Whats on the menu ?

Its been such a lazy weekend for me and yet I wake up so early on Saturday let alone Sunday but Im not going to moan about it. Ive brushed away, shooed that foggy cloud off my head a few days ago. I feel a whole lot better now …

Since I didn’t do anything productive outside but then again when did I ever do anything productive outside apart from wasting my dosh on ridiculous things. Im going to dedicate today’s blog on what I’ve been brewing up in my kitchen for the past weeks …so forks, spoons, knives …ready ….set …….DROOL!!

27/01/10 – Shepherd’s Pie with Peas and HP Sauce

This is the second time I tried making this. The first time was back in 2004, wasn’t that successful but I reckon if I didnt make my mashed potatoe too mushy it would be perfect so better luck next attempt eh. My husband and I prefer to have this with HP Sauce and peas. I find serving Shepherd’s Pie as it is with nothing else looked too plain and boring .. Husband’s verdict – 2 servings and a clean plate !

28/01/10 - Chicken Imperial Curry with Cream Spinach. On a lazy day I would use these packed curry paste and this is one of them. Spicy indeed, enough to make you breathe out fire but what a punch! Team it with cream spinach sort of nulls the spicy level and with a glass of lassi (not pictured) soothes the burning tongue. My verdict – I like it but I wont cook it for awhile. For some reason the smell of this curry lingered at home for 2 days ….

30/01/10 – Spicy Kim Chi Ramen Noodles with Beef. I cant remember the name of the noodle brand but this is very good. The flavour is perfect and truly spicy. Soup-wise is of thick consistency. Verdict – I’ll stock these up on a rainy day!

03/02/10 – Simmered soy sauce beef with stir fried kailan and my own mix of ‘acar’. I know acar goes well with curry really but at the last minute my husband requested to have my soy sauce beef so I have no choice but to serve this acar together.

06/02/10 – Butter Masala Chicken. Again one of my lazy days of cooking where I dont have to make an effort to prepare the whole ingredients. I like to use Passage to India’s curry sauces and this one is creamy, rich (would be extra rich if you put cream which I didnt), its flavoursome and mild to the palate. I sort of miss the spiciness of curry. Verdict – Good for those who are not into spicy food.

07/02/10 – Tonight’s dinner .. my very own Beef Stew as per requested by my husband. I was going to make Lasagna but he requested for the stew so stew it is …

What was on your dinner plate ?

Grateful + Add Friends = Mixed Feelings

Ive been wondering why I was rather ‘lost’ past days and I finally know why. Is it a sign? I dont know ..you tell me !

Its been a long time since Ive had anything to do with my ex. At odd times he would creep in my mind, my dreams and I know that saying ‘If you dream of someone that can only mean that person is thinking of you’ yada yada yada .. and well its also to do with having a closure. Trust me I am trying my best to have a closure but I just dont know what would happen IF I was to see him face to face. We ended things eventually not on mutual grounds but sort of just dropped it, well he walked out on me only for me to find out he’s been seeing someone else ..a girl who claims to be my friend but seeing a photo of them kissing clearly shows shes not a friend and to find out from someone else that they’ve been sleeping together behind my back ..oh the list not only ended there but I’ll stop here Just thinking about it I should have done more to those two but I didn’t. I have to admit my relationship was never hunky dory. The history between us is very difficult for me to forget and there are things that I just cant simply forgive him. I guess I’m very spiteful to him even if he doesn’t know about it.

Fact No.1 – I am not a very forgiving person neither do I forget easily when hurt.

