Happy Oink Oink Year

Wishing Everyone A Very Happy, Prosperous & Blessed Chinese New Year Of The PigGONG XI FA CAI (Oink Oink Oink)

Fever Continues.....

I'm still in the mood of baking even though I've been very STRESSED out at work GRRRRRRRRRRR......H
Every evening, I looked forward to going home to experiment on my baking. It's a form of de-stress and so therapeutic for me. This is my first time baking Chinese New Year cookies and I'm hooked onto baking the Sugi cookies. Even my ever so fussy Mummy gave me her thumbs up for my cookies and especially my kuih bangkits. I'm so happy...... Yipee!

Another First Attempt

I'm hooked onto the baking fever and tried yet another first attempt with Kueh Bangkit, from Florence's recipe. Though alittle tedious with the baking of the flour but it's worth the effort. I never knew that Kueh Bangkit could be so easy and I'm going to bake yet another batch next week for Chinese New Year.

Kueh Bangkit from Florence's Recipe

Ingredients:
225g tapioca flour
3 pcs Pandan leaves (cut into 4 inches pieces)
30g margarine
55g icing sugar
1 egg yolk
75ml – 90ml coconut milk




Method:
1. Bake the flour with dry and cut up pandan leaves at 160C for 25 - 30 minutes and stirring every 10 minutes.
2. Set aside, cool completely before using.
3. Cream margarine with sugar and yolk till sugar dissolves.
4. Add in 75ml coconut milk and mix well.
5. Add flour to mix till a non-sticky dough is formed. If dough is too dry, add more coconut milk but add
1 tsp at a time, otherwise, dough may be too sticky.
6. Roll dough on a floured table and use cookie cutters to cut into shapes.
7. Baked on lined tray in preheated oven at 170C for 20 to 25 mins.
8. Remove to cool completely before storing in air tight jar.

Baking Frenzy

I'm in the mood of baking for Chinese New Year cookies so I tried my hands at Sugee cookies. I was so pleased with my first attempt as I followed the recipe to the T. It was so simple that I really enjoyed baking them as the wonderful aroma of the Sugee cookies baking in my oven filled the whole house and even to my neighbours'.... hee hee.....
Hubby dear and colleagues enjoyed my Sugee cookies.

Do give it a try and here's the recipe from QBB

Bursting Chest

Been nursing a very bad cough for the past week. All sorts of cough syrups, from purchases at pharmacy to doctor's prescription were consumed but didn't helped at all. Worst part was that the coughs always attacked at night and I really felt bad disturbing hubby dear from his sleep. He would got up to check on me, applied ointment and gave me hot drinks to soothe the itched and sored throat. What I dreaded most and also embarassing was on board the public transport, the throat would started to itch and I could feel the mouthful of coughs coming out and all stares were on me as though I'm suffering from some deadly diseases. I just wished that I could hide beneath the seats or just disappear into thin air! Sigh........... oooh I hated the coughs!

A New Beginning

A brand New Year 2007, a new beginning and lots of hopeful dreams to fulfil. Here's wishing that this new year GOD showers HIS

HOPE

LOVE

JOY

and PEACE to everyone!

Sad Annivesary

Today being Boxing Day is also the Feast of St Stephen, the catholic church's first martyr who was stoned to death! It has been raining cats and dogs for the past weeks causing floods everywhere and also to our neighbouring countries.

It has been exactly two years today from Dec 26 2004, the unforgettable and memorable day for many of the families members of the dearly departed caused by the great disaster "The Tsunamis" that wiped out many lives! As they mourn for their dear loved ones, may God comfort them in their pains and sorrows!

Me? The Wheel Of Fortune?

Wow... then I should be quiting my job! Money spinning for me? Truly, I'm a NO believer of Tarot Cards but just out of curiousity that I try it out for the fun. Try it out at your own risk ..... haha!

You are The Wheel of Fortune

Good fortune and happiness but sometimes a species of
intoxication with success

The Wheel of Fortune is all about big things, luck, change, fortune. Almost always good fortune. You are lucky in all things that you do and happy with the things that come to you. Be careful that success does not go to your head however. Sometimes luck can change.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

A Christmas Reflection ~ Mary's Dream

With Christmas just round the corner, there'll be lots of shoppings for loved ones and dear friends. Feastings has been going on for me since the beginning of December. In the midst of all these mad rushes, this reflection came upon me which was shared by a priest during one of the Christmas masses' surmon. Christmas here in Singapore has become too commercialised. Truly indeed, who's birthday celebration are we celebrating?

