BaysWater Snapshot

我的迷你马来糕(Ma Lai Koh)

2009-04-25T23:26:00.000-07:00

我取名叫“迷你马来糕”，因为份量很小，大约切成10个马来糕而已。吃多也容易腻，一人两块刚刚好咯。
食谱是网友sock peng妈妈的收集，我要到后就试了。第一次失败，因为把“菜油”(margerine)当成是食油（cooking oil), 结果面糊怎么也蒸不熟，水水的，真失败！

经过我本身改良的材料和分量：

castor sugar 100g ( to cook caramel sugar)

margerine 50g

cooking oil 30g ( i use corn oil)..less guilty mah!

low protein flour 130g (面粉不要太多，不然蛋糕不能鬆软）

carstor sugar 90g

egg 2 units ( Grade B or C)

Baking Powder 3/4 tsp

Baking Soda 1 tsp

UHT low fat milk 150ml (记得用低脂的，减少犯罪感啦）

作法如下：懒性又发作，所以区区cut and paste就贴上来了。。。嘻^-^

试试看吧。。。

红烧排骨

2009-04-13T23:44:00.000-07:00

红烧排骨变通自红烧牛肉，作法相同。

今晚会来一盘红烧排骨干捞面，加些菜心和葱花，就是一餐丰盛的爱心晚餐了。

材料：

spare rib 500g

2 small size tomato

1 medium size carrot (optional), cut in cube

3-4 clove of garlic

1 stalk spring onion

2 small shallot （红葱头）

3-4 slice of old ginger

1 tbsp of 李锦记辣豆瓣酱 (如果没有，用一般豆酱代替）

1/2 tbsp brown sugar

pinch of salt

1 tbsp siao xing wine

3 star anise （八角）

1.5 tbsp soy sauce

dry chili 3-4 pcs（soak in hot water)

Method:

1. 汆烫排骨30秒，将排骨清洗干净。下油锅略炒。

2。盛起排骨，余下的油爆炒青葱，蒜头，红葱头，姜片, 辣椒干。。稍炒片刻，再下豆瓣酱略炒香。

3。盛起爆香的（2），下锅炒对半切的tomato，carrot, 再将排骨和（2）倒回锅子。

4。加盐，糖，绍兴米酒，八角，酱油，400ml 水入锅，盖好，焖煮30-45分钟，至排骨软透。如用pressure cooker, 20分钟搞定。

Korean Potsticker (Mandu) 韩式锅贴

2009-04-11T23:22:00.000-07:00

William 和Hyun-e的混血女儿，Maya
金柳廷在包饺子，饺子下热锅就变名称锅贴。

三个韩国妈妈谈笑风生
女主人Hyun-e(朴汀现),嫁来大马已9年，老公是大马Sri Langkan后裔。

锅贴煎好了，沾着乌醋芝麻酱料吃，很入味。

韩国锅贴的材料：

水饺皮一包（任何超市都有卖，不需自己弄）

多多白菜，切丝

青葱，切丝

水豆腐一个，捏烂

冬粉少许（烫熟）

绞猪肉

麻油

酱油

糖/盐

全部材料拌好腌最少一小时。

饺子包法依你个人喜好，热点油，下锅小火微煎至金黄色，加半杯水入锅，中火把锅贴煮至干水，趁热上桌。

Korean Pancake (Pajeon) 韩式煎饼

2009-04-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

一直很想吃吃韩式煎饼，今天总算吃到了！韩国朋友Hyun-e今天邀请了两个韩国妈妈和我去她家作客，我特别点了这一道。她还准备了韩式的锅贴，风味和日式/中式完全不同！

以下是韩式煎饼的材料：
180gram 面粉（过筛)

140gram 白开水

1粒蛋

多多青葱,切成1寸长

虾仁，去壳，对半切开

sotong，切幼幼

红萝卜，切丝

芝麻少许

盐少许

楜椒粉少许

Dipping sauce: (全部酱料少许，你可以自行调配到你喜爱的口味!)

soy sauce

black vinegar/乌醋

sesame oil

chili/parika powder/辣椒末

pinch of sugar

sesame seeds

Method:

In a large bowl, mix flour, water, egg to a smooth batter. if necessary, add a little more water to get the consistency of a thin pancake batter.
Add the prawn, sotong, half of the spring onion, carrot, sesame seeds, season with salt and pepper.
Heat a pan over medium heat, and pour a little oil in. Spoon enough batter into the pan to make a thin pancake.
Sprinkle a little chopped spring onion over the pancake to cook for 3-4 minutes until bottom is lightly browned. Flip the pancake over & allow the other side to cook, pressing down lightly with a spatula to make sure the surface is evenly browned.

我最近狂扫的食谱书籍

2009-04-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

每一本都是我贴心推荐的好藏书，大马出版，更具大马道地口味！全都是在大众书局血拼回来的胜利品。

超简单又易做的柠檬优格马芬(Lemon Yogurt Muffin)

2009-04-04T08:19:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
100g cake flour (sfited)
1 tsp Baking Powder
47g castor sugar
50g unsalted butter
1 egg
1oog plain yogurt
2 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp vanila essence

Method:
1. Melt Butter with Sugar. Add in egg, whisk, egg lemon juice and vanila essence and yogurt. Mix well with hand whisk.
2. Fold in cake flour and baking powder, mix well.
3. Preheat oven for 180'c. Bake at 180'c for 25min.

我今天煮的大牌档菜：泰式炸鱼 (Thai Style Fried Fish)

2009-04-04T07:48:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
1 red Tilapia Fish (i used Merah Block, bought from Tesco)
3 cups oil for deep frying

Ingredients A:
1 shallot, shredded finely
1 tbsp shredded red chili
1/2tbsp shredded kafir lime leaves
1tbsp chopped lemongrass

Sauce (Mixed)
3 tbsp fish sauce
3 tbsp lime juice
1tbsp sugar
1tsp chopped chili padi
100ml boiling water

Method:
Heat up oil for deep frying, deep-fry dish until golden brown and crispy. Dish out and drain. Arrange onto a platter.

Mix ingredients A and put on top of fried fish. Pour over prepared sauce and serve immediately.

鱼头米粉recipe

2009-03-31T18:54:00.000-07:00

觉得这个食谱很道地，所以贴上来和你们分享。。。我试过了，非常有卖力。

魚頭米粉（2人份）
材料魚頭半個（炸熟備用）
米粉適量茄子 2粒
調味料酸菜
少許姜少許（切片）水酸梅 2粒生奶 100毫升麻油少許
上湯江魚仔 300克雞骨 1公斤（將上湯材料放入鍋內熬至少4個小時，至湯色變成奶黃色為止。）

做法1）把上湯倒入熱鍋內，再加入姜片、酸菜、水酸梅及番茄煮滾，加入魚頭。
2）再煮滾後把米粉倒入，再加入淡奶，可加入少許麻油，就可熄煤氣。
3）放少許蔥作裝飾，即可上桌。

注意事項1）魚頭必須新鮮。2）加入淡奶後，就要馬上熄煤氣。

（资料来源：星洲日报）

老阿婆的祖传蒸包子 @ Steam Bun Recipe

2009-03-30T23:30:00.000-07:00

我的好邻居春娥姐和我分享了她妈妈祖传的包子作法。蒸出来的包子果然有嚼劲和鬆软。当包子从蒸笼里端出来的那一刻，包香四溢，幸福的感觉随即涌上心头。

（上面的图片显示包好红豆沙馅料的包子，还未送进蒸笼）

老阿婆祖传的包子制作法如下：

材料：

500g 包粉

5.5 g 既溶酵母粉（如果你买11g的instant dry yeast, 用半包准没错）

食油100ml

温开水250ml （记得要温温的，大约60'c左右）

细沙糖75g

作法：

1）将所有材料放进大碗中，用搅拌刀(spatula)拌好。

2）开始用手搓捏面团，直到形成一个圆形面团状。

3）把圆面团从大碗中摆到铺了少许包粉的平面桌，开始用力来回反复的搓和捏，大约十分钟。如果用手指按一下面团，面团呈手指印，表示可以开始发面团。

4）把面团包在一个干净的塑胶袋中，绑紧袋的头端。让它自然发面长达20-25分钟。试试按一按面团表面，如果手指印凹陷后再弹回来，表示OK了。

5）把面团鬆持，揉成长条形，用刀子切割成你要的数量。我建议切割分成15分最恰当。休面5-8分钟。开始包你喜爱的馅料。我最爱红豆沙，所以在Baker's Shop那里买了红豆沙的料。

6）包好馅料的包子，再让它的体型再涨大30-40%. 包子下面记得铺上一张白纸哦。

7) 烧开蒸笼的水，当水滚滚冒泡时，蒸包子十分钟就搞定。

刚出炉的包子，热腾腾，拨开来后还会冒烟耶。包子表层光滑，不见凹凸洞，才出得厅堂啊。

近况（16th Mar ~ 22nd Mar)

2009-03-21T22:41:00.000-07:00

美国带回来的台湾卤包，可以卤鸡鸭，花生，牛肉，卤蛋，豆干。。。
剩下的牛肉汤头，就加了卤包继续卤豆干和白煮蛋，一点都不浪费

我生平熬的第一碗台湾式牛肉面汤，我吃了好感动！味道是和600cc台湾小食馆的牛肉面极其相似的，汤底有少许微辣，带出淡淡的八角味。QB Mall的台湾公牛小食馆也卖类似的牛肉面，有了这个食谱，我再也不需花费RM11去品尝咯。经济不景，能省则省！

给远在美国的淑君，谢谢你的食谱，让我吃出道地的台湾古早味。谁要食谱，请私自跟我拿吧。

我也来热闹热闹自制酵素！材料有：冰糖，凤梨和柠檬

排好的材料，需让它发酵两个礼拜才能饮用。欲知更多有关水果酵素的做法和好处，请参考网路。

这是垃圾酵素，材料简单，只是：黄糖，生果皮/蔬菜和清水。比例为，1：3：10，需发酵三个月方可使用。可充当清洁剂，洗碗剂。非常环保哦！

幸福(转载文章）

2009-03-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

你幸福吗？你在找寻幸福?你知道幸福是什么吗？-世界上有一种人，和你在一起的时候，总是千万次嘱咐要多穿些衣服，要注意自己的安全，你觉得烦，却也觉得温暖，缺钱的时候，就会边教训说赚钱来之不易，边塞钱给你。 --这种人是父母.

