Our Meals

We've not really cooked for more than two weeks. Even though the mil came back from New Zealand two weeks ago, she's been under the weather. With so many celebrations, weddings, and SIL from Hong Kong still in KL, we have no chance to cook. I had to give away all the organic veggies that I bought to Maria before they turned bad. We also have food from hubby's kitchen almost daily. I'm not complaining, in fact, I'm SO glad that we don't have to cook coz cooking is just not my jam. I don't mind cooking but the cleaning up just turns me off 😝.  I rather spend the one hour jogging outside vs. cooking and washing and getting all stressed up over it. 

These are some of the excess food from hubby's kitchen for us recently:

Sushi platter.

Chicken bolognese with colorful spiral pasta.

Chicken and beef satay.

Carrot cake with frosting. These are not too sweet and very yummy.

Clockwise from top left: Vegetarian Mee Siam (very aromatic with lots of fresh herbs), blanched broccoli and baby corn (cooked at home), Ayam Goreng Berempah (fried chicken thighs with spices) and Nasi Lemak.

On most days, all I need to place on the dining table is a veggie dish, which I usually blanch and season with olive oil or grape seed oil and soy sauce, or just make a one-pot chicken soup or miso soup with lots of veggies, meat, and meatballs.

As some of hubby's overseas relatives are still in KL, we're going to De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan for lunch tomorrow. So looking forward to Chef Wan's food again, though many of his popular dishes are pretty similar to what hubby's chef whips up every day.

Safe Deposit Box Key Mystery

I wanted to snap a picture of an important document kept in my bank's Safe Deposit Box but the SDB key wasn't with me. Before my mil left for New Zealand, I gave her the key as she wanted to keep her stuff in the SDB but she hasn't returned the key to me yet. 

But I wasn't 100% sure if the key was with the mil. She could have returned it to me and I misplaced it.  That happened about 1.5 months ago. I started to go into panic mode!

I couldn't call the mil right away to ask her the whereabouts of the key as she was five hours ahead of us and it was 2am in Auckland. I WhatsApp-ed one of the bank staff to ask him about the procedures but he had already resigned from the bank. I Googled to find out what the procedures are for getting a key replaced. The answer I got sent me into a more panicked state of mind.  You cannot get your lost key replaced. The entire SDB lock has to be replaced with a brand-new one. A locksmith has to be engaged to hack the SDB. All the costs have to be borne by the SDB holder, ranging from RM300 - RM500!  I couldn't imagine money flying away like that, just like how hubby had to pay RM1k to get Alycia's iPad repaired when she carelessly slammed the car door on her iPad recently.

I sent a voice message to the MIL before going to bed. The next morning, she Whatsapp-ed me to tell me that the key was still with her and told me where she had hidden it. What a relief!! 😅😅

Last week we had food from hubby's kitchen again, on an almost daily basis. I'm the happiest as this means fewer chores for me in the kitchen 😊

Sambal prawns.

Mee Siam

Chicken Kuzi (my favorite), cooked using a wide variety of spices, ghee, and Koukakis Greek yogurt (imported from Greece). The Greek yogurt gives this dish a very creamy texture.

Mixed veggies, Thai fishcakes, Telur Dadar (omelet), and Kuih Koci.

Cut honeydew.

Friday, 26 May 2023 - The Quest For Breakfast

Today started like any other weekend morning, with the hubs and I excitedly planning to have breakfast at our favorite beef noodle stall in Petaling Street. As we arrived at our beloved beef noodle stall, the sight of a closed shutter greeted us once again. It was closed for the second time this week.  

Dismayed but not discouraged, we decided to explore other nearby eateries in hopes of finding a suitable alternative. Our first attempt ended in disappointment when we discovered that the other eatery was also yet to open. Nevertheless, we remained undeterred and set our sights on the vibrant streets of Bangsar.

With empty stomachs and a desire to try something different, we stumbled upon Baba Low's, an inviting restaurant known for its Nyonya cuisine. Curiosity piqued, we eagerly entered and prepared ourselves for a gastronomic journey. We ordered a variety of items from the menu, such as curry noodles, Mee Siam, Nasi Lemak with fried chicken, and Peranakan popiah, each representing the rich flavors of Nyonya cuisine.

