How To Make Fish Paste

A few of my readers have asked me how to make fish paste several months ago. I don't normally make them myself as the gals' former nanny would make them for us but since she's been busy lately, I decided to make them myself coz fish balls is the ONLY meat Miss Spitty Spat fussy-pot Sherilyn would eat. I don't like her to be eating fish balls bought from supermarkets as they are loaded with salt, MSG, acid boric and maybe food coloring.

Here it goes :

First, debone the fish meat with a sharp kitchen knife. You can buy 'kau yue' or ikan parang from the market. Not sure what it's called in English though - mackeral??

Then, chop and pound the fish meat till it's smooth. Pour a little salt in a small bowl and dissolve it with some water. Mix the salt water evenly into the fist paste.
Then, break an egg - take only the egg WHITE and beat it up. Pour the egg white mixture evenly into the fish paste. Sprinkle some pepper evenly on the fish paste.

To make the fish paste texture 'bouncy', 'throw' the entire lump of fish paste meat repeatedly on the chopping board. That's what my late maternal grandma used to do and her fish balls are oh so bouncy and chewy.

When the fish paste is smooth, keep them in small containers in the freezer.

Easy peasy right? I am sure toddlers will LOVE these homemade and food additives-free fish balls and fish cakes (fried fish paste which tastes heavenly!).

And DON'T throw the fish bones and fish head away. Boil them with some water, tomatoes and some slices of ginger. The soup is REALLY tasty and sweet! Hop on to my other blog to have a look at the fish soup.

20 Interesting Questions Tag

Got this long tag from a pretty and young mum.

Instructions:

Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag 8 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged. Whoever does the tag will have blessings from all.

1) Do you like rainy or sunny days? - Rainy days.

2) At what age do you wish to marry? - 25 yo.

3) What colour do you like the most? - Pink

4) If you have the chance, what would you probably say to your beloved one? - Beloved one meaning kids, parents, hubby? Well, I would tell them I love them all very much.

5) Where is the place that you want to go the most? - A romantic holiday resort at a beach

6) Which part of you that you hate the most? - It has got to be my varicose veins infested left thigh!

7) When you encounter a sad moment, what would you do? I try not to break down and put up a strong front.

8) What are you afraid to lose the most? - All my loved ones.

9) If you win $1 million, what would you do? - Keep for my kids' education, travel, charity, shop, shop and shop.

10) If you meet someone that you love, would you confess to him/her? Or would you keep it to yourself and observe from afar? - I'll wait for him to confess to me first.

11) List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you. - very smart, writes well and pretty.

12) What are the requirements that you wish for your other half? - to be more patient with me, more practical in some of the things he does and to be more thrifty.

13) Till now, what is the moment that you regret the most? - I don't like to cry over spilt milk.

14) Which type of person do you hate the most? - a person who gloats and keeps blowing his/her own trumpet to the extent of belittling other people.

15) What is your ambition? - to see all my kids get a degree and be successful and happy.

16) What is the thing that will make you think he/she is bad? - The way she/he thinks and talks.

17) Christmas is coming, who do you like to celebrate with? - loved ones.

18) What do you think is the most important thing in your life? - First good health, second money

19) What brand of toothbrush do you use?- Oral B

20) My question : When was the last time your hubby gave you a kiss?

Only tagging 3 people :

1) Barbara
2) Wen
3) Hui Sia

Sunday School Teachers

On Sunday, Alycia and Sherilyn received a x'mas pressie each from their sunday school teachers. Sherilyn got a Barney magnetic board and Alycia got a Barney pencil box. Too bad their sunday school teachers won't be teaching them anymore as they will be leaving for Singapore to work early next year. This young couple who recently got hitched have invited all the kids from sunday school to their beautiful house at Sierramas to have a poolside farewell party cum x'mas party this Saturday.

Sunday school won't be the same anymore without Jeff and Shirlin. I know you will be reading this post Shirlin. Just want to say a big thank you to you and Jeff for being such dedicated teachers to the kids at sunday school. All the kids will miss you both. I wish you both all the best in your new endeavour in Singapore.

I've Been Tagged

I've been double tagged by QiQi's mummy and this lovely mummy who is bravely fighting for her life and is taking it so positively.

1. Do the following without complains.
2. Choose 5 people to do this quiz after you’ve done yours.
3. Tag the chosen one.
4. Start your post with “I’ve been tagged”

Favourites

Colour : Pink
Food : Steamboat
Movie : Have not watched one for ages.
Sport : Jogging and sea sports
Day : Sunday
Season: Winter
Ice cream: Green tea flavor



First
Best friend : Can't remember
Crush: Sshhhh... it's a secret
Movie : King Kong, Bewitched or Superman #1 .... I think, can't really recall... that was almost 3 decades ago!
Music : Baa Baa Black Sheep.... I think



Last
Drink: Plain water
Car ride: 7 hours ago back from the mini market with hubby and kids
Crush : Huh?... in my dreams.....
Phone call : From hubby
CD played : None
Gone out with good friends : That was ages ago....
Broken a law : When I exceeded the limit whilst driving back to Ipoh alone several years ago... and got stopped by the police on the highway.
Been arrested : Is being stopped by the police for speeding considered as arrested?



