite ambitious and been cooking and baking. Her latest attempt was from my Cordon Bleu recipe book for "Creme Caramel".

When I was her age (16), I remember having a lot of interest in cooking because my mum is an amazing cook. My dad (now deceased) loved "Creme Caramel" and we'd always indulge in buying packets of "Greens" DIY creme caramel. It was an easy method and in a couple of steps, all was ready for refrigeration. It was a fool's proof method of making creme caramel.

Another of my dad's favourite was pandan Chiffon cake. I was an expert at making it and dad would always request me to make it. It was fun making both the creme caramel and chiffon cake. Family members would rave about how delicious it was. Dad was always my biggest fan!

You see, dad and I had a very special bonding. We got along like a "house on fire". We had the same interests and I was always eager to learn some new stuff or other from all his story-telling. He was a great educator and spent many hours building the bridge of communication.

We went for 'Dracula' movies together starring the great Christopher Lee or 'Kung-fu' type movies starring the famous "Wang Yu, the Shaw Brothers made famous "One armed swordsman!"

We love reading and we love watching TV, music stemmed the center of our souls, food was always the topic of the day, we were each others alter egos.

We never missed the Black & White Minstrel show, Cilla Black, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on TV. We shared a passion for Jim Reeves, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and the list goes on.

When I tasted the creme caramel that #2 made, it brought tears to my eyes. It brought back wonderful memories of the times I used to make adulterated versions of it for my dad and how he had raved on and on and kept requesting for me to make more of it.

I would give the world to be able to serve this to dad now and I know exactly what he would say. "It's delicious girl, go make some more!".

He would have been so proud of me for raising another fine cook-to-be!!

BENTO #70

The holidays begin today. Exams are over and we're off to a Youth camp for 4 days. Will be back on Wednesday and hope to continue posting.


This morning, #2 said she needed some sugar rush! "I just had 2 Turkish candy floss for breakfast" she said.

I packed some fruits, a wedge of salmon cheese spread, two slices of raisin and oats bread. For her 'sugar rush' requirement, I packed another piece of Turkish candy floss and a chocolate 'crayon'.

When she got back from school after the final papers, she was very vibrant and happy. Hope she feels the same way when the results get back. LOL!!!

BENTO #69

There was no Bento yesterday. #2 left the house @ 6.15am, all dolled up ready for the inter-school choir competition. Finally after 5 years of non-existence, they were placed at number 3. Quite an achievement!

Poor kids, they came back at noon to school after the competition and had to sit for two exam papers. #2 said that she was dozing off during History exam...ahem probably trying to hint to me that her grades will be on the downside of the gradient this term. Oh well, come what may, as long as she's studying consistently, I'm acceptable to some drop in performance.


This morning's bento was packed with her 'current' favourites. The top box consists of tuna melt and macaroni, some more almonds and a dessert in the form of candy floss. This candy floss is a melt-in-the-mouth sweet from Turkey. It's a cousin to the Turkish delight. My #2 loves Turkish delight and her favourite is the candy floss.


The bottom box contains raw carrots and some blanched French beans. When she had the French beans a couple of day ago, she got back and requested for more because 'it's so sweet' says she. Added a little tub of Thousand Island salad cream as a dip.

I also added to her stash a frozen bottle of Apple juice as you can see below.

BENTO #68

This morning when I came downstairs, I saw a ready fried slab of Salmon being cooled under the fan. My maid mentioned that #2 had requested for it. Wow! I'm so pleased that my new maid is able to replicate what I have taught her to do. This is a good start!

Today's bento is easy enough because it's exam period and #2 finishes at 2.30p.m. when I have to pick her and we go for a late lunch. So, we have a Salmon in the top box with a tub full of left over tuna mayo from yesterday's breakfast.

The lower box has some lovely almond nuts, blanched French beans and tomatoes.


p/s
I have another batch of Focaccia bread waiting to be baked!! Yipppeeee!!!

Inflation?

I don't know if it's me or if anyone else is feeling this. No one seems to be talking about it and certainly no one is bitching!

Over the last couple of months I realize that I've been spending a lot more $$$money$$$ on my groceries. Heck! I'm not one who uses a magnifying glass to compare prices, not because I have plenty of it (don't get me wrong). I'm just no good at handling $$$money$$$!

This feeling of spending more and getting less just gradually crept into my grocery expense account!! I used to get a whole trolley full, jam packed with groceries from Jusco 1U for RM200/=. Now! I can't even get that for RM300/=, it's ridiculous!

The most jarring price escalation that shook me up was two weeks ago, when I bought a 5kg bag of Calrose rice for my sushi. It was over RM30! I've alternately been using the Japanese Nishiki rice and paying about RM27 for 2.5kg. But Calrose rice! I used to be paying something like RM23 for a 5kg bag! There was a rice shortage scare last month and people were rushing to buy rice. I'm not one to get scared easily. I had an extra bag of rice which I bought from a previous grocery shopping trip. Out of curiosity, I went over to the rice section and found that most of the rice was gone. The available ones weren't the ones I usually buy so I didn't bother.

