Mission Accomplished

Nasi lemak - the favorite meal among M'sian. This is the last dish of my culinary attempt as part of my 2007 resolution.

Ingredients for coconut rice:
Rice
Screwpine leaves
Salt to taste
Coconut milk
Water

Ingredients for sambal ikan billis (dried anchovies):
Red onions
Ikan billis
Garlic
Shallots
10 Dried chilies
1 teaspoon of Belacan (prawn paste)
Salt to taste
Asam jawa water

Method:
Rinse the rice and drain. Add in coconut milk, a pinch of salt and some water. Tie the screwpine leaves into a knot and put in the rice and cook.


Blend the garlic, shallots, dried chilies and prawn paste. As I can't find the blender in my house, I've to used a mortar & pestle to get the job done.


The main ingredients


Heat oil in the wok. Fry the ingredients until fragrant.


Add in the slice red onions and ikan bilis to the paste. Add in the asam jawa water, salt and sugar and stir for 10 mins until gravy thickens.


The coconut rice is fluffy and the sambal is a bit sour and not hot enough as I add in too much of the asam jawa water.


Curry Chicken to go with nasi lemak

Ingredients:
Chicken
Potatoes (fried the potatoes until golden brown)
Chili boh
Coconut milk
Curry powder
Chili padi
Lemongrass
Curry leaves
Garlic
Shallots
Salt to taste

Method:

Fry the pound shallots, garlics, lemongrass and curry leaves until fragrant.


Add in chili boh and curry powder and continue to fry for a few mins.


Put in the chicken and stir well. Add in coconut milk, water and salt. Boil for 15 mins. You have to stir constantly as it burns very fast at the bottom (I nearly screw up the whole dish). Add in potatoes and continue to cook for another 15 mins.


It's not spicy enough and because I add in too much coconut milk, there's quite a bit of oil floating around. But overall the taste is not bad.

Well that's it folks, I've accomplished my mission for 2007 - 'to learn a new recipe every month'.

So what's next?

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

December, my favorite month in a year.


It's the time when I get to clear my leave and enjoy the holiday season. It's fun strolling around shopping malls and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere around me. But nowadays malls are so crowded with adults and kids even on a weekday.

I took some pictures of the Christmas decoration at some of major shopping malls around town, check it out.

1-Utama

Toy soldiers playing drums


The leader ...

KLCC

The same tree they used every year with white and purple ornaments


Frosty the snowman ...


The only reindeer but unfortunately hidden behind a stall selling gifts. They should at least move the stall elsewhere or place the lightings reindeer to a more prominent location.


The hanging wreath

Pavilion KL

Winter wonderland


They used chandelier instead of the usual ornament on top of the tree


Hanging deco

Happy Birthday, Jesus

The true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate Jesus Christ's birthday but to me, this should not be limited to 1 day only. It should be celebrated throughout the whole year! Simply because ... JESUS ROCKS!

Christmas dinner

I love turkey but because we are a small family ... we will probably take 1 month to finish eating the bird, provided we eat it everyday. Anyone can spare me a turkey leg?

Christmas presents

Buying gifts is something I enjoy doing during this time of the year. I'm blessed to have caring family and friends who gave me their wishes and Christmas presents. Thank you guys for everything.


It's time for joy, folks and may you have a blessed Christmas.

5 Things you didn't know about me ... until Now

1) I'm a Sagittarius Tiger

According to astrology, "Sagittarius is symbolized by the Archer. You're impulsive and inquisitive, needing travel and constant exposure to new foods, people, landscapes and things to do. Change is one thing you can't do without; we are a truth-seeker, and will go to the ends of the earth to find answers" (this will probably explains why I love to google everything)


"Tigers are courageous beyond compare and generally come out ahead in battle. Seduction is one area where the Tiger is definitely king! Noble and warm-hearted, Tigers have a natural, raw appeal that's extremely attractive to other Signs. They're not just about attraction, though; ever on the side of right, Tigers will fight the good fight to the bitter end if the cause is worthy. Opponents are wise to fear this feline. A bit of caution is a good thing around Tigers, since they can pounce without warning. They experience mood swings and often feel things more intensely than others" (confirmed and unanimously agreed by my friends! sorry guys, I'm just me)

2) I never give up easily


I used to be a very naughty kid. During one of my visit to my grandma's place, I was tempted to walk up the side of the stairs (without rails type) and broke my arm. Nobody noticed and I pretended nothing happen ... until an hour later when my mom asked me to pour some tea for my aunts who are playing mahjong! I said I can't move my arm. Surprisingly I didn't shed a tear but screamed my lungs out @ the Chinese physician who fixed it. I did not stop there. I practiced a few more times until finally succeeded in walking up the side of the stairs without breaking the other arm!

