Laksa Penang

MrHubby was oncalled again yesterday..But I didn't cook anything for him for tea..instead I went to town centre and bought him a doner burger and 2pieces of fried chicken. 

And for dinner, I cooked Laksa Penang using my own recipe ;p (of course I have rough idea what to put inside the kuah/broth, thanks to my mum!). I used rice sticks/kuew teow instead of laksa because that was all I have in the pantry yesterday. And of course I used canned fish (2 small canned tuna and 1 small canned salmon) which had made my cooking so much easier! And the verdict...MrHubby said it was a bit too sour for his liking but for me, it's delish! I think Laksa Penang has to be sour, for it to taste better. So if you don't like to be too sour, you could always use less tamarind paste or asam keping.

My Laksa Penang is served

Recipe Laksa Penang (eat 5-6people)

Source: My Mum

Ingredients:

• 1 packet of ricestick/mee udon/thick rice noodles/spaghetti
• 2 small canned tuna (120g/can)*
• 1 small canned salmon (250g/can)*
• 1 large onion*
• 3 cloves of garlic*
• 2cm ginger (peeled)*
• 3 slices of galangal*
• 10-15 dried chillies (boiled and drained)*
• 4-5 slices asam keping
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste+1cup of water (mix well making 1cup of tamarind juice)
• 4-5 cups of water
• A handful of kesum/ Vietnamese mint/laksa leaves
• 1 lemon grass (smashed and bruised)
• Salt and sugar (I put 4-5tbsp of sugar and 2-3tbsp of salt) 

• 4 hard-boiled eggs (cut into 4sclices)
• 1/2 Pineapple (small cubes)- you could use canned pineapple
• Iceberg lettuce (julienned)
• Cucumber (thinly sliced and then julienned)
• Mint (chopped)-substitute with spring onion
• Lime slices (if needed)

Method:

1. Cook the noodles according to its instructions and set aside.
2. Blend together *ingredients with 1cup of water.
3. Pour into a big saucepan and heat up on high heat. Add the rest of ingredients and cook well. Season to your taste.
4. Serve with the laksa/thick rice noodles and the salads.

As for BabyZara, we are now starting to brush her teeth (she has 8 very sharp teeth) every night before she went to bed. Actually we had introduce the toothbrush since she was 5months but it was not consistent (that time she loved to bite the toothbrush bristles while teething). We have to make routine for her to brush her teeth but sometimes I forgot to do so..sigh..

Bangun pagi terus gosok gigi ;))

Then she found Abah's Iphone..one of her fav toys!

A new member of family

The blogspot acted up again and I wasn't able to update this blog for a couple of days. Glad that I could update my blog again :))

What did I do while I was away from this blog? Nothing much really..we haven't celebrate MrHubby's birthday..which I figure we would this weekend. Bought him a perfume (free Armani weekend bag with the perfume) which smell so good..I might buy him another pressie as well. 

And my old Sony Experia phone had been messing up with me few days ago. It would call and send texts on its own! Luckily the it called was MrHubby so MrHubby kept answering 'my' calls over and over again. Hehehe..so, I've decided that it was the time for a new phone. Went to town centre on Tuesday and there was great offer by 3mobile store. Iphone4 for free!! So without any hesitation, I went into the store and grabbed the free phone! But its under 24months contract, 40euro/month bill. It actually was not bad at all. I am now an Iphone4 user! Yehaa!!

While on Wednesday, BabyZara had an appointment with a dietician. She was referred by the Public Health Nurse who was so concerned about BabyZara's height (was at 2nd centile on the graph). When measured again that day, her height was 71.5cm (she was 69cm 2months ago) which just above the 2nd centile. As long it has not drop from the 2nd centile, we would be happy. And BabyZara's weight was 9.4kg (gained 300g in 5weeks) which was hovering on 25th centile. So the plan for her is to reduce the snacking time and to focus more on the major meals with more proteins. We have to re-schedule her meal times and her menu as well. But Alhamdulillah that she is healthy otherwise. And of course we couldn't expect she would be as tall as the Irish babies..sbb mummy and abah dia cinonet orang asia! Our prayers are always with you, our little princess. Semoga menjadi anak yang solehah dan dikurniakan kesihatan yang sempurna..amin..

