Drink of Love

When we moved in, we bought alot of wine glasses from Ikea but we never have any party that put the glasses to use. I will only see them once a year that is during spring cleaning.

I am a soda drinker and I definitely can taste the difference between coke and pepsi. I know it is unhealthy to drink soda drink and is trying to cut down on it. Since we do not take wine therefore have to make do with using soda. I must said it is quite suitable as it is sweet just like love hehehe.

Valentine Day Dinner 2011

This is the 9th Valentine Day I spent together with Bok. Eventhough everyone knows that V day is just a commercialized day but still cannot help but to celebrate it. The crap with anyone who said everyday is a V day as it is really mission impossible. Couple will have their difference in daily life, even the way he shits irritate you.

I am a romantic person who likes to give and receive surprises. Sad to say, Bok is directly the opposite. He cannot stand my surprises and do not give surprises. I really wonder how we can get together with all our differences.I still remember our 1st V day celebration which ended in a nightmare. No dinner, no sweet talks, nothing but arguments.First, he complained about the cost of the lily bouquet which he bought from the flower shop in WET MARKET. FYI, the cost is $80. Then he complained about the dinner which we are suppose to have. Again the cost is around $120 for 2. The mrt journey downtown is about cost, cost and cost.For me who is looking forward to spend the 1st V day with my beloved, it really is a mood spoiler. The end result is Bok do not have to spend the $120 as we parted our own ways without dinner. The dustbin become the immediate home for the bouquet of lily and I promised myself that it will be the last time I ever see the man again. (Of course, the promise did not work out)

With the first V day celebration experience, I know that my dream romantic V day celebration will never be happen with Bok. Therefore, we will just have a simple dinner but not on the actual day. Since we got married, I will then cook western food or at least some baking for the day.

As for 2011, I just prepared a simple meal with no baking but still with plenty of love.

3 Course Dinner Menu

Campbell Mushroom and Seafood Soup
Black Pepper Grilled Chicken Chop
Heart Shaped Sago Pudding with Gula melaka
Drink of Love Mocktail

Total cost is less than $20 bucks. A homely affordable V day dinner

Dashi Stock

Dashi stock are basic in Japanese cuisine. In fact, it is also very easy to make unlike pork / chicken stock where it need at least a couple of hours. All we need is dried bonito flakes which is available in major supermarkets. Many people will simmer bonito flakes in the water thinking that the taste will be stronger and nicer but it is wrong.

Oyakodon (Japanese chicken and egg rice bowl)

Anyone can tell me if god creates chicken or egg first. This question always come to my mind when eating oyakodon. Bok always like to eat oyakodon in Japan. I think is because of the sauce and makes the rice tasty and easy to eat.

Of course, I have to recreate the meal back home. This is really a idiot proof dish and fast easy meal to prepare. I always cook this during my lazy days. Pair with either grilled eel / saba plus miso soup will complete the whole meal

Recipe

2 boneless drumstick, cut into small pieces
1/2 onion, sliced
200ml dashi soup
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp mirin
3 1/2 japanese light soy sauce

Preparation

• Heat dashi stock in medium heat
• Add soy sauce, mirin and sugar in the stock
• Put chicken and simmer on low heat for a few mins
• Add onion and simmer for a few more mins
• Bring soup to a boil and pour eggs over chicken and onion. Turn off the heat
• Serve over hot rice

Japanese Curry

I always love Japan, think it is the culture and people there. Japanese cuisine are popular throughout the world. Eventhough I love going to Japan, but I cannot said much about the variety of food. Of course, all the food is fresh and delicious but after eating similar food for a few days I will get bored and yearn for singapore food.

In Japan, I love going to those 100 Yen shop. Maybe because it is the cheapest kind of shopping in Japan. I will always pack back those instant packs like japanese curry. Fast and cheap to cook as a meal in Singapore and taste is good. After the instant packs finished, I tried to buy in Singapore supermarket but it is selling so expensive in Singapore. Anything Japanese is selling with so high margin in Singapore. Therefore, no choice but to buy those Japanese curry blocks and cook myself.

With fried rice

With chicken

Recipe

1/2 onion, diced
1 potato, diced
1 carrot, diced
40g curry cube
280ml water

Preparation

• Fry onion until fragrant
• Add potato and carrot until half done.
• Add water and simmer for 15 mins
• Add curry and simmer for 10 mins.
• Serve hot with rice and other side dishes 

Remarks

1. You can cook with chicken meat to make the meat more complete.

Ayam Panggang (Indonesian Grilled Chicken Drumstick) V.1

These recent years, alot of Indonesian stalls start popping up throughout Singapore. The most popular stall should be the Plaza Singapura one. I try to come up with my own version but sad to say it is no where near to their standard. Nevetheless, it is still ok and consider not bad for home cooked version. I will serve with other side dishes to complete the meal.

Indonesian Grilled Chicken

Recipe 


2 - 3 chicken drumstick / half chicken
100g shallots (sliced)
100g salted butter
4 tbsp kecap manis (preferably Indonesian ABC sauce)

Preparation 

•  Heat butter over low heat till there is foam
• Add shallots, stir to coat in butter
• Saute till golden brown
• Remove from heat and allow to cool
• Add kecap manis
• Pulse in food processor till shallots are chopped up
• Spread chicken on the chicken. Allow to marinate for about 20 mins
• Preheat oven to 150 - 200 Celsius
• Grill for about 30 - 40 mins
• Serve hot with white rice

Salted Egg Congee

My family is never a porridge/congee family. My mum will always said we can never eat white porridge on 1st day of CNY as it will definitely rained later during our visiting. Porridge/congee to me is always eaten only if I am sick and of course when I am still a baby.

However, my hubby Bok is a porridge guy. He basically like soft things like soft toys and even the food he eat. No hard type of veggie for him. Therefore to win his praise, I try all ways to master the skill of having good porridge. I am proud to announce that my congee are as good as those porridge selling outside.

To have a more balanced dinner, my congee is always full of ingredients like cantonese style of "ting zai congee". The must have ingredient is definitely minced pork as Bok have soft spot for minced pork also. Sometimes, side dishes will have bbq pork, pork floss or even braised intestine( bought outside when my mood is good) 

The salted egg recipe came out accidentally when one day I intend to cook century egg but could not get and the shop assistant actually told me that I can try use salted egg instead. So here it is.