I may or may not have readers but I just figured I should revive my almost dead blog...more like resuscitating my blog.
It's been years...I mean seriously years and a lot has happened in these years...from a recruitment consultant to a recruitment company owner of 5 years to a catering biz...to a stall owner and now to a head chef in a reputable lounge bar in town.
Yep that much has happened...just couldn't continue with my blog when my mom had brain aneurysm...and as she was recovering then my dad was diagnosed with Gullain Barre Syndrome all in the same year. Too many things to focus on and I had to let go some things and blogging was one of it.
Now I'm back I hope I'm here to stay :)
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Monday, August 1, 2011
Grilled Stingray - My Style :)
The first time I tried Grilled Fish was at Midvalley food court The Portugese Grilled Fish and it's something I got hooked on it. Every time I visit KL and if I'm brought to Midvalley that's the meal I always have. Though it's something I love to have but one ingredient that I disliked most was the amount of sugar in the sambal. Yeah I know no sugar no nice...with history of diabetes in my genes all my cookings are without sugar and santan and anything that could contribute in that direction.
I started improvising recipes that I find or given or even create my own recipes to cater for my kinda cooking style.
This is one of the improvised recipe that I got from someone. I am not sure if it's completely healthy but it's something someone with diabetes or high cholesterol level able to enjoy without feeling guilty or afraid if it'll damage their system.
This is what I did to get it my style..
I first washed the fish and then coated it with salt and lemon juice and let it sit for about 10 mins before rinsing off and let it drain.
I didn't strictly follow the original recipe, obviously otherwise it wouldn't be me...hehe...I added 1 big red onions, about 4 - 5 shallots, maybe an inch ginger, 4 - 5 cloves of garlic and hmm..about 6 dried chillies (soaked in hot water to soften it), oh also some serai 2 stalks just nice. All my signatures dishes don't carry the exact measurement of ingredients I use. They vary and I can't cook the same dish tasting the same again, not sure if it's an advantage or disadvantage...whatever it is at the end of the day it's edible :)
The original recipe calls for belacan paste and sugar...I omitted these two and though me being a penangite belacan should be the key ingredient but making the chilli paste my style I didn't miss it much. Maybe perhaps I'm cooking it...hehe...
I threw them all in the food processor and process it...a blender can be used but in a food processor I get to blend the ingredients without adding any amount of water and that's the key to the grilled fish sambal. Otherwise, it'll be too watery and the taste will be off. With the chilli paste done...I moved on to the next ingredient.
I use adabi asam jawa as its already in a paste and I just need to dilute it in some hot water and it's good to go. Unlike the conventional type that needs to be seeded and sifted, this doesn't need all that. And if you are doing fast cooking this is the best solution.
In my first try a tablespoon of asam was a bit too much since I didn't add any sugar and belacan the sour taste kinda overwhelmed the spicy taste. So, this time I only used 1 tsp of asam in 3/4 cup of water. Yes, for this I did have a standard measurement coz I didn't want it too sour or too watery hence I kept to the measurement. Well I had to since my first try was too sour.
I heated the pan with some olive oil and added the chilli paste to simmer...after a while I added the asam jawa and let it simmer for a few minutes. I cook on low heat to avoid burning it and I didn't added any extra water other then the asam jawa mixture. Therefore, cooking the sambal in high heat would burnt the dish. Add salt...stir here and there and it's done.
Now it's the fish's turn...nice stingray I got there maybe it's not the biggest but it's just nice for the 2 of us minus the dogs. I drained and pat the fish dry with tea towel. I placed it on the aluminium foil.
I coated the fish with the sambal, it's a bit dry that's because when the fish is grilled, it will produce some juice and that'll make the sauce a little more wet later. So, I didn't wanna ruin that by adding too much water in the beginning itself, then it might get a lot wetter later.
Yes, I added four angled bean, okras will go great with grilled fish too. I coated the beans with some of the sambal before burrying the fish with it. This is to ensure the beans are evenly coated with the sambal.
I should have gotten some banana leaves it'll make the fish taste even better when wrapped with it oh well...aluminium foil will do. Nicely wrapped and ready to grill.
I preheat the oven for about 5 minutes prior with a temperature of 250 degrees set to grill mode. The grilling only takes about 20 minutes in that high heat.
The fish is done and I served with brown rice. Hubby's verdict..."Tonight's dinner is really nice but too bad too little". The two little ones did run around us begging for food as strict as we are, we never feed them from the table. No scraps but they are always ready and waiting and hoping if we will ever accidentally drop food. But not this time...lols...
Well there you have it Grilled Stingray without sugar and belacan paste done My Style...:D
I started improvising recipes that I find or given or even create my own recipes to cater for my kinda cooking style.
This is one of the improvised recipe that I got from someone. I am not sure if it's completely healthy but it's something someone with diabetes or high cholesterol level able to enjoy without feeling guilty or afraid if it'll damage their system.
This is what I did to get it my style..
I first washed the fish and then coated it with salt and lemon juice and let it sit for about 10 mins before rinsing off and let it drain.
I didn't strictly follow the original recipe, obviously otherwise it wouldn't be me...hehe...I added 1 big red onions, about 4 - 5 shallots, maybe an inch ginger, 4 - 5 cloves of garlic and hmm..about 6 dried chillies (soaked in hot water to soften it), oh also some serai 2 stalks just nice. All my signatures dishes don't carry the exact measurement of ingredients I use. They vary and I can't cook the same dish tasting the same again, not sure if it's an advantage or disadvantage...whatever it is at the end of the day it's edible :)
The original recipe calls for belacan paste and sugar...I omitted these two and though me being a penangite belacan should be the key ingredient but making the chilli paste my style I didn't miss it much. Maybe perhaps I'm cooking it...hehe...
I threw them all in the food processor and process it...a blender can be used but in a food processor I get to blend the ingredients without adding any amount of water and that's the key to the grilled fish sambal. Otherwise, it'll be too watery and the taste will be off. With the chilli paste done...I moved on to the next ingredient.
In my first try a tablespoon of asam was a bit too much since I didn't add any sugar and belacan the sour taste kinda overwhelmed the spicy taste. So, this time I only used 1 tsp of asam in 3/4 cup of water. Yes, for this I did have a standard measurement coz I didn't want it too sour or too watery hence I kept to the measurement. Well I had to since my first try was too sour.
I heated the pan with some olive oil and added the chilli paste to simmer...after a while I added the asam jawa and let it simmer for a few minutes. I cook on low heat to avoid burning it and I didn't added any extra water other then the asam jawa mixture. Therefore, cooking the sambal in high heat would burnt the dish. Add salt...stir here and there and it's done.
I coated the fish with the sambal, it's a bit dry that's because when the fish is grilled, it will produce some juice and that'll make the sauce a little more wet later. So, I didn't wanna ruin that by adding too much water in the beginning itself, then it might get a lot wetter later.
Yes, I added four angled bean, okras will go great with grilled fish too. I coated the beans with some of the sambal before burrying the fish with it. This is to ensure the beans are evenly coated with the sambal.
Well there you have it Grilled Stingray without sugar and belacan paste done My Style...:D
Sugar Free Baked Doughnuts
It's been ages since I updated my blog...yeah I do have lotsa excuses but not gonna waste my time telling you about it.:P...my long awaited kitchen was finally completed and I have already done some cooking and baking but just today I remembered hey, it's time to update my blog...lols...
I found this recipe online some time ago but been sitting on it for so long and finally I had some time to do some baking. I did improvise the recipe a little to fit my liking to make it completely healthy and edible for both my hubby and my furkids...yes I have furkids now. I have sparkle and casper but I'll tell the story of casper on another day.
In your mixer pour in the wet ingredients slowly as you beat them, the batter will come somewhat thick and sticky well that means the soda worked well with the ingredients.
The batter is just nice for my 12 hole doughnut tray, it'll be easier to use a piping bag to fill the tray and I only realized I should have used it when I was half way done. At this point I preheated the oven to 180 degrees while I finish filling the rest of the tray.
My doughnuts in the making, I can actually see my reflection on the glass...hahaha...at this point I have 3 hungry restless creatures in the house that can't wait to see what's gonna come out of the oven.
It only took about 15 to 20 minutes to finish baking or was it sooner? Hmm...I didn't time myself but I took it out when I saw it was nice golden brown...oh the smell is wonderful...I could actually smell the honey.
I glazed honey over the hot doughnuts and sprinkled some cinnamon on them...oh they look and smell yummy but I wasn't sure about the taste. This is my first time making it and all this while doughnut is made out of dough and is fried. This is our first healthy baked doughnut with pancake batter mixture style.
The texture inside is totally different well..duh...obviously. The taste is so much different it's definitely nothing like that fattening sinful doughnuts you get from dunkins or big apple or even krispy kreme. This would be an acquired taste. It's so crispy on the outside and soft in the inside. Some sort like a burnt muffin.
I cut a few pieces for my dear furkids and they enjoyed it. The comment from my hubby was just "nice" with a sad face. Who likes healthy food anyways they are not as yummy as those "killing me softly" kinda food. Perhaps, I should try again this time with the usual doughnut recipe but instead of frying I should bake it.
I was thinking of adding walnuts in the batter earlier for some reason I must've forgotten oh well, there's always a next time!!
I found this recipe online some time ago but been sitting on it for so long and finally I had some time to do some baking. I did improvise the recipe a little to fit my liking to make it completely healthy and edible for both my hubby and my furkids...yes I have furkids now. I have sparkle and casper but I'll tell the story of casper on another day.
Dry ingredients :
2 cups of all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder / soda bicarbonate
1 tsp salt I put a little less since I was gonna share it with the furkids
1/4 sugar (optional) I didn't use any sugar
I sifted all dry ingredients together in my mixing bowl, sifting is crucial this will avoid all the tiny little lumps.
Wet ingredients :
3/4 cup milk I used Low Fat Milk
2 eggs or 1 is enough
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
1 tbsp Honey - I used honey instead of sugar
1 tbsp of melted butter or canola oil or you can go without if u want to
Mix all the wet ingredients bowl and beat lightly
In your mixer pour in the wet ingredients slowly as you beat them, the batter will come somewhat thick and sticky well that means the soda worked well with the ingredients.
My doughnuts in the making, I can actually see my reflection on the glass...hahaha...at this point I have 3 hungry restless creatures in the house that can't wait to see what's gonna come out of the oven.
It only took about 15 to 20 minutes to finish baking or was it sooner? Hmm...I didn't time myself but I took it out when I saw it was nice golden brown...oh the smell is wonderful...I could actually smell the honey.
I glazed honey over the hot doughnuts and sprinkled some cinnamon on them...oh they look and smell yummy but I wasn't sure about the taste. This is my first time making it and all this while doughnut is made out of dough and is fried. This is our first healthy baked doughnut with pancake batter mixture style.
I cut a few pieces for my dear furkids and they enjoyed it. The comment from my hubby was just "nice" with a sad face. Who likes healthy food anyways they are not as yummy as those "killing me softly" kinda food. Perhaps, I should try again this time with the usual doughnut recipe but instead of frying I should bake it.
I was thinking of adding walnuts in the batter earlier for some reason I must've forgotten oh well, there's always a next time!!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Bamboo and Wooden Chicks?
We were at the traffic lights on Jalan Pudu and took the opportunity to check out all the dodgy looking hotels along the road. What caught our eyes was the shop (pic above). They sell Bamboo and Wooden Chicks, what on earth is that? Seriously, what do they actually sell? If anyone could read mandarin please do translate it for us.
For one moment, someone in the car suggested they are probably selling blow-up dolls made out of wood and another asked "wouldn't that cause splinters?", "Oh, no said the other. It's eco-friendly and made out of good splinter-free wood". Yeah, we had a good laugh as we drove past.