Curry noodles, Peranakan popiah, Nasi Lemak with fried chicken and Mee Siam.

Expecting a taste reminiscent of the delightful dishes from hubs’ central kitchen, we found ourselves slightly disappointed. The food at Baba Low was passable but did not live up to our high expectations. While the flavors were there, they lacked the finesse and authenticity we were accustomed to. Nevertheless, we appreciated the opportunity to try something new and immerse ourselves in the cultural tapestry of Nyonya cuisine.

We decided to prolong our breakfast experience and sought refuge in a nearby café. A few doors away, we found a cozy establishment, offering an enticing array of coffees, cakes, and sandwiches. Intrigued, we ventured in, eager to satisfy our lingering cravings.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as we ordered our preferred choices—a piccolo and flat white coffee, accompanied by a delectable carrot cake. The moment we took our first sips and bites, we were met with satisfaction. The coffee was rich and invigorating, while the carrot cake was a delightful blend of moistness, textures, and sweetness.

Piccolo and flat white. I took several sips of Piccolo and loved the robustness and richness of the espresso, complemented by the subtle sweetness and creaminess of the steamed milk. But dang it, I think I'm going to be an insomniac tonight as I am still wide awake now (10.30pm)!

By the time we finished our coffee and cake, we found ourselves content and comfortably full. Regrettably, we had to bid adieu to the remaining item on our table: a toasted sandwich we had ordered but were too satiated to consume. Thankfully, the café kindly packed it up for us to take home. We saw it as a serendipitous treat for Cass to relish for her lunch when she comes home from school. 

 

Sandwich doggy-bagged home for Cass' lunch.

Tomorrow is the start of Cass’ week-long school holidays.  A week is too short for any trip and her mid-year exam will start shortly after the school holidays. So it's going to be crunch time for her with additional classes (online), homework, and revision.

Mother's Day 2023

Sunday, 14 May 2023

This year's Mother's Day lunch was with hubs and Cass only. Alycia was at her weekend part-time job and Sherilyn had a dance practice at home before dance class at the studio. She's currently practising for an upcoming dance competition.

Hubs asked where I wanted to eat and gave me suggestions but I couldn't agree with all his choices. He just drove us to Bangsar, a happening place with a legion of cafes and restaurants. I saw Haidilao and said I didn't mind another round of hotpot at Haidilao. But we were too early and the restaurant wasn't opened yet. So we went to Bangsar Village and chose Nutmeg, one of our favorite restaurants.

My pick - Veggie Benedict set. 

At its foundation lies a perfectly toasted slice of sourdough bread, offering a satisfying crunch and a subtle nutty aroma. The crust is gloriously crispy, giving way to a tender and airy interior that acts as a canvas for the culinary masterpiece that awaits.  Spread generously across the toasted bread is a velvety and vibrant green pea mash.  

On the side are two perfectly poached eggs, elegantly draped with a luscious hollandaise sauce. The eggs, with their silky and golden yolks, offer a luxurious richness that blends flawlessly with the creamy hollandaise.

Cauliflower and pumpkin salad. 
This salad is not only visually appealing but is also a tantalizing symphony of flavors. It has a delightful medley of flavors and textures with pieces of feta cheese. Its velvety texture creates a creamy interplay, making every forkful a delightful experience. 
  The delectable salad dressing complements the ingredients perfectly. Its delicate balance of tanginess and creaminess adds a delightful zing to each bite.

Cass chose a Snow White Veggie set as she had already eaten something at home and wasn't very hungry.  It's toasted sourdough with scrambled egg whites, grilled veggies and salad.

Mushroom Carbonara (very delish) with a side of two sunny side-ups (hubby's favorite). 
 The star of this dish is a medley of succulent mushrooms, sautéed to perfection. With their earthy and meaty essence, the mushrooms provide a robust foundation for the carbonara. This luscious sauce is a decadent amalgamation of grated Parmesan cheese, and hints of garlic and black pepper. Its silky texture enrobes the pasta, creating a luxurious mouthfeel that is truly irresistible. 