Mary's Dream
I had a dream, Joseph. I don't understand it, not really, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our son. I think that was what it was all about. The people had been preparing for it for about six weeks. They had decorated the house and bought new clothes. They'd gone shopping many times and bought elaborate gifts. It was peculiar, though, because the presents weren't for our son. They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under a tree. Yes, a tree, Joseph, right in their house. They'd decorated the tree also. The branches were full of glowing balls and sparkling ornaments. There was a figure on the top of the tree. It looked like an angel might look. Oh, it was beautiful. Everyone was laughing and happy. They were all excited about the gifts. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to our son. I don't think they even knew him. They never mentioned his name. Doesn't it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone's birthday if they don't know him? I had the strangest feeling that if our son had gone to this celebration he would have been intruding. Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone so full of cheer, but it made me want to cry. How sad for Jesus - not to be wanted at his own birthday celebration. I'm glad it was only a dream. How terrible, Joseph, if it had been real.

Disheartening News

Today I took leave from work to have a quiet time being Daddy's death anniversay exactly 20 years. Went to morning mass as usual in my parish and met up with couple of friends for breakfast. During our breakfast conversation, learnt that Sally our friend who's an active member in our church doing the flowers arrangements for the altars and also with St Vincent De Paul Society helping the less fortunae, was admitted in hospital suffering from anemia. Friends who met her in church last weekend mentioned that her face was so pale, as white as paper. In the afternoon, while having lunch I received an sms requesting prayers for Sally that she has been diagnosed with LEUKEMIA! At that moment, I was speechless and kept asking God why must it be Sally, one who is so humble and down to earth. Life is so unpredictable, we never know what's in store for us! Like Sally, she has everything that God has blessed with, a comfortable life, a wonderful family with husband and children. I believe Sally is a strong woman with unwavering faith and I only have to pray for Sally that God will do what's best for her.

My Return To The Gym

Of late I could feel my body weight has been increasing. I guess it must have been the nightly favourite wan tan mee that hubby dear has been buying for me to enjoy. The result: a fatter and gigantic me and I could feel all my clothes getting tighter every day! Surprisingly when I got home from work this evening, a certain force made me changed into my workout attire. Clad in my sports long pants and tee shirt, I put on my cross trainer shoes and headed towards the gym downstairs. Having been absent from the gym for a long period of time, I slowly climbed onto the elliptical trainer and selected the "Weight Loss" programme on the machine. Due to my knees problems, the elliptical motion minimizes impact to my joints and lower back while exercising the muscles of my lower body -the key to effective aerobic exercise. The first few strides on the pedals were torturing and I started panting. I kept telling myself to endure for the next 30 minutes. Tiring but gradually, I got the momentum and was enjoying myself striding to and fro on the elliptical trainer listening to my favourite raido station Class 95 playing most of favourite songs. When I finally completed the whole 30 minutes of the "Weight Loss" programme with perspirations trinkling down my face, I smiled to myself and felt a sense of achievement. I do hope I can continue to be faithfully going to the gym every day to shed those unwanted fats away! Hmmmmmm. but I doubt with festive seasons like Christmas, The New Year and Chinese New Year just round the conner and all the great feastings, there goes my exercise regime down the drain again! Sigh...... the greedy me!

Ayam Buah Keluak

Last night my girlfriend Hazel popped by my place and she bought fried Hokkien prawn noodles and BBQ chicken wings. The two of us enjoyed our dinner and chatted about her new lifestyle without a maid, especially she being a career woman having to hang up the laundry every night while her wonderful children helped out with the household chores. In the midst of our conversation, Hazel surprised me that she loves to eat Ayam Buah Keluak and especially cooked by her mother in law who is a pure Teochew with no Peranakan heritage. I was very astounded by the way she described about how her mother in law prepared the Buah Keluak, having to scrub and then soaked the nut shell for about three days.. and we both laughed over the smelly water. The Buah Keluak paste to be dugged out and mixed together with minced prawns and meat and then stuffed back into the nut shell and to cook with chunky chicken meat. My mum will always cook this dish during Chinese New Year and I love digging the black paste out from the nut shell and licking it... hmmmm. finger licking good! Amboi Sedap Sekali!