Zara and Abg Irsyad (her cousin) celebrating their birthdays (Spring 2011-Netherlands)

In Keukenhof, Netherlands

Bertatih jalan..skrg sudah nk berlari

"Mummy, check out my new wheels!"

Our sweetheart

Okie dokie, will update again soon about a couple of recipes I've tried and tested this week. And if we were to celebrate MrHubby's birthday, I will update on the celebration as well. Till then..

Instant White Raisins and Walnut Bread

I've baked a sandwich bread this evening for tea and breakfast tomorrow. Its quite tasty and easy to bake as I used Tesco Crusty White Bread Mix (you could use any brand of white bread mix) and I added a few ingredients to flavour up the bread (so it instant no more! ;P)

It turned out pretty good. It was not overly sweet (I didn't add any extra sugar but I added some raisins), fluffy and soft. I definitely will bake this bread again! Hope you would try my recipe and enjoy eating the bread :))

Sliced and ready to be eaten!

So here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 250g of Tesco Crusty White Bread Mix (You could use any brand of white bread mix)
• 2 egg yolks
• 100ml of fresh milk (You could use water)
• 4 tbsp water roux (recipe is here)
• 50g raisins/sultanas
• 25g walnut (toasted and roughly chopped)
• 2tbsp of frsh milk+4-5drops of honey for glazing

Method:

1. Put everything in the BM. Select the dough setting and let the BM do its job. 
2. After that, took out the dough and divide the dough into two and round them up into balls.
3. Put them into sandwich pan and proof for 40mins-1hour or until they double the size. Then glaze the bread with the fresh milk and honey glazing.
4. Bake them in the oven at 175'c for 15-20mins or until golden brown. Take it out and let the bread cool on a wire rack. Slice the bread and it's ready to be served.
5. To store the bread, keep it in the air-tight container to keep the freshness.

Birthday without a celebration

Well, it was MrHubby's birthday yesterday! Happy birthday to my beloved husband. May Allah bless you and our family always.

We didn't plan for anything..(It should be me planning instead of "we")..so MrHubby ended up spending his birthday just like any ordinary day..poor him! So he's missing his pressie and birthday cake. Remember in the previous post that I was thinking buying him the Xbox console? Well, he said that he doesn't really want it..and he doesn't know what he wants for his birthday! Man..(shaking my head) It really hard to find a present for a man..I've been having the same problems everytime it comes to birthdays and anniversaries and any sorts of celebrations! Oh well, maybe I'll surprise him sometimes this week (i'm sure he doesn't expect anything from me anymore at this stage ;p). I'll find him something that he needs instead of what he wants :))

Neways, there is a recipe that I want to share today. It's Pandan Chiffon Cake, so light, soft and fluffy. I made the cake on Friday for MrHubby when he was oncalled.

Pandan Chiffon Cake

Original recipe: www.bluetiffin.blogspot.com

Ingredients A:

• 6 kuning telur (gred A)/ 6 large egg yolks
• 150 g gula halus/ 150g fine/castor sugar
• 100 ml pati santan/ 100ml coconut milk
• 70 ml air/ 70ml of water
• 100 ml minyak jagung/sayur/ 100ml vegetable oil/corn oil
• 225 g tepung gandum/ 225f plain flour* (I used cake flour)
• 1 1/2 camca teh baking powder/ 1 1/2 tsp baking powder*(*diayak/sieved)
• 1 camca teh pandan paste/ 1tsp pandan paste
• Secubit garam/Pinch of salt

Ingredients B:

• 6 putih telur (gred A)/6 large egg whites
• 135g gula halus/ 135g fine/castor sugar
• 1/2 camca teh cream of tartar/ 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

Method:

• In one big bowl, mix all ingredients A using a whisk until all well mixed. Put aside.
• In another bowl, beat the egg whites and the cream of tartar using high speed. Add in the sugar bit by bit until fluffy and soft peaks.
• Fold in the egg whites into the mixture A using rubber spatula. Pour the batter into chiffon cake tin and bake in the oven at 175'C for 30-35minutes.
• When its cooked, take out from the oven and turn over the cake tin. Let it cool down that way and take it out carefully when it has cooled down completely. Ready to be served.