What ever Mr. Thye Fah Liki is selling surely got us interested. Unfortunately, the number on the sign board is old...hmm...perhaps I could call up TM tomorrow and get the latest number just to find out what do they sell.
Oh, could it be the bamboo mannequin chicks? You know those that tailors use to model their clothes, this is used way before plastic mannequins were invented.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
You're Leaking!!
Not too long ago, my best buddy Jason and I went to Bangsar for lunch. To solve the frantic search for a parking space we decided to park at Bangsar Village instead and since it was still 11am it wasn't a problem finding an empty lot.
We happily parked our car and was walking towards the exit. About 100 metres from where we were, I saw something that caught my attention, a couple walking in the opposite direction, very loving and clingy. Well that wasn't that interesting to watch, what actually caught my attention was the little paperback that the guy was carrying, no it wasn't unique or pretty or good to look at or anything like that but the interesting factor was.......it was leaking.
Whatever that was in there is obviously not meant to be carried the way he was carrying it, he was happily swinging the paperback as though he wasn't aware what's in it.
As we approached, I pointed to his paperback and said "Excuse me, you're leaking", he peaked into his paperback and exclaimed "Oh shit!!". It was his coffee that was spilling all the way from the entrance/exit to where we were and it's about 50 metres. Oh well, at least he only lost half a cup of coffee and he can still see his cup half full and not half empty.
I mean, really if you know you are carrying liqiud that could possibly spill why on earth are you swinging your paperback??
Jason then pointed out "Did you know, you just told him that he was leaking" hahahaha I know I realized how wrong that sounded, but that didn't seem to bother him though.
Note to self :
If you are taking your coffee/tea or whatever drinks on the go. Hold them with your hands and not in a paperback or bag or whatever that could make it spill.
We happily parked our car and was walking towards the exit. About 100 metres from where we were, I saw something that caught my attention, a couple walking in the opposite direction, very loving and clingy. Well that wasn't that interesting to watch, what actually caught my attention was the little paperback that the guy was carrying, no it wasn't unique or pretty or good to look at or anything like that but the interesting factor was.......it was leaking.
Whatever that was in there is obviously not meant to be carried the way he was carrying it, he was happily swinging the paperback as though he wasn't aware what's in it.
As we approached, I pointed to his paperback and said "Excuse me, you're leaking", he peaked into his paperback and exclaimed "Oh shit!!". It was his coffee that was spilling all the way from the entrance/exit to where we were and it's about 50 metres. Oh well, at least he only lost half a cup of coffee and he can still see his cup half full and not half empty.
I mean, really if you know you are carrying liqiud that could possibly spill why on earth are you swinging your paperback??
Jason then pointed out "Did you know, you just told him that he was leaking" hahahaha I know I realized how wrong that sounded, but that didn't seem to bother him though.
Note to self :
If you are taking your coffee/tea or whatever drinks on the go. Hold them with your hands and not in a paperback or bag or whatever that could make it spill.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The return....will it be for good??
I have been missing for almost a year now, a lot has happened in the past 11 months and now I'm finally back. Just imagine I started this blog same time last year and it went well till March and I went missing. Now I'm back!! I hope I can continue with it till end of the year hehehe....
Let me just fill in some insights of what happened in the past 11 months....I quit my job and started my own company. I work from home and I spend more time with Sparkle. If you have forgotten who Sparkle is, she is my doggie, my best friend and my daughter. Business is doing fine and I'm able to sustain. I have great clients, they are aware I'm operating from home and they are very supportive.
We visited Melbourne and Adelaide in December. It was more like our 4th wedding anniversary, my hubby's bday, our long awaited honeymoon and my sisters' graduation. It was a all-in-one trip. We had super fun, I'll leave our story about our trip for another day.
I received a good news yesterday, our house we bought in Seri Kembangan will be ready for us to move in just before CNY. Anyways, we've heard this before throughout the year last year. It's always before this and before that but it never happens. But this time, the developer is pretty sure it's ready.
When I move I'll be missing my good neighbours, my next door neighbour Jacyn that we rarely meet but always chat on msn. Ahh yes, we are neighbours and we meet on msn more often that in flesh....hehehe...I now have a new neighbour in the opposite unit. They moved in about a month ago but only saw Ric twice and last Tuesday we managed to exchange more than a Hi. Which is good and now we are chatting on msn....lol...technologies...
I got myself busy with cleaning and packing all excited to move to my new house!! Yippee!! I just hope it's not another let down.
Let me just fill in some insights of what happened in the past 11 months....I quit my job and started my own company. I work from home and I spend more time with Sparkle. If you have forgotten who Sparkle is, she is my doggie, my best friend and my daughter. Business is doing fine and I'm able to sustain. I have great clients, they are aware I'm operating from home and they are very supportive.
We visited Melbourne and Adelaide in December. It was more like our 4th wedding anniversary, my hubby's bday, our long awaited honeymoon and my sisters' graduation. It was a all-in-one trip. We had super fun, I'll leave our story about our trip for another day.
I received a good news yesterday, our house we bought in Seri Kembangan will be ready for us to move in just before CNY. Anyways, we've heard this before throughout the year last year. It's always before this and before that but it never happens. But this time, the developer is pretty sure it's ready.
When I move I'll be missing my good neighbours, my next door neighbour Jacyn that we rarely meet but always chat on msn. Ahh yes, we are neighbours and we meet on msn more often that in flesh....hehehe...I now have a new neighbour in the opposite unit. They moved in about a month ago but only saw Ric twice and last Tuesday we managed to exchange more than a Hi. Which is good and now we are chatting on msn....lol...technologies...
I got myself busy with cleaning and packing all excited to move to my new house!! Yippee!! I just hope it's not another let down.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Yoghurt Fish
It has been many moons since the last time I cooked fish for us. Every time, I visit the supermarket the fishes aren't fresh at all and I don't have the habit of buying from the market. One because my hubby doesn't like to accompany me there and two I don't know if I'm being cheated or not. For all I know, the supermarket could be cheating me as well...
I bought black pomphret and 2 slices of Garoupa, I actually planned to make chicken burger for dinner but changed my mind at the last minute when I saw the fishes.
It's been some time since I cooked a complete meal for dinner, I usually go for something fast and simple to save time. Yesterday, I felt I should cook something assumptious that both of us will love and so I did.
First I marinated the garoupa with chilli powder, tumeric powder and salt and set a side.
I cleaned the pomphret, I usually make sure that I clean my meat products before freezing them in the freezer as this keeps the freezer clean and the next time I decide to cook meat, I could just defrost and start cooking. It takes less time. Besides, it's really unhealthy to keep uncleaned meat in freezer. I'm keeping the pomphret for a rainy day.
Right, after cleaning the fish. I cooked rice. I heated up oil to fry the fish. In the mean time, I prepared the ingredients for the yoghurt sauce, cut onions for the vegie stir fry and cut ladies fingers.
1 Onions
Cardamoms
Star Anise
Cloves
Cinnamon Sticks
1 tsp Cumin Powder
2 tsp Chilli Powder
1 tsp Tumeric Powder
5 tsb or more Yoghurt, the more yoghurt the more sour it'll taste.
Heat up oil and add onions, cinnamon, cardamoms, star anise and cloves. Let it simmer and stir in cumin powder, chilli powder and tumeric powder. Tumeric powder gives the colour and you may add more chilli powder as you wish, if you like it spicy that is. Add the yoghurt once the strong smell of the spices starts tickling your nostrils. Stir well and let it boil. You may add the fried fish in the sauce just before turning of the fire but I prefer to serve it separately as we have different likings of how we eat our meals.
This dish goes well with stir fried ladies fingers. This is a simple and a common dish. I just love ladies fingers.
All done and served, the meal was too much for us though it was only 2 slices of fish but they were 2 huge slices of fish.
We were so full and we ended up comparing our bellies.
I bought black pomphret and 2 slices of Garoupa, I actually planned to make chicken burger for dinner but changed my mind at the last minute when I saw the fishes.
It's been some time since I cooked a complete meal for dinner, I usually go for something fast and simple to save time. Yesterday, I felt I should cook something assumptious that both of us will love and so I did.
First I marinated the garoupa with chilli powder, tumeric powder and salt and set a side.
I cleaned the pomphret, I usually make sure that I clean my meat products before freezing them in the freezer as this keeps the freezer clean and the next time I decide to cook meat, I could just defrost and start cooking. It takes less time. Besides, it's really unhealthy to keep uncleaned meat in freezer. I'm keeping the pomphret for a rainy day.
Right, after cleaning the fish. I cooked rice. I heated up oil to fry the fish. In the mean time, I prepared the ingredients for the yoghurt sauce, cut onions for the vegie stir fry and cut ladies fingers.
1 Onions
Cardamoms
Star Anise
Cloves
Cinnamon Sticks
1 tsp Cumin Powder
2 tsp Chilli Powder
1 tsp Tumeric Powder
5 tsb or more Yoghurt, the more yoghurt the more sour it'll taste.
Heat up oil and add onions, cinnamon, cardamoms, star anise and cloves. Let it simmer and stir in cumin powder, chilli powder and tumeric powder. Tumeric powder gives the colour and you may add more chilli powder as you wish, if you like it spicy that is. Add the yoghurt once the strong smell of the spices starts tickling your nostrils. Stir well and let it boil. You may add the fried fish in the sauce just before turning of the fire but I prefer to serve it separately as we have different likings of how we eat our meals.
This dish goes well with stir fried ladies fingers. This is a simple and a common dish. I just love ladies fingers.
All done and served, the meal was too much for us though it was only 2 slices of fish but they were 2 huge slices of fish.
We were so full and we ended up comparing our bellies.
There were some left overs, especially rice and some ladies fingers. That'll be kept of the next day. Perhaps, I should cook something the complements the leftovers...hehehe.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Wantan Mee!!
I have already posted the recipe in the past and here's the pic. I actually planned to make chapati with Mutton Keema, since we reached home pretty late and my hubby has to leave for his weekly badminton, I opted for Wantan Mee instead.
Cooking it was rather a tragedy though, I usually use the rice pot to boil water as it does its job faster than using the stove, and this time it let me down. I boiled water to douse the wantan mee.
My rice pot is rather old; it releases just too much steam and floods the rest of the area. Those of you, who have been to my house, would have noticed where I keep my electrical appliances.
Well, all my appliances are stacked on Ikea’s wooden rack that only cost me about RM20. In the top shelf I have my rice pot, slow cooker and blender. Second shelf, I have my microwave oven and the third shelf I have my Conventional Oven.
Too bad, I was rather frightened by the whole thing and forgot to document the tragedy with photos. My rice pot looks something like this.
The cup that collects water started to leak and flooded the rack, which leaked to my microwave oven and all the way to my conventional oven. By the time, I realized what was happening water have already reached the floor. I called my hubby for help and we turned off all the switches that connects the electrical appliances except the rice pot coz I was still dousing my wantan mee in it.
Just when I opened the rice pot lid, power tripped. At that time, my hubby was busy playing his PS3 game and sparkle busy sleeping, what else does she do anyways.
The trip startled everyone and my tiny heart starting pumping faster than usual not because of the trip, I was even more frightened to what my hubby was going to say. My hubby didn’t manage to save his game progress…hehehe…he has to play all over again.
It was pitch dark, and there came my hero to the rescue. My rice pot tripped the power supply. Sigh…this what happens when you misuse the rice pot.
The wantan mee that I was dousing in the rice pot was over cooked it looked like a blob. I had to boil water on the stove like everybody else, which I should have done in the beginning.