Anyway to cut a long story short, Ive been on this network site for quite some time now. I like it because it brings old friends back together. Today I got a bit of a shock when a familiar name request to add ..its not him, thank goodness, but his sister. Ive nothing against his siblings as we all got along really well and they were supportive towards me when they saw what a jerk their brother was to me. As much as I want to add her I just dont want to be reminded of the past and I’m sure eventually he’ll see me on it. So Im still contemplating it! <update: Her brother aside, I decided to add her for friendship sake and Ive always wondered how she is because she was with me through thick and thin those days> Sometimes I wonder if he has any regrets / remorse for what he had done. His siblings were against him and he thought I’ve been brain washing them ..I dont have to do any of those BS on them. Seeing their own brother treat me shamefully before their eyes and having to deal with his ridiculous demands was enough for them to unsupportive towards him anyway…

So anyway Ive been inspired by Miss Ai and her friend, Sopchan therefore to end this weekend I want to share the 3 things I am grateful with

1. Sweets for my sweets

Kuih Bakar & A cup of Costa Rican coffee

Putri Ayu

When I saw these, I just had to have them and it does sort of calm my thoughts. They remind me of my mom as she makes these and other local desserts / savories.

2. SALES

* I love ballet shoes and anything Tokidoki *

3.  Spice and everything NICE

At least I can tell family & friends that I actually ate from the toilet bowl I can never eat anything that’s bland. If its bland I’ll grab anything spicy for flavor and this Kimchi Ramen noodle was s-s-s-s-s-spiiiiiicccccy ..thank goodness I am still able to take the spice level even after my gall bladder’s gone to gall bladder heaven.

Its not much of a list but that’ll do till the next week

Have a great weekend!! Im so far enjoying it with a big mug of Costa Rican coffee, listening to my No Doubt Tragic Kingdom on full blast with my monster headphones.

Toodles….

Lil Lost Sheep

I feel very ‘lost’ today, not only did my English Premier League team Arsenal lost to bloody Manchester United AT HOME, I feel like Im on silent mode, if you understand what I mean by that.  Staying up till 2am just to watch my team get battered was a total waste of time! A good way to start my week eh … I think I need to organise a ”ME, ME AND ONLY ME” day soon …I just need that one day of either pampering myself or do something out of the usual …

Something is fogging my mind and I cant seem to put my finger on it …ah well!

Im like this full moon. Its a rare chance for me to see a full moon nowadays where I live because of the cloudy conditions. For me to catch this a few nights ago was worth capturing it on camera. Struggling through the thick clouds, she managed to appear in full bloom only to be shrouded by the clouds once again ….

Have a great start to your week!!

Food Glorious Food Pt 2

Last 15th January was my husband’s birthday and for the past 3 years now its part of his birthday tradition that he gets his favorite Cheesecake for his birthday. There is only ONE that he likes and never ever gets bored, SECRET RECIPE’S CLASSIC CHEESECAKE

Its a blend of mascarpone cheese and cream cheese with chocolate sponge base. This maybe called Classic Cheesecake but this should be called ’A Kiss On The Lips, Stays On The Hips’  I remember how I would have a few slices on alternate days but this year Im watching it so a slice was enough for me. Tea does not complement well with this sinful cake, a cup of hot freshly brewed coffee no sugar is its perfect companion! 

Apologies for the poor photo quality of the cook but trust me this is very very delicious and a slice is enough to keep you full. 

I was planning to cook something really nice for him but we ended up going to The Outback Steakhouse. Oh well lil Missy here is not complaining one bit saves me from all the preparation and washing up

The Mad Max Burger

 Black Pepper Steak

I swear every year I always have a problem to get birthday gifts for my other half. Its never ever easy even if he tells me he likes practical things Im very clueless on what to find in that category! *Sigh* This year Im lucky but next year will be another session of squeezing my brains and planning again … i dont really look forward to that but as I said before, for my husband its worth all the effort.

I’m a real sucker when it comes to Laksa Nyonya MelakaThe gravy is thick and perfect to a T and the leaf wrapping is what we call Otak-Otak. Funnily enough otak means brain in Malay so it does sound funny if i translate it in English as Brain Brain isnt it? Anyway this is the 1st time I, myself, have ever tried this and I must say its very delicious.

Otak-Otak is actually fish cake wrapped in banana leaf. Its a mixture of fish paste and herbs with spices, steamed then grilled. You can also have it made with prawns or chicken.