-世界上有一种人，和你一起的时候，偶尔会和你打架，偶尔和你斗嘴，他坏到总抢你的点心，总是向父母打小报告，但也总是爱护你比谁都多，你们有最亲密最亲密的关系。 --这种人是手足.
-世界上有一种人，不见面的时候会惦记着他，见面的时候却又脸红心跳，什么话都说不出来，他总能轻易的把你的心揪住，让你无法忘怀，他也总让你胡思乱想，睡不好觉，但你仍然甘之如饴，因为你爱她，她是你最甜蜜的负担。 --这种人是恋人.

-世界上有一种人，知道你一些不为人知的小秘密，犯错的时候，他帮你找理由，暗恋一个人的时候，他帮你传话，和恋人吵架的时候，你一定会哭着去找他，你很抱歉的是，你总在麻烦来到的时候才想起他，但你很庆幸生命中出现了这么好的一个人，也许你们在一起的日子走的比恋人还要长久。 --这种人是朋友.

-世界上有一种人，总是在父母的保护下成长，在手足的关系中定位自己，在恋人的呵护中找到真爱，在朋友的关心中得到温暖。你知道这些人经过了你的生命，也丰富了你的一生，你谢谢他们带给你的，却有是说不出口。 --这种人是自己.

一直以为幸福在远方，在可以追逐的未来，双眼保持着眺望，双耳仔细聆听！惟恐疏忽错过，后来才发现，那些牵过的手，唱过的歌，流过的泪，爱过的人... 所谓的曾经，就是幸福...

近况

2009-03-14T23:55:00.000-07:00

煮三菜一汤招待妹妹一家吃午饭
谢谢医生好友理薇的Jelly Cake, 很好吃！

三菜一汤分别是：排骨王，时鱼清蒸，菜心花炒尤鱼丝，炖老黄瓜汤

谢谢Doreen的大马版排骨王食谱。深获妹妹和老公好评^_^

要食谱的，点击这里。

再战凤梨酥，这次自家煮凤梨蓉，虽很耗时，但成果很理想。包超大粒的凤梨酥，一大口放进嘴里，齿缝流香，绝对过瘾！贪吃的衰样展现无遗。

韩国姐妹May教的韩国料理，叫“JapChae”，我想，中文翻译应该为“杂菜”吧？我舍了正宗的韩国冬粉，改用本地冬粉，因为韩版的超级太贵，吃不起！要RM20一包，不行啦！本地的才RM2！

这是韩国姐妹May弄的韩版JapChae，仔细看看，冬粉是不一样对吧。

我再网上搜获一个韩国小女子的博客，她叫Maangchi，图文并茂教你煮韩国料理，还自导自演把烹饪录影上载到youtube, 顿时成为小红人，有一班忠实粉丝呐。JapChae食谱可在Maangchi的网页找到。

agar-agar/jelly 燕菜屡败屡战

2009-03-13T06:49:00.000-07:00

首先得讲声对不起，一个多月没有爬格子了，除了懒，好像也没有其他牵强的理由了。

燕菜，一直是我耿耿于怀的甜品！爱它因为极之喜爱吃，恨它乃总是煮不好！！总是煮得太稀，燕菜冷却后太软绵绵，完全不符合我心目中的口感要求。我恨是因为每一次的尝试，已经照足包装后面的指示去煮，加了包装指示的水的分量，再稍微减少糖的分量，那总应该没错吧？

昨天煮的是图中呈现绿色小块状的菜燕，加了pandan leave extract出来的汁和椰浆。我嫌太软！不合格！！

眼看“米已成X", 今天还不死心，中午在Giant 逛时又买了条状的菜燕，要尝试挽救我昨天一大盘冷冻在冰箱的成品。

今天我突然又有兴致涂写，因为我终于掌握到了煮菜燕的技巧，所以很开心咯。经过我几次的研究后，我的结论是：

如果燕菜粉/燕菜条是10g, 水分应该是加500ml, 而不是有如包装所说的要加到1litre的水。糖分是水份的20%, 或更少，依各个人喜好。我加90g的糖。
如果燕菜粉／燕菜条是20g, 水分1litre, 糖份200g
燕菜粉25g, 水分2.2litre, 糖份300g to 400g

如果要加椰浆，200ml 的包装（买colestrol free的，AYAM Brand, RM1.50-RM1.70)刚刚好。加点盐。当燕菜和糖在热水中溶解后，加入椰浆，煮至椰浆大滚才息火。

告诉我你煮燕菜的心得。记得分享哦！

yogurt banana cake recipe as requested by Flora

2009-03-06T06:49:00.000-08:00

Flora, here is the recipe u requested:

ingredients:
Butter: 125g
granulated sugar: 75g
egg: 2
Cake Flour: 115g (sifted)
Baking soda: 1/2 tsp
Vanilla essence: 1/2 tsp

Banana yogurt mix:
Bananas: 3 (about 190g)
plain yogurt: 60g
** mashed the bananas and mix well with yogurt

Method:
1. cream butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes at low speed, then 1 minute at medium speed)

2. Add egg one at a time. continue beat until light. add vanila essence.

3. Add in the shifted cake flour and bananas yogurt mix alternatively, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.

4. Pour mixture evenly into greased 8" cake pan or 9" loaf pan

5. Bake at 350'F for 40 minutes.

清蒸鱼和凤梨酥

2009-01-20T01:50:00.000-08:00

很抱歉最近都很懒，总是为自己找借口没写blog。
今天介绍我最近学会的清蒸鱼食谱，大家不防试一试，真的很够味！！

任何适合清蒸的咸水鱼
蒸鱼酱料：酱油，蚝油，蒜油
配料：多多的姜丝，小辣椒，红辣椒（切片），多多的wuan-sui(coriander leave), 青葱（切丝）多多的暴香蒜蓉

头一遭自作凤梨酥，口感不错。凤梨酱是预购的。自己炒，太多工。懒啦！

凤梨酥生产线。。。就在我家的餐桌：）

California Prune Cake 加州西梅蛋糕

2009-01-03T18:44:00.000-08:00

i used this Sunsweet brand pitted prunes for my prune cake!

California Prune Cake recipe:

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Baking time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

200g butter, chopped
1 cup (250ml) fresh milk ( i used low faw milk)
3/4 cup (150g) fine brown sugar
1 cup (145g) coarsely chopped pitted prunes
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups (225g) self-raising flour
1/2 cup (75g) plain flour
2 eggs, beaten lightly

Steps:

Position oven shelves, preheat oven to 180'c/350'F. Grease a 20cm cake pan
Combine butter, milk, sugar and prunes in large saucepan. Using wooden spoon, stir over heat until butter melts. Bring to a boil; remove from heat, stir in soda. Stand 10 minutes.
Quickly stir in flour and eggs. Spoon mixture into prepared greased cake pan.
Bake cake in 180'c for 35-40 minutes. Turn cake onto wire rack to cool.

Some facts about Prunes:

A prune is any of various plum species.

One of the largest and best-known prune producers is Sunsweet Growers, headquartered in Yuba City, CA, who control more than 2/3 of the prune market worldwide. In the United States, an effort to rebrand "prunes" as "dried plums" began in 2000, to appeal to a younger market who associated prunes with elderly people.[1] However, only some varieties of plum are called prunes when fresh or dried; others have always been called "dried plums" when dried

Prune juice is made by softening prunes through steaming and then putting them through a pulper to create a watery puree. Prunes and their "juice" contain the natural laxative dihydrophenylisatin (related to isatin).[3] For fast results use heated prune juice. Prunes also contain dietary fiber (about 7%, or 0.07 g per gram of prune). Prunes and prune juice are thus common home remedies for constipation. Prunes also have a high antioxidant content. [1][2] In China, the popular summer drink suanmeitang, made with sour prunes, is sometimes thought to have positive effects on acidity in the body.