Recipe for Ayam Buah Keluak (extracted from Asianonline :

4 Chicken Thighs
10 pieces Buah Keluak
300 g Shrimp Meat
2 tablespoons Tamarind paste, mix with 1 liter water
Salt and sugar to taste

Blend
300 g Shallots
100 g Garlic
3 Candlenuts
2 cm Tumeric
2 slices Galangal
6 stalks Lemon grass (white part)
1 teaspoon Dried shrimp paste(belachan)
20 Dried chillies, soak in hot water and drain

Method :
Cut the chicken into pieces.
Clean the buah keluak and remove kernels with a sharp knife.
Blend kernels with shrimp meat.
Add salt and sugar to taste.
Stuff this filling into the buah keluak shell.
Heat half cup oil in a wok.
Stir fry the blended ingredients until fragrant.
Add chicken and stir fry well.
Add buah keluak, assam paste juice, salt and sugar.
Bring to a boil.
Turn to low heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Paradox Of Life

This was read during our Sunday Mass in church by my Parish Priest for our reflection. How very true indeed, we all have taken so many things around us for granted! Worth the reading and reflecting on the following:-
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but lesssense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems,more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods, and slow digestion, big men and smallcharacter, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one nightstands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stock room.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.
A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for some day that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Cream Puffs

Today being a public holiday(Hari Raya Puasa) I had the whole carefree day to myself, enjoying myself lazing around and watching tv programmes. All of a sudden the urge of eating cream puffs came upon me(hee hee I am no preggie). So, I ransacked my kitchen and managed to have all the ingredients available to bake my cream puffs . In fact, hubby has been bugging me for months to bake him cream puffs, back then my mood for baking was hibernating. Well, perhaps his lucky day indeed and ta da, I present my humble cream puffs.

Here's the wonderful recipe thanks to Florence:-

Ingredients: (16 medium puffs)
Choux Pastry:
85ml water
50g butter
pinch of salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla essence

50g bread flour
20g cake flour2 eggs (lightly beaten)

Creme Patisserie:
240ml skim milk
5 tbsp castor sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 egg + 2 yolks
2 tbsp cornstarch

Method:
Choux Pastry
1. Cook water, butter, sugar and salt in a saucepan till bubbling hot. Turn the heat to low.
2. Add in the flour mixture in one go and mix with a wooden spoon till a dough is formed.
3. Still on low heat, cook the dough for 1 - 2 minutes till a thin white film is formed at the bottom of the saucepan.
4. Transfer dough to a mixing bowl and beat till it is lukewarm.
5. Add in egg by thirds and mix till well blended and smooth.
6. Place batter into piping bag and pipe it onto a lined pan in rounds of about 5cm in diameter. Spray some water on it.
7. Bake at 200C for 25 minutes then 180C for 8 - 10 minutes or till dry and golden brown in color.
Turn off the oven and let it cool in the oven for 30 minutes.

Creme Patisserie
1. Mix 60ml of milk with the cornstarch till smooth.
2. Add the beaten egg and yolks into the cornstarch mixture.
3. Boil the remaining milk with sugar in a saucepan till bubbling hot. Pour 1/3 of this hot milk into the egg cornstarch mixture. Stirring all the time.
4. Now pour the egg cornstarch mixture through a strainer into the rest of the boiling milk. Stirring constantly till mixture thicken. Do not burn the custard.
5. Cling wrap custard with glad wrap with the wrap touching the surface of the custard (this is to prevent a hard film forming on surface of the custard) and chill till ready to use.

Notes:Do not open the oven door in the baking process. Open oven door to remove puffs only after the 30 minutes in-oven cooling process.

My Wok Fried Char Siew

Did this at my mum's place on Sunday. I marinated the meat on Saturday night and leave it overnight in a ziplock bag in the fridge. Hee hee thanks to Michelle, my neighbour for her contribution of the oyster sauce and I also omitted the garlics in the recipe as I do not have them at home. I think the red fermented beancurd could be halved as the smell is very pungent. As my mum's place do not have an oven, I did the wok fried method. I boiled some water in a wok, add in the marinated char siew with the marinade, then let it simmer slowly till the water is dry. Then continue to pan fry it until crispy. Oh my little 3 years old nephew enjoyed the char siew and he kept running now and then to the dining table to have little strips of the char siew.

Here's the recipe for the char siew:-

1-11/2 kg pork belly (pork must have some fat in it to be tender. Do not use lean pork loin)
Marinade : 4 tablespoon Oyster sauce
4 Tablespoon Tomato sauce
5 Tablespoon Soya sauce
3 Tablespoon Black soya sauce
1 teaspoon Sesame oil
2 Tablespoon sugar
1 piece red fermented beancurd
1 Tablespoon Chinese wine
4 cloves garlic, finely minced

Glaze :
1 tablespoon honey mixed with 1 tablespoon water

Method :
1. Mix all the ingredients for marinate together. Pour onto pork and leave to marnate for at least 4 hours, even better overnight.
2. Take meat out from refridgerator 1/2 hour before grilling.
3. Grill/broil the meat until cooked. While grilling, make sure you turn the meat 3-4 times, to allow even browning.
4. When meat is cooked, brush with honey glaze and remove

Thanks to the Kitchen Capers members cwl who shared this wonderful char siew recipe and Angie who shared her wok fried method!