Not tagging anyone. Feel relieved you did not get my tag? LOL!

My Angels

They make my blood boil when they are mischievous and rebellious, they make me yell at them yet they can't hear me for they choose not to hear, they are rebellious and stubborn most times and drive mummy bonkers and out of sanity most times, but at the end of the day, how I relish putting them to sleep and watch them lay in bed so peacefully for they remind me of the times when they were so tiny and helpless, how I feel thankful to God for blessing me with 2 adorable angels who have brought me so much happiness.

The Christmas Tree Blog Parade

Have been tagged by Girlie to join the cool Christmas Tree Parade.

This is our Christmas tree. Hubby bought it last year and it was party because of this Christmas tree that hubby's new MPV got stolen. Long story! Anyway, daddy, Alycia and Sherilyn helped to decorate this Christmas tree. Sherilyn, the one with the itchiest fingers has already broken more than 3 baubles when she threw them on the floor as if it was a bouncing ball! She has also chipped part of the star for the Christmas tree and daddy had recently bought a new star to replace the broken star.


Here are the rules:
############ START COPY HERE ############

This is a first annual 2007 Christmas Tree Blog Parade Meme created and conceptualized by OTWOMD of Bluepanjeet.Net
The purpose of this meme is to enliven the Christmas spirit by showing to the world our very own Christmas trees. They say that it is on the Christmas tree that best describes how a person celebrates Christmas. So here are the rules:

Copy the Logo of this meme (Download it on the sidebar and resize it that will best fit your blog or according to your desire) and post it on your entry.

Take a photo of your Christmas tree inside your house. A whole shot is the most appropriate photo. And post it on your entry

Tell something about your Christmas tree like who decorated it, what are the ornaments and accessories, or what is the theme and meaning of your Christmas tree this year.

You can put any title on your meme but don’t forget to include this “2007 1st Christmas Tree Blog Parade”.

Do the link train history. Put the link of your previous bloggers who tagged you and your own link, Example: Tag History: Bluepanjeet - “you” -
The link train will provide clue on “who tagged who” and at the same time a reference of data for the creator of this meme.

On The feast of Three Kings on January (The official ending of the Christmas Season), Bluepanjeet.Net will launch a mini site that will feature all of the participant’s Christmas trees for 2007 with a link back to their site. That is why it is very vital that you maintain the link history so that your Christmas tree will be included in the Christmas tree blog parade of 2007 and will be a part of history.

My Christmas Tag History: Bluepanjeet - Thess - Thesserie - HiPnCooLMoMMa - HealthFreakMommy (Put your link here) -

############ END COPY HERE ############

Would you like to join the Christmas Tree Blog parade too? Quite hard to pass this tag coz not sure who has a X'mas tree at home. If you do have a X'mas tree at home, you are gladly welcome to participate in this fun meme, just mention that the tag is from Healthfreakmommy! No need to be shy, just participate and have fun posting your X'mas tree picture and story!

1) Sweetiepie
2) Tot's Mum
3) Scribbles For My Angels

I'm Craving For Premium Steaks

Hubby and I are steak lovers, especially hubby who only goes for premium beef steaks. I never knew that premium beef steaks could bring so much different in the texture and taste of the meat until I had tasted them several months ago when I had cravings for steaks. My pregnancy hormones made me crave for steaks and I have been eating steaks almost every week since then. They are more tender, juicier and the tastier. Even when pan fried without using much condiments to marinate the steak, the premium steaks taste delicious naturally. Though premium steaks are costlier than regular steaks, but once you have tasted them, you would not want to eat regular steaks anymore, trust me.



The next steaks I am going to ask hubby to taste are steaks from Uruguay, the country that produces one of the finest steaks in the world. The online retailer of these premium steaks, Uruguay Steaks specializes in 100% grass-fed and hormone free cattle, raised according to the USDA's strict standards for quality. If we decide to buy our steaks from Uruguay Steaks for our BBQ dinner on Christmas’ eve, not only will we be getting 30% off our purchase, we will indirectly be doing charity coz from now through January 15th 2008, for every box of steaks sold, Uruguay Steaks will donate the same to the Daily Bread Food Bank. If you are also looking for some premium steaks to share with your family and loved ones this Christmas and New Year’s holiday, go get them from Uruguay Steaks. Just enter the promotional code “dailybread” at the checkout section of their website. That will entitle you to the 30% discount and a sale would be credited to The Daily Bread.