(Gohan)

I was grocery shopping again a couple of days ago and found my brand of rice available in the rice section. I had a mighty shock when I saw the price!! I used to pay RM29 -RM32 for a 10kg bag of rice. Now, it's gone up to RM47!!! Not only that, butter is at a ridiculous price and so is flour and milk, cheese too! I bake quite a bit and I use Anchor butter (formerly Fern) and it's priced at RM5.90 a block!

Maybe it's time to learn to shop prudently or just go on a diet! (not a justified reason). One more thing that I realize, I seem to be grocery shopping more often than I used to.

Perhaps I should keep my eyes open and start looking out for "SALES and PROMOS" and also start comparing prices between the hypermarkets and not shop for convenience. Sigh! Just imagine driving around from hypermarket to hypermarket to compare prices...*yawns* so tiring and the thought of it makes me feel lethargic already! Sigh!

Foccacia Bread

No bento post today because #2 didn't go to school. Good thing too because her friends called her after school to inform her that several class rooms got hit by arsonists!

Parts of the school building got burnt but fortunately no one was hurt. The fire brigade and the police were called to the site and by the time the school bell rang, school went on as usual. Some people go to school to get educated, others like to get warmed up!! Cool!!

I baked a Foccacia bread again today. Used another recipe and it came out even better than the one I baked the day before. I'm now on a hunt for a good Foccacia bread recipe.

BENTO #67

EXAM, PROTEINS, EXAM, PROTEINS, EXAM, PROTEINS!

These Bento restrictions are getting to me. I wanted to grill a chicken breast for this morning but when I was at Rosary last night, the hostess offered me a piece of ham to take home. Under normal circumstances I would have declined but I thought that it would help solve my 'morning bento' problem so I accepted.

I skewered pickled kyuri, ham and cheese in a skewer. Mixed some mayo, tomato sauce and mustard for a dressing.

In the other box, I mixed some salad and tuna mayo. I forgot to add a dash of freshly ground pepper...sigh!

Having a bad day???

"I LOVE YOU MUM"

I was cleaning up e-mail in my overflowing in-box and found this. I don't know about you, but I'm not waiting to tell the people I love, "I LOVE YOU".

A MOTHER...

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'

* * *
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years, but the demands of my work and my two boys had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

* * *

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

* * *

'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?

* * *

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

* * *

'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded.
'Just the two of us.'
She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.'

* * *

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited at the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last birthday on November 19th.

* * *

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angels. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'.

* * *

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me.
A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said.
'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.

* * *

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of! each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.

* * *

As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.

* * *

'How was your dinner date ?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.

* * *

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.

* * *

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid! for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife.
You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'

* * *

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'

* * *

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.

* * *

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct.... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

* * *

Somebody said being a mother is boring.... somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if you're a 'good' mother, your child will 'turn out good'.... somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

* * *

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

* * *

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first..... somebody doesn't have two children.

* * *

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.... somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten ... or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'

* * *

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married.... somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

* * *

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home.... somebody never had grandchildren.

* * *

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother.

* * *

This is for all the 'mothers' in my life and to everyone who ever had a mother.
This isn't just about being a mother; it's about appreciating the people in our life while we have them.

No matter who that person is... don't wait until you don't have them... only then will you understand how much you are missing out...

BENTO #66

It's that time of the year again - EXAMS!

In bento terms: EXAMS = PROTEINS!!

"No carbohydrates for me thank you - says #2! It makes me sleepy."

Packed some Ritz biscuits (minimal) with some tomatoes and Kiwi fruits. She didn't even want the Focaccia bread that I baked yesterday! Rolled some pineapple ham, sliced cheddar cheese, salad and wholegrain mustard. This is a delicious combination. I hope she enjoys it!

Passing on some Bento Love

Went shopping with #2 yesterday and got very excited over the stuff in the picture above. Wanted to buy the lovely bento box for my girls but...*thinks, ponders, pause, some more logic thinking* NO!!

Wwwoooow!! I just had to buy it and found an excuse, heheheh, #3's little friend Gabby is celebrating her 8th birthday tomorrow. A perfect reason to buy this bento box to share some bento love!!

I love this bento box because it has a side compartment to keep the fork and spoon. I also got a pair of hair clips and a bag for her. *I'm so tempted to go get one* NO! NO! NO! *No more space*!!!!

Kabocha

I had some left over Japanese pumpkin a.k.a. Kabocha.

Found an easy recipe here and it turned out very delicious.

BENTO #65

A fast bento for this morning. Beginning of the exams before the upcoming holidays.

This bento contains a Babybel cheese, hard boiled egg and some soy sauce in the strawberry bottle. The little Hello Kitty container is packed with some chocolate. The bottom container has her regular dose of vegetables with salad cream and cheese.