Sketches of Life

In a few days the above Rambutan will rest in peace in my tummy! It is juciy, crunchy and the flesh does not get stuck in between your teeth. That is why I only eat the Yellow rambutan from this tree! We have Red Rambutan too but they are not red yet, till green.

The fruit season is back! We are seeing lotsa of Durians, Rambutans, Binjai, Langsat, Mangosteen, Longan etc. The sore-throat season will also follow after that! Be sure to drink lots and lots of water.

Don’t like durian so put small pix.

As for my house, we only have Durians and Rambutans. So far I have not eaten any of the Durians yet. This year, I don’t crave for durian at all. Fiona, come eat on my behalf.

For the first time in my life, I saw so many live crabs in my kitchen sink, thanks to The Chef. Not only I had crabs for lunch, dinner and breakfast, I learned a new skill on how to take the life of a crab! I killed so many crabs on that day!

To kill a crab, turn the crab over, place the knife right in the middle of the body, I think the heart is there then stab it hard. The crab will die within seconds. Then only you start taking off the shell and clean the crabs over your Danze faucets or whatever faucets that is in your kitchen.

I felt like a murderer that day! Never take so many lives at one time; ants excluded.

Someone pinch me, please. “Ouch!” I am still here. I think I am in heaven! Look at what I had for lunch and dinner.

The Chef came back for a short holiday, bought 5 kilo of live crabs. Cooked them into 2 different dishes; Curry Crabs and Sweet & Sour Crabs. Well, I didn’t get the recipe from him as I was out buying birthday cakes for his eldest daughter and his wife (SIL). But I helped to clean the crabs and also learn how to kill live crab! I think that was the first time I kill something alive besides insects.

This is also the first time I ate so much crabs; fresh crabs. When I was young, my family couldn’t afford to buy them. Until today, my parent still didn’t buy them to cook because it is very costly.

So when I took a look at my plate of rice with the crabs on it, I really thank God for His blessings in my life. This is a glimpse of Heaven to me; the dining part.

I still remember the first time I tried pizza. It was a homemade pizza baked by my classmate’s mom. I ate so much until I had stomach discomfort that night. Maybe I was not used to eating mozzarella so much at one go. Since then I always dream of baking my own pizza and managed to learn from my classmate’s mom during the school holiday.

In my country, mozzarella cheese is quite costly so, I saved my school allowances to buy the cheese and the other stuff people put on the pizza. Thank God I don’t have to save money to buy an oven!

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We had them for lunch and dinner. Yummy!

And this time, I left it to the experienced cooks; my MIL and the maid to cook them! But they used my recipe though.

Unfortunately, the crabs were not so fresh like the previous ones that I bought from Jusco.

Lesson learnt; pay a lil bit extra for fresh food.

Being a good Malaccan, I offered my help to Jazzmint to her buy some Buah Keluak. The last time she came to Malacca she didn’t know where to find them. Honestly, I myself NEVER buy Buah Keluak before! I have no idea where to get them actually but I guess all this stuff can be obtained from Pasar Besar.

3 reasons I went to market today…

1. To buy some Buah Keluak because Jazz colleague will be here in Malacca today. I made him drive all the way from Kota Laksamana to my kampung house to get the Buah Keluak for Jazz!

2. To stock some more food in the fridge. I bought some fresh fish, salted fish, anchovies, beef, chicken, squids and crabs. It is good to have a friend who is a fish monger; I don’t have to get my hands with fishy smell.

3. Hubby wants me to get some crabs because we thought The Chef is coming back today. Unfortunately, they postponed their trip to next week. So…I am going to try to cook the crab again tomorrow. I hope that it won’t get burnt like my first try!

Looks very appetizing ya?

This was what hubby prayed before eating them…“Dear Lord, Thank you for the food. Sanctify and Purify it into our body. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Not because that it is unclean food again but because this is my first attempt cooking Sweet Sour Crab and I told him that it is a lil bit burnt!