FAITH ~ Radical Reliance On God, Our Provider

This is truly very encouraging. All we need is to have FAITH and total submission to God! A case of radical reliance on God.
All the scholastic scaffolding falls, as a ruined edifice, before a single word - FAITH ~ Napoleon Bonaparte .
There is a story about the time Mother Teresa said to her superiors as a young nun, "I have 5 pennies and a dream from God to build an orphanage." Her superiors looked at each other and then said to her, "Well, Sister Teresa, you can't build an orphanage with 5 pennies. With 5 pennies, you can do nothing. "I know," she replied. "But with God and 5 pennies, I can do anything." Well, God built that orphanage as He has built the rest of her ministry because she has been radically dependent on Him. She receives no church support, no governmental subsidies, and she offers no salaries - but God has come through time after time and she has never had to turn away a needy person. Mother Teresa relates an incident about the chairman of a large Indian corporation who came to donate some property in Bombay. First he asked, "Mother, how is your work financed?" She said, "Mr Thomas, who sent you here?" "Well, he replied, "I felt an urge inside of me." "Other people like you come to see me and say the same thing," she said. "That is my budget." She has recounted story after story about how God has come through for her in amazing ways. Like the time when there was no bread to give the poor - until, out of the blue, two trucks pulled up and dumped enough bread to feed everyone at the facility for several days. It seems that the schools in Calcutta had unexpectedly closed for the day, and someone suggested donating the lunch bread to Mother Teresa. Another time a co-worker at another facility called her to ask for 50,000 rupees to start a children's home. Mother Teresa said she didn't have the money but would pray about it. As soon as she hung up, the phone rang again. "You've just won the Ramon Magsasay award from the Philippines," a newspaper reporter said "How much is it?" she asked. "Fifty thousand rupees." She called back her colleague." You have your orphanage," she said. That's the kind of adventure that comes with radical reliance on God. You are called to attempt great things for God with FAITH
This was extracted from the book entitled "What Would Jesus Say To You:" by Lee Strobel

What Do Angels Look Like?

Like the little old lady who returned your wallet yesterday.

Like the taxi driver who told you thatyour eyes light up the world, when you smile.

Like the small child who showed you the wonder in simple things.

Like the poor man who offeredto share his lunch with you.

Like the rich man who showed you itreally is all possible, if only you believe.

Like the stranger who just happened to come along,when you had lost your way.

Like the friend who touched your heart,when you didn't think you had one left to touch.

Angels come in all sizes and shapes,All ages and skin types.

Some with freckles, some with dimples,some with wrinkles, some without.

They come disguised as friends, enemies,teachers, students, lovers and fools.

They don't take life too seriously,They travel light.

They leave no forwarding address,They ask for nothing in return.

They wear sneakers with gossamer wings,They get a deal on dry cleaning.

They are hard to find when your eyes are closed, ButThey are everywhere you look when you choose to see.

Kueh Ko Swee

This is the long awaited recipe from my mum that everyone's been asking for! So now here you have it and do try your hands at them:-

Ingredients Needed
1. Tapioca/Starch flour 280 gm
2. Plain flour 280 gm (wet)
3. Sugar 228 gm
4. Gula Melaka 450 gm
5. Lye water (alkaline) 2 teaspoonfuls
6. Water 560 gm and 450 gm
7. Pandan leaves 3 to 4 blades
8. Grated coconut (without skin) 200 grams

METHOD
1. Mix and boil the water(560 gm), sugar, gula melaka and pandan leaves until they melt.
2. Sieve the mixture when cool.
3. Mix the tapioca/starch flour and plain flour with water(450 gm) and combine the mixture from
Step 1, before finally adding in lye water and stiring thoroughly.
4. Pour the final mixture into moulds and steam for 15 min.
5. Allow mixture to cool and solidify.
Remove the kueh from the mould and coat with grated coconut to serve. Sedap sekali yah?

Cutie

Ooooh.... isn't it cute? It's so adorable and would put a smile on anyone's face when looking at it. Received this cute picture in my e-mail from a good friend, Nancy(Sandi's Mum). I couldn't help laughing when looking at it, just want to hug and cuddle this cute little fellow. So now if you want to destress or make yourself happy, just come and check out this cutie here in my blog.

Egg Skin Popiah

Had this sudden craving for Egg Skin Popiah, this is one of my mummy's specialities! Hmmmm.... think I would call mum later to ask her to have Egg Skin Popiah on Sunday when we have our family gathering. Poor mum would have to stand by the stove to do her Egg Skin Popiah piece by pieces! Drool.... drool... drool...