A meal that supposed to take me an hour, took me almost 2 hours. I wasn’t hungry anymore, I doused a fresh set of wantan mee for my hubby and made a complete meal only for him. The blob of wantan mee made me loose my appetite.
I feasted on the fried wantan, thinking what a dumbass I was.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Chicken Mcdreamy
I have been missing for some time now, not only have I been busy at work but I've been busy at home too...watching NCIS....hehehe...
Anyways, upon popular demand I am back to revive my blog ever so energized as before.
So, here's my story......
Last Tuesday I was on leave not because I wanted a day off, only because I had to clear my last year's leave balance.
Staying home, I had planned my whole day through and as usual I never follow my plans. I planned to go for my sewing class instead I stayed home and started sewing my shirt. I figured why should I waste my class hours by doing something I already know at class when I can do it at home. And so I did and of course I can't finish everything in a day. When it's done I'll post a pic of my shirt in the blog.
I was also supposed to go do a minor grocery shopping so I could prepare something for dinner and breakfast the next day. I lost track of time and didn't manage to do any of those. I only had chicken meat in the freezer and no vegies.
I figured, if I could make something out of what I have at home I could salvage it with some chapaties, no need for vegies.
I happily thawed the meat and while waiting for it to be thawed I continued with my sewing. What an irony, my hubby surprised me with chapaties and dhal and so I decided I could just marinate the chicken for the next day, as the chicken is already being thawed. I can't be throwing it back into the freezer now can I?
Since, he didn't tell me that he'll be buying dinner, he assumed that I would have cooked dinner and so, he only bought 4 chapaties with just dhal and no meat dish.
An hour after having the chapaties, he was hungry again. By then, I was too lazy to go by my plan instead I whipped out something out of the ordinary. I made Chicken Mcdreamy...errr I didn't give that name though..
I strained my well thawed chicken, checked the fridge for anything that I could salvage for the marination and found yoghurt not much about 2 tablespoons of it. I also found garam masala, not in the fridge but in my cabinet with the rest of the stock I keep in there. No dish is good without some chilli powder and of course onions. Onions because I was already soaking it in the water much earlier to soften the skins so it's easier to peel.
I was just too lazy to stand cook and so I marinated the chicken with all the ingredients I found and threw it in my bread pan...too lazy to get a proper pan....who cares anyways what pan I use as long as I have cooked some food to eat. And Oh! Don't forget to add salt!!
I cut the onions and stirred it in with the chicken, covered the chicken with aluminium foil and baked the chicken for 20 minutes.
Went back to entertaining my husband when I heard the ding. Time to stir the dish and I remembered I have curry leaves. Took a few sprigs, washed them and added them together with the chicken, there I have added some vegies to my chicken and so it's a balance diet. Stir well and I added a little olive oil. Placed the chicken back in the oven and cooked for another 20 minutes.
By then, my hubby was complaining he's getting way too hungry as the smell of the chicken is getting to him. Heard the ding again, this time he came with me hoping to be served. Got him to taste the sauce and he started gasping for air and water. It was way too spicy and he immediately started sweating...to balance the spicyness I added some milk again stirred the chicken well and placed it back in the oven for another 20 minutes.
I happen to have a very cheapo oven therefore it actually takes that long to finish cooking and now for the third ding. I checked the chicken, it is well cooked and ready to be served. I was forced to taste the sauce this time and lucky me it was just fine.
"What are you gonna call this creation?" asked my hubby, "I donno, haven't thought of a name yet." I said. "Chicken Mcdreamy," he suggested "Don't ask why I thought of that name." And there you are ladies and gentlemen, you have Chicken Mcdreamy named for no apparent reason.
Sorry, no photo...I was just too lazy...maybe I should have just named it Lazy Chicken Mcdreamy....I'm just too lazy to think of a name anyways.
Oh the verdict, "This is an excellent dish," said my hubby "and I want more"
Anyways, upon popular demand I am back to revive my blog ever so energized as before.
So, here's my story......
Last Tuesday I was on leave not because I wanted a day off, only because I had to clear my last year's leave balance.
Staying home, I had planned my whole day through and as usual I never follow my plans. I planned to go for my sewing class instead I stayed home and started sewing my shirt. I figured why should I waste my class hours by doing something I already know at class when I can do it at home. And so I did and of course I can't finish everything in a day. When it's done I'll post a pic of my shirt in the blog.
I was also supposed to go do a minor grocery shopping so I could prepare something for dinner and breakfast the next day. I lost track of time and didn't manage to do any of those. I only had chicken meat in the freezer and no vegies.
I figured, if I could make something out of what I have at home I could salvage it with some chapaties, no need for vegies.
I happily thawed the meat and while waiting for it to be thawed I continued with my sewing. What an irony, my hubby surprised me with chapaties and dhal and so I decided I could just marinate the chicken for the next day, as the chicken is already being thawed. I can't be throwing it back into the freezer now can I?
Since, he didn't tell me that he'll be buying dinner, he assumed that I would have cooked dinner and so, he only bought 4 chapaties with just dhal and no meat dish.
An hour after having the chapaties, he was hungry again. By then, I was too lazy to go by my plan instead I whipped out something out of the ordinary. I made Chicken Mcdreamy...errr I didn't give that name though..
I strained my well thawed chicken, checked the fridge for anything that I could salvage for the marination and found yoghurt not much about 2 tablespoons of it. I also found garam masala, not in the fridge but in my cabinet with the rest of the stock I keep in there. No dish is good without some chilli powder and of course onions. Onions because I was already soaking it in the water much earlier to soften the skins so it's easier to peel.
I was just too lazy to stand cook and so I marinated the chicken with all the ingredients I found and threw it in my bread pan...too lazy to get a proper pan....who cares anyways what pan I use as long as I have cooked some food to eat. And Oh! Don't forget to add salt!!
I cut the onions and stirred it in with the chicken, covered the chicken with aluminium foil and baked the chicken for 20 minutes.
Went back to entertaining my husband when I heard the ding. Time to stir the dish and I remembered I have curry leaves. Took a few sprigs, washed them and added them together with the chicken, there I have added some vegies to my chicken and so it's a balance diet. Stir well and I added a little olive oil. Placed the chicken back in the oven and cooked for another 20 minutes.
By then, my hubby was complaining he's getting way too hungry as the smell of the chicken is getting to him. Heard the ding again, this time he came with me hoping to be served. Got him to taste the sauce and he started gasping for air and water. It was way too spicy and he immediately started sweating...to balance the spicyness I added some milk again stirred the chicken well and placed it back in the oven for another 20 minutes.
I happen to have a very cheapo oven therefore it actually takes that long to finish cooking and now for the third ding. I checked the chicken, it is well cooked and ready to be served. I was forced to taste the sauce this time and lucky me it was just fine.
"What are you gonna call this creation?" asked my hubby, "I donno, haven't thought of a name yet." I said. "Chicken Mcdreamy," he suggested "Don't ask why I thought of that name." And there you are ladies and gentlemen, you have Chicken Mcdreamy named for no apparent reason.
Sorry, no photo...I was just too lazy...maybe I should have just named it Lazy Chicken Mcdreamy....I'm just too lazy to think of a name anyways.
Oh the verdict, "This is an excellent dish," said my hubby "and I want more"
Sunday, March 1, 2009
A Tribute to My Kancil
My first car, my kancil : I bought her 9 years ago with the little money had just to show my dad I could make my own decision and get what I want.
All these years we (my hubby and I) always wanted to trade it in for new car but by destiny it never happened. I took that for granted and thought that by fate my kancil is stuck with me for life and was proud of it.
Just recently, my hubby decided to trade in my kancil for a viva. My kancil is still in good condition, despite no air-con and dead radio yet I never had any engine trouble. She protected me from bad days and was there on good days. My best friend, my kancil.
Unfortunately, it was time to let her go cause the loan was approved and they were taking in the kancil for RM7k. With the little days left with my kancil only then I realized I wasn't ready to give her away. It brought back lotsa memories.
Flashback
Told my dad I want to get a car since he doesn't allow me to drive his and neither does he enjoy doing the chauffer job. As usual, he never approves. Back then I was working in Intel and I had some shares of Intel which I can opt to sell whenever the price is right. I managed to sell it and got my colleague/best friend to take me to the nearest Perodua dealer to make my booking.
Prior to that he has already inquired all the details for me, my friend. So, all I needed to do was to take my payslips and bank statement and book the car. Even after booking the car I was contemplating if I should get a car. I was supposed to wait 3 months for the car but it was already moving to it's fourth month. I called up the salesman and I said "I'm cancelling the car and I want my money back" He was paranoid coz I do this almost every month, he said "No miss you can't cancel the car it's already coming soon" I was mad, "That's what you've been telling me but I never see my car at all. According to akta beli kereta it says here that if I don't get my car as promised I am entitled to get my money back" He was begging, "Please la miss, please listen to me don't cancel the car. Your car is already here you can collect it tomorrow if you have time"
Wow, all of a sudden the car is ready and I can even collect it tomorrow. I managed to take leave few days later and went to JPJ with him. I can say that this salesman is an asshole. He refused to allow me to pick my own number, I had to fight with him in JPJ to do so. All he did was lecture and lecture and I had to shut him up. What an ass.
It was time to drive the car out, after getting my driving license in 1997 I never had a chance to drive a manual car, let alone drive any car properly. I've been practising in my head on changing gears coz I bought a manual not only that it's cheaper but the pick up and fuel consumption is so much better than an automatic.
Holding the steering wheel I told myself this is my very own car and I can drive her anywhere I want without asking my dad's permission. With quarter petrol I had in the tank I bravely drove my kancil to the nearest Shell station and vowed to myself that I will only pump shell and I did until my husband started driving it.
Anyways, that kancil took me places lotsa a places.
I drove around Penang, I was even a tour guide for my colleagues from India. She has seen all the parts of Penang and I thank her for helping me achieve that. Because of her I took music classes, I get to come home for lunch on Fridays since we had 2 hours lunch and I can park her anywhere.
Oh by the way, I only told my dad I'm getting the car one day before...hehehhe...
I made sure she gets her regular maintenance, she was well taken care of. Regular washing, vacumming, she always smells good.
My kancil was my first car and I never knew anything about running-in. I thought for a new car you have to get it trained to your driving style and so that it'll get seasoned. I drove it fast and vigorously and made sure she was very well trained and seasoned. hhehehe...thank god my ignorance never caused any problems to her.
My first dent wasn't noticeable, that time the parking space in Intel PG9 wasn't tarred yet. That area was filled with lotsa rocks, big ones. I super heroicly accelerated too much and bumped into one of the large rocks which caused a dent near the wheel arch. You can't see it that easily unless you look at it closely.
I saw that her side skirting peeled off, I took her to the service centre and told them to do something to the side skirting, after thorough checking the mechanic realized that it is actually a dent that made the side skirting peel off. They don't cover that in the service centre, instead he recommended somewhere else. I never repaired that dent cause it isn't visible. I put up a drama at the service centre actually. I said, "Perodua jual saya kereta accident ka? Saya that langgar apa-apa pun. Saya mau kereta baru" with a chuckle he said "Sorry miss, you kena check masa ambil kereta, sekarang tak boleh buat apa-apa la" Oh well I did try.
The first scratch on the car was done by someone out of jealousy. Cause, we had three cars my dad's, mine and my sister's. We park all three cars in a row and scratch was in a row on all three cars. I cried everytime I saw the scratch until I got over it of cause.
She even went through cockroach infestation, one night my sister and I was on the way home from our music class and suddenly we heard something being squashed and foul smell came through the air cond vent. Then we realized a cockroach was killed in it's attempt to escape the deadly fans.