Malaysia Street Food: Otak-otak (鲤鱼包）and Chendol

2008-12-25T01:03:00.001-08:00

my home made Vietnamese Spring Roll for my guest, during the christmas party

Thanks to Heather as my cooking coach:)
This is called Otak-otak
(Fish Mousse Grilled on a Banana Leaf)
To learn more about otak-otak, click HERE
Otak-otak recipe from web, click HERE
i m not a typical Otak-otak fan but i don't reject if some one treat me or approach me to buy.
A nyoya aunty approach me today while we were having lunch in one of the local cafe in Burmah Road, Penang about this, her home made otak-otak. One piece cost RM2.50.

Chendol is so much a delightful dessert u should never missed if u visit South East Asia, particularly Malaysia and Singapore. Being in a all year long big sunshine state, Malaysian always favor ice shaved dessert top with lots of sweetern milk, coconut milk or palm sugar. We purposely went for this Chendol food advanture today afternoon after completed our lunch (where i hv my otak-otak). Guess i didnt "visited" this stall for the past 10 years!!

Red jag is red bean, white jag is coconut milk, green jag is full of Chendol

The worker busy shaving the ice (刨冰)from the ice shaving machine

Then the shaved ice is scoop into the bowl, top with chendol, red bean, palm sugar and coconut milk. Here u go! i bet u will never go wrong with this dessert when u r under the hot sun in Malaysia!

Look at my awful look when conquering a bowl of chendol in my hand! Despite the keep growing big tummy, we basically can't resist good street food in Malaysia, m i rite!?

This is a real live street food scenario where vendors selling food at street or roadside, while food lover buy and enjoy the food just right beside the stall by standing (as no table or chair is provided)

i found a pretty detailed Chendol recipe HERE. If u miss your chendol while u r in oversea, tell me if this recipe really works for u!

请你吃肉骨茶（Bak Kut Teh)

2008-12-22T00:25:00.000-08:00

今天和妹妹一家及妈妈约好去品尝肉骨茶，妹妹说要请客！我觉得身为大马华裔，一定要向我的海外读者介绍这一道具大马华人的代表性美食。在美国旅居时也尝试煮，因为带了肉骨茶包料过去。味道还可以。

这一锅的肉骨茶，色，香，味具全，就像一品锅，有好多好多的料啊！

From Wikipedia about Bak Kut Teh:
肉骨茶（閩南語白話字拼音：bah-kut-tê）是一種流行於東南亞的馬來西亞和新加坡一帶的食品，是以肉與骨配合中藥煲成的湯，並沒有茶葉或茶的成份，但是由於食用時多會泡茶解湯肉的肥膩，所以一般都習稱肉骨茶。其中，以巴生肉骨茶最為著名。
肉骨茶雖名為茶，但實為混合中藥、香料（包括八角茴香、桂香、丁香、大蒜）及肉排熬制多個小時的濃湯。在馬來西亞的一些小鎮的餐館會加入海參和鮑魚一起熬制。
肉骨茶通常伴白飯或以油條蘸湯來吃。以醬油、碎紅椒和蒜蓉一起調味。各類中國清茶（馬來西亞的巴生河流域地區以鐡觀音最為流行）通常會隨湯奉上，相信可以清走豬肉的油膩。在馬來西亞，肉骨茶是一道典型的早點菜式。

顺道介绍我的妹妹和妈妈。

妈妈今年63了，保养还不赖。

冬至节吃汤圆

2008-12-20T19:27:00.000-08:00

根据维基百科，自由的百科全书诠释“冬至节”：

冬至是农历的二十四节气之一。这一天北半球黑夜最长，白昼最短。俗称“冬节”、“长至节”、“亚岁”等
目前澳門是華人社會唯一以冬至作公眾假期的地區
在中国北方有冬至日吃饺子的习俗，南方某些地方有冬至日吃湯圓的習俗，傳說在漢朝的醫聖張仲景體念家鄉鄉民在寒冬中工作的辛苦，在冬至那天利用羊肉等祛寒的藥材包在麵皮中，作成耳朵的樣子，給鄉民們治病補身，這個藥方的名字叫作「祛寒嬌耳湯」，嬌耳就是餃兒。中國南方則有吃湯圓等甜食的習俗，江浙一帶在冬至吃汤圆外，还要吃桂花酒酿，并祭祖，苏州还有桂花冬酿酒，只在此时节上市。大湯圓有餡的「粉團」是用于晚上祭祖，而無餡較小的粉圓用于早上拜神。

在台灣冬至的湯圓有紅白兩色，另有較大的湯圓，內包有芝蔴、花生、或鮮肉等內餡。今天我搓得汤圆内馅就是包有芝麻加花生，因为是老公的最爱。在美国时，总爱去华人超市购买冷冻的，由台湾进口的花生汤圆，自己负责煮糖水，糖水除了糖，还加了浓浓东南亚风味的香兰叶和嫩姜一块。（如下图所示）

我的小孩爱吃不裹内馅的汤圆，倒是喜欢在汤圆上洒炒好的花生芝麻，一粒一粒沾着吃。这种吃法比较象我们大马的“芝麻粟”，通常是路边的小贩在兜售，是道地的大马小吃。

小孩吃了汤圆，象征又长大了一岁。我愿我的小孩们，快乐，健康的成长，那我就可以养尊处优了，哈哈：）

Merry Christmas 2008

2008-12-20T07:07:00.001-08:00

i wish all my friends and reader Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Look Forward for a better year in 2009!

From Iron Point to BaysWater

2008-12-15T05:56:00.001-08:00

Today, Dec 15th 2008,

my blog has officialy change its title from Iron Point Snapshot to BaysWater Snapshot.

No doubts i hv mix feeling to leave behind Iron Point, However i somehow has no choice! BaysWater (My real home in Malaysia) featuring and reflecting the real life of mine in my home country located in Penang Island, Malaysia.

The return visit to Iron Point, Folsom is unknown as of now. I hv no feasibility when i could cuddle every panoramic and nolstagic memory, so does the attached feeling on Iron Point again.

This is the sweet moment in my life, i shall never forget it and keep the sweet feeling lasting. The kids look forward to go back again some how. Iron Point, has always become their "word of Mouth" whenever they make comparison against Malaysia and USA. Funny rite!

Taiwanese Food in Penang, Malaysia

2008-12-15T04:49:00.000-08:00

Wanna introduce a local Taiwanese food chain in Northen Malaysia, especially Penang Island and Prai mainland--> 600cc Taiwanese Food.

The shop is own by a Taiwanese lady who has been residing in Malaysiafor more than 10 years. She is currently having about 6 chains around Penang island and Prai area, serving authentic Taiwanese recipe food and drinks.

menu including: 雪花，甜不辣

Does it looks tempting?

we ordered: 炸酱面，卤肉饭

牛肉面

Traditional Taiwan Style Beef stew

i hv one quite good recipe to share here.

卤肉饭

William's favorite, especially the 卤蛋

Taiwanese good friend Shu Chun淑君's husband has a good hand in prepare this authentic taiwanese dish..He used to cook several times and i had the chance to taste it. By far, he cooks among the best mince meat rice (卤肉饭）i ever tasted b4. 5 STAR granted to you, Brian:)

Taiwanese style bubble Milk tea with pearl

台式泡沫珍珠奶茶

This is my favorite! i remember i bought this milk tea @ GreatMall, San Jose, at USD3. Ironically, i like the milk tea only and not the black pearl in it!

Lake side Park in Penang Island, Malaysia

2008-12-13T04:35:00.000-08:00

Benjamin enjoyed feeding the duck with bread cumbs.

This is a man-made lake in Penang Island.

The scenery. Harmony and lovely blue-sky all year long...my lovely country

Hello everyone! this is my latest posting taken today afternoon! Pls comment:)

Benjamin was so fascinated by the colourful playground!

Malaysian Street Food Introduction: Grilled/BBQ Chicken Wing (With charcoal) 碳烧鸡翼
this is a typical BBQ chicken wing stall u may found in most of the hawker foodcourt in Malaysia. The chicken wing (they do sell drumstick as well) will be marinated in their secret sauce 24 hours prior to BBQ with charcoal. Chicken wing is selling at RM1.80 (approx 50 cent USD)per piece, serve with hot and sweet dipping sauce.

鸡肉串沙爹

Do u find this BBQ chicken skewer familiar?

it is called SATAY in Malay language (Malaysian National Language). It is the most famous local food in Malaysia and South East Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia particularly. BBQ chicken skewer dip with sweet and hot peanut sauce!! oh my God! it is gonna kill you...To learn more about Satay, here u go!

尤鱼空心菜

Cuttle Fish with kangkong leaf (空心菜), spread with hoisin sauce and ground peanut. The combination of sweet hoisin sauce and crispy cuttle fish is such a perfect match and serve as one of the most delightful supper choice for Malaysian.

Stay tune for more Malaysian local food in my next post! See u!

Malaysian food: Nyonya Acar (Spicy Mixed Vegetable Pickle)

2008-12-11T02:51:00.000-08:00

Today i cooked Spicy Mixed Vegetable Picke (Nyoya Acar) again. Rushing to the supermarket to get all the ingredients ready and started preparation at noon time. The dish best serve with white jasmine rice. Keep the Acar in the fridge which last for 5-7 days. Heavenly!

