Today in History

Hari ini dalam sejarah. Annabel for the first time ever slept without her pacifier last night. It sounded so simple. But not quite. She decided to throw away her one and only blue tut-tut (as she fondly calls it) after I showed her a rather obvious hole. She insisted on throwing it away even after I reminded her that she would not have her tut-tut that night and every other nights from then on. She was adamant.

Then it was time to sleep. As expected she cried out for her pacifier. But luckily it was not as bad and pitiful as the first time (we tried this before a few months back but she was crying and crying and so we gave in). Finally she slept throughout the night without her tut-tut.

When she woke up in morning, she seemed to be complaining about the crying-for-her-pacifier incident the night before, and still asked for her tut-tut (I think it's more for the sake of asking). Even when I told her how proud I was and that she's a big girl now. Hmmm.. big time mak nenek this one!

Annabel has been without her pacifier when going out for a few months already. Let's just hope this sleeping without her tut-tut business will last and that she'll accept it and move on. The next chapter of life without tut-tut..

Bag-o-rama

I love handbags (and shoes). However, there was a time once not too long ago where I would go like, "How can a person live with so many bags and shoes." But I can see clearly now and so I beg to differ.

In HK, everybody carry designer bags everywhere. Guys and girls. I even saw a small pooch in a Gucci recently (now how they treat their pets is a different story altogether)! When you are a professional earning HKD, it is surely no sweat when it comes to luxury items. In fact you can even treat yourself to a nice bag every month (if you do not have house commitment etc). The price is often a fraction of what you earn. Unlike good ole Msia. I better not get started on that.

I have my own preference for my bags. I love them cute, unique, quirky and especially with colours. Bright pink colours are the best. Now please don't cringe! Well, maybe not too bright. All these make the style so awesomely me! That is why however hard I try to look for pieces that I like in LV and Gucci, I would almost always end up disappointed. Which is actually a good thing as the bags there are about double in price compared to my favourite Coach. I am proud to say that I am my own style - that I do not buy for the sake of joining in the masses, or for having a branded bag or because everybody else is flaunting it.

I can always find bags that I fancy in Coach. I also adore Radley, Marc Jacobs (WC was quick to point that he is the person behind LV) and Kate Spade. Le Sportsac and Kipling are not bad as well.

I would like to share a bag-experience with a fellow bag-buddy. While contemplating if she should get a new LV, WC mentioned that LV has a secondhand value. I immediately questioned her if she was planning on selling her beloved bags in the future. She wasn't too sure. I wouldn't sell mine unless (a) I really have loads and loads of LV bags, and (b) I somehow touchwood go bankcrupt. And so finally that same year, WC ended up with two Coaches instead (on two separate shopping outings la)!!

Happy Papa's Day

Had an early father's day makan treat for hubby dear last saturday. Dunno why but we initially thought father's day was the second sunday in June! Prepared (with lotsa love) a couple of his favourite dishes. Since I am currently not working, darling insisted not to buy anything for him but instead give his tummy a treat! Dished out tamarind-braised chicken, fried bittergourd and fried eggs with corn and onions (this one's for the lil darling). Simple but darling thoroughly enjoyed it. Love you dear!

Row Row Row Your Boat...

We decided to do a 'tourist-sy' activity on bakchang day. So off we went to join in the maddening crowd at Stanley beach to witness the much publicised Sun Life Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships. For the first time ever bus 973 was packed to the brim (to and fro), and the whole of Stanley was jam packed! We reached the race venue just in time to catch a race. There were several races throughout the day, plus trophies to be won and titles to be claimed. I was also surprised by the number of international contestants. And so the 'photographer' started clicking amidst all the smell and sweaty beings, to bring you some exclusive scenes from the race!

Bel's First Full Haircut

For the first time ever, on monday, Annabel had a full haircut, front and back, Surprisingly, she was very cooperative. Good girl. Perhaps cos I used the 'daddy' word. Whatever works *wink* The photos surely tell how she is enjoying her new look!

Oily Rice

My first effort of a complete set of nasi minyak (literally translated as 'oily rice'), which is often served in malay weddings. Of course the condiments and dishes may vary. The recipes for the nasi minyak and spicy honey chicken were taken from the internet (except for the cucumber salad) but I've forgotten the sites. Sorry yea. But here are my versions (I usually 'agak-agak' and modify them recipes).