My hubby's first trip to Penang, I was there to pick him up in my kancil. We went to lotsa places, it was so much of fun. Then it was time for me to move to KL. The luxuries my kancil had slowly vanished.
Having to live in a rented place gave us little money to take care of my car. She never had her maintenance as regularly as she should. I never had time to wash her regularly, she was always dirty but I managed to keep her smell good.
Her first visible dent occured when the tong sampah man used the bonet as a leverage to carry something heavy. That cause a visible dent, I cried discreetly for days. I didn't have enough money to even repair that. By now she had more scratches and dents that wasn't even caused by me.
The beauty of my car slowly vanished when my husband met into an accident, all the junk from his car, believe me they were all junk, it was transferred into my car and was left there for months and months turned into years. Even after he got it cleaned, she never remained clean.
We sparkle and she left her pee stains on that car back seat and vomit stains on the front passenger seat.
Slowly, her door knobs started detoriating, one by one starting breaking and I can only open the door from inside and not outside. It was so embarrassing when all four doors could not be opened from outside. The only way in was from the boot and thank god it's considered to be the fifth door. Imagine if it was an ordinary boot.
I went for interviews in that car in that condition. Since the doors can be opened from inside, I tied a string to the handle of the back door from inside and made sure he string is long enough from the boot. I had to open the boot, pull the string which opens the back door, closing the boot, open the back door and from there open the driver side door, close the back door and get in the front to drive the car. Imagine if it was an emergency and I'm being chased by people just to rob me. I run to my car in faith that I can drive off but instead of jumping through the front door. I had to do what I do to get in the front door. Even if I were to jump in from the boot, I may have to ask the help from the those chasing me to close the boot for me. They'd probably feel sorry for me and leave me alone. hehehe.
I have used my kancil as a lorry before transporting furniture and luggages when were moving house. She was also my trusty transporter when we bought things from Ikea. She has been through a lot and we did it together.
I finally repaired all the four doors and just to change the handles it cost me RM50 each and it wasn't even the same colour of my car, coz if it's the same colour it would have cost much more. I had to change it to black colour handles. Since it was all four doors it wasn't that bad.
Whenever I had money I tried to take her for her regular maintenance, got her washed and cleaned. I was in the tyre shop changing tyres for her and the mechanic checked her aircond and told me that if I don't change the gas, my compressor will start failing. I called and told my hubby about it and he said RM50 to change the gas is too expensive. I told him to find somewhere cheaper before it's too late.
As usual, he sat on it and my compressor failed. We tried repairing it twice but to no avail. It was running on hot air and it's frustrating whenever it rains, the windows fog up.
The first official accident happened in Jalan Tun Razak on the way to work. Involving a bike and a car. Surprisingly, there wasn't even a dent on the car but I was told it was my fault somehow. Not knowing what to do I accepted the blame and made a police report at the wrong police station. Few weeks later I received a letter saying that I had to go to police station to report myself or I'll be taken to court. I got that settled with my hubby's help...hehehe...
The first time we tried to trade her in was when my hubby decided to buy the new city when it was first launched for the first time. The salesman told us that the kancil isn't gonna go that much coz it was bearing penang plate.
The second time was when my hubby wanted to get a pick up truck, this salesman was willing to take the kancil for RM15k that was in the year 2005. That didn't happen either coz we weren't such a good pay master for the other personal loan we had and so the loan wasn't approved. He had another car of his own but since his mom bought that for him, he was told to never sell it and so he only had chance to sell mine though deep in my heart I never wanted to let go of her coz I told myself I wouldn't sell her.
The 3rd time was when he wanted to get the Mitsubishi Lancer and again due to the Penang plate they weren't giving it a good price.
She survived 3 times of trade in and I took that for granted. The fourth time, it was time the to let go. One reason, it's best to let go before the price starts to depriciate even further and second before the engine starts failing. Good points but I wasn't ready though I told him I was thinking selling the car too. It was sad for me coz she was the first car I bought with my own hard earned cash going against my father and I had to let her go.
I felt sorry for him for not having his own car bearing his name as the car owner. The iswara that he owned he had to return it his mother. I don't understand the concept of gift and then take it back by saying it's my car my money, how sick.
I decided to sacrifice my kancil for him so that he is proud to have a car with his name as the owner. Too bad when we bought the Lancer we wanted to transfer the NCB and mine was 55% that's why the Lancer turned out to be mine. Otherwise, it'll be his car, no doubt whenever people ask I tell them the Lancer's my husband's car. I never say it's mine only when he decides to modify it that I remind him it's mine, coz it was the reasoning he gave me to buy such an expensive car.
The viva was ready for collection on the 25th of February, I wanted the viva to at least have my kancil's number but since he is buying it under his name and the kancil was under mine we couldn't transfer the plate number. Then the salesman said that the running number now in JPJ is starting at 1000 and with high hopes I figured we would get the same number at least. But he couldn't. All this is making me cry coz until today I'm still not over the fact that I have given away my kancil for the love I have for my husband.
What's even worst is that I don't even have a proper closure, I don't even have any photos of my car, my kancil. I wanted him to let go of the car on 27th not only that it's a good day but also I have more time with the car but he couldn't care less and decided to take the car on the 25th.
Everything happened so fast, I told him to take a photo of the car once we reach the dealers place but with his excitement of getting his new car he forgot. I was too emotional to even remember. There she went driven by someone else away from me.
I never got to say good bye to her, neither do I have any memories of her. It is so sad. I'm crying now while writing this blog. Everytime I sit in the viva I think of my kancil, it is too much for me to bare. I know people will be thinking it's just a car but it wasn't just a car for me, she was my best friend, I shared all my secrets with her and yes I do talk to her whenever I drive.
I was hoping we could at least take a photo of her just for my closure and got my hubby to find her. He later found out that she was taken to Taiping on the very night we gave her away. Knowing that made me cry over and over coz I will never get to see her again.
If any of you happened to be in Taiping and saw a Gold Kancil with Black Door Handles bearing number plate PEN 1809 please help me take a photo of it. I need it rather badly, coz I can't stop crying. I just wish nobody buys her until I have enough money to purchase her back.
I made my hubby happy but I had to get separated from something that I dearly love.
I love you small little kancil that I never managed to name you at all. Wherever you are I'm always thinking of you. You are always in my mind and in my memory.
All these years we (my hubby and I) always wanted to trade it in for new car but by destiny it never happened. I took that for granted and thought that by fate my kancil is stuck with me for life and was proud of it.
Just recently, my hubby decided to trade in my kancil for a viva. My kancil is still in good condition, despite no air-con and dead radio yet I never had any engine trouble. She protected me from bad days and was there on good days. My best friend, my kancil.
Unfortunately, it was time to let her go cause the loan was approved and they were taking in the kancil for RM7k. With the little days left with my kancil only then I realized I wasn't ready to give her away. It brought back lotsa memories.
Flashback
Told my dad I want to get a car since he doesn't allow me to drive his and neither does he enjoy doing the chauffer job. As usual, he never approves. Back then I was working in Intel and I had some shares of Intel which I can opt to sell whenever the price is right. I managed to sell it and got my colleague/best friend to take me to the nearest Perodua dealer to make my booking.
Prior to that he has already inquired all the details for me, my friend. So, all I needed to do was to take my payslips and bank statement and book the car. Even after booking the car I was contemplating if I should get a car. I was supposed to wait 3 months for the car but it was already moving to it's fourth month. I called up the salesman and I said "I'm cancelling the car and I want my money back" He was paranoid coz I do this almost every month, he said "No miss you can't cancel the car it's already coming soon" I was mad, "That's what you've been telling me but I never see my car at all. According to akta beli kereta it says here that if I don't get my car as promised I am entitled to get my money back" He was begging, "Please la miss, please listen to me don't cancel the car. Your car is already here you can collect it tomorrow if you have time"
Wow, all of a sudden the car is ready and I can even collect it tomorrow. I managed to take leave few days later and went to JPJ with him. I can say that this salesman is an asshole. He refused to allow me to pick my own number, I had to fight with him in JPJ to do so. All he did was lecture and lecture and I had to shut him up. What an ass.
It was time to drive the car out, after getting my driving license in 1997 I never had a chance to drive a manual car, let alone drive any car properly. I've been practising in my head on changing gears coz I bought a manual not only that it's cheaper but the pick up and fuel consumption is so much better than an automatic.
Holding the steering wheel I told myself this is my very own car and I can drive her anywhere I want without asking my dad's permission. With quarter petrol I had in the tank I bravely drove my kancil to the nearest Shell station and vowed to myself that I will only pump shell and I did until my husband started driving it.
Anyways, that kancil took me places lotsa a places.
I drove around Penang, I was even a tour guide for my colleagues from India. She has seen all the parts of Penang and I thank her for helping me achieve that. Because of her I took music classes, I get to come home for lunch on Fridays since we had 2 hours lunch and I can park her anywhere.
Oh by the way, I only told my dad I'm getting the car one day before...hehehhe...
I made sure she gets her regular maintenance, she was well taken care of. Regular washing, vacumming, she always smells good.
My kancil was my first car and I never knew anything about running-in. I thought for a new car you have to get it trained to your driving style and so that it'll get seasoned. I drove it fast and vigorously and made sure she was very well trained and seasoned. hhehehe...thank god my ignorance never caused any problems to her.
My first dent wasn't noticeable, that time the parking space in Intel PG9 wasn't tarred yet. That area was filled with lotsa rocks, big ones. I super heroicly accelerated too much and bumped into one of the large rocks which caused a dent near the wheel arch. You can't see it that easily unless you look at it closely.
I saw that her side skirting peeled off, I took her to the service centre and told them to do something to the side skirting, after thorough checking the mechanic realized that it is actually a dent that made the side skirting peel off. They don't cover that in the service centre, instead he recommended somewhere else. I never repaired that dent cause it isn't visible. I put up a drama at the service centre actually. I said, "Perodua jual saya kereta accident ka? Saya that langgar apa-apa pun. Saya mau kereta baru" with a chuckle he said "Sorry miss, you kena check masa ambil kereta, sekarang tak boleh buat apa-apa la" Oh well I did try.
The first scratch on the car was done by someone out of jealousy. Cause, we had three cars my dad's, mine and my sister's. We park all three cars in a row and scratch was in a row on all three cars. I cried everytime I saw the scratch until I got over it of cause.
She even went through cockroach infestation, one night my sister and I was on the way home from our music class and suddenly we heard something being squashed and foul smell came through the air cond vent. Then we realized a cockroach was killed in it's attempt to escape the deadly fans.
My hubby's first trip to Penang, I was there to pick him up in my kancil. We went to lotsa places, it was so much of fun. Then it was time for me to move to KL. The luxuries my kancil had slowly vanished.
Having to live in a rented place gave us little money to take care of my car. She never had her maintenance as regularly as she should. I never had time to wash her regularly, she was always dirty but I managed to keep her smell good.
Her first visible dent occured when the tong sampah man used the bonet as a leverage to carry something heavy. That cause a visible dent, I cried discreetly for days. I didn't have enough money to even repair that. By now she had more scratches and dents that wasn't even caused by me.
The beauty of my car slowly vanished when my husband met into an accident, all the junk from his car, believe me they were all junk, it was transferred into my car and was left there for months and months turned into years. Even after he got it cleaned, she never remained clean.
We sparkle and she left her pee stains on that car back seat and vomit stains on the front passenger seat.
Slowly, her door knobs started detoriating, one by one starting breaking and I can only open the door from inside and not outside. It was so embarrassing when all four doors could not be opened from outside. The only way in was from the boot and thank god it's considered to be the fifth door. Imagine if it was an ordinary boot.