Acar can either serve chilled or hot (microwave for 30 seconds)

Ingredients
500g cucumber, quartered lengthwise (soft centre removed) and cut into 4cm strips
150g cabbage leaves, cut into 2.5cm squares
150g carrots, cut into 4cm strips
150g long beans, cut into 4cm strips
200g cauliflower, cut into small pieces
50g dried prawns, soaked and poundedHalved and cut into 4cm strips:
3 red chillies
3 green chilliesSlice thinly:
50g young ginger
3 cloves garlic
3 shallotsGrind:
10 fresh chillies
5 dried chillies
10 shallots
5 cloves garlic
2cm fresh turmeric root
1 tbsp sliced galingale (lengkuas)
3 candlenuts (buah keras) --i omited this one! dun know where to buy!
2cm cube toasted belacan or 1 tsp belacan powder
1 stalk lemon grass, sliced finely

Vinegar mixture:
100ml vinegar
200ml water
5 to 6 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
125g crushed peanut candy or 100g roasted peanuts, skinned and pounded
4 tbsp roasted sesame seedsFor scalding vegetables:
600ml water
400ml vinegar
2 tbsp salt
2 tbsp sugar

Method

1)Rub cucumber slices with 1 tbsp salt. Leave aside for one hour. Wrap in clean towel or muslin cloth and squeeze out excess liquid. Place cucumber slices on a tray and sun for two to three hours (this makes the cucumber crunchy).

2)For the other vegetables, sun them separately in trays for one to two hours.

3)Bring water, vinegar, salt and sugar for scalding vegetables to a rapid boil. Blanch the vegetables, one type at a time: dip cucumber and cabbage in boiling mixture for two to three seconds; scald the rest of the vegetables - except chillies - for eight to 10 seconds.

Drain vegetables at once in a colander.

4)Heat oil in wok and fry the ground ingredients until fragrant and the oil begins to separate. Stir in vinegar and water. Add sugar and salt and bring to a boil, then leave to cool completely.

5)Stir in dried prawns, ginger, shallots and garlic and all the prepared vegetables.

6)Remove and store in a porcelain jar or a clean, dry glass jar. When about to serve, mix in peanuts and sesame seeds.

NoteThe acar will keep for two weeks in the fridge if peanuts have not been mixed in.

** Recipe adapted from http://kuali.com/recipe

Thanks to my 2 little food porn model:)

Seafood Alfredo Pizza (Home Made)

2008-12-09T01:12:00.000-08:00

The kids always make noise wanna eat pizza back in Malaysia. Eating pizza is a costly deal over here, one large pizza cost Malaysia Ringgit RM32 minimumly, which, to us, is cost USD30 if u are comparing 1 to 1 exchange rate, and the so called "large" size is not as large as in US.

I decided to make the pizza dough from sctrach today. Steps is simple, add dry yeast into the flour, add water and oil/shortening, i add in one egg too. Knead 15 minutes, wait for dough to raise takes 1 hour. Flatten the raised dough on a flat surface by rolling pin, transfer the flatten dough into your baking pan (spray some oil b4 hand), and start to decorate your topping as u wish. I used Cheddar Cheese instead of Mozarrela Cheese back in Malaysia, due to the fact that, Mozarrela Cheese is damn expensive here!! a small pack of mozarrela cheese easily cost u RM14, which is not cost effective if u were to bake home made pizza at all.

kids can't wait to post in front the pizza when it is just hot from oven.
Seafood alfredo pizza...with lots of shrimp as topping!

oven temperature: 200'c, baking time: 18-20 minutes

Introduction to Malaysia/Penang street food: Curry Mee (Curry broth noodle)咖喱面

look at this yummy and delicacy Curry Noodle! the main tempting effect of this little bowl noodle comes from the creamy, rich coconut milk based broth, seasoning with lots of curry, chili and spice to make up the rich broth. The dark brown color gravy in the scoop is so-called special "curry paste". Without this special paste, the broth color is light and a bit taste-less! This high calories food normaly garnish with peppermint, shrimp, pig blood (in cube), fry tofu and bean sprout. This local delight represent a real Malaysian flavour due to the thick coconut milk essence!

Chai Kuih 菜馃(dumpling)

TThis is a type of snack food originate from the Teow Chew (潮州人) decent Chinese, the filling is usually 沙葛(sengkuang) or 韭菜。Sorry for not able to translate these 2 words in English. Dip the dumpling with sweet chili sauce.

New bicycle from USA

2008-12-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

Has been back to Penang for 2 weeks. Looks like life has almost settled down now and we shall resume our daily life in such a tropical climate country again after away for some time. Today i decided to bring the boys for a ride on the bicycle track on roof top of Multi-Level Car park in our condominium area.

Daddy has fixed the 2 bicycle brought back from the US, kids are so excited about the 1st time riding on the roof top today! Check it out the photos, follow by some snapshot of our condominium from roof top view.

This is called Big Wheel Bike, bought from Target with a good deal price.

This is the bike track. The 2 boys are racing now!

William is racing with his brand new Mc Queen bike, got it from Toy R Us.

As usual, Benjamin always like to do posting in front the camera

BaysWater Condominium from Roof Top View. The greenery trees are the main attractiveness.

Penang Assam Laksa, a typical Malaysian Malay anad Chinese race street food that u should not missed. The stock/broth is cooked with fresh fish, with a mixture of welly blend chili paste, tamarind juice, lemon grass and shrimp paste. Garnished with fresh mints, cucumber, onion and pineapple. The stock is sweet and sour in nature, stimulating your tastebud with every scoop of the stock. I cook these dish many times before in the US, although the result is not 100% good, but i m more than happy enough to solve and cure my Assam Laksa sickness.

A Typical Hawker food stall in a hawker food centre in Penang. People hunting for food as breakfast to start up their busy life everyday here.

some recent updates

2008-12-04T15:10:00.001-08:00

i m always in a rush, my internet connection at home is still not ready (in waiting list). i could only wake up at 6am and rush down in my pool area to use the wi-fi to upload some recent photos for u guys. keep short and sweet!

a claypot gift from Marie, my USA friend. It is seated on my work top and ready to serve her owner now!
Malaysian version of Indian Thosai (Dosai). my 100% favorite food for breakfast.

Typical Malaysian Teh Tarik, or 拉茶, available in Indian Muslim restaurant/cafe.

Kids playing and posting in the middle of our shipment arriving yesterday (4th Dec)

Shipment has arrived from USA safe and sound after 2 weeks of traveling and customs clearance.

kids posting in the pool area downstairs of my condomimium. Notice both of them hv new hair cut now?

Benjamin always like to do posting..强镜头

pool side area

Entrance/lobby

the place where i called home in Malaysia. BaysWater Resort Condominium. Total 26 levels, we r staying in level 11

Malaysian version of Wantan noodle and Black coffee (only added sugar, without milk)

my kids has back to school....this is how they dressed up in Malaysia. Weather is always humid and warm, no way we can wear long sleeve, long pant and covered shoe.

Till i hv more photos to share next time!

before and after...New Hair style Make Over!

2008-12-04T15:05:00.001-08:00

i trimed my hair into layer last week.
but decided to go for digital perm after thorough consideration.

here is the digital perm machine.

final look

how m i look ah?? pls comment ya.

Spending a day in in-laws house 回家探访公公，婆婆

2008-11-29T00:37:00.001-08:00

Has been bck to Penang for almost a week. All of us are recovering well from jetlag attack. We able to make up a trip back to my inlaw place in a small town called Parit Buntar, it is located in the bordering of Penang and Perak State in Malaysia. The trip objective is mainly to visit my inlaws and pass them the present we bought from the US, secondly, off cause not forgeting to continuously tasting food along the trip before and after we arrived in Barit Buntar! Food always make people pleasant and excited, rite?

Stop by at a early morning market to take our breakfast in Nibong Tebal town. i didnt mean to snap pic for these intimate lovers of mine, but i intend to snap the bananas hang out behind! This is how bananas is showcase and sell in Malaysia typically. Alternatively, u can oso get bananas from the surpermarket.

this is the "must order" food everytime we drive back to visit our inlaws. It is called "Mee Jawa"(Jawa noodles), yellow noodles serve in sweet potato gravy stock, garnished with egg, ground peanut, lectuce, potato and prawn fritter. We usually sip the stock until the last drop!

For those who never see this tree b4 out of tropical countries and region, This is so-called Bananas tree! My inlaw planted 2 bananas tree at their backyard.

another "unknown" tree to resident apart from South East Asia region, this is call "Papaya Tree" Papaya is 木瓜in mandarin.

William holding the ripe papaya on hand.

William is helping grandpa to pluck the ripe papaya from it's tree.

my mom in law. Look at the "herritage" kind of cooking hob and work top she has! she usually cook in the open space at the backyard, in preventing stink and oilly smell spreading around inside the kicthen. Never look down her simple yet old fashion cooking hob and wok!! Regardless how bad her "kicthen" condition, she still cook good food consistantly for the past 50 years!

Benjamin potray himself with 6 ripe papaya pluck by grandpa and William.

Another old fashion rattan made sling arm-chair. My father in law all time favorite! Everytime we steps foot home, we like to swing ourshelves on this arm chair while enjoying the Astro (Malaysian paid TV network) TV program, or while waiting for food to be served by mom in law.

This is the outlook of my grand parents house. They hv step foot on this cosy home for almost 20 years now. William will always recognise his grandpa's house by memorising the yellow painted grill and gate. I always remind myself to pay more frequent visit to my inlaws, and grand-parent of my kids, when time permits, cause life is impermanent. Nobody knows what happen next.

hunting for good food again b4 we right back to Penang.