NASI MINYAK
1. Heat up a pan. Add ghee and margarine.
2. When hot, add pounded paste (shallots, garlic, ginger), star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick and cardamon. You may also add in screwpine leaves (knotted) and lemongrass (knocked flat). Fry till fragrant.
3. Add cashewnuts and raisins (you may also add in the raisins when the rice is almost cooked). Stir, stir, stir.
4. Then add in rice and mix well.
5. Transfer everything into a rice cooker. Add tomato juice/ketchup and a pinch of salt (some recipes also call for milk. Then add water.
6. Put the rice to cook and do remember to stir the rice as it is being cooked.

SPICY HONEY CHICKEN
1. Marinate chicken with turmeric powder, salt and pepper for half an hour before frying the chicken.
2. Heat up a wok. Add oil and stir fry cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise and curry leaves till fragrant. Add in pounded ginger and garlic and continue stir frying till lightly browned.
3. Add in tomato paste, chili paste, honey and stir well for ten seconds. Add in some water and bring to a boil. Toss in the fried chicken and onion rings.
4. Stir fry and bring the heat to a low simmer, cover and cook until the sauce thickens and the chicken is done. Check on the sweetness and saltiness.
5. Ready to serve.

CUCUMBER, ONION AND CHILI SALAD
1. Toss in sliced cucumber, chilies, shallots and pineapple, together with lime juice, sugar and salt. Adjust the sweet-sour-salty taste according to your preference.

Rain Rain Go Away.. take one

Annabel sang one full song for the first time last weekend. At 26+mths. Previously she would replace the last line with "I want to play". She would sing it when we mentioned that it is going to rain. And she would go like, "Oh no.. I sing.. rain rain go away, come again another (pronounciation sounded like 'come other') day, lil Bel (Bel) wants to play!!" I recorded her singing for the first time in this video. Perhaps she was a bit conscious of herself that I needed to prompt her for the last line. Will record her singing the full song without prompting soon.

The Book of Lost Things

I first came across this book while browsing the bookstore. As tempting as it looked, I didn't get it. However, I decided that I just got to read this one when an ex-colleague was facebooking about it. This is my first John Connolly outing.

This is the tale of a twelve year-old boy called David, who loves his books, stories and fairy tales. He mourns his recently departed mother, and now has to deal with the remarriage of his father (and the addition of a little step-brother). All this makes him bitter and angry.

Then the books started whispering to him and the Crooked Man made its appearance. Before David knows it, he was in a whole strange new world, one that is filled with myths and stories (think fairy tales gone awry). There he met the Woodsman and Roland (such a knightly name), and battled (and fooled) trolls, wolves including mutated ones, the huntress, the Beast, the Enchantress... It is David's journey from childhood into adulthood, from a timid boy to a courageous young man. He is indeed true to his name David, just as the biblical David had bravely battled Goliath.

For the Love of All Things Pink

It has been ages since I last window shopped at Swatch. Konon-nya I've outgrown it. So when I happened to look through the display two weeks back, I was surprised to find that I could still find watches that I heart. One in particular is the Huyana model. Hubby commented that it was too bright.. but that's the whole point! It is not like I'm going to wear it for work (as if I have one anyway!). But hubby was so generous and offered that I could have that for our anniversary pressie. I have yet to make up my fickle mind but thank you dear in advance.

Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag

A friend posted the link this homemade ice cream recipe on fbk. I thought it was easy to make and might even give it a try one of these days (it is actually a craft idea for kids). Here goes..

What you'll need:
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half & half
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons rock salt
1 pint-size plastic food storage bag (e.g., Ziploc)
1 gallon-size plastic food storage bag
Ice cubes

How to make it:
1. Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.
2. Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.
3. Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.
4. Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes.
5. Wipe off the top of the small bag, then open it carefully. Enjoy!


Tips:
A 1/2 cup milk will make about 1 scoop of ice cream, so double the recipe if you want more. But do not increase the proportions more than that - a large amount might be too big for kids to pick-up because the ice itself is heavy.

In search of prawn mee and laksa

We actually stumbled upon Malaymama while looking out for a cab after exiting the Sheung Wan mtr station. Actually it was me that spotted the signage - cute and bright, couldn't have missed it. Hubby has heard about this place but it just didn't cross our mind to go look for it. So we decided to drop by for lunch last Saturday.

As we were approaching Malaymama, we were delighted to discover two other equally tempting cafes *clap hands*

A closer view. There are food from malaysia, india and singapore. For a moment we were contemplating if we should stick with our lunch plan or have some katong laksa instead.

Malaymama won, we are after all msians hehehe.

A very blurred look at the menu.

The wall displaying photos of the food. Notice the narrow side table. That's hk for you!

Prawn mee. It is said to be made from fresh prawns including the head and shell without added monosodium glutamate. Well, that is how a good prawn mee should be prepared. The verdict? It is acceptable for hk standards, and if you really crave for a bowl here (beggars are not choosers right). But this bowl didn't give me that kick. It didn't have that peppery goodness akin to my favourite in mlk (situated opposite LTP restaurant, next to a chinese school).

Hubby ordered the laksa. Good choice. The gravy was a little mild but still very much acceptable. I might order this on my next visit there.

Sotong kangkung. Not too bad. But I still prefer the ones back home where it is spicier and not too sweet.

Will we visit Malaymama again? I believe so. There other interesting items on the menu like hakka yong tau foo, kon loh mee, bak kut teh and kaya toast that I would love to try. But I will never have their iced milk tea again. It tasted like the 'yucky' ones back home (sorry to say this but my standard for milk tea is quite high, plus you can hardly find a 'yucky' milk tea in hk). One thing that is worth mentioning is their good service - very warm and homely. They even offered to prepare a separate dish of ipoh hor fun for Annabel (as she might not be able to tolerate spicy food). And when the bill came only did we realise that it was FOC! How often do we get this kind of service here?

Our next target.

A pair of studs and earrings

Hubby's mother's day pressie to yours truly. A pair of Tous sterling silver bear-shaped agate studs. Love it and all the little details. Yes, I'm a Tous fan, and of gemstones too. The price here is apparently 30% lesser than in Msia. And now with a better exchange rate make things all the more merrier.

A pair of rhodonite (I think) earrings. Found this gem at a craft stall in Hong Kong Park. And it was only HKD5, which is about RM2!

Dimsum feast

We finally went for our long overdue proper dim sum makan last saturday. HL took us there - a dimsum restaurant (a part of Lei Garden, I think) at Wan Chai. Nice spacious restaurant (for hk standards) and the food? Even better! It was truly a dimsum feast.

Some pork ribs dish.

Siew mai.

Chee cheong fun.

Char siew pau. Nice pork filling with ample gravy.

Shrimp dumplings.

Vegetable dumplings.

Congee with century eggs.

Some fried fishball stuff.

Radish cake. Yummyumm.

Some gyoza thingy with shrimp filling.

Custard bun.

Steamed cucumber with shrimp topping.

Popiah looking thingy with shrimp filling.

Eating out

Tsui Wah Restaurant is one of my favourite joints in HK. It is convenient, just a walking distance away from the church - about ten minutes. So we come here often for lunch on sundays. Although it is always packed, we could always dine in comfortably. That's very important as we now have a little toddler to consider. That's one of the reasons we do not frequent those tiny popular shops with a long queue (that is often associated with out-of-this-world food). So far, I have not gotten tired of eating here yet as the menu displays a wide variety of local food. But then again I tend to choose the same things, particularly the spinach shrimp dumpling noodles. The dumplings have generous amount of spinach and prawns - simply delicious. The broth can be a bit plain so I always add some pepper and their oily chili sauce (don't really know what it is called) to give it more oomph! Hubby simply loves their crispy bun with sweet condensed milk. It is really true to the name - crispy and sweet. Nice! And Annabel's favourite has got to be the fried rice with diced chicken and kale with abalone sauce!

Our shopping break teatime at IFC's Honeymoon Dessert. This is our third time there. The first was at Western Market and the second was at IFC Mall with Cynthia. Clockwise from top left: mango sago dessert, mango dumplings and walnut soup with black glutinuous rice. For some reasons they do not have my favourite peanut paste. A friend mentioned that their durian dessert is yummy too. So that definitely will be the next on my list. Oh and I heard that there a branch in 1Utama, PJ. That's good news indeed.

* I simply must add hubby's motto on eating out in HK, "You can never go wrong with pork (for savoury) or mango (for your sweet tooth) here." Wise words from hubby dear heehee.

Babi assam

I often go to asianfreerecipes in search for good nyonya recipes (after a few tries, I concluded that this is a reliable website). I've cooked babi assam twice, the first using pork (as the recipe suggested), and recently using diced chicken. I simply love this dish. So does hubby! It has a sweet sour taste with a tinge of spiciness - awesome. I think this will go very well with prawns as well. Will try that the next time.

Escape from Alcatraz

You can learn a lot from looking at one's laundry. Sorry I cannot help it as I get this view everytime when I am at the sink. Of cause with different clothes on the clothesline. On this particular day I just had to bring out my camera. This person seems to love stripes, black and white in particular. There are four altogether on that day. One little stripey tshirt (probably the daughter's), one grey/white stripey T (looks like hubby's) and two stripey women's tshirts. She really must love zebras.