I went for interviews in that car in that condition. Since the doors can be opened from inside, I tied a string to the handle of the back door from inside and made sure he string is long enough from the boot. I had to open the boot, pull the string which opens the back door, closing the boot, open the back door and from there open the driver side door, close the back door and get in the front to drive the car. Imagine if it was an emergency and I'm being chased by people just to rob me. I run to my car in faith that I can drive off but instead of jumping through the front door. I had to do what I do to get in the front door. Even if I were to jump in from the boot, I may have to ask the help from the those chasing me to close the boot for me. They'd probably feel sorry for me and leave me alone. hehehe.
I have used my kancil as a lorry before transporting furniture and luggages when were moving house. She was also my trusty transporter when we bought things from Ikea. She has been through a lot and we did it together.
I finally repaired all the four doors and just to change the handles it cost me RM50 each and it wasn't even the same colour of my car, coz if it's the same colour it would have cost much more. I had to change it to black colour handles. Since it was all four doors it wasn't that bad.
Whenever I had money I tried to take her for her regular maintenance, got her washed and cleaned. I was in the tyre shop changing tyres for her and the mechanic checked her aircond and told me that if I don't change the gas, my compressor will start failing. I called and told my hubby about it and he said RM50 to change the gas is too expensive. I told him to find somewhere cheaper before it's too late.
As usual, he sat on it and my compressor failed. We tried repairing it twice but to no avail. It was running on hot air and it's frustrating whenever it rains, the windows fog up.
The first official accident happened in Jalan Tun Razak on the way to work. Involving a bike and a car. Surprisingly, there wasn't even a dent on the car but I was told it was my fault somehow. Not knowing what to do I accepted the blame and made a police report at the wrong police station. Few weeks later I received a letter saying that I had to go to police station to report myself or I'll be taken to court. I got that settled with my hubby's help...hehehe...
The first time we tried to trade her in was when my hubby decided to buy the new city when it was first launched for the first time. The salesman told us that the kancil isn't gonna go that much coz it was bearing penang plate.
The second time was when my hubby wanted to get a pick up truck, this salesman was willing to take the kancil for RM15k that was in the year 2005. That didn't happen either coz we weren't such a good pay master for the other personal loan we had and so the loan wasn't approved. He had another car of his own but since his mom bought that for him, he was told to never sell it and so he only had chance to sell mine though deep in my heart I never wanted to let go of her coz I told myself I wouldn't sell her.
The 3rd time was when he wanted to get the Mitsubishi Lancer and again due to the Penang plate they weren't giving it a good price.
She survived 3 times of trade in and I took that for granted. The fourth time, it was time the to let go. One reason, it's best to let go before the price starts to depriciate even further and second before the engine starts failing. Good points but I wasn't ready though I told him I was thinking selling the car too. It was sad for me coz she was the first car I bought with my own hard earned cash going against my father and I had to let her go.
I felt sorry for him for not having his own car bearing his name as the car owner. The iswara that he owned he had to return it his mother. I don't understand the concept of gift and then take it back by saying it's my car my money, how sick.
I decided to sacrifice my kancil for him so that he is proud to have a car with his name as the owner. Too bad when we bought the Lancer we wanted to transfer the NCB and mine was 55% that's why the Lancer turned out to be mine. Otherwise, it'll be his car, no doubt whenever people ask I tell them the Lancer's my husband's car. I never say it's mine only when he decides to modify it that I remind him it's mine, coz it was the reasoning he gave me to buy such an expensive car.
The viva was ready for collection on the 25th of February, I wanted the viva to at least have my kancil's number but since he is buying it under his name and the kancil was under mine we couldn't transfer the plate number. Then the salesman said that the running number now in JPJ is starting at 1000 and with high hopes I figured we would get the same number at least. But he couldn't. All this is making me cry coz until today I'm still not over the fact that I have given away my kancil for the love I have for my husband.
What's even worst is that I don't even have a proper closure, I don't even have any photos of my car, my kancil. I wanted him to let go of the car on 27th not only that it's a good day but also I have more time with the car but he couldn't care less and decided to take the car on the 25th.
Everything happened so fast, I told him to take a photo of the car once we reach the dealers place but with his excitement of getting his new car he forgot. I was too emotional to even remember. There she went driven by someone else away from me.
I never got to say good bye to her, neither do I have any memories of her. It is so sad. I'm crying now while writing this blog. Everytime I sit in the viva I think of my kancil, it is too much for me to bare. I know people will be thinking it's just a car but it wasn't just a car for me, she was my best friend, I shared all my secrets with her and yes I do talk to her whenever I drive.
I was hoping we could at least take a photo of her just for my closure and got my hubby to find her. He later found out that she was taken to Taiping on the very night we gave her away. Knowing that made me cry over and over coz I will never get to see her again.
If any of you happened to be in Taiping and saw a Gold Kancil with Black Door Handles bearing number plate PEN 1809 please help me take a photo of it. I need it rather badly, coz I can't stop crying. I just wish nobody buys her until I have enough money to purchase her back.
I made my hubby happy but I had to get separated from something that I dearly love.
I love you small little kancil that I never managed to name you at all. Wherever you are I'm always thinking of you. You are always in my mind and in my memory.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Dinner on Valentines Day
I'm sure you'd be wondering happened to lunch, after eating world's worst nasi lemak ever, we weren't hungry for lunch at all.
We grabbed some snacks, played Alone in the Dark on our PS3 and soon it was dinner time. About 4pm I asked my husband if we are going out for dinner or eating at home. Coz, if it's the latter then I will need time to thaw the meat. I haven't a clue of what to cook for the romantic night.
For us it's the same every other night, something to look forward to for dinner. So, it isn't any different for last night but shockingly my hubby said he'd cook for me. Aww, that's so romantic. He has done that maybe about 6 years ago when he wanted to impress me during our courtship.
This is awesome. When I asked what he was going to cook, he didn't have a clue and I know that feeling as I have the same dilemma every night when I had to cook. Then he said, "Butter chicken, I want to eat butter chicken. But I bet you don't have the ingredients for it, don't you"
"No, I have all the ingredients except yoghurt and coriander leaves." I said with a smug on my face. My coriander plant that I planted died, so there goes fresh coriander when I need them.
I quickly went and thawed the chicken. Well of course, he wasn't able to cook all alone. I was his kitchen helper and supervisor at the same time.
"Ok, what should I do first?", he asked "the chicken is thawed, perhaps you could clean and cut the chicken," I suggested "Yuck, no way, you cut the chicken. Give me something else to do" he grossed out. Then I said, "You could cut the onions, ginger and garlic". "Never mind, I'll clean and cut the chicken, you cut the onions, I don't want to cry like you", he said.
While he was cleaning and cutting the chicken, I had to cry cutting the onions. He also had to entertain the other kitchen helper who was going histerical with the chicken smell.
"What does she wants, why is she like scolding me?" He asked, "The smell of chicken is killing her, I have some raw meat for her, you could heat it up for her to eat. Then she'll leave you a lone", I took and gave him her raw meat.
I usually keep raw meat for her in the fridge, he did what I did for her. He took the meat and let it heat in the microwave while he continued cleaning and cutting the chicken. When the microwave done with her meal, she reminded him of feeding her and he did.
Once her stomach was full, she left us alone to our work.
He then marinated the chicken with salt and coarse black pepper. While the chicken is being marinated, he started to make the sauce.
25grams of butter was melted then the onions was sacrificed followed by the minced garlic and ginger. Then he added cinnamon powder, chilli powder. While that was simmering, I started the other stove to sautee the chicken.
I had to give it to him, he was juggling between the stoves like a pro and constantly asking me what to do next. He then added tomato puree and a cup of water. Letting it simmer, while he was sauteeing the chicken.
To replace the yoghurt, I had him pour milk instead. Since, he used tomato puree the dish will have it's natural sour taste. So, that's a balance for not having yoghurt. The sauce needs to thicken before adding the chicken and the chicken was ready, he added the chicken in the sauce.
He had to leave to simmer, I replace the sautee pan with a flat pan to heat up the ready made tortillas that I had. Again, he was juggling between 2 stoves.
The meal was ready, simple yet full of love. Being the kitchen helper, I helped him serve his meal to our guests. That's us, him and I....hehehe...
Our valentines meal prepared by my hubby, a day to remember and cherish by. My best valentines ever, it beats all the gifts, flowers and fancy restaurant. Having to eat a meal cooked by my hubby is the best gift ever.
We grabbed some snacks, played Alone in the Dark on our PS3 and soon it was dinner time. About 4pm I asked my husband if we are going out for dinner or eating at home. Coz, if it's the latter then I will need time to thaw the meat. I haven't a clue of what to cook for the romantic night.
For us it's the same every other night, something to look forward to for dinner. So, it isn't any different for last night but shockingly my hubby said he'd cook for me. Aww, that's so romantic. He has done that maybe about 6 years ago when he wanted to impress me during our courtship.
This is awesome. When I asked what he was going to cook, he didn't have a clue and I know that feeling as I have the same dilemma every night when I had to cook. Then he said, "Butter chicken, I want to eat butter chicken. But I bet you don't have the ingredients for it, don't you"
"No, I have all the ingredients except yoghurt and coriander leaves." I said with a smug on my face. My coriander plant that I planted died, so there goes fresh coriander when I need them.
I quickly went and thawed the chicken. Well of course, he wasn't able to cook all alone. I was his kitchen helper and supervisor at the same time.
"Ok, what should I do first?", he asked "the chicken is thawed, perhaps you could clean and cut the chicken," I suggested "Yuck, no way, you cut the chicken. Give me something else to do" he grossed out. Then I said, "You could cut the onions, ginger and garlic". "Never mind, I'll clean and cut the chicken, you cut the onions, I don't want to cry like you", he said.
While he was cleaning and cutting the chicken, I had to cry cutting the onions. He also had to entertain the other kitchen helper who was going histerical with the chicken smell.
"What does she wants, why is she like scolding me?" He asked, "The smell of chicken is killing her, I have some raw meat for her, you could heat it up for her to eat. Then she'll leave you a lone", I took and gave him her raw meat.
I usually keep raw meat for her in the fridge, he did what I did for her. He took the meat and let it heat in the microwave while he continued cleaning and cutting the chicken. When the microwave done with her meal, she reminded him of feeding her and he did.
Once her stomach was full, she left us alone to our work.
He then marinated the chicken with salt and coarse black pepper. While the chicken is being marinated, he started to make the sauce.
25grams of butter was melted then the onions was sacrificed followed by the minced garlic and ginger. Then he added cinnamon powder, chilli powder. While that was simmering, I started the other stove to sautee the chicken.
I had to give it to him, he was juggling between the stoves like a pro and constantly asking me what to do next. He then added tomato puree and a cup of water. Letting it simmer, while he was sauteeing the chicken.
To replace the yoghurt, I had him pour milk instead. Since, he used tomato puree the dish will have it's natural sour taste. So, that's a balance for not having yoghurt. The sauce needs to thicken before adding the chicken and the chicken was ready, he added the chicken in the sauce.
He had to leave to simmer, I replace the sautee pan with a flat pan to heat up the ready made tortillas that I had. Again, he was juggling between 2 stoves.
The meal was ready, simple yet full of love. Being the kitchen helper, I helped him serve his meal to our guests. That's us, him and I....hehehe...
Our valentines meal prepared by my hubby, a day to remember and cherish by. My best valentines ever, it beats all the gifts, flowers and fancy restaurant. Having to eat a meal cooked by my hubby is the best gift ever.
Breakfast on Valentines Day
14th February being the lovers day, we had to change our routine a bit to accommodate Sparkle's groomer. Usually, her grooming takes place on Saturday evenings and for yesterday we had to change it to morning. While she was in the salon, we went to temple then we were off to have breakfast.