We dropped by a small restaurant in my inlaws hometown, serving typical and authentic local chinese delights. In this photo: we ordere steam Thai style hot and sour fish, braised Japanese tofu and fried kangkung （空心菜）with sambal belacan chili paste. Sambal belacan is a popular stir fry paste among all races in Malaysia, made from dry shrimp and fresh chilis.

I noticed William is the one who finished almost 2/3 of the fish dish!! Believe it or not? 他爱死了这一道酸辣蒸鱼. keep on asking for more rice to dip with the hot and spicy sauce. U will be surprised how much my kids can stand for hot and spicy food.

Granpa and grandma, till we see u again!

Friendship Feast for the kids on 20th Nov

2008-11-27T21:01:00.000-08:00

谢谢你，淑君，帮William 和Charlie照了那么难能可贵的相片，他们这两个活宝贝，总是腻在一起，像极了连体婴！现在他们“天各一方”，总也要些时间适应一个人的生活。

Charlie给了William很多童年的玩伴回忆，他们交换了地址，希望以后可以当笔友。

小孩在班上上课的情形。大家通常都是围圈圈就席而坐，小朋友的关系更密切。

William还是希望有一天可以回到这间学校就读。当然，当那么一天到来时，一切的人和事，早已面目全非。 This is Life!

Malaysian Food (Part 1): Chinese Hong Kong style Dim Sum

2008-11-27T20:11:00.000-08:00

Outlook of Maxim Dim Sum restaurant, Penang Island, Malaysia, approx. 15 minutes from my home.

Today i wanna introduce Chinese-Hong Kong style Dim Sum to my reader, a typical Malaysian snack/light meal that u should not missed! The Dim Sum is as similar as to those served in Dim Sum restaurant in Sacramento area although the taste and flavour maybe different due to local preference.

The wall portrated all the menu they served: including all sorts of dim sum varieties, wantan noodles, dumplings and chow mien in Chinese style.

William can't wait to grab the lovely dim sum and melted into his mouth! His top favorite is the prawn wrapped in beancurd sheet (deep fried), dip with mayo.

clock wise: chicken feet, prawn dumpling, deep-fried prawn in beancurd sheet, egg tart, sesame ball with lotus filling, spare rib and Siew Mai.

This is a traditional Malaysian Chinese dish: Glutinious Rice with Chicken and mushroom, which u wont get from Dim Sum Restaurant in the US. I used to make this dish at home back in US, i guess my Taiwanese friend, Shu Chun was the lucky one who tasted it before!

William biting the BBQ Pork (Char Siew) steam Bun (Bao). This dim sum served among the best Char Siew Bao in Penang, besides another dim sum restaurant named 点心之家located in Anson Road.

this is how the dim sum is served. They push around the cart where a gas stove is installed to continously steam the dim sum tray that are stacker up. The dim sum remains heat and ready to serve anytime.

For this round, the very 1st Dim Sum treat after back from the US, we spend RM32 (Approx $9) for almost 10-12 plates of dim sum verieties. We shall come back again, for sure!

We are back at home in Penang Island, Malaysia

2008-11-25T23:59:00.000-08:00

i can't wait to cut short my hair the next day i touched down. i hv not been cutting my hair for 9 months! now i feel more "free and easy" with my layered and shorten hair!

kids enjoying sweet donuts in Gurney Plaza, Penang

Transit in Singapore airport

The journey was extremely tiring, a 24 hours journey spend on flight mostly, transiting in HK and Singapore. Kids are almost exhausted and started crancky when we hv 3 hours transit time in Singapore Changi Airport.

Finally we reached home. I started to feel the uneasy of my throat, i hv sore-throat now. Kids are still fighting against the jetlag. Me getting better after the 3rd day now.

Hv been continuosly hunting for Penang Street food these 2 days, hokkien mee, curry mee, laksa, fried keoy teow, chee cheong fun, chicken rice, char ho-fun, nyonya kuih, wantan mee....etc, just too much to name one by one!

Thats all we hv for now, till i share more photos about our life in Penang, Malaysia again ya.

The last gift from hubby before departure

2008-11-22T11:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks my beloved hubby for giving me the last minute surprise right before 12 hours of departure!!

I do feel COACH is a way too luxury and gotta think twice b4 i determined to grab one to pamper myself.

Sock Peng, thanks for your "encouragement and inspiration"! without u, i wont thought of getting one bigger COACH for myself.

model: Hampton Signature Lunch Tote

Interested about COACH? look for here.

Packing and Moving day 20.11.08

2008-11-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

After a 9 months stay in Folsom, CA, at last our US stay journey comes to the end. Today, 20th Nov, is the packing date. The cargos containd all our necessity from kicthenware, books, computer, TV, electronic and electrical applicance, to kids toys, apparels, and some sports gadgets. On top of that, we are kind enough to render some cargo spare to move our fello friends and intel's colleague belonging too!

The truck contained all the 3 huge container worth of cargos, approx 1250kg.

Truck came all the way from Fremont, 3 hours drive, to upload our cargo back to their warehouse. The cargos will take a minimum of 2.5 weeks for shipment and clearance prior to deliver to our Penang home.

The mover company, S&M Moving Systems, works mainly for intel's accounts.

Dun ask me about the feeling when i m about to leave in 48 hours time...it is absolutely mix feeling!!! Mix in the sense that, sad for the sake of leaving my international friend behind, William leave his dear friend and teacher at school. However, exciting for the sake of gonna see and meet our beloved families and good friends again in Penang.

Thanks for my husband employer, without them, me and my boys should not hv the "once in a life time" experience to explore a new wonderland in foreign country.

Thanks for all the kind friendship, helps and support during our stay here. Without them, we shouldnt be as comfortable and as cheerful as for the entire months here.

Last but not least...We look forward to see u again Iron Point, Somewhere, some times, some years ahead.

后会有期。

Heather, Thanks for your Vietnamese Spring Roll (Gui Cuon)

2008-11-18T22:32:00.000-08:00

She is just like my little sister....but our age is just different by one year.

me with my dear Vietnamese good friend, Heather..she is so sweet and lovely huh!

Rice Paper

越南特级米纸春卷皮

Vietnamese Spring Roll (Gou Cuon)

I wanna say Thank You Very Much to Heather, my Vietnamese friend, who teach me how to prepare and wrap the spring roll and how to prepare the fish sauce dip. I promise i will make this and share with my Malaysian friends back in Malaysia.

For spring roll rice paper assembly:

About 10 rice paper wrappers

LettuceCucumber, cut into long slices

Fresh herbs: mint, cilantro, basil, vietnamese coriander, balm or perillaBean sprouts

Rice Vermmicili (米粉）

Method:

1. In bowl of warm water, dip each rice paper wrapper for about 3-5 seconds (depending on rice paper thickness). Do not over soak your rice paper wrapper! Place on work service and allow rice paper to soak up water and become gelatinous and pliable (about 30 seconds to 1 minute, again, depending on the thickness rice paper).

2. On top 1/3 side closest to you, lay lettuce on the bottom for added strength to the wrapper. Then place cooked shrimp, cooked rice vermmicili, herbs and other vegetables. Roll up spring roll about 1/3 way through, then fold in the sides.

3. Serve with hoisin peanut dip or fish sauce dip. Heavenly!

Say Good Bye to Mrs. Witt

2008-11-18T22:24:00.000-08:00

We hv a Teacher-Parent Conference with Mrs. Witt today at 10am. She is William class teacher, a soft hearted, loving-kindness and professional kindergarten teacher.

Mrs. Witt feel sad too....she wish we may still keep in touch with her via emails, send some photos from our country in Malaysia. She would be extremely delightful to share William's photo to the kids in her class and show them where is Malaysia situated!

Bye-bye Mrs. Witt. We will always remember your kindness...

The Cheese Cake Factory cheese cake

2008-11-12T17:28:00.000-08:00

昨天试了Olive Garden的Tiramisu, 还是余忧未尽，今天再闯Costco买了美国盛名的Cheese Cake Factory 牌子的cheese cake 回来"叹一叹",在回国之前来个Cheese Cake 大吃会，要把我在美国吃cheesecake 的回忆装满满的。爽！

里面共有12片不同口味的cheese cake, 包括 Dulee De Leche Cheesecake, Vanila Bean Cheesecake, Godiva Double Chocolate Cheesecake, White Chocolate Rasberry Truffle. 我一个人可以同一时间吃完两片，够力吗？

吃完后，也是说拜拜的时候了。。。再见了，America.

Italian fine dining @ Olive Garden

2008-11-11T16:00:00.001-08:00

for more infor about this restaurant, click here.

可爱的老公说回国之前请我叹意大利餐，好咯！我来也！

餐馆外观

Tiramisu是甜品。这道Tiramisu是不烘的，直接放进冰箱定型。cream cheese很幼滑，好像在吃冰淇淋般爽口。

appertizer；我们点了Italiano，烤蘑菇，炸花枝和chicken finger.烤蘑菇有很浓的cheese味，还是头一遭尝试。

我点的Italian Chicken Alfredo Pizza，配料简单，但pizza皮胜在够酥脆！

老公点的spagetthi with meat sauce

我点的白咖啡。

吃不完还可以打包，回家继续“叹”

Home Made Sausage Bun

2008-11-04T20:24:00.001-08:00

With regards to the bun recipe i posted earlier on, today i made a batch of sausage bun as a fren, Ying requested to see the bun photo.