For dessert, I chose a hazelnut tart and hubs picked a mango & cheese slice cake.

Hubs also ordered a cup of macadamia nut brittle from Haagen Dazs from the stall at the concourse area, next to Nutmeg.

Full house at Nutmeg, a favorite haunt amongst locals and Caucasians.

Next up - we had tea and cake at Bisou Bake Shop, a little kiosk-style store owned by hubby's friend's wife. Decadent and beautifully decorated cupcakes, slab cake pieces, and cookies in a variety of flavors are for sale. 
I told hubs that I couldn't possibly stuff in more food, especially cakes, but hubs insisted that we had another round of celebration, this time with a candle on the cake 😆

 

Hubs bought a pack each of Mee Siam and Nasi Lemak (RM6.50 a pack each) to try, daintily wrapped in batik print wax papers.  We brought these home for dinner.

Later in the evening, Alycia brought home a slice of Pandan Gula Melaka slice cake from Front Room for me!

My favorite brownie cake from Brownies Bar from Sherilyn.

The following day, just before Alycia left for uni in the morning, she hurriedly prepped some pancakes to surprise me while I went for my morning exercise.

Homemade pancakes from the girl who never likes cooking or baking.  💓

The pancakes were surprisingly very good - soft, fluffy and tasty. There are still some in the fridge and I air-fry one for breakfast every day.

Throwback Food Snaps

Throwback food snaps of breakkie with the hubs and mil recently:

At Bai Wei Kopitiam:

Chicken soup flat noodles, Polo bun with spam and cheese, Mee Siam with spiced fried chicken, and milk tea topped with a cube of gigantic ice in the shape of a cute bear (cafe's signature beverage).

Breakfast at a coffee shop in our hood:

Dry hor fun noodles with chicken, fishballs, fried fish and fish paste soup and fried char mee hoon topped with fried wallet egg.

Jumbo local avocado, grown in Johor.  A seller from our neighborhood Facebook group advertised these avos and I bought two to try.  I didn't order more as I was apprehensive of locally-grown avocados. But these babies proved me wrong.  These Malaysia-grown avos are super creamy and even sweet.  The flesh is in a pretty greenish-yellowish hue and perfect inside!

Don't judge the fruit by its skin. Blemished on the outside but beautiful on the inside.

Sunday, 16 October 2022 ~ Pavillion Bukit Jalil

Cass' figure-skating coach wasn't able to teach for two weeks since last Sunday.  What perfect timing!! This is because Cass has to prepare for her finals these two weeks.  

Before we received a text message from the coach about the class cancellation, Cass promised me that she would study after coming back from the skating rink. But I felt that Cass should not go anywhere but stay home to study on the eve of her finals.

I'm so glad that I don't have to spend my day at Pavillion Bukit Jalil (PBJ) for the next two Sundays 😜

Besides the vast options in eateries, cafes, and restaurants, there isn't much to do at PBJ. I'd rather be idling and paying my sleep debt with forty winks at home.

Anyway, Cass still wants to get her new figure skates before her next class and has been badgering me to bring her to the skating rink at Sunway Pyramid to buy the skates. We may go there this Saturday.

This time hubs and I had our lunch at the Ei8ht Avenue Foodcourt instead of his favorite Grand Harbour Chinese restaurant as I wanted to try other eateries.  

Ei8ht Avenue is a non-halal food hall that offers Chinese local delicacies that are loved by Malaysians. There are famous local food brands from all around the Klang Valley. These brands have one thing in common - a long legacy of incredibly delicious food. What separates Ei8th Avenue from other food halls is that, unlike typical food halls, customers can order their meals from their seats and be served when their food is ready.   Not to be missed are famous brands such as Prawn Noodle King, Chan Meng Kee, Samy & Min Bak Kut Teh,  Ah Fatt Gor Curry Mee,  Kim Lian Kee,  Restoran 38 Fishball Noodles, Little Eat Shop, Sin Hoy How, among others.