Party and Snacks

Yesterday, Alycia and Sherilyn had a party at their Sunday School. They received a huge bag of snacks, something which I don't like them to be eating. Want to know if the gals were willing to part with their snacks? Hop on to my other blog to read on......

Sherilyn's 1st Attempt On Stage

For days, I have been 'brainwashing' Sherilyn's mind, telling her that she has to go up the stage on Sunday and say "Merry Christmas pastor", put on a big smile and she will get a big pressie from the Sunday School teacher for doing that. I was very worried that she would chicken out at the eleventh hour due to stage fright but thank God, she gladly went up the stage and presented the Christmas pressie to the pastor. I could not hear her say "merry christmas pastor" though as there wasn't any mic but when she came down, she said the pastor said 'thank you' to her when she said "merry christmas pastor". I am so proud of Sherilyn for her courage despite her age.




The Sunday School teacher walking Sherilyn down the stage as Sherilyn was smiling away, so cute!

I Hope I Don’t Have To Go To Drub Rehab!

When my parents came back from China several weeks ago, my dad bought me 6 bottles of Dom (a kind of alcohol) and brandy for me to consume during my one month confinement after the birth of my third baby next year. For the Chinese, it is advisable to consume lots of alcohol for one month after the delivery of the baby as alcohol is known to keep the body warm.

The alcohol is used to cook many of the dishes served to a woman in confinement. In between meals, she is also advised to drink alcohol, especially after baths to keep the body warm. I really love those alcohol cooked dishes and I just can’t wait to eat those alcohol dishes again. I just hope I won’t get addicted to alcohol after the one month confinement period, else I will have to check myself into a drug rehab center like Cliffside Malibu to detox my body of alcohol. But even if I have to check into this drug rehab center, I won’t feel like a prisoner coz the center is located at the posh Malibu area where celebrities live and the view there is fabulous. Meals are even served buffet style in a panoramic dining room facing the beautiful ocean. I think it would be more like a vacation there than undergoing drug rehab treatment.

Lots Of X'mas Pressies

Alycia and Sherilyn received lots of early Christmas pressies today. This morning, they had a pleasant surprise when the yellow Pos Laju van rang our doorbell and delivered a big box of goodies from Hong Kong. Ku Mah has sent them an early X'mas pressie, a beautiful octagon box of Disney cookies and some nougats. Later in the afternoon, Roy Kau Foo (my youngest brother) came to pass them pressies that Raymond Kau Foo (my eldest brother) and Marene Kam Moh (my sil) had bought them from Singapore. So many pressies in one day, the gals are beaming with joy!

Make Them Happy Through Food

What made the gals so happy here, grinning away from cheek to cheek? It's the cream puffs of course! Not only did the cream puffs make them grin but mummy too, we just love these cream puffs to pieces.

Hmmm..... so nice mummy... the cream puff....

Yummy.... mummmy.... I like it so much.


And the cream puffs motivated Miss Spitty Spat to eat her dinner. I told her that if she chews and swallows her food quickly, she gets to share a cream puff with Alycia and so she quickly gobbled up her dinner and claimed her cream puff.

Food Glorious Food

Even if you are not a foodie, I am sure these mouth-watering grub would make you salivate instantly eh? Find out more here......

What's In Store Today

I woke up at 5:45am today to complete a few assignments. Today, we have to reach the church early coz Sherilyn has to go up the stage to present a Christmas pressie to the pastor. I can only hope that my little social butterfly will not chicken out the last minute as there will be a congregation of close to a thousand people watching her. When I told her a few days ago that she has to go up the stage and made her practise saying "Merry Christmas pastor" she gladly said it. She thought she will receive a pressie, LOL! I guess she doesn't know what a stage is, who a pastor is and why she has to go up the stage. I just have a feeling that she will back out last minute but praying hard that she won't and will obediently go up the stage.

After church today, hubby is bringing us to Le Meridien for lunch. He's a member of this hotel and we have never tried their restaurants before. Ok, gotta go now and buy the morning papers and have my breakfast before pulling the gals up from bed.

Banana Orange Crepe

As promised, here's the cincai recipe for the banana and orange crepe that I had whipped up :

Ingredients :
1) High protein flour (I use organic unbleached high protein flour)
2) 3 eggs
3) 4 tablespoons of toddlers milk formula (you can use fresh milk or regular milk powder)
4) Water (enough to mix everything into a batter that's not too thick nor thin)
5) 1 tablespoons of wheatgerm
6) 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds
7) 1-2 tablespoons of almond nibs
8) 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds
9) 3 ripe bananas - sliced
10) Freshly squeezed orange juice (1 used 1 whole medium sized orange)
11) 1-2 teaspoon of salt
12) Butter

Method :
1) Pour the flour into a large bowl
2) Pour in water and orange juice and mix well - make sure no lumps of flour left
3) Add in the 3 eggs (beaten)
4) Add in the rest of the ingredients
5) Heat up non-stick pan and put in butter
6) Use a ladle and pour out batter into the pan, scoop by scoop and pan fry the crepes under medium fire.