The recipe is not complicated, just that the waiting time for dough to rise is time consuming. If u hv the patient and passion in making home made bun, u are almost 70% towards the success. Good luck!

William 5 year old birthday (2nd Nov) with his brand new Wii Sleepwear

2008-11-02T21:53:00.000-08:00

No birthday cake for him, but only a brand new sleepwear that he picked for himself. My dear son, mom wish u: grow tall fast fast and grow big big!

Bun Recipe

2008-10-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

I wanna post this in my blog and served as one of my favorite bun recipe collection. A very good fren of mine, Li Wui, share this with me couple of months ago.

Basic Sweet Bun Dough - Straight Dough method.

This is the basic bun recipe. With this you can use it to make sausage buns, tuna buns, or any other filling. :)

Ingredients
A
480g bread flour
120g plain flour (All purpose flour)
110 sugar
10g salt
20g milk powder
4 tsp instant yeast

B
1 egg
300 ml cold water

C
60g butter

Method:
mix A till well blended. Add B. (Wait 10 minutes - this one is Alton Brown's instruction :) )
Add C, and knead until it forms a smooth elastic dough. You probably have to knead for quite a long time maybe 15 minutes or so... I usually let my stand mixer do the job because I'm too lazy. The dough should be very elastic. If you stretch it into a rectangle, you can stretch it so thin that you can almost see through it....without it breaking. That is how elastic it should be.
Cover the dough with clear film and let it prove for 50-60 minutes or till it doubles in size.

Use a finger to press into the dough. It should show a clear finger tip mark but dough should not sink. It is now ready for making buns.

Spring onion bun
Topping:
60 g butter
1 egg
50g spring onion diced.

Method:
Mix all topping ingredients together till well blended.
Divide dough into 60g pieces and shape into balls
Let it prove (rest) for 10 minutes then shape into ovals
Place on a greased pan. Slash the top portion with a sharp knife and leave to prove for 45 minutes
Brush with egg wash and put the spring onion mixture on top
Bake at 190C (375F) for 12-15 minutes in the middle of the oven.

(egg wash - just beat an egg and use a brush to brush the beaten egg on the unbaked bun)

Cheese sticks

Ingredients

Basic sweet bun dough
grated cheddar cheese
sugar

Divide sweet bun dough into 60g portions and shape into balls
rest 10 minutes
Flatten dough balls and roll out into 30cm long strips
place on greased tray and leave to prove for 45 minutes
Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese adn sugar
Bake at 190C(375F) in the middle of the oven for 12 minutes or until golden brown

Apple bun

Ingredients

Basic sweet bun dough

Apple filling
A
400g apple cubed
150g sugar
1/8 tsp salt
110ml water
1 tbsp lemon juice

B
40g cornflour
40ml water

C
20g butter

Prepare apple filling : Cook A till boiling. Add premixed B and continue to cook till mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Add C. Mix till well blended. Cool.

Divide sweet un dough into 70g portions. shape into balls. Put in fridge to rest 15 minutes
Roll dough out flat to make rectangles (14cm by 12cm)
Place apple filling at one end and cut strips at the other end with a sharp knife. Roll them up from the filling end.
Put on baking paper and leave to prove in a warm place for 45 minutes
Brush with egg wash.
Bake at 190C for 12-15 minutes.

Home Made Wontan and Dumplings 自制云吞和水饺

2008-10-27T15:28:00.000-07:00

今天我们几个“辣妈”又聚在一起弄点吃的，约好中午十一时半，送了William和Jennifer上学，便浩浩荡荡往艳冰家出发。艳冰来自中国浙江，老公来自黑龙江，都爱在家偶而包包云吞或水饺。所以今天我一定要好好和她学一翻！

I think i gotta post my blog in English...the better, some of my friends dont read and write Chinese language. I was telling, me and my Taiwanese good friend, Shu Jun went to a China Mainland friend house today to learn to make Wantan/dumpling. She and her hubby make good home made dumplings, inclusive the filling and the dumpling skin.The above pic shown is how the filling looks like. It is consist of mince pork meat and fine chopped chinese spinach. The seasoning of the filling are garlic powder, sesame oil and light soy sauce.

I was asking her what is the distinctive difference between Wontan and Dumpling? According to Mainland China people defination, Wontan is something smaller and bite size, while Dumpling is bigger in size and almost double the volume of the filling. In terms of filling, it is not much difference...However, i notice we Malaysian are so used to dumpling which has prawn inside the filling, and Malaysian like to pan fry it till crispy, or we called it 锅贴，or deep fry it until golden brown and dip with sweet chili sauce, which we called it 炸云吞. Malaysian oso favor of eatting noodle with wontan, would it be fried wontan or boiled wontan. I would say, Malaysian chinese food is much influence by Hong Kong cuisine. Wontan noodle, BBQ pork (叉烧), Dim sum, chee cheong fun （猪肠粉) and many many more.

Bck to the topic above, my China Friend, Flora, prepare the wontan skin by putting 3 cups of all purpose flour and 1.5 cups of water inside the bread maker, while let the bread maker knead the dough for 20 minutes.

Flora is busy using a roller pin to flatten the dough and cut it into thin square shape to make the wontan skin.
Flora husband, Alex oso lending a hand in kneading and flattening the dough, he is more expert in making dumpling skin accorindg to Flora. Wonder why Alex is at home during working day!? He is taking leave loh:) to run some errand lah...ha.ha.

This is how the dumpling skin looks like. Round thin and flat shape, about 8cm diameter.

We were helping flora to wrap the wontan and dumpling in 2 different shape. I guess i m the poorest student among them! my wontan and dumplings looks so awful....the shape are all out...too bad. Flora continue to bz in the kicthen, boiling a very hot water in a big pot, when the water is quicking boiling, throw all the wontan and dumpling inside and boil for 5 minutes.Meanwhile, add in some seaweed or napa cabbage to add to taste. The red chili oil is prepared by Flora...lots of tedious steps to prepare this..

I personaly like to dip the wontan and dumpling with some dark vinegar, while add some chili oil inside the broth...The dumpling and wontan taste so nice and sweet when it is served hot!

Learn to know that China Mainland poeple do substitute rice with dumpling once a while. They can finished up 15-20 dumplings at one time as a replacing meal for lunch or dinner!! It is really amazing to us Malaysian..Whereas we only eat dumplings in a small volume at a time, normaly it was served as side dishes when we order Wontan Noodles or Young Tou fu.

All the mama and the little one say "Cheese" and snap a memorable pic!

艳冰，我和淑君吃着你的饺子和紫菜汤真的好开心，好感动，虽然我不擅吃猪肉，但你的饺子馅一点腥味都没，我一下子也吃了好几个，把汤头都喝光了。我剩下在美国的时间不多了，我要好好珍惜和你们相处的每一刻。在美国的日子，总算留下美好的回忆！待我回国后，我们保持联系哦。希望有朝一日你们也有机会到马来西亚来走走，大马美食还真多！

Spending a sunday morning in Toy R Us, Citrus Height store

2008-10-26T15:24:00.001-07:00

William favor over this macqueen biscycle.
Ben favor this 3 wheel Thomas & Friend tricycle. But it is for Toddler, so we didnt buy for him.
The cool Macqueen Cars bed are always my sons DREAM BED, but it is too much beyond our budget (USD299.99+tax), so can only snap pic for memory...Dream of their dream car in their sweet dream..

However we paid USD69.99+tax for Mcqueen Cars big kid bicycle, with portable small wheel. William just about to learn riding now. This small wheel shd be able to last him for couple of month.

Enjoy the photo collection from Toy R Us. Double click the respective pic to see a larger view.

Satay and Satay Sauce...so so delicious!!

2008-10-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

Satay, ooh...satay, who can resist the Malaysian Satay? i grab an easy satay sauce recipe from a blogger yesterday and decided to make it a try...the recipe is so much simple! if u r interested, pls check this recipe out here. It was truly the authentic taste that we used to "tapau" in those Pasar Malam back in those days....
While for the Satay recipe, pls get it here. I make 3 types of Satay meat today, pork, chicken and beef satay. Marinated overnite in fridge and grill it on a outdoor grill skillet and get all the 30 skews satay done in golden brown color by 20 minutes.

Serve it as dinner with my loving hubby..The satisfaction is 100% guranteed when he non stop eating the satays and finished all the satay sauce in this bowl! I perli him saying that, u r such a lucky man whose wife is so passion in cooking, then u know wat he answered me? "Ok loh, tonite give u a "good treat"!! i say..."apalah!! this is not what i want lah!"..Aiyo.....exchange good food for sex!? *LOL*

Taiwanese Style Crispy-Salty Fried Chicken (台式咸酥鸡）

2008-10-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

A Blogger friend requesting for the above recipe, but honestly, this recipe was taught by my good Taiwanese friend, so i m not sure how authentic it is compare to those u search from website one. Anyway, here u go...u basically needed what as shown in the pic:

Ingredients:

1) Basil Leaves for few stalks (only need the leaves, discard the rest)

2) Chicken tigh/chicken breast/chicken drumstick (cut into cubes, need not to de-bone)

3) Soy sauce, fish sauce, pepper powder (black/white), chinese five spice powder, chinese shao-xing wine (绍兴料酒), salt and sugar to taste. wet liquid qty: 1 tbsp, dry spice: in a pinch.