We used to live in USJ and normally have our breakfast at Tanjung Mamak Bistro at USJ 9. Having breakfast at a mamak will normally mean roti canai, thosai or nasi lemak. These are the standard meals always being ordered and the taste could never go wrong.
We ordered nasi lemak telur goreng for both and milo ice plus nescafe ais respectively. Our drinks came in a smug looking mugs with Tanjung Mamak Bistro written on it. Then came the nasi lemak, looked ok but tastes......
How could anyone go wrong with nasi lemak. It is one of the dishes that taste almost similar to any other mamak.
I have attached my half eaten meal coz I didn't think I'd be posting about it, sooner. The presentation was ok but the taste...there isn't any taste. The sambal was flat, just flat, it wasn't spicy or sweet. It was nothing.
The rice had too much santan and strangely the rice was grey in colour. How could that happen? They used the cheapest ikan bilis in the market, it wasn't fried properly as it was soft and not crunchy. It was extremely salty. Maybe that's why the sambal and rice had no taste. Coz, when you mix everything and eat them all together, everything has salt in it. Well, thank you to the saltiest ikan bilis ever.
The fried egg was so-so. My husband, he said "It's the world's worst nasi lemak I have ever tasted" hehehe...
Never order nasi lemak at Tanjung Mamak Bistro, USJ9. No challenge this time as my hubby knows my nasi lemak tastes better anytime. :P
We used to live in USJ and normally have our breakfast at Tanjung Mamak Bistro at USJ 9. Having breakfast at a mamak will normally mean roti canai, thosai or nasi lemak. These are the standard meals always being ordered and the taste could never go wrong.
We ordered nasi lemak telur goreng for both and milo ice plus nescafe ais respectively. Our drinks came in a smug looking mugs with Tanjung Mamak Bistro written on it. Then came the nasi lemak, looked ok but tastes......
How could anyone go wrong with nasi lemak. It is one of the dishes that taste almost similar to any other mamak.
I have attached my half eaten meal coz I didn't think I'd be posting about it, sooner. The presentation was ok but the taste...there isn't any taste. The sambal was flat, just flat, it wasn't spicy or sweet. It was nothing.
The rice had too much santan and strangely the rice was grey in colour. How could that happen? They used the cheapest ikan bilis in the market, it wasn't fried properly as it was soft and not crunchy. It was extremely salty. Maybe that's why the sambal and rice had no taste. Coz, when you mix everything and eat them all together, everything has salt in it. Well, thank you to the saltiest ikan bilis ever.
The fried egg was so-so. My husband, he said "It's the world's worst nasi lemak I have ever tasted" hehehe...
Never order nasi lemak at Tanjung Mamak Bistro, USJ9. No challenge this time as my hubby knows my nasi lemak tastes better anytime. :P
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Weekend Meal
Hehehe...I got too busy writing what happened over the weekend and totally forgot to write about what I cooked...
Well, we got home around 11pm and I straight away started cooking...hmm...before that I had to greet my hysterical kitchen helper, Sparkle the dog...hehehe...
I always enjoyed eating Wan Tan Mee but never tried cooking until last weekend. I didn't get the recipe from anywhere else but from my memory. Hehehe...yeah! When I was 16, we used to eat wan tan mee every weekend.
This wan tan mee uncle puts up his stall near my place only during the weekends. He serves the best wan tan mee that I ever tasted, not sure of any hidden ingredient that he may have used though.
Oh well! I used to watch him cook while I wait for my mee to go to be ready. I don't just watch instead I managed to squeeze the recipe out of him and I forgot about it until last Sunday when I was out grocery shopping with my hubby.
When I walked past the raw wan tan mee at the supermarket, it all came back to me. The recipe was fresh in my mind.
When I got home I had to do everything from scratch, I don't really like to buy the minced meat from the store, as they mince the skin and fat together with the meat. Mostly fat and skin actually. So, I usually buy breast meat and mince the meat myself. Yeah! I used chicken, don't really know how to buy pork.
Anyways, the fried wan tan recipe is all mine. The wan tan mee Uncle only gave me the recipe for dry wan tan mee.
Fried Wan Tan Recipe
Wan Tan skins
Minced Meat
Lea & Perrins Sauce
Salt
Parsley - finely cut
Pepper
Mix all the ingredients and stuff them in the wan tan skin and fry them...voila fried wan tan is ready!!
Wan Tan Mee Recipe
Oyster Sauce
Light Soya Sauce
Dark Soya Sauce
Pepper
Wan Tan Mee
Sawi
Mix all the sauces and pepper. Boil water and cook the vegetable and wan tan mee al dante. Mix the mee with the sauces and gently cut the vegetable and arrange them beautifully on the mee.
Fried Chicken Meat Recipe (didn't have char siew so improvised)
Marinate breast meat with
Lea & Perrins Sauce
Pepper
Salt
Coat the whole breast meat with bread crumps and pan fry it. Once done cut in thin strips and arrange gently on the mee.
Your meal is ready to eat and all done within an hour.
Sorry no photo...I got too hungry to even remember to take photos...
My hubby loved it and he requested for second round!! Meal served in an hour, don't you just love to cook!!?
Well, we got home around 11pm and I straight away started cooking...hmm...before that I had to greet my hysterical kitchen helper, Sparkle the dog...hehehe...
I always enjoyed eating Wan Tan Mee but never tried cooking until last weekend. I didn't get the recipe from anywhere else but from my memory. Hehehe...yeah! When I was 16, we used to eat wan tan mee every weekend.
This wan tan mee uncle puts up his stall near my place only during the weekends. He serves the best wan tan mee that I ever tasted, not sure of any hidden ingredient that he may have used though.
Oh well! I used to watch him cook while I wait for my mee to go to be ready. I don't just watch instead I managed to squeeze the recipe out of him and I forgot about it until last Sunday when I was out grocery shopping with my hubby.
When I walked past the raw wan tan mee at the supermarket, it all came back to me. The recipe was fresh in my mind.
When I got home I had to do everything from scratch, I don't really like to buy the minced meat from the store, as they mince the skin and fat together with the meat. Mostly fat and skin actually. So, I usually buy breast meat and mince the meat myself. Yeah! I used chicken, don't really know how to buy pork.
Anyways, the fried wan tan recipe is all mine. The wan tan mee Uncle only gave me the recipe for dry wan tan mee.
Fried Wan Tan Recipe
Wan Tan skins
Minced Meat
Lea & Perrins Sauce
Salt
Parsley - finely cut
Pepper
Mix all the ingredients and stuff them in the wan tan skin and fry them...voila fried wan tan is ready!!
Wan Tan Mee Recipe
Oyster Sauce
Light Soya Sauce
Dark Soya Sauce
Pepper
Wan Tan Mee
Sawi
Mix all the sauces and pepper. Boil water and cook the vegetable and wan tan mee al dante. Mix the mee with the sauces and gently cut the vegetable and arrange them beautifully on the mee.
Fried Chicken Meat Recipe (didn't have char siew so improvised)
Marinate breast meat with
Lea & Perrins Sauce
Pepper
Salt
Coat the whole breast meat with bread crumps and pan fry it. Once done cut in thin strips and arrange gently on the mee.
Your meal is ready to eat and all done within an hour.
Sorry no photo...I got too hungry to even remember to take photos...
My hubby loved it and he requested for second round!! Meal served in an hour, don't you just love to cook!!?
Monday, February 9, 2009
Weekend Special
Long weekend came and left...*big sigh*....it's back to work tomorrow...*bigger sigh*....guess what?! We went to many places over the weekend nothing exciting or special just that I get to go out over the weekend was a big thing for me. I don't really get out much during the weekend.
We had lunch outside but dinner, I insisted to myself that I'll be cooking. We went to Lowyat plaza, having to escape the crowd at Thaipusam brought me to the similar crowd in lowyat plaza. A guy with a baby stroller just ran over my foot and when i screamed in pain he gave me look like "why are you in my way" I was thinking a simple sorry will do no need to stare at me that way, it was as though I purposely put my foot under his stroller wheels.
Anyways, after that we stopped by Midvalley for shopping for our dear pets. I had to get more wood shavings for Nico the iguana and some treats for Sparkle the dog....hehehe....Then we were off to Hartamas shopping mall for some crowd free grocery shopping.
I completed my grocery shopping and it was about 8.30pm just as we were about to leave, I remembered that I needed to get a new phone for my mom and we went scouting for good cheap phones. Went to the same stall we bought a cheap good phone before, it looked open but no one was there. Thinking that the sales guy must have gone to toilet and so we waited.
It was almost to 10 to 9pm, he can't be stuck in the toilet too long. It's either he is taking a very long crap or probably died in there. I found a handphone number on one of their flyers, hoping it belongs to that sales guy, rang the number and got the boss. He told us to wait another 10 minutes and his sales guy will arrive with stocks.
We waited till 9.10pm, called him again and again he asked to wait another 10 minutes. My last final call I told my hubby, he gave us another 10 minutes. My hubby was getting rather impatient told me that in 10 minutes if no one comes we are leaving.
10 minutes was up, and I begged for another 5 minutes. Finally, the sales guy arrived. Boy am I glad to see him. Got what we wanted and we got further delayed coz my dear hubby was intrigued with a nokia phone. The very brand that he once sworn never to use. I used to use a nokia phone and he made me change to motorola then now we got a nokia phone for him.
Just before leaving the mall, my hubby asked me again if I'm cooking. I said yes I am with lotsa excitement.
Guess what time we reached home? 11pm.
We had lunch outside but dinner, I insisted to myself that I'll be cooking. We went to Lowyat plaza, having to escape the crowd at Thaipusam brought me to the similar crowd in lowyat plaza. A guy with a baby stroller just ran over my foot and when i screamed in pain he gave me look like "why are you in my way" I was thinking a simple sorry will do no need to stare at me that way, it was as though I purposely put my foot under his stroller wheels.
Anyways, after that we stopped by Midvalley for shopping for our dear pets. I had to get more wood shavings for Nico the iguana and some treats for Sparkle the dog....hehehe....Then we were off to Hartamas shopping mall for some crowd free grocery shopping.
I completed my grocery shopping and it was about 8.30pm just as we were about to leave, I remembered that I needed to get a new phone for my mom and we went scouting for good cheap phones. Went to the same stall we bought a cheap good phone before, it looked open but no one was there. Thinking that the sales guy must have gone to toilet and so we waited.
It was almost to 10 to 9pm, he can't be stuck in the toilet too long. It's either he is taking a very long crap or probably died in there. I found a handphone number on one of their flyers, hoping it belongs to that sales guy, rang the number and got the boss. He told us to wait another 10 minutes and his sales guy will arrive with stocks.
We waited till 9.10pm, called him again and again he asked to wait another 10 minutes. My last final call I told my hubby, he gave us another 10 minutes. My hubby was getting rather impatient told me that in 10 minutes if no one comes we are leaving.
10 minutes was up, and I begged for another 5 minutes. Finally, the sales guy arrived. Boy am I glad to see him. Got what we wanted and we got further delayed coz my dear hubby was intrigued with a nokia phone. The very brand that he once sworn never to use. I used to use a nokia phone and he made me change to motorola then now we got a nokia phone for him.
Just before leaving the mall, my hubby asked me again if I'm cooking. I said yes I am with lotsa excitement.
Guess what time we reached home? 11pm.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Recipe!
Now that you have read how to prepare the dish and I know you'd be wondering how it tasted. Well obviously it taste better than Dave's Deli's cheapo chicken chop. I would say I'd charge the same to my customers and they wouldn't mind paying the price for a good meal.
Here's the recipe....