3) I nearly 'dive' down a drain

There was once when I nearly drove my ex's brand new car down a drain! I was testing the speed of the car on an empty space near my housing area and before I knew it, I was accelerating towards the drain and only manged to braked at a mere few inches from the drowning the car. My ex was seated besides me and he almost pee in his pants (who wouldn't?)! He never let me drive his car again for quite sometime after the incident :P

4) I love acting

Believe it or not. I love to act. I used to participate on stage, dramas organized by my high school and college. It was so much fun and I get to experienced playing different character through acting (I wonder if it's too late to change career now?).

5) I'm a sucker for mobile phones

I'm absolutely nuts about mobile phones (evidence here). To me, it is the best gadget ever invented by man. Most of my mobile phones will be 'expired' within a year. My current model is Sony Ericsson S500i Mysterious Green. Love it :)


I was born on this date (ok ... this photo might look ancient but actually it's the photography effect and was taken not too long ago).


And so are Brat Pitt, Steven Spielberg, Christina Aguilera and Katie Holmes :)

Of course, this is not the whole me but some insight into my personality. There will be more chapters on my life but in another entry.


A special thanks to my colleagues who organized a surprise cake for me and another colleague (who has the same birth date as me). Also to my family members, cousins, friends and facebook buddies for you text messages, lunch treats, ang paus and gifts.


May God Bless You Always.

Feast @ King Crab Restaurant

My cousin sister generously treated me, my sister and 2 other cousins for a feast @ the King Crab Restaurant to discuss about last minute arrangements for the upcoming wedding of my cousin. Coincidentally Precious Pea and her buddies are also having dinner in the VIP room feasting on the Tai Jap Hai (hairy crabs).


Clams in superior stock (too much wine, thus the soup is quite bitter but the clams are fresh)


The waitress was promoting the Shanghai hairy crabs but we decline as we are not so much into roes, so we opt for the meaty crab cooked with chili (yummy yummy)


Soft bun goes well with the crab sauce


Salt & pepper mantis prawn (delicious, thanks Precious Pea for the recommendation)


Squid coated with egg yolk (the taste blended so well and my all time favorite dish ... err anyone know how to cook this?)


Initially we wanted to try the stir-fried lotus roots but they don't have it (hmm I wonder why ... out of lotus perhaps) anyway we go for the kai lan cooked in 2-style (not a very healthy veg dish but still nice)


The waitress recommended the soya juice in white fungus (the soya juice has a funny taste)


We had a good time enjoying the food and looking @ the wedding photos of Mr Spider man and Mary-Jane (the groom is a huge fan of the superhero)! A bunch of wicked ideas has been developed to be played on the groom and his buddies on the wedding day (with the full permission from MJ)!


A big Thank You to my cousin, Ms Pugsie (nickname) for this treat. She commented that she will end up looking like these if we asked for more treats!

My Girl

When Barbie was introduced to the world ... it was every girl dream to own her. Not very long ago (trying to act young here), someone gave me a Barbie Doll. I still have her with me till today.


The original Barbie was launched in March 1959. Her full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts


My one and only Barbie

Her Style
I've only 2 piece of clothing for my girl. This suit can be turned into day and night wear with a twist

Corporate look


Remove the jacket and turn the skirt around and you will have this cocktail dress


Notice my doll has short hair? Well, I being the smart@$$ chopped off her hair thinking they will grow back like mine! Duh! But then again, I do admire my own work. Check it out yourself ...


Barbie: "why me?"


from the front


from the side


from the back (notice the layering style and tail?)

The Accessories
I only have a few pieces of the accessories as I can't afford them. Some was given to me by friends.

now you can buy these ...


but I only have these ...

Some things are meant to be treasured and I'll always treasure my girl. What is your most precious childhood procession which you refuse to let go?