Well, they are edible but the gravy tasted a lil bit bitter due to the burnt. hehe

I think, I’ll just wait for my family Chef to come back to cook me a good Sweet Sour Crab. By then, I must get ready a bottle of Leptovox. I can’t resist his cooking!

Here is my not so good recipe Sweet Sour Crab recipe.

I slept with a hungry stomach last night. I can. I know some people cannot sleep with an empty stomach.

I was contemplated whether to go for supper or not but since I am not exercising much or even popping any diet pills, I decided to have more self-control and just drink water before sleeping.

Thank God that tiredness and sleepiness override my hunger.

Look!

Broken kite. The kite did not flew and got stuck there but it was placed there by my MIL. Same with the Chinese clothe scroll.

A mouse trap with one durian flesh on the durian branch that has ripening durians.

The extend that MIL would do so that her children and grandchildren get to enjoy more durians this year.

Those are to frighten away the squirrel and trap them.

I hope one would get caught tonight, then we would have fried squirrel for lunch!

Have to remind hubby to stop punching unless he don’t mind eating young durians. And and and if he has a head made of steel.

Yes! I eat pork. I am a Chinese.

Blame my “Malay” hubby that I am denied of this privilege.

A few times when I ordered Pork Porridge, with hubby in my presence, I was served Fish Porridge instead of pork.

Normally, the meat will be at the bottom. So gua makan lar. Makan punya makan, how come this pork white colour one? Texture also like fish. Ei! Memang pun FISH!!! Where is my PORK??? Gua mo Bubur Babi!!!

When I eat porridge, that also means that I am not feeling well so I don’t make a fuss out of it.

So now, when we eat at Chinese Food Court, I will purposely order a bowl of Pork Intestine Soup or Bak Kut Teh. They can’t switch it to fish. Mwahahahahaha.

You see lar, Chinese are nice people and they do respect the Muslim religion, even though the “Malay” wanna eat pork also they won’t give.

That is a common question when I go makan (eat) at Chinese food court or hawker stalls with hubby. All because hubby looks very much like Malay.

How come they never use their common sense one??? Malay will want to eat at non-halal Chinese food court meh? In KL maybe but not in Malacca. I heard there are Malays that eat pork here but normally they will ask their Chinese colleagues or friend to “tapau” for them. Their favorite is Wantan Mee and Char Siew Rice, that’s what I heard from a friend.

Back to me…

I look so Chinese some more. Hubby being asked the same question is very common. Will a convert wear short pants and go to Chinese food court when they miss their pork? I don’t think so right? Normally new converts will be very alim (religious) one.

I think I should print a t-shirt for myself that says, “Wo Shi Hua Ren” and wear it when I go look for Chinese food. I can’t print it in English, “I am Chinese” because most of them don’t read and don’t understand English.

Since I myself dunno Chinese (blame my dad for not forcing me to go to Chinese school) I will usually order in English first. If they don’t understand, I will order in Malay and if they still don’t understand, either I point-point or thicken my face and order in broken Mandarin.

Partly my fault also lar for not knowing how to speak Chinese.

I need to find more money now, as much as possible, something like enough for me to buy Branson condo because my eldest girl only wants to eat in clean restaurant.

Meaning, no hawker stalls, no old run down restaurant even though the food is nice and “Longkang” food near Madam King is totally out of the question.

I wonder who put that idea in her head. I will sure strangle that person if I find who he/she is!!!

I just transformed the above slimey lil Aloe Vera cubes into this tasty drink.

The recipe is so simple and cost you less than RM3 for a small pot of it provided you grow your own Aloe Vera plant.

Interested to try it out yourself? Get the recipe here - Aloe Vera with Longan Drink.

*****

This morning my lady boss’ maid handed me a long piece of the Aloe Vera and taught me to cook it with longan. I did not accept it though as I can’t imagine eating the slimey Aloe Vera.

Later my colleague told me that she tried and once cooked, no more slime and one of her sons loves it so much.

Since my children loves nata de coco and pudding, so I thought maybe Aloe Vera cubes would be similar. And…since I like longan, I took the Aloe Vera and gave it a try.