We tried the char koay teow, curry noodles and pork noodles.  

Nothing to shout about really as we've tried much better ones. So I don't think hubs will be ordering these again if we come here again.

We finally got our hands on the overly-rated thick egg tarts from Oriental Kopi.  Well-known for the insanely long queues at their Mid Valley Megamall outlet and now at Pavillion Bukit Jalil, we managed to take away their popular thick egg tarts, polo bun, and Mee Siam after queuing for about 15 minutes.

Hubs bought the buy-6-free-1 promo @ RM28.80

My verdict - the filling is very custardy and very filling.  Chomping down the entire egg tart was enough to fill up my small tummy, leaving very little space left to eat my main meal at the Eight Avenue food hall.
Nothing to shout about, despite rave reviews on the tarts.  I prefer the traditional egg tarts from Tong Kee and my favorite-est Portuguese egg tarts from Red Kettle.  This is my personal opinion. 
Sherilyn was the lucky beneficiary of these egg tarts as she got to bring them to school for 3 days in a row.  The tarts taste better after a few minutes in the air-fryer.

The Polo buns from Oriental Kopi were pretty good.  As I was too stuffed to try it on the same day, I  briefly air-fried it the next day. It was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, stashed with a wedge of butter. I omitted the condensed milk.

The Mee Siam was also nothing to rave about, in fact, I think it's rather vapid. I think the Mee Siam that comes out from hubby's central kitchen knocks this one hands down as it has much more ingredients 😁.  Again, this is just my personal opinion.

Cass requested for Rollney Kürtőskalács ice-cream and her ever-indulgent dad got it for her.  It's a unique ice cream atop a chimney cake or Hungarian sweet bread. The cylinder-shaped hollow bread is filled with a little cereal at the bottom. I find it too sweet for my liking.  

23 February 2021 Homecooked Chinese Dinner

 Since it's still CNY, Sherilyn whipped up a few Chinese dishes for dinner yesterday and today: 

1.  Mock crab meat soup with mushrooms, dried shredded scallops, black fungus and shredded chicken meat.

2. Koong Po chicken with cashews. She toasted the fresh chilies for over 10 hours to produce dried chilies for this dish.

3.  Yam basket (Fatt Put)

Lunch today was Mee Siam with chicken rendang and deep fried quails (burung puyuh goreng berempah) from hubby's shop, Catermate  😋

It's amazing that this girl can even whip up yam ring. The process is very tedious and a lot of oil is used to deep fry the yam ring and vermicelli. Discarding the used oil is also a hassle as I had to pour the oil into a container and then wrap the container with plastic bags before leaving it in the refuse chamber.  That's the reason why I never ever deep fry anything!  But this girl is a sucker for challenges and if the dish is too simple, she wouldn't cook it 😐

Burung puyuh goreng berempah (fried quail with spices) and Mee Siam with chicken rendang from Catermate.

Mille-Feuille Nabe (A Thousand Leaves Hot Pot) ~ Wednesday, 25 November 2020

Sherilyn cooked everyone's favorite dish for dinner ~ Mille-Feuille Nabe (A Thousand Leaves Hot Pot). We used Shabu-Shabu pork slices and thinly sliced boneless chicken thigh for layering with the long cabbage leaves.  We also had Petai & Prawn Sambal from hubby's shop.

Dipping sauce for the meat is Tare, also prepped by our teenage chef. 

Chef at work ~ layering of the Shabu-Shabu pork and chicken between the long cabbage leaves:

My kind of meal ~ a one pot meal with lots of vegetables and meat in a clear broth.  It's not oily, mildly seasoned with salt and Dashi stock and very soothing, healthy and flavorful naturally.

Lunch was chicken chop, Mee Siam, Ayam Goreng Berempah. prawn  and yummy fattening kuih (my ultimate kryptonite) 😆 from Catermate.

Lip-smacking prawn and petai sambal cooked by Catermate's Indonesian chef: