Ho Ho Ho! Crappy people having a Crabby Christmas! Ho Ho Ho!
See you in 2012!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Gin's Kitchen - Nasi Goreng (Premix)
Day 504
I've decided to make lunch my main meal of the day and shifted all the rice and noodles to lunch instead of dinner. No carbos for dinner! Fried rice is one of the easiest meal to prepare and since I'm craving for something spicy, I decided to try this Nasi Goreng premix. I was hoping that it'll be authentic and spicy but just like most of the premixes, they aren't the real McCoy. Perhaps it's time to buy Kecap Manis.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of cooked rice (refrigerated overnight)
- 8 green prawn cutlets
- 3 seafood sticks (shredded)
- Fishcake
- Bean sprouts
- Spring onions
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 4 tablespoons of oil
- 1 clove of garlic (minced)
- 1 heaped tablespoon of Sambal Chilli
- 1 packet of Nasi Goreng Premix
Directions
1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in wok and saute garlic until they are slightly brown
2. Add in cooked rice, break the lumps, separate the grains and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes
3. Toss prawns and shredded seafood sticks into wok and continue to stir-fry for a few minutes
4. Push the rice to the side of the wok, add 2 tablespoons of the oil into wok and add beaten eggs into wok
5. Let eggs cook for a while and once they are almost cooked, mix it well with the rice
6. Add bean sprouts and spring onion into wok and do some quick stirs
7. Add Nasi Goreng Premix and 1 heaped tablespoon of Sambal Chilli and mix it well with the rice
8. Taste and add more pepper or salt if needed
I've decided to make lunch my main meal of the day and shifted all the rice and noodles to lunch instead of dinner. No carbos for dinner! Fried rice is one of the easiest meal to prepare and since I'm craving for something spicy, I decided to try this Nasi Goreng premix. I was hoping that it'll be authentic and spicy but just like most of the premixes, they aren't the real McCoy. Perhaps it's time to buy Kecap Manis.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of cooked rice (refrigerated overnight)
- 8 green prawn cutlets
- 3 seafood sticks (shredded)
- Fishcake
- Bean sprouts
- Spring onions
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 4 tablespoons of oil
- 1 clove of garlic (minced)
- 1 heaped tablespoon of Sambal Chilli
- 1 packet of Nasi Goreng Premix
Directions
1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in wok and saute garlic until they are slightly brown
2. Add in cooked rice, break the lumps, separate the grains and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes
3. Toss prawns and shredded seafood sticks into wok and continue to stir-fry for a few minutes
4. Push the rice to the side of the wok, add 2 tablespoons of the oil into wok and add beaten eggs into wok
5. Let eggs cook for a while and once they are almost cooked, mix it well with the rice
6. Add bean sprouts and spring onion into wok and do some quick stirs
7. Add Nasi Goreng Premix and 1 heaped tablespoon of Sambal Chilli and mix it well with the rice
8. Taste and add more pepper or salt if needed
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Strawberry Picking @ Sunny Ridge
Day 503
We were all set to embark on our strawberry picking trip when the light drizzle threatened to ruin our plan. However, our craving for strawberries was too strong and nothing is going to stop us. (actually it was Mr Tan who decided to drive on despite the rain, he has been talking about strawberries for the last 2 weeks!) Thankfully the weather held up and we managed to pick our strawberries, lots and lots of strawberries!
We were all set to embark on our strawberry picking trip when the light drizzle threatened to ruin our plan. However, our craving for strawberries was too strong and nothing is going to stop us. (actually it was Mr Tan who decided to drive on despite the rain, he has been talking about strawberries for the last 2 weeks!) Thankfully the weather held up and we managed to pick our strawberries, lots and lots of strawberries!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Eat Out - Crabs @ Omah's
Day 501
Even though we had a rather disappointing meal at Omah's previously, we decided to visit it again for its crabs - its signature dish. And this time, we brought our Entertainment Book voucher, we called a day earlier to reserve 2 crabs and we went to its Hawthorn branch. And I conclude, we are so going back for its crabs!
Both crabs were of a good size, hard and meaty. Jasmine loves crabs so much that she couldn't stop eating. For the first time, she was quiet. Haha. Both Jasmine and Mr Tan enjoyed the salted egg yolk crab although I found it a little bland. It could do with more salted egg yolk. The chilli crab was good. The sauce was spicy and there was a generous amount of egg. As soon as Emily took her first bite, she asked for milk. It was a tab too spicy for Emily but that's because she can't take chillies. Our dear Mr Tan wanted it to be spicier. But all of us agreed that it's probably one of the better ones we've had in Melbourne. The best crab I had was at Pacific House. Chilli crab with noodles. Absolutely heavenly. Can Omah's please add noodles to its Chilli crabs? Perhaps I should try making a special request for it the next time we're there...
The belacan kangkung came with prawns which was a pleasant surprise. The kangkung were crunchy and the dish was flavourful. It reminded me of my fave sambal kangkung with cuttlefish.