I did not regret it.

My son just finished the above bowl of it!

I love the smell of the durian’s flower. I wish I can say the same about the durian flesh.

Since I can’t escape from smelling them because there are durian trees around the house, I started eating them. The most I can eat is 3 pieces of the durian. If I eat more, the bathroom faucets will see my face the whole day until all the durians are discharged from my system!

Even that, too much of it will make me gag and vomit. Not the flesh but the smell.

Soon, this house will be filled with the foul smell of durian flesh. Foul to me.

You got to watch this. This is super duper funny. After watching a few times, I can still LOL.

I really respect the Indian/Bangla shop owner. No matter how angry he is, he did not curse. Must learn from him, ok; In Your Anger, Do not Sin. Ephesian 4:26

Got to know about this video from Hilda, my 15 yo niece; Chinbai¡­Chinese plus Bai (Singh).

Will you eat these? I did! Just because the shop that sells the Tandoori Chicken is hubby’s neighbour. The shop is just beside our Internet Cafe.

I wanted to return it and ask them to eat it but considering hubby’s relationship with them, I hold back. I tried not eating the burnt area but some are too tough to remove.

I gave up trying and told hubby that I really need to at least get them to scrape off the burnt part and promise hubby that I will SMILE when talking to them. Hubby knows my temper!

I went to look for the boss even though the employee approached me. Telling him my problem. He scolded the employee who served me the burnt Tandoori and the employee scrape of the burnt part but it was too burnt that after scrapping, it does not look any different.

You know what, hubby left his shop to peep on me. He worried that I create a havoc there! hahahaha. Anyway, he told me that I did not SMILE. Oh well, at least I did not raise my voice or show my angry face or even ask the boss to eat the chicken.
Anyway, I just took the chicken and vow that I will NEVER eat their Tandoori again.

I was wondering how come this year our CNY cookies finished faster than years before. Could it be that our cookies are nicer this year? To me, they are all the same as last year. Maybe there are some new ones that we make ourselves.

Then I realized that we did not buy any sweets, chocolate, asam or even kuaci this year. So our visitors have no other choice but to eat our cookies.

Good idea hor? Next year must do the same too.

Curcumin. This word sounds familiar. After doing Google search, I discovered that it come from Turmeric. We, the Nyonya uses a lot of turmeric in our cooking. When we fry chicken or fish, in our Udang Lemak Nenas or whatever Lemak dish that we cook and in our curry too.

I also learned that Curcumin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antifungal actions. That is why no matter how much Lemak (fats) that we eat, we still stay healthy.

I wanted to make this one…

Picture Source

Banana Chocolate Chips Cookies minus the banana.

Unfortunately, I copied the recipe wrongly. Instead of 1/3 Cup Sugar, I wrote 1/2 Cup Sugar. It turn out too sweet. So I decided to throw it away into the fridge. I wonder whether can make adjustment to it.

Cooking Ninja or anyone expert in baking, can you please help!!!

Sayang my chocolate chips. I bought the Van Houten brand, RM9.90 for 250g. I should have gotten the Tesco brand, only RM1.90 for 100g. I was so confident it will turn out good because my first cookie for this year, the Nestum Cookies came our purrfect!

Now I don’t have the heart to bake anymore cookies.

I got you to visit my blog ya???

I just make love the cookies today, right after work. This is the simplest cookie that I even done before.

Unfortunately, not all turns out good. I got a burnt batch too. Here they are…

Since this is my first try, I didn’t make that much. Only 2 and 3/4 small container. The 1/4 went to my tummy and my children’s.

Oh ya, these are called the Nestum Cookies. Click the link for the recipe.

Actually I planned to make Nestum Cookies today but MIL told me that SIL insisted to make pineapple tarts today coz next Sunday it will be too late. We try not to make it so early because pineapple tarts develop molds easily when kept too long. But MIL has no choice because then oven belongs to her.