The pink colored drink is Air Bandung. It is just a mixture of rose syrup and evaporated milk. The black substance floating on top is Black grass jelly or in Malay its called Cincau, I like this but I like it even more if it had basil seeds added to it. It looks sort of disgusting for a newbie taste but its yummy ..the basil seed when added with water would sprout and look like frog eggs

(I found this photo of Basil seed from a random google search and does not belong to me)

Enough food photos for now.

Hope you’re all enjoying your weekend so far whether you’re at home or at work.

Toodles !

Pooped!

Ive been so busy with my invigilation work as of late that I didn’t realise how much hard work it takes and being a wife I noticed the difference compare to the days when I used to be a single working woman. I dont think I could cope with juggling as a working woman and a housewife at the same time. I am sure there are other women out there that could juggle this but not me. I’m already struggling in preparing lunch pack for myself and my husband then off to get ready – face, outfit, bag then returning from work there is no rest I got to get dinner ready and how is my energy level? About 85% is used up already!

Sure invigilation work can be plain lazy arse sort of thing but honestly its not. Not when you’re in the main hall keeping an eye on the students and then walking back and forth to check up on them. Worse is when they raise their hands to ask for something ..something that seriously anyone of us would be shock and say, ‘During my days, we couldn’t even ask nor have any while sitting for the exams!’ Yep, kids can be so pampered these days  however despite a few rotten apples, I still enjoy what I do and when you hear the students say “Miss / Sir, Please and Thank you”  This is enough to kiss away your disappointment / frustration of those pesky ones and realise that there are still alot of good apples in the big barrel.  So yes, I apologise for my lack of blogging ..my brain’s completely go on ‘dead’ mode the moment Im back at home. I’ve got no energy to blog but I would have at least enough energy to read my daily dose of good blogs. One more week to go and I’ll be back to don my Lady of Leisure’s slippers and silky robes a.k.a my frumpy grey t-shirt, comfy shorts and grey bedroom slippers !

I am sure anyone knows Camilla D’Errico. 

Camilla D’Errico at work!

Image of Camilla D’Errico found at http://t-shirtmagazineonline.com/camilla-derrico/)

I first saw her on the telly and there was a short interview of her. I love looking at her work of illustrations and paintings. She’s done alot of work on comic and manga. Has done illustration and design works for companies, even collaborated with companies in merchandise like Tokidoki (I love TOKIDOKI!!) and she has collaborated with *SWOONS* Neil Gaiman! Anyway, I loved the character that she drew in that interview that led me to google her up and found out the name is Tanpopo. Tanpopo has just been published online for free so if anyone would like to read about Tanpopo, please click this TANPOPO.

Image of Tanpopo is a creation by and found at  Camilla D’Errico

I would go on and on about Camilla but I suggest that all of you visit her site and find out more about her. When she said that she used to enjoy drawing sexy women and dragons ..I thought ‘Hey I used to do that when I was a lil girl and discreetly still do on and off when the inspiration is there …’

Till then …. Toodles!

Food Galore

One thing which I do enjoy doing everyday IS 

C O O K I NG

I thought I share with you food lovers like ME what has been conjured up from my ‘POT’ and some, not from my ‘POT’ 

Meals from 2009

 

A simple Christmas breakfast 2009

Just your typical toast with sauteed mushrooms, baked beans and scrambled eggs with chives 

 

Belated Christmas Dinner 

I decided to cook Roast Beef on Boxing day. Accompanied with Sauteed Brussel Sprouts, Roast Potatoes with rosemary, baby carrots and mint sauce for the roast beef ..i should have made a simple gravy actually instead of the mint sauce…but first time effort doesnt mean its the last time  

For dessert 

Minced Pies with hot custard

Minced Pies with hot custard (Minced pies from Tesco) 

2010 Cooked Meals

 

Roast Chicken meal

Roast Chicken dinner with roasted potatoes & pumpkins, sauteed brussel sprouts teamed with my own mint sauce. 