The oyster omelette was once again a hit with Jasmine and Mr Tan but Emily had one complaint - too few oysters! She loves oysters and can easily devour a dozen all by herself.
The service was terrific, the crabs were finger-licking good and we got a $30 discount (thanks to the Entertainment Book voucher). 2 thumbs up! But...the food took too long to arrive. We waited for more than 30 minutes and everyone was starving, especially Mr Tan and Emily. For that, tonight's dinner is only 1 thumb up but we'll surely be going back for its crabs!
Even though we had a rather disappointing meal at Omah's previously, we decided to visit it again for its crabs - its signature dish. And this time, we brought our Entertainment Book voucher, we called a day earlier to reserve 2 crabs and we went to its Hawthorn branch. And I conclude, we are so going back for its crabs!
Tonight's menu
Chilli Crab
Salted Egg Yolk Crab
Belacan Kangkung
Oyster Omelette
Both crabs were of a good size, hard and meaty. Jasmine loves crabs so much that she couldn't stop eating. For the first time, she was quiet. Haha. Both Jasmine and Mr Tan enjoyed the salted egg yolk crab although I found it a little bland. It could do with more salted egg yolk. The chilli crab was good. The sauce was spicy and there was a generous amount of egg. As soon as Emily took her first bite, she asked for milk. It was a tab too spicy for Emily but that's because she can't take chillies. Our dear Mr Tan wanted it to be spicier. But all of us agreed that it's probably one of the better ones we've had in Melbourne. The best crab I had was at Pacific House. Chilli crab with noodles. Absolutely heavenly. Can Omah's please add noodles to its Chilli crabs? Perhaps I should try making a special request for it the next time we're there...
The service was terrific, the crabs were finger-licking good and we got a $30 discount (thanks to the Entertainment Book voucher). 2 thumbs up! But...the food took too long to arrive. We waited for more than 30 minutes and everyone was starving, especially Mr Tan and Emily. For that, tonight's dinner is only 1 thumb up but we'll surely be going back for its crabs!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Gin's Kitchen - 福州鱼丸汤
Day 499
Dinner has become a much simpler affair since I started going to the gym for classes. I try to cook as much as possible before I go for the classes so that we can still have dinner before 8. This has to be one of the simplest soup I've ever made. It's so idiot proof that even little Ting Ting can make it too. Haha.
Ingredients
- 福州鱼丸 (bought from Asian Grocer)
- 1/4 cabbage (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 litre of water
- 1 teaspoon of Knorr Chicken powder
- Dashes of pepper
Directions
1. Bring water to boil in a pot
2. Add chicken powder and stir well to dissolve
3. Add 福州鱼丸 into the boiling water
4. As soon as the first fishball floats to the surface, add cabbage and let it cook for another 5-10 minutes
5. Dish up, add a few dashes of pepper and it's done!
We wanted to add "tung chye" to the soup and tried to look for it at the Asian Grocers. I've absolutely no idea how "tung chye" looks like so Mr Tan was tasked to look for it and he got the wrong one. We got "cai por" instead of "tung chye". Haha.
Dinner has become a much simpler affair since I started going to the gym for classes. I try to cook as much as possible before I go for the classes so that we can still have dinner before 8. This has to be one of the simplest soup I've ever made. It's so idiot proof that even little Ting Ting can make it too. Haha.
Ingredients
- 福州鱼丸 (bought from Asian Grocer)
- 1/4 cabbage (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 litre of water
- 1 teaspoon of Knorr Chicken powder
- Dashes of pepper
Directions
1. Bring water to boil in a pot
2. Add chicken powder and stir well to dissolve
3. Add 福州鱼丸 into the boiling water
4. As soon as the first fishball floats to the surface, add cabbage and let it cook for another 5-10 minutes
5. Dish up, add a few dashes of pepper and it's done!
We wanted to add "tung chye" to the soup and tried to look for it at the Asian Grocers. I've absolutely no idea how "tung chye" looks like so Mr Tan was tasked to look for it and he got the wrong one. We got "cai por" instead of "tung chye". Haha.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Mr Tan's To-Do List
Day 498
Mr Tan is on leave! He's so happy that he can finally stay at home officially without me nagging at him. I'm happy that he's home too because I've already come up with a to-do list for him! Haha. In case Mama Goh is saying that I'm bullying him, I'm not. There's a reason why he should be doing them..
TCL's To-Do List
1. Clean the balcony
- The wind is so strong and it's cold out there. He has more fats than me at the moment and can therefore withstand the cold better than I do. I'm still fat, but he's fatter.
2. Clean the shower
- If I clean the shower, I won't be able to reach some of the higher areas and would have to ask him to help, making this a 2-man job. Instead of 2 people suffering, why not just make 1 suffer?
3. Scrub the toilet bowl
- If there's ever a Guiness Book of Records for "Most Time Spent on the Toilet Bowl", he'll definitely win it. Since he uses it so much, it's only right that he cleans it.