4) cornstarch powder, baking powder, sesame seeds (optional)

5) frying oil

Method:

1) marinate your favorite chicken meat with the ingredient no.3 above and keep in fridge for 1 hour.

2) Take out from fridge, pour in 1-2 tbsp of corn starch and 1 tsp of baking powder into the marinated meat. incorporate well.

3) Heat oil, deep fry the chicken until golden brown, dish out. pet dry in kitchen towel.

4) pour in the basil leaves into the hot oil, fry for 3 minutes, dish out.

5) In a big baking tray, mix all the fried chicken and frid basil well, topped with some roasted sesame will be the best! Serve while hot!

Here shd be how it looks,

The fried basil chicken is aromatic and tasty by itself, u dun required any dipping sauce at all.

Classic Plain Cheese Cake Recipe as per request

2008-10-20T16:38:00.001-07:00

Here i provide the recipe required to make this easy cheese cake...The recipe is neither from the web nor cook book, it is taught by a friend through word of mouth, but the result is fabulous! Most importantly, it only use 1 pkt of cream cheese, so it makes us less guilty when we eat it...*LOL*

These are the essential ingredient required: 2 large eggs, 1 pkt (8 oz) of Cream Cheese, 1 small pkt of Whipping Cream (230ml)

One ready Pie Crust (Graham), 6 oz size.
Sorry, i m such a lazy mom that i dun usually make my own pie crust..if u got to make one for your own, the ingredient is mainly crush soda biscut and butter.

The rest of the ingredients..
1) half cup of fine sugar
2) 2 and a half tbsp cake flour
very simple rite!! it doenst required any baking soda, baking powder, vanila essense...bla..bla..bla..such a long laundry list! ha! ha!

Methods:
1) Softern cream cheese to room temperature by putting into microwave for High, 35 seconds.
2) Eggs, Whipping cream must be in room temperature. (this is as told in most of the cheese cake website, so i just follow loh)
3) Cream the cheese with an electric mixer until it is soft and contains no lumps. If no electric mixer is on hand, use a wooden spoon to cream the cheese. Add in sugar, continue to cream.
4) Add egg, one at a time. The mixer should be on a low speed to limit the amount of air incorporated into the mixture.
5) pour in the cake flour and continue to beat. Ensure no flour lumps are exist during this process.
6) pour in whipping cream, beat in low speed until the batter is fairly incorporated well. Do not over beat!
7) boil hot water, pour into a Baking Tray for about 2" height, then move the pie crust filled with batter into the baking tray. This is called 'water-bath' method for baking a uncrack, smooth surface cheese cake)
8) Transfer the whole baking tray into oven, bake at 375"F for 35 minutes (pls preheat your oven as usual)
9) Shut off the oven temp when reached 35min, do not open the oven door, let the cake sit inside the oven with oven door closed for 45 minutes. (This is to slow cook the cake)
10) Transfer out the cake from oven and let it cool on wire rack for 1 hour under room temperature.
11) Once the cake heat has dropped to room temp, chilled it in fridge for at least 2 hours before serving,preferably overnite.

This is how the cheese cake looks like when it is done:

Cut into triangle shape and ready to serve:

If u still do not understand why baking a cheese cake need such a tedious method called Water-Bath, then i might as well refer you to read and understand more about the rational behind ok! it was not advised by me, but by cheese cake expert! so Believe it or not? Up to u!

http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Perfect-Cheesecakes/Detail.aspx

Pls spend some time to read thru this baking tips, trust me, it is worth the time spend to read it if u dun want to hv a crack/burn/lump cake. Share with me your outcome if u hv made the attempt to try it out ok.

Greetings From Germany

2008-10-20T09:15:00.001-07:00

See greetings from Germany from my big sister, Joyce...........

"Hi guys, It is middle of the autumn now in Germany. We have some golden October's temperature and sunshine very often and it is a romatic season for me. The colours of the fallen leaves are so rich in various tone. When the sunshine one can enjoy a cup of coffee or a cup of tea at the terrace. Here are some photos unfortunately not shot by me but my friend Grace. Hope you enjoy the photos though..... Big hug from me................."

However, i yet to see such romantic falls scene here in the US, particularly the city i stay right now. Perhaps it is still not in the right season yet. Hope to see one b4 we left next month.

Dixon Pumpkin Farm, Davis, California

2008-10-20T08:35:00.001-07:00

Experiencing the very 1st time in our life, visiting a pumpkin farm, in conjunction with celebrating Halloween Day on 31st Oct. People came here to buy huge pumpkin to decorate their home for this great festival. Enjoy the photoset ya:)

Classic Plain Cheese Cake

2008-10-18T22:28:00.000-07:00

Here are the photoset of my favorite classic plain cheese cake....ping me for recipe if u r interested to make one for yourself:)

Easy Tiramisu Cheese Pie

2008-10-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

I was trying to bake a easy step Tiramisu Cheese Pie on Sunday morning. Resut is not bad, this is the very 1st cheese cake in my life (i mean home-made). Personally i dun favor cheese cake so much, it is a bit too creamy and rich for me. The recipe was adapted from Kraftfoods.com. If u are a preliminary cheese cake baker like me, u can check it out this site, follow the step by step method.

Here also attached the cheese cake baking tips, it is so important to ensure your cake is not crack!http://www.dianasdesserts.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/bakingtips.cheesecakes/Cheesecakes.cfm

San Francisco China Town

2008-10-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

We went to SFO China Town to buy American Ginseng last saturday. We spend some time in China Town wandering around, buy ginseng and eat Dim Sum. The Dim Sum is averagely delicious, very similar to wat we hv in Penang. Kids did enjoy too, especially the Hong Kong style Polo Bun.

American Ginseng is a precious gift for my husband families. We bought both the dry (slice) and fresh one to bring home. I personaly favor those Ginseng Tea sachet. The aroma is simply awesome.

Here are some collections of the trip.

Beef Rendang

2008-10-10T10:07:00.000-07:00

i opened up my fridge as usual when close to dinner preparation time, and again, always wonder wat to cook for the next meal...being a house wife, we always has similar anxiety! which is, running out of idea wat to cook, rite?

I found there is still half pound of beef cube left in my fridge...suddenly think of to cook Beef Rendang, why not give it a try? i quickly click on my favorite blogger, Rasamalaysia.com to check out her Beef rendang recipe..OK! although i dun hv the whole list of ground ingredient ready in my pantry, but i decided to cook it to clear my beef and spice stock.

So, here u come my Beef Rendang...still look OK lah hoh? the only ingredient i lack of in my rendang paste is Kaffir Lime Leaf, some spices like Clove, Cinnemon Stick. I substitute coconut milk with my 2% fat fresh milk too, since no more coconut milk left.

If u r not a beef eater, try Chicken rendang, it is as tasty as well. For authentic recipe, check it out on here:

http://www.rasamalaysia.com/2008/09/beef-rendang-recipe-rendang-daging.html

Nasi Ulam

2008-10-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

I got the reicpe from my Recipe Book

The ingredients, the ulam-ulam i prepared includes Basil leave, Coriander leaves, Lemon grass, shallot, fried dry prawn, fried and grated anchovy fish, toss grated coconut, fried shallot, toasted belacan, red chili/cabai burung and fish sauce.
Cook rice as usual and add in some fresh tumeric root to enhance the yellow color in the rice

Blend/mix all the ingredients together and serve hot or room temperature. The garnishing is optional. U may oso squeese in some lime/lemon juice if u want to hv more sour taste to stimulate your taste bud.
The original recipe of Nasi Ulam called for more ulam (raw herbs/leaf) which may includes duan kesom, ginger flower, kaffir lime leave, and many many more. However, there is no right or wrong in create your personalised recipe as long as the flavour is there.

If u r interested to try out, pls get the comprehensive recipe from here:

http://kuali.com/recipes/viewrecipe.asp?r=611

自制手工粗板面 (Home made Pan Mee with Anchovy broth)

2008-10-07T18:08:00.000-07:00

今天相约了淑君自制手工板面。我负责熬小江鱼上汤，她则负责打面和切面。她也是在美国第一次“处女作”！但效果很不赖！淑君她家是山东籍，从小就跟妈妈学做面条和包饺子，基础从小就打好！就算来到美国，也不愁没有家乡味的面条吃啦！

这是刀切出来的板面条

淑君选用上等台湾制造的中筋面粉

面条烫好咯！配上小江鱼汤，撒上香菜，就是一碗香喷喷的大马式板面。

Outing in Historic Marshall Gold Discovery, Coloma CA

2008-10-07T12:13:00.000-07:00

Thai Food Recipe and online cooking video

2008-10-07T10:18:00.001-07:00

If u are a Thai Food lover, u shd not miss this website:
http://www.thaifoodtonight.com/thaifoodtonight/home.htm

Check out their steps by steps online cooking video, it is very easy! there are almost 30 dishes introduced in this web, which is pretty famous among we Malaysian.

Try out and share with me your thoughts later ya!