When I make roast chicken I love marinating them overnight. This one may look a  bit burnt but its not ..the sort of charred bit and reddish tint are from the chilli & hickory sauce that I added in marinate ingredients. I use most of the spices, sparing nothing. With my roast chicken its a MUST for me to make my mint sauce. Next time I make this dish I will show you that it may sort of have this BURNT look but the flesh is cooked in perfection and from the marinating process its very juicy. 

1 slice of apple pie is enough for me ..2 is too filling *burp*

Dessert – Apple Pie with hot custard 

I found this apple pie at the supermarket. My husband is quite fussy about apple pie but when he had this with hot custard that I made. He’s hooked!! 

 Alrighty! Enough food blog for today. Its already making me hungry!

Whats cooking for dinner tonight?

Chicken Kurma

(Photos will be posted again soon)

Whats on your plate as of late?

More food photos in my next blog

A New Year …. A New Plan?

Maybe!

I’ve yet to plan ANYTHING for this year, I hate planning things out and prefer to go with the flow. How about you?

What’s in store for my 2010 travel plans? Travel-wise we’re cutting it short with destinations as we’ve got 2 major holidays to save up for come Easter and Summer. March Ive got to head back home for my younger sister’s wedding. Im hoping come this Summer I get to do alot of road trips in the UK instead of staying put at my in-laws only. As much as I love being around them, I do enjoy doing alot of travel and see more of England as we rarely go back there. Plus IF all goes well, I really look forward to go back to Germany too to meet my husband’s relatives. It would be FABULOUS if we made a trip around Eastern Europe *swoons*  December, we are quite keen to make a first ever trip to India so thats pretty much tentative on our calendar.

Other than that, I’m sort of teaching myself how to knit which, hmmm, doesn’t look good at all. After my effort in making my own nengajyo last 2009, it sort of woken up my naive creative side. A good friend of mine mentioned ‘naive art’ in her blog and after looking at the artwork I think that is the art style I am quite comfy in trying out. So we shall see if I can enough inspiration and mood to draw something of interest and devotion

So how about you ? Whats your plan for 2010 so far ?

Goodbye 2009, Welcome 2010 ….

Tiger Nengajyo found at http://www.nenga.org/html/1257601241434.html

This will be my last post for 2009.

Wishing ALL a Happy New Year 2010.

All the best for the new year.

May it be a great year for everyone

Blessed with good health, good fortune,

success & accomplishment

love & happiness

changes & discovery

and lastly

PEACE

Have a wonderful celebration and be safe !

Tiger Daruma from Nenga Nifty.com

Tis the season to be jolly

Wishing

All

A

MERRY CHRISTMAS

My Lil Christmas Tree 2009

When you found a good stylist they’re gone within seconds

(image found at SociallySuperlative)

Today, I decided its time to give my thick long hair a good trim. Looking at myself in the mirror yesterday I swear I could see Janis Joplin (Bless her soul I do love her voice) singing next to me and we looked like twins with our thick one length hair. I couldn’t even style my hair at all. Finally I stirred up my guts and went to my 2nd least favorite people – THE HAIRSTYLIST. I get nervous when I sit there and having to watch them with scrutiny as they cut my hair. I had to explain and point out how important it is that they cut my curly fussy hair very very well. Luckily the stylist understood me and I think he was the same guy who gave me that awesome Penelope Cruz cut 2 years ago.  He did what I instructed – maintain the length but trim it with layers. Result – Lighter hair and I can see my face

However I do not like it when they suggest to go for REBONDING! The moment he saw my hair he asked if Im interested to do that process of killing my curls and make it straight. I told him a number of times I dont like rebonding and I love my curls the way it is as it gives me choices of hair styles anytime. Straight hair for me makes me look stern and harsh and flat whereas my curls I can style it wavy or as it is and I look fine with it. Why is it that they always suggest us curly haired people to straighten our locks eh? Do our medusa locks look very threatening to their shears? Nevertheless I hold no grudges to him as he was just being a hairstylist but just when I found him again I was told that its his last month working there AND the saloon is closing down too ..

Just when I found a hair saloon I’m finally content with, I end up having to find another one that can do a good job in understanding my fussy misbehaving but lovable locks!!!

HELP!!