At first MIL wanted to do only 2kg but SIL told her to make more in case we need to give some to relatives. So, she made 3kg all together. Least that I know that this is the first time for both of them! The dough turns out dry, my mom’s pineapple tarts’ mould got stuck, their pineapple tarts mould is too huge, and another one needs to kepit.

Dry Dough! You kneed with your fingers not palm.

So I brought my mom to the rescue! She added more butter.

These are the unbaked tarts. At first we used the plain mould but I have to kepit the side. They do not know how. The maid tried; her looks like the tarts has been stung by a bee! My MIL tried, hers is “terkangkang”. She even laughed at her artwork! So I told them to leave the “kepiting” to me. But I get sleepy after a few tray so I quickly hopped over to my mom’s and borrowed her mould, the smaller ones with ready made design. It is also due to the filling. The filling is extra sweet. Small mould, less filling. So the taste is just right.

The people behind the making plus myself too. My MIL, maid, SIL’s niece and SIL.

The oven that we used. Looks like robot to me. The temperature that we used is 160′C. The big tarts we baked for 15mins. The smaller ones, 10 mins.

Baked Pineapple tarts. The unbaked ones look better ya.

We started around 11.30am and finished at 7.30pm. It’s an 8 hours job!

From this…

We got this after one hour of stirring.

From a big wok, it now accommodates a medium size rice pot.

I am all excited about it. Finally MIL is going to make my all time favorite cookie and I will make sure she do it my way!

My way, it will be half butter and half margarine. It will be crunchy with the buttery taste.

I think we will only start making them a week before CNY so that it won’t be moldy. I can’t wait to help.

How To Make Pineapple Tarts Filling? Click away.

Recognise this? We, the Baba Nyonya call it Kuih Belanda. You people call it Love Letter. So far I only see shapes of flower, no alphabets.

Those in the left container is for us to eat. Dah habis pun by today. Those are the rejected ones. You can figure out why from the color. And the right container can only be eaten on CNY day.

MIL made them 2 days ago with the help of the maid and SIL. I help to eat only only today coz if you eat them on the same day, sure will kena sore-throat one.

With this cookie, it marks the coming of CNY.

Talking about love…

Many of us know how hard it can be to find love these days. Most dating sites are the perfect place to find lovers and friends. It is a practical way to find friends a lovers.

This is the cause of my discomforts since last night. My favorite McD burger which I can get only once in a year; Prosperity Burger.

Last night I was struggling with tummy ache and gastric pain but I have no urge to vomit or poop! I wish I could get it all out then I might feel better. Maybe I should admit myself in the hospital and claim from my medicare insurance but since I can still walk, I forced myself to sleep, hoping that I will feel better the next morning.

Well, the next morning, I still managed to drag my sleepy mind and body to office. Felt giddy and nauseous too besides the ache. Then my colleague told me maybe my tummy “masuk angin”.

Oh ya! I just remembered that I took my dinner real late, after 9pm! I was really hungry around 6pm and by then the hungry pang left me. Masuk angin lar tu!

Now I know why I am experiencing all these. Not because of the burger!

Eat Instant Noodle from China!

My mom told me that my BIL tried it. The gravy is a lil bit thick so must add more water. Oh ya, my sister got it when she went to Kunming, China last month.

So I took a packet home. While preparing it, I thought, “Hmmm…I am going to be more Chinese today.” hahahaha.

I dunno what the heck is written, so I dunno the preparation instruction. Just follow what my mon said, “Add more water.”

This is what it turns out to be. Soggy and the gravy is as thick as mushroom soup. I love mushroom soup but not this one. I took the courage to try a small bite since hubby is not around to become my guinea pig! hahaha. Yucks! It has the Beefy taste but it is so “gelifying” with the thick gravy and soggy noodle. It went to the dog!

Last night I ended up packing Yong Chow Fried Rice and Wantan Hor. Still Chinese food but Malaysian style. I am Malaysian.

For the Year 2007.

Otak Otak as appetizer

Our main dish, Yong Tau Foo, Malay style with lotsa of cow’s intestine, seaweed and fishballs too. Mmmm…my favorite but unfortunately it was not hubby’s fav. He said, fishball is tasteless. I thought men like fishy stuff.