It’ll be good if you could marinate the chicken the night before, as it’ll make the chicken taste so much better but if you are in a rush like how I was then go crazy and marinate just minutes before cooking it.
Since, I go on estimation basis it’s a bit hard for me to determine how much of the ingredients I used on the meals I prepare. Once you have learned the taste of each ingredient you’d know how generous or stingy you should be when using these ingredients.
Marinate
2 – 3 Boneless Skinless Breast Pieces --> reason I use breast piece instead of the traditional drumstick is because the breast piece do not contain that much fat as compared to the drumstick piece
Lea & Perins Worcestershire Sauce – I just simply love the smell of the sauce
Pepper
Meat Tenderizer or Salt (Meat tenderizer already contains salt)
Fry
Bread Crumbs for the crunchy taste
Or
Corn Flour for the normal taste
Or
The Kentucky Flour for different taste
Oil enough to pan fry
Just make sure don’t throw in extremely wet chicken on the flour then you’ll have too much flour on it.
Sauce
1 can Tomato Soup of any brand – I like my chicken very saucy so I used one can for 2 persons, besides my husband eats for 2 so technically I’m cooking for 3.
1 Onion
Paprika – how spicy you want it, it’s up to you
Basil
Marjoram
Oregano
Fennel Seeds – crushed not powdered (sounds like shaken not stirred…hehehe)
No Salt required
If you have read my posting yesterday then you’ll know how to cook the dish. Just serve main with coleslaw or salad and French fries or mashed potatoes as side dish. I used mashed potatoes coz I don’t want to eat too many fried stuff, since the chicken is already fried why should I fry the potato….la la la la la
There you have it Chicken Chop – Hmm…why do they call it Chicken Chop the chicken isn’t even chopped. Traditionally people use the mallet to bash the chicken to tenderize it. Shouldn’t they call it Bashed Chicken with Tomato juice? *shrugs* just a thought.
I don’t think you need the recipe for mashed potato and coleslaw do you?
Here's the recipe....
It’ll be good if you could marinate the chicken the night before, as it’ll make the chicken taste so much better but if you are in a rush like how I was then go crazy and marinate just minutes before cooking it.
Since, I go on estimation basis it’s a bit hard for me to determine how much of the ingredients I used on the meals I prepare. Once you have learned the taste of each ingredient you’d know how generous or stingy you should be when using these ingredients.
Marinate
2 – 3 Boneless Skinless Breast Pieces --> reason I use breast piece instead of the traditional drumstick is because the breast piece do not contain that much fat as compared to the drumstick piece
Lea & Perins Worcestershire Sauce – I just simply love the smell of the sauce
Pepper
Meat Tenderizer or Salt (Meat tenderizer already contains salt)
Fry
Bread Crumbs for the crunchy taste
Or
Corn Flour for the normal taste
Or
The Kentucky Flour for different taste
Oil enough to pan fry
Just make sure don’t throw in extremely wet chicken on the flour then you’ll have too much flour on it.
Sauce
1 can Tomato Soup of any brand – I like my chicken very saucy so I used one can for 2 persons, besides my husband eats for 2 so technically I’m cooking for 3.
1 Onion
Paprika – how spicy you want it, it’s up to you
Basil
Marjoram
Oregano
Fennel Seeds – crushed not powdered (sounds like shaken not stirred…hehehe)
No Salt required
If you have read my posting yesterday then you’ll know how to cook the dish. Just serve main with coleslaw or salad and French fries or mashed potatoes as side dish. I used mashed potatoes coz I don’t want to eat too many fried stuff, since the chicken is already fried why should I fry the potato….la la la la la
There you have it Chicken Chop – Hmm…why do they call it Chicken Chop the chicken isn’t even chopped. Traditionally people use the mallet to bash the chicken to tenderize it. Shouldn’t they call it Bashed Chicken with Tomato juice? *shrugs* just a thought.
I don’t think you need the recipe for mashed potato and coleslaw do you?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Cooking!
Finally, I get to cook my meal. It was a good thing I bought boneless chicken even though I already have some in the freezer. At least I don’t have to waste time on defrosting.
First things first, I have to marinate the chicken. I quickly heated up some water in the rice pot for the potatoes. Yup! I use the rice pot for more than just cooking rice. I find that when you need to boil food, rice cooker is still the best.
I hurried along to clean the chicken, as the time now is 8.45pm. Marinated the chicken with Worcestershire sauce, pepper and meat tenderizer. Many might say you needn’t use meat tenderizer for chicken well that saves time from bashing the dead chicken meat to tender it.
While that’s marinating, I started with my coleslaw, something simple just took some mix vege with some mayonnaise and store it in the fridge to cool. Now for the sauce, cut one onion; heat up a little oil in the skillet. Throw in the onion and let it simmer. Add in Tomato Soup, yes! I didn’t use tomato ketchup instead tomato soup, it tastes much better and isn’t as sour as tomato puree. Simmer the sauce and add basil, marjoram, oregano, crushed fennel seeds and paprika all to taste. The more herbs the better.
While the sauce is simmering, I cleaned 2 russet potatoes, cubed them and threw them in the rice pot. Checked on my sauce, stir a little, taste it…hmm…needs more herbs. When everything’s in and taste is good, sauce is done.
Now for the chicken, heat up the pan….yup! I use the pan to fry my chicken so that it’ll be pan fried with less oil and not deep-fried. I floured the chicken and it’s ready to go into the oil for some pan-frying.
While all this is happening my trustee kitchen helper was getting restless…it’s my dog, she ensures my kitchen floors are squeaky clean. Anything that drops, she’s the super mop and I make sure I don’t drop anything that she shouldn’t eat. She loves the smell of raw meat, I usually feed her some plain cooked meat to satisfy her hunger in the kitchen.
The time is 9.15pm; my hubby came for a visit, meaning he came to steal some food that can be eaten and isn’t raw. By then I have already drained the potatoes and started mashing it. To his delight I handed over that task to him and gave the ingredients that needs to be added with the potatoes. While he’s doing this I was busy frying the chicken, once he’s done I gave him the honour of preparing the garlic bread. I had some French loaf and bought garlic spread at the supermarket.
First things first, I have to marinate the chicken. I quickly heated up some water in the rice pot for the potatoes. Yup! I use the rice pot for more than just cooking rice. I find that when you need to boil food, rice cooker is still the best.
I hurried along to clean the chicken, as the time now is 8.45pm. Marinated the chicken with Worcestershire sauce, pepper and meat tenderizer. Many might say you needn’t use meat tenderizer for chicken well that saves time from bashing the dead chicken meat to tender it.
While that’s marinating, I started with my coleslaw, something simple just took some mix vege with some mayonnaise and store it in the fridge to cool. Now for the sauce, cut one onion; heat up a little oil in the skillet. Throw in the onion and let it simmer. Add in Tomato Soup, yes! I didn’t use tomato ketchup instead tomato soup, it tastes much better and isn’t as sour as tomato puree. Simmer the sauce and add basil, marjoram, oregano, crushed fennel seeds and paprika all to taste. The more herbs the better.
While the sauce is simmering, I cleaned 2 russet potatoes, cubed them and threw them in the rice pot. Checked on my sauce, stir a little, taste it…hmm…needs more herbs. When everything’s in and taste is good, sauce is done.
Now for the chicken, heat up the pan….yup! I use the pan to fry my chicken so that it’ll be pan fried with less oil and not deep-fried. I floured the chicken and it’s ready to go into the oil for some pan-frying.
While all this is happening my trustee kitchen helper was getting restless…it’s my dog, she ensures my kitchen floors are squeaky clean. Anything that drops, she’s the super mop and I make sure I don’t drop anything that she shouldn’t eat. She loves the smell of raw meat, I usually feed her some plain cooked meat to satisfy her hunger in the kitchen.
The time is 9.15pm; my hubby came for a visit, meaning he came to steal some food that can be eaten and isn’t raw. By then I have already drained the potatoes and started mashing it. To his delight I handed over that task to him and gave the ingredients that needs to be added with the potatoes. While he’s doing this I was busy frying the chicken, once he’s done I gave him the honour of preparing the garlic bread. I had some French loaf and bought garlic spread at the supermarket.
I completed everything with my 2 helpers right at 9.30pm. And the meal was served.
The Journey Home
The minute the clock turned 5pm, I was ever ready to go grocery shopping to win my challenge with my husband. Sharp 6pm, I left the office to the supermarket. I needed to buy some extra ingredients that I didn’t have at home.
I got what I need and the time was 7pm…ya I took an hour to do my shopping that includes walking, getting what I need and don’t need, walking to the parking and finally leaving home.
The usual way that I take home was horrifically jammed up, had to take a different unknown route. I knew there should be a link somewhere that leads to where I live, heading towards that area I missed a turn…damn!
Never mind, I shall use my trustee GPS that came with my phone. My trustee GPS wasn't so trustee, it kept asking me to take a U-Turn…as stubborn as I am, thinking I could outsmart the dumbass GPS, I went on straight instead. I saw the signboard leading to Federal Highway, that’s fantastic…with a big grin I smartly headed that way only to realize that it was horrible that way too…sigh…so much for not taking the usual way…so much for outsmarting the traffic…sigh…
The lousy dumbass GPS can’t even find any other way instead kept asking me to make a U-Turn…I know another way through Federal Highway so I headed that way home. Only after I took the turn at Hilton did the GPS link me correctly to the way I was heading. Just imagine if it was someone who doesn't know the alternative way would be going in circles. That was the longest route home, traffice was horrible all the way home.
My stomach was growling and my bladder was full...where is home? I felt like I was dying...yeah I'm a bit like a drama queen. I finally reached home at 8.30pm…it took me 1.5hours to reach home…I could have gone to Ipoh for dinner instead…sheesh!! Curse on whatever that caused the jam everywhere last night.
My hubby was home already, waiting for me, he just asked me to heat up the leftovers and cook some rice. I said “What about the Chicken Chop”, “You just got back and you must tired” he sympathized…I agree I am tired but no way am I giving up on my challenge. Any other day, I can let him go without food even if I have to but no today. I’m cooking!!
Before I could do anything else, I had to greet my ecstatic dog that was so excited to see me home. She's like that even if I were to step outside just for a minute, she'll greet me with so much of excitement like there's no tomorrow.
Once she settled, I ran to the toilet and relieved myself....that felt good. I was in so much of pain due to the full bladder...
1st note to self always pee before leaving any place, even if u don't need to pee just visit that god damn toilet.
2nd note to self don't bother taking new routes especially when it's horrifically jammed everywhere or when you have a challenge to complete
3rd note to self GPS is lousy just learn the roads
4th note to self never accept a challenge on a weekday even if you do...just say you'll complete it on a weekend...
I got what I need and the time was 7pm…ya I took an hour to do my shopping that includes walking, getting what I need and don’t need, walking to the parking and finally leaving home.
The usual way that I take home was horrifically jammed up, had to take a different unknown route. I knew there should be a link somewhere that leads to where I live, heading towards that area I missed a turn…damn!
Never mind, I shall use my trustee GPS that came with my phone. My trustee GPS wasn't so trustee, it kept asking me to take a U-Turn…as stubborn as I am, thinking I could outsmart the dumbass GPS, I went on straight instead. I saw the signboard leading to Federal Highway, that’s fantastic…with a big grin I smartly headed that way only to realize that it was horrible that way too…sigh…so much for not taking the usual way…so much for outsmarting the traffic…sigh…
The lousy dumbass GPS can’t even find any other way instead kept asking me to make a U-Turn…I know another way through Federal Highway so I headed that way home. Only after I took the turn at Hilton did the GPS link me correctly to the way I was heading. Just imagine if it was someone who doesn't know the alternative way would be going in circles. That was the longest route home, traffice was horrible all the way home.