Five hours without pampy

A friend mentioned on her fbk status that her 32-month old daughter is diapers-free. That was one of my headache with Annabel right now. The other one being weaning her off the pacifier. But that is another story altogether.

Ok back to potty training. That little status update had me more determined to get her off the diapers. I did try previously but I guess I was not persistent enough. She knows what the poo-poo pot is for but simply refuses to do it there. She'll use it instead as a car for mickey and minnie! She will inform me when she has peed, and when she's gonna poo. That's a start I guess.

So armed with determination and confidence, I told her (after her bath at about 11am) that she's a big girl now and no need for pampy, and that she was to tell me if she needs to go. I kept reminding and asking her and all was well. Then she peed at about 2pm and was a bit panicky. We reassured her and she was happy when she got to play with water while washing her up. Then the peeing started after her milk. She peed for about 3-4 times within one hour! I think she kinda enjoyed it as she gets to play with water after that. So now I'm wondering if she didn't tell me on purpose. Hmmm.. nvm I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. After all that drama I got fed up and gave her her bath at 4pm and put her in her pajamas, yes diapers included.

I will definitely try again but first I need to get some more panties for the little girl.

Chilli prawns with whole spices

Recipe from "Fresh & Tasty Wok Cooking".

It was supposed to be like this..

... instead it turned out this way!

Hmmph.. the perils of following recipes, especially asian recipes by non-asians (I'm quite allergic to this actually).

The recipe calls for cinnamon stick, cardamon pods, cloves, turmeric powder (oopss I'd forgotten the turmeric powder when cooking this yst!), bay leaves and chillies (just chillies but what was in the book looked like cili padi). These are familiar ingredients in curry. Bay leaves are quite common in malay cooking. I think they are used in rendang, among others. And the marinade consists of garlic, ginger, chillies and lemon juice (which I substituted with calamansi juice). A closer look at the marinade sauce (after I blended the ingredients) made me realise that these are the same things used for mom's chic rice chilli. Which I did not think (and still do not think) will go hand in hand with the above said spices. And if you minus the ginger and throw in some candlenuts you'll get sambal cili garam!

In the end the prawns didn't turn out that bad. Will I cook it again? Most probably not. Do not want to waste my cholesterol quota on this one. But if I do plan to cook it again, I'll do so using bird's eye chillies. Oh and this time I must remember add in the turmeric powder!

Sayur lodeh

I love lontong and suddenly had this urge for it. So began my online search for sayur lodeh and finally settled for one from myresipi.com. (Yes, ever since being away from home, I have to actually cook things that I want to eat unlike previously where I would just go and buy!) Sayur lodeh is usually eaten with nasi impit and the whole dish is called lontong. I was sceptical on how it will turn out with this being my first actual dish using santan (nasi lemak not counted), but as the dish was cooking and I got a whiff of this aromatic smell (think nyonya laksa), I knew that it will turn out right. *smiley* And after all this cooking, I now feel like trying some nyonya laksa and lemak udang nenas.

Here's the recipe for my version. It serves 5-6.

Finely blended: 8 dried chillies, ~6 medium sized shallots, 2 cloves garlic, 1 thumb-sized turmeric, 1" ginger, 1Tbsp dried prawns, 1Tbsp anchovies, a small square of belacan (shrimp paste), 1tsp grounded fennel seeds (not sure of the role of fennel seeds here. could it be for that extra sweet tinge?).

1 stalk lemongrass, half thumb-sized galangal
Prawns
Dried beancurd, cabbage, carrots, glass noodles, red chillies
200ml santan (coconut milk)
Water, salt, oil

1. Heat oil and stir-fry the blended paste together with the stalk of lemongrass till fragrant.
2. Add in the prawns and continue to stir-fry. Pour in the santan (plus another 200ml of water), galangal and cook till it boils.
3. Put in the vegetables starting with the hard ones and add in enough water.
4. Add in salt, and cook till it boils and the vegetables soften.
5. Ready to serve.

Map of the Invisible World

The Harmony Silk Factory was so good that I just had to get hold of his second novel. And I was not disappointed at all for it was as brilliant as Tash Aw's first work. MotIW mainly takes place in post-colonial Indonesia, and it centred on a young orphan called Adam. He was abandoned by his mother, then separated from his brother. And when his adopted father was captured by soldiers, so began his search. Again, I just can't help but marvel at the rich knowledge that the author has. Another gem of a book.