4. Wash the dishes after breakfast, lunch and dinner
- This has to be the fairest deal he can ever get. I prepare and I cook. He eats and he washes. 50-50!
Mr Tan is on leave! He's so happy that he can finally stay at home officially without me nagging at him. I'm happy that he's home too because I've already come up with a to-do list for him! Haha. In case Mama Goh is saying that I'm bullying him, I'm not. There's a reason why he should be doing them..
1. Clean the balcony
- The wind is so strong and it's cold out there. He has more fats than me at the moment and can therefore withstand the cold better than I do. I'm still fat, but he's fatter.
2. Clean the shower
- If I clean the shower, I won't be able to reach some of the higher areas and would have to ask him to help, making this a 2-man job. Instead of 2 people suffering, why not just make 1 suffer?
3. Scrub the toilet bowl
- If there's ever a Guiness Book of Records for "Most Time Spent on the Toilet Bowl", he'll definitely win it. Since he uses it so much, it's only right that he cleans it.
4. Wash the dishes after breakfast, lunch and dinner
- This has to be the fairest deal he can ever get. I prepare and I cook. He eats and he washes. 50-50!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Happy Birthday, Twin!
Day 495
It's my twin's birthday again! This is the 2nd year we're not able to celebrate our birthdays together but we did have a fantastic time together when I flew to Japan to meet her in July! It has been almost 12 months since we last saw each other when I met her in Japan and I was so excited to see her. It doesn't matter where you are or what you do, it's who you are with that matters the most. So long as I'm with her, I always have a great time. :) Thank you for being the sister that I've always wanted to have.
To my dearest Twin,
Happy Happy Happy HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
May your days ahead be filled with lots of fun, happiness and LOVE!
May 2012 be the year that Prince Charming will appear to sweep you off your feet!
Love you lots! *MUACKKKKKKK*
It's my twin's birthday again! This is the 2nd year we're not able to celebrate our birthdays together but we did have a fantastic time together when I flew to Japan to meet her in July! It has been almost 12 months since we last saw each other when I met her in Japan and I was so excited to see her. It doesn't matter where you are or what you do, it's who you are with that matters the most. So long as I'm with her, I always have a great time. :) Thank you for being the sister that I've always wanted to have.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Eat Out - Thai Culinary
Day 494
The sun is out, the heat is on. Summer is finally making its presence felt. Despite the heat, Mr Tan wanted something spicy for dinner so we went to the only Thai restaurant we know that allows diners to choose from 4 levels of spiciness, none, mild, spicy and very spicy! We like our Thai food to be spicy, spicy, spicy! We've used its delivery service a couple of times and have always been quite satisfied with its food. Sadly, our dine-in experience was a letdown.
The Pad Thai was the most disappointing dish. Some of the rice stick noodles were uncooked. Mr Tan commented that they were like plastic. We told the staff about it and she promptly brought it back to the kitchen. The dish was cooked again and they added in more sauce and it made the whole dish too salty.
The sun is out, the heat is on. Summer is finally making its presence felt. Despite the heat, Mr Tan wanted something spicy for dinner so we went to the only Thai restaurant we know that allows diners to choose from 4 levels of spiciness, none, mild, spicy and very spicy! We like our Thai food to be spicy, spicy, spicy! We've used its delivery service a couple of times and have always been quite satisfied with its food. Sadly, our dine-in experience was a letdown.
Tonight's menu @ Thai Culinary
Chicken Curry Puffs
Tom Yum Goong
Pad Thai (Prawns)
Thai Roasted Duck Red Curry
Mr Tan has been craving for curry puffs for a while now and although it was more like potato rather than chicken curry puffs, he still enjoyed it very much. He has been trying to convince me to try making some at home but I tell him the same thing every time, "It's beyond me." If I can find frozen puff pastry here, perhaps I'll give it a try. If I have to make my own pastry, it's Mission IMPOSSIBLE.
Tom Yum Goong was good as usual, flavourful with a generous amount of crunchy prawns. Of course, it's nowhere near the ones we've had in Thailand but it's one of the better ones we've had here. The best Tom Yum we've had outside of Thailand is at Lake Takepo, New Zealand. It was simply THE best. Even till now, Mr Tan and I are still thinking about it.
The Pad Thai was the most disappointing dish. Some of the rice stick noodles were uncooked. Mr Tan commented that they were like plastic. We told the staff about it and she promptly brought it back to the kitchen. The dish was cooked again and they added in more sauce and it made the whole dish too salty.
It's the first time we ordered its Roasted Duck Red Curry and it'll also be the last time. The duck meat was tough and dry. Other than one small drumstick, the rest were ribs and there wasn't much meat in the whole dish. *not happy*
The quality of food seems to be better for its delivery service compared to dining in so we're keeping it as our fave delivery option! Oh, and Mr Tan discovered this on the menu and he couldn't stop laughing...
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