My stomach was growling and my bladder was full...where is home? I felt like I was dying...yeah I'm a bit like a drama queen. I finally reached home at 8.30pm…it took me 1.5hours to reach home…I could have gone to Ipoh for dinner instead…sheesh!! Curse on whatever that caused the jam everywhere last night.
My hubby was home already, waiting for me, he just asked me to heat up the leftovers and cook some rice. I said “What about the Chicken Chop”, “You just got back and you must tired” he sympathized…I agree I am tired but no way am I giving up on my challenge. Any other day, I can let him go without food even if I have to but no today. I’m cooking!!
Before I could do anything else, I had to greet my ecstatic dog that was so excited to see me home. She's like that even if I were to step outside just for a minute, she'll greet me with so much of excitement like there's no tomorrow.
Once she settled, I ran to the toilet and relieved myself....that felt good. I was in so much of pain due to the full bladder...
1st note to self always pee before leaving any place, even if u don't need to pee just visit that god damn toilet.
2nd note to self don't bother taking new routes especially when it's horrifically jammed everywhere or when you have a challenge to complete
3rd note to self GPS is lousy just learn the roads
4th note to self never accept a challenge on a weekday even if you do...just say you'll complete it on a weekend...
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Challenge!
My pet iguana needs more wood shaving, having to work in a mall it never crossed my mind that I could purchase it from the pet store of the mall. Instead, I went to Subang Parade, not that I live nearby it or anything like that. It’s so happened that we were in the neighbourhood and remembered that Subang Parade had, <-- you see that “HAD” Pet’s Wonderland. Well what do you know, not only that they closed their business in One Utama they are also closed in Subang Parade. Oh well, just to make our trip and parking fee worthwhile we decided to dine there.
It has been awhile since we last dined out, we weren’t sure of where to eat. We headed to the mall directory. Hmm….”Let’s eat at Eden.” My hubby suggested, unfortunately they have closed down too…business everywhere seems bad isn’t it.
We finally narrowed it down to Dave’s Deli. Looking at the menu I was contemplating between Chicken Snitzel or the ¼ Roasted. Knowing that the Snitzel will take awhile, I settled for ¼ Roasted. Just my luck, they don’t have any at that moment and I will have to wait so I decided to take what my hubby was having. Chicken Chop!
Huge mistake, not only that presentation looked like garbage it tasted like one too. The tomato sauce that supposed to be tasty was actually a cheap ass high starchy severely diluted salted sauce just thrown over the chicken. The chicken was over bartered and over fried as the meat was rather tough. The raw tomato was simply chopped and thrown over the chicken like rubbish and not forgetting the low-grade peas. The 15 pieces of fries probably was fried together with the chicken as it was also over fried.
How difficult is it to fry fries? Or the Chicken? Or to make that bloody sauce? Or to create a more appetizing meal? The meal wasn’t cheap for that cheap looking meal. They charged us RM14.50 before tax and they served us crap. No wonder Restaurants are closing down due to their cheap ass meals. Even a roadside stall serves better meals, just blanco the fact that they may be located next to the biggest drain in KL.
Watching me complaining over my meal, my hubby challenged me to prepare the same tomato based Chicken Chop at home. When it comes to cooking, I don’t say NO! I took the challenge and I can bet you, my Chicken Chop will taste better than Dave’s Deli anytime!!
Meals need to be prepared with love, you have to love what you are doing and automatically the results will be superb! I can see why the Chicken Chop was like garbage coz the person preparing it may have felt she/he is working in a crappy place. There’s something restaurant owners should adhere, they should make sure their waitresses, chefs, cashiers, bus boys and every single employee of theirs is well trained to enjoy their work. When they are made to feel like a maid that’s when the performance drops and in restaurants business you can’t afford to have bad performance coz it shows in the food they prepare and serve thus leading to closing down of business.
Well, I’m all geared up for tonight’s big meal and I have 8 hours to burn at work!! I’m so excited!!
It has been awhile since we last dined out, we weren’t sure of where to eat. We headed to the mall directory. Hmm….”Let’s eat at Eden.” My hubby suggested, unfortunately they have closed down too…business everywhere seems bad isn’t it.
We finally narrowed it down to Dave’s Deli. Looking at the menu I was contemplating between Chicken Snitzel or the ¼ Roasted. Knowing that the Snitzel will take awhile, I settled for ¼ Roasted. Just my luck, they don’t have any at that moment and I will have to wait so I decided to take what my hubby was having. Chicken Chop!
Huge mistake, not only that presentation looked like garbage it tasted like one too. The tomato sauce that supposed to be tasty was actually a cheap ass high starchy severely diluted salted sauce just thrown over the chicken. The chicken was over bartered and over fried as the meat was rather tough. The raw tomato was simply chopped and thrown over the chicken like rubbish and not forgetting the low-grade peas. The 15 pieces of fries probably was fried together with the chicken as it was also over fried.
How difficult is it to fry fries? Or the Chicken? Or to make that bloody sauce? Or to create a more appetizing meal? The meal wasn’t cheap for that cheap looking meal. They charged us RM14.50 before tax and they served us crap. No wonder Restaurants are closing down due to their cheap ass meals. Even a roadside stall serves better meals, just blanco the fact that they may be located next to the biggest drain in KL.
Watching me complaining over my meal, my hubby challenged me to prepare the same tomato based Chicken Chop at home. When it comes to cooking, I don’t say NO! I took the challenge and I can bet you, my Chicken Chop will taste better than Dave’s Deli anytime!!
Meals need to be prepared with love, you have to love what you are doing and automatically the results will be superb! I can see why the Chicken Chop was like garbage coz the person preparing it may have felt she/he is working in a crappy place. There’s something restaurant owners should adhere, they should make sure their waitresses, chefs, cashiers, bus boys and every single employee of theirs is well trained to enjoy their work. When they are made to feel like a maid that’s when the performance drops and in restaurants business you can’t afford to have bad performance coz it shows in the food they prepare and serve thus leading to closing down of business.
Well, I’m all geared up for tonight’s big meal and I have 8 hours to burn at work!! I’m so excited!!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
I've been missing...
Ah...to the very little fans that I have. You have notice me gone missing, I've been busy. My company's having an Annual Dinner this Saturday, and I'm busy making a dinner dress for myself.
The theme is Viva Las Vegas, it's all about gambling and cabaret dancers...nah I'm just exaggerating.
My dress is all sequined black with gold lining. I even bought myself feathers, can't wait to be the Goddess of Gamblers this Sat. One of the event is also the best dressed and the price was RM200 last year not really sure about this year though. I'm not really aiming for that but if I do get it, it'll definitely help me with the amount that I spent on the dress.
Wondering why I'm making my own dress instead of purchasing it. Well I get to choose my own material, colour combination, fits perfectly and design it the way I want it.
How much did you think I spent?
Sequined Material RM 49 per meter (I used 1 1/2 meter) RM73.50
Gold Satin Material RM 9 per meter (I used 2 meters) RM18.00
Gold Lining Material RM3.80 per meter (I used 2 meters) RM7.60
Hidden Zipper RM2.00
Black Thread RM0.40
Gold Thread RM0.40
Sewing Bone RM2.00
Feathers RM20.00
Total I spent on the dress is about RM123.90 well of course I do not know how much I spent on electricity and time making the dress. I'm gonna take a walk in the mall and look for a dress with similar material to check the price. Last I checked was about RM350 but that was different material it wasn't sequined.
The feeling of wearing a dress made by myself is priceless.
The dress isn't completed yet though I still have about 40% to complete and the dinner is this Saturday.
Arrgghhhh!!
The theme is Viva Las Vegas, it's all about gambling and cabaret dancers...nah I'm just exaggerating.
My dress is all sequined black with gold lining. I even bought myself feathers, can't wait to be the Goddess of Gamblers this Sat. One of the event is also the best dressed and the price was RM200 last year not really sure about this year though. I'm not really aiming for that but if I do get it, it'll definitely help me with the amount that I spent on the dress.
Wondering why I'm making my own dress instead of purchasing it. Well I get to choose my own material, colour combination, fits perfectly and design it the way I want it.
How much did you think I spent?
Sequined Material RM 49 per meter (I used 1 1/2 meter) RM73.50
Gold Satin Material RM 9 per meter (I used 2 meters) RM18.00
Gold Lining Material RM3.80 per meter (I used 2 meters) RM7.60
Hidden Zipper RM2.00
Black Thread RM0.40
Gold Thread RM0.40
Sewing Bone RM2.00
Feathers RM20.00
Total I spent on the dress is about RM123.90 well of course I do not know how much I spent on electricity and time making the dress. I'm gonna take a walk in the mall and look for a dress with similar material to check the price. Last I checked was about RM350 but that was different material it wasn't sequined.
The feeling of wearing a dress made by myself is priceless.
The dress isn't completed yet though I still have about 40% to complete and the dinner is this Saturday.
Arrgghhhh!!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Hallow ah??
I just received a phone call from a bank sales assistant. Don’t we all receive these phone calls, asking us to either apply for their personal loans, credit cards, housing loans and balance transfers.
This is just another ordinary phone call but what’s weird is the questions she asked me were astonishing.
She spoke in a very strong Chinese slang and to which I followed suit.
Banker : Hallow!
Me : Hallow!
Bank : Is this Miss Bavani ah?
Me : Hah! It’s me la, why?
Bank : Me ah, calling from this Al-Raji Bank ah. You convenient now ah?
Me : Me ah? Why?
Bank : My bank want you to join our program?
Me : What program? Free ah? No free I no join.
Bank : *she chuckled* No ah, my bank want you to join our balance transfer pro…
Me : *I cut in* I don’t want la
Bank : Why ah?
Me : I don’t want la.
Bank : I have to know the reason le.
Me : I don’t have any balance how to do transfer?
Bank : Everyone also owe money to credit card one, how you don’t have?
Me : I’m not everyone le, I don’t even have credit card le.
Bank : Oh! So, you….
Me : *I cut in* I don’t want.
Bank : Good to have credit card ma.
Me : So, I can owe bank money and pay till I die is it?
Bank : Ya, I mean not like that but good ma credit card.
Me : I don’t want le, then I become poor.
Bank : No la.
Me : No ah? Ok lor you say no already, then bye la.
I hung up…hehehehe…I may have sounded mean, how do you handle these kinda calls?
This is just another ordinary phone call but what’s weird is the questions she asked me were astonishing.
She spoke in a very strong Chinese slang and to which I followed suit.
Banker : Hallow!
Me : Hallow!
Bank : Is this Miss Bavani ah?
Me : Hah! It’s me la, why?
Bank : Me ah, calling from this Al-Raji Bank ah. You convenient now ah?
Me : Me ah? Why?
Bank : My bank want you to join our program?
Me : What program? Free ah? No free I no join.
Bank : *she chuckled* No ah, my bank want you to join our balance transfer pro…
Me : *I cut in* I don’t want la
Bank : Why ah?
Me : I don’t want la.
Bank : I have to know the reason le.
Me : I don’t have any balance how to do transfer?
Bank : Everyone also owe money to credit card one, how you don’t have?
Me : I’m not everyone le, I don’t even have credit card le.
Bank : Oh! So, you….
Me : *I cut in* I don’t want.
Bank : Good to have credit card ma.
Me : So, I can owe bank money and pay till I die is it?
Bank : Ya, I mean not like that but good ma credit card.
Me : I don’t want le, then I become poor.
Bank : No la.
Me : No ah? Ok lor you say no already, then bye la.
I hung up…hehehehe…I may have sounded mean, how do you handle these kinda calls?
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