While waiting for the food, there was a Malay couple, still very much in love. I can see from how they look at each other with much adoration. The way they chew their food caught my attention. Then I look at other customers. You see, we are the only Chinese there. (half Chinese to be precise…hehe). My question, “Can’t they chew with their mouth close?” Maybe the meat is too tough but even cows chew with their mouth close.

I think this is typically Malaysian. Talk with your mouth full, chew your food with mouth open and must have the chap chup chap chup sound. The louder the sound, the tastier the food is.

I tried eating with my mouth open like them. I can’t chew my food properly. I am just cutting it but not chewing it. Wow! Their tummy must really work hard to digest their food.

Anyway, the food is good but a lil too salty. I think it is because they added a lot of MSG too. I am very thirsty now. Maybe I need a colon cleanse to start the New Year.

Enough ranting.

I am here to wish you a Blessed New Year and May God’s Blessing Be Abundant in Your Life.

I am sad to say that I start the New Year with sick children and sick me! But things will be much better in days to come. I have more that 300 days to feel good and healthy.

Since we are at Dataran Pahlawan, we had lunch at 2pm at Johnny’s. At first I thought of just ordering the Belacan Fried Rice and Waterchest Nut to save money coz I know my clothing sure expensive one. But hubby said since we are at Johny’s it won’t be complete if we don’t eat their steamboat. Since hubby gave the green light, and let me “spend”. I ordered a set of steamboat and a plate of the Belacan Fried Rice. Spent RM29 something for 2 people. Okay lar.

My mom told me that after eating the above cute red and white glutinous rice ball, I will be older by one year. Because I do not want to be older by one year each year, I avoided eating them.

Sometimes, only sometimes when I am not lazy, I enjoyed helping my mom roll roll the above. I like the red ones. Like laying PlayDoh like that. My girls helped MIL last night, making dinosaurs instead of Kuih Ee. Oh ya, we the Peranakans call it Kueh Ee. I just learnt that the Chinese calls it Tang Yuen. Tang = Soup, Yuen = Round.

Eating Kueh Ee is the mark of the beginning of Winter Solstice. I Google it and found something really interesting.

In Ancient Greece, the winter solstice celebration was called Lenaea (Festival of the wild women). According to Greek myth, a man representing the harvest god Dionysos was sacrificed and then eaten by nine women!

So which part would you choose to eat?

In my culture, my grandma told me that the Kueh Ee were to helped mend/cover the hole in the sky so that it would stop raining. It is rainy season here now right? Lotsa places already flooded. I wonder whether it would stop raining tomorrow. hehe.

And when she is around, she would stick 2 of the Kueh Ee, one colour each on each door to the house. I can’t remember the purpose for it. Anyway, we the younger generation does not practice it anymore.

Here’s another easy one. You don’t need an oven to do this.

1/2 cup butter
3 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp green food color
4 cups corn flakes
red hot candies
silver dragées

Melt butter, add marshmallows, stirring until all marshmallows are melted. Add extracts and food coloring; stir until it is a uniform green color. When mixture is smooth, add corn flakes; mix well but gently so as not to crush the cornflakes. Form into wreath shapes on sheets of waxed paper, decorate with red cinnamon candies and silver dragées. Let cool.

3 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup dessicated coconut
3/4 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
60 g (2 oz) mixed candied fruit, chopped
60 g (2 oz) red and green candied cherries, chopped
1/4 cup raisins
125 g (4.5 oz) white vegetable shortening (Chopha or Crisco)
125 g (4.5 oz) white chocolate chips

Brush a 9 x 13″ pan with oil. Line base and sides with paper. Combine Rice Krispies, coconut, powdered milk, powdered sugar, and all fruit in a large bowl. Chop up the shortening, place with the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Combine chocolate and Rice Krispie mixture. Press into the prepared pan and refrigerate until set.

Remove from the pan, allow to stand for 10 minutes. Cut into squares with a sharp knife.