Thai Style Basil Fried Rice served with Tom Yam soup

2008-10-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

Basil (九层塔), is a kind of herbs that i like to add in, in any kind of my cooking, shd it be Chinese, Thai or Vietnamese. It's aroma is unique, but not everyone can accept it easily, some crazy for it, some just wanna leave it alone. Vietnamese and Thai cuisine make use lots of Basil in their daily cusine that makes their food so much diff from Malaysian or Chinese food.

As far as Chinese food is concern, the only basil recipe i know off is Taiwanese style 3 Cup Chicken 台式三杯鸡. Taiwanese does eat quite a number of basil in their daily dish, they do use basil to make fried basil egg too. I hv tried these 2 Taiwanese dish b4, it is surely an delicious cusine if u are a basil lover.

The very 1st time i tried Thai Basil Fried Rice was 2 months ago when we were in Vacaville for Outlet shopping. The weather is so warm and we were so hungry at lunch time. My husband was using the GPS to search for nearest Asian restaurant and we found a very small size Thai cafe in one of the non prominent street of Vacaville city. We decided to make it a try since Asian food is always our priority whenever we hunt for food in the US. Not to say Western food is not good, but rather, rice and noodle is our Asian daily essential food what!

I ordered the Thai Basil fried rice in this small little Thai cafe, while my hubby ordered Pad Thai (Thai Style Fried Kuoy Teow). To my surprise, their food is so authentic and so much awsome and it is totaly not Americanized to suit to Ametican taste bud. Ever since that, i decided to give this recipe a try at home...since i hv all the ingredient ready, which includes Basil leaf, Thai red chilis, chicken meat, fish sauce and red/yellow bell pepper. Another "a must" garnishing ingredient is coriander leaf (香菜). It goes well with thai fried rice and the tom yam soup.

Tom Yam soup in this case, is only a supporting role to me. Without a Tom Yam soup, how can i say i hv cooked a complete authetic Thai meal as my dinner?

For the Tom Yam soup, it is best u smash one lemon grass, add Thai chili and Kaffir Lime Leaf in your soup base b4 u scope in the Thai Tom Yam cube/paste. Ingredient could be chicken, prawn or anything u delighted.

Serve hot and enjoy!

Doughnut 爱心甜甜圈

2008-10-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

Lily, Thanks so much for your awsome easy made doughnut recipe...i follow thru all the steps and it is successful! Passion for the food is the key success i guess. Every mom shd give this recipe a try, your kids sure will like it and to "die for it":)

I used to remember, when i was a little girl, will sure requested my mom to buy me sugar doughnut selling in the bakery stall in Pasar Malam. I doubts any kids will resist such delightful snack huh!

If u want recipe, kindly visit my good master chef blog: http://lilyng2000.blogspot.com/2007/05/doughnuts.html.

This has become my real live recipe book whenever i wanna cook something which is as authentic as Malaysian flavour meal.

Cheated Rempah Udang (Pulut Udang)

2008-09-25T22:34:00.000-07:00

The inti

base layer is pulut, top one layer of inti, and top another layer of pulut. put into oven to grill for 20 minutes to make out the "crunchy" and grilling effect.

Just too missed this Malay kuih very much lately. The pulut and the aromatic grated coconut "inti", it is just too tempting! Authentic Malaysian taste huh.

Just lazy to get the frozen banana leaf from the Korean groceries store nearby! I started to make my own cheated rempah udang right away today with all the ingredient ready except banana leaf.

My pulut is something like a Nasi Kunyit version, add in tumeric powder into pulut soaking water right before tranfer it to steamer.

The inti is a combination consist of grated coconut, shallot, garlic, coriander seed powder and red chili which brings to a very authentic aroma of Malay cuisine. For details of recipe, get it from:
http://kuali.com/recipes/viewrecipe.asp?r=2827

The taste is fabulous, at least to me and my kids...haha. They just love it as they can take spicy food.

More Sausage and Bacon Buns for Friends

2008-09-25T00:42:00.001-07:00

Butter Roll 制作成功！

2008-09-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

今天和朱妈妈约好11.30am 到她家学做butter roll, 内陷有咖喱鸡和叉烧肉两种。面粉团是用bread maker 捏和发酵的，为时一小时半，非常简单和方便。

我们谈谈话，喝喝咖啡，时间很快就过去了。我一面帮她照顾3个月的小孙女宝宝Zoey，朱妈妈则开始忙着教导我如何把馅料包在发酵了的面粉团里，然后捏成一个bun的形状。再把bun发酵15-20分钟，就可以送进烤箱烘20分钟，才搽上牛油在bun的表皮层就搞定了。

我决定要买面包机了！！好让我疼爱的老公和小孩天天可以尝到妈咪亲手制作新鲜出炉的bread loaf 和butter roll/bun. 健康又有益。

孩子渐渐长大了

2008-09-18T21:59:00.002-07:00

William @ 17 mths old Benjamin @ 6 months old

William (2 yr old) Benjamin (7 mths old) William (27 months old ) & Benjamin (8 mths old)

Latest! William at 5, Ben at 3

昨晚喝了铁观音中国茶，就失眠了。

老公把旧照片copy过来我的laptop, 我便随意开来看一看，毕竟好久都没看了，也几乎忘了小孩三岁前的模样。

一连打开了好几个folder, 有照片，也有video clip, 看着看着，不禁已泪流满面。。。原来，这些年来，也没有好好去回顾孩子的成长历程，　好多他们的小动作和滑稽的表情回忆，都被忙碌的日子冲淡了。会流泪是因为想起照顾他们的辛酸，现在想起来，也特别有感触。

孩子们，加油吧！妈妈永远无条件的爱和呵护着你们。

朱妈妈的爱心面包

2008-09-18T21:59:00.001-07:00

最近在一个gathering 上认识了朱妈妈，她来美国帮刚生小孩的媳妇作月子和照顾小孩，　他儿子也是intel Penang 的啦。

朱妈妈好棒，她是一个退休的白衣天使也！一辈子都在医院服务，　任劳任怨。我喜欢和她谈话，闲谈之中，可以从中学习他那种豁达的精神，凡事顺其自然，尽我们所能就好。

朱妈妈可是厨房高手哦！我这个初闯厨房的新鲜人可有口福了！我决定下个礼拜会向她拜师学艺做面包。。。到时成功的话再跟你们分享成果吧！

William手里捧着的就是朱妈妈亲手制作的鸡肉内馅面包。味道好好吃。

中秋节烧烤会

2008-09-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

We hv a small BBQ at our little apartment on 14th Sept (Sun), it is Autum Festival! It is the very 1st time in my life celebrating Autum festival in overseas. The moon on day 15th of chinese lunar calender didnt seem to be bigger or rounder in the US...印证了国外的月亮不一定特别圆！

Anyway, it is fun to organise a small BBQ and hv enjoy it...We did it among us and my Taiwanese couple family. They brought over many dishes while we prepared mine. Check it out! The kids were so much enjoy the companion and the food.

Curry Chicken Puff

2008-09-12T00:10:00.000-07:00

想念许久的curry puff, 终于作出来了。好好吃！外皮酥脆，内馅juicy,咖喱味恰到好处，第一次做有这种成绩我也很满意了。下一次作会把外皮的线条再捏的细腻一些。最开心的是老公说好吃！套一句：Ho Jiak!

筒仔米糕（台湾风味小食）

2008-09-08T22:08:00.000-07:00

台湾姐妹淘嚷着超想念台湾小吃筒仔米糕，我略翻查了网络，上个周末把材料买好，今天和她约定尝试作这一道小食。味道还不赖耶！SJ，谢谢你的支持和鼓励哦！我们改天就定每个礼拜就下厨弄些私房菜吧。。我们弄得开心，小孩也吃得开心！厨房就定时会有不同的美味散发在空气中。超棒！

随想

2008-09-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

把layout 和template改了，upload了小孩的照片上去，整体看来好多了。欢迎你来到我的小小天地，品尝我的阿虹私房菜，和我的两个小精灵的成长旅程碑。

愿William 乖乖去上学吧！

想家

2008-09-08T00:15:00.000-07:00

因为突然想吃nasi lemak, 结果午夜十二点钟弄了这道宵夜。你说我疯了也好，不顾健康也罢，我是真的很想家，很怀念大马啦！

William

2008-09-07T18:58:00.001-07:00

Hokkien Prawn Mee and Banana Cake

2008-09-07T12:14:00.001-07:00

recipe Coutersy of Low from http://www.rasamalaysia.com/

Penang Prawn Mee (Hokkien Mee)

2008-09-07T00:37:00.001-07:00

i miss my home town food so much...i decided to make the Penang Prawn Mee from sctrach, thanks for the recipe from www.rasamalaysia.com. Low, i oso tried the Banana Cake from your site, and it works! my hubby just love it and has severa lbites on the cake. Perfect!!

1 year anniversary

2008-09-07T00:26:00.001-07:00

i have not been writing anything on my blog ever since i created it in Sept 2007!

Time flies and it is now Sept 2008! i wonder how i spend my 365 days all these while....

Btw, i shd not feel so much guilt for these past 365 days cause i m traveling to the US and has been here since Feb 08.

Life is beautiful for the past 7 months here in Folsom, CA...too bad we r heading bck to Malaysia soon in Nov. I know i will miss all the bit and pieces here. We hope to come back again some time next year.