Serving suggestions :
Can either eat plain or eat them with your favorite jams or yohurt. My gals love eating their crepes with strawberry yoghurt (healthy alternative) and sugar-free peanut butter.


Alycia my future chef helping to prepare the batter.


Then she pours in the sliced bananas.


The batter, ready to be pan fried.

My cincai banana orange crepe - a big hit with my 2 kids!

Sleep Deprived

Didn't get to sleep much last night. Stayed up to 12:30am trying to fix the problem in sending my post to PPP but still couldn't send. I'd sent a ticket to PPP and they replied me, giving me a link to a related thread on a similar problem. I had tried all the suggestions there which include replacing the apostrophe with some codes, disenabling the Rich Editor Text (RET) in my WP blog and copied and pasted the links and custom track image more than 20 times till I lost count. After all the frenzy and I still could not submit the post, I gave up and went to bed but the never-give-up attitude in me made me still thinking of the problem albeit my eyes are shut. It didn't help that hubby is having a flu and kept sneezing and blowing his nose the whole night till I couldn't fall into slumber. My peeling skin was also making me itch the whole night. I then went to the gals' room and managed to sleep for a couple of hours. Now I am feeling like I am floating and just don't have much mood to blog. Just want to sleep. Also very pissed with 3P's system coz many posties are facing this expensive technical glitch which is still not resolved yet. The post that I had published in my blog has expired in PPP's system and unless they approve my post manually, all my effort would be wasted and money gone too. What a long night of wild goose chasing that has drained me out completely!

Sherilyn's 1-Month Old Picture

That's Sherilyn during her full-moon dinner at the Overseas Restaurant. Time really flies and in 2 months, my baby girl will be 3 years old. I just can't believe that she will be going to pre-school in less than 3 weeks' time. It will be hard for me to let go as I have always treated her like a baby and I know I will be worried sick when she's in school.

The dress that Sherilyn was wearing as shown here was made by my mil for Alycia for her full-moon. There is pretty smocking sewn by my mil on it. It still looks brand new coz the dress has only been worn twice - once by Alycia and once by Sherilyn. Now, their new baby sister can wear it too during her full-moon dinner next year.

My Favorite Cream Puffs

Before hubby left for the gym located at Mid Valley yesterday, I had told him that I was craving to eat Beard Papa's cream puff and asked him to get me a few after his gym session. When I called him during lunch time, he told me that he was rushing and did not manage to buy the cream puffs. I was really disappointed. You know, when a pregnant wants to eat cream puffs, she has to eat cream puffs.

In the evening, when hubby came home, he surprised me with a big box of Beard Papa's cream puff - 6 of them! My hubby, he just loves to pull my leg all the time, from day one I had known him.


And so, I relished every bite of the cream puff. They are the tastiest I have ever eaten. Alycia and Sherilyn loved them to pieces too and we all finished them in 2 days. My maid had one too.

Relief For Dry Skin

Upon the advice of some of my readers, I got myself a jar of Vaseline petroleum jelly to apply on my skin. Though it has brought some relief, but my skin is still peeling quite badly and I have just realized that my dry and itchy skin could be caused by the air conditioner. During the day when I am downstairs where there is no air cond, my skin does not itch much. However, when I am in my room when the air cond is switched on OR when I am at my gynae's office where the air cond is freezing OR when I am at the shopping malls or church, my skin itches like mad. So I think I now know the cause of my dry, peeling and itchy skin. So am I willing to give up the air cond yet? I don't know, I am just so used to sleeping in an air cond room. Perhaps I will give it a try tonight. After all, everyone will benefit from a non air cond room coz the gals' paed has advised us many times NOT to put them to sleep in an air cond room due to their sensitive nose and throat.

Blog Rush Madness

Just realized that I have typed 19 posts today! Still have not beat my record of 25 posts a day. If it was not because of the deadline of submitting the assignments by tomorrow, I would not have rushed like this. But as I have said earlier, I find I work better under pressure. I guess my brain needs some pushing and shock to make it budge to send stronger brainwave, LOL! What also helps are power naps. I had 2 short power naps today; one at 11am for 15 minutes when I surrendered my PC to the gals to do their reading and another one at 4pm for 15 minutes when I put the gals to nap. Tonight, I have to blog hop and reply to comments in my blog.