1. Dalam satu bekas, satukan ke semua bahan A dan kacau menggunakan wisk hingga semua larut dan sebati. Ketepikan.
2. Dalam mixing bowl, pukul putih telur dgn kelajuan tinggi bersama cream of tartar. Masukkan gula halus sedikit demi sedikit hingga putih telur menjadi kembang dan kental.
3. Gaul putih telur tadi ke dalam bancuhan no.1 dgn kaedah 'kaup balik' hingga sebati. Masukkan ke dalam acuan chiffon berukuran 26cm dan bakar dalam oven yang telah dipanaskan pada suhu 176C selama 30 - 35 minit.
4. Bila masak, keluarkan dari oven dan terus terbalikkan acuan chiffon. Biar berkeadaan terbalik hingga kek sejuk. Sisip dgn pisau bahagian tepi acuan dan keluarkan perlahan2 dan sisip juga bahagian dasarnya utk mengeluarkan kek...boleh dihidangkan.

So here are some pics of my chiffon pandan cake. It was not perfect but it tasted so yummy nonetheless!

Cracked surface!

Cooled and ready to be served!

Packed and ready to be delivered to MrHubby

Overview of Car Seats

Choosing the right car seat is a desicion worth taking a little time over. It will become a familiar resting place for your baby and something that you'll spend plenty of time lifting, carrying and fitting into place. Buying the best car seat (accordingly to your budget) is one of investment you'll need to do for your baby's safety when they are out and about in the car. They are a few types/groups of car seat according to your baby's age and weight. You definitely will be buying at least 2 car seats (just like I did) if not more.

Zara enjoying herself in her car seat

The types of car seat:

• Group 0/0+ (Baby/Infant)-Its suitables from birth until age 6/15 months approx (0-10/15kg)
• Group 1 (Toddler)- Its suitable from 9 months-4 years approx (9-18kg)
• Group 2,3 (Junior)- Its suitable from 4-11 years approx (15-36kg)
• Group 1,2,3 (Toddler/Junior)- Its suitable from 9 momths-11 years approx (9-36kg). This was the one I bought for Zara (picture above)

There are a couple of things that you should think about before buying a car seat,

1. Its never a good idea to buy a second-hand car seat. It may have been involved in an accident/sustained damage and wear and tear that will reduce its efficacy.
2. When it comes to buying, its the weight and not the age that matters. If your baby below or above the recommended wieght range for the seat, it may then not offer the best possible protection.
3. Always check that you know how to fit the car seat by yourself to correct position and the seat is fitted correctly.
4. NEVER put a child in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag. Airbags are designed to protect adults but can have opposite effect on children.
5. Keep babies in rear facing infant carrier car seat as long as possible (until baby reaches their maximum weight range). They offer the best protection for smaller babies by supporting their head and neck.

Group 0/0+ (Baby/Infant)

• This type offers the best protection for smaller babies and its a rear facing car seat.
• Comes handy with the handle to lift and carry the baby around.
• It could be fitted by the seat belts or a special fixture/base. (eg: ISO fix)
• Some types could be fitted directly on to the strollers which would be handy when baby asleeps. Baby could be transfered into the car without any dissturbance.
• Usually with padded seat liner and will be soft and cosy for baby to snug in.
• Ours came free with the stroller.
• NEVER put in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag.
• Example of Group 0/0+ car seat is the picture on the right

 Group 1 (Toddler)

• This is foward  facing car seat could give your child a better view.
• It could be fitted by the seat belts or a special fixture. (eg: ISO fix)
• Could come in with 3 points or 5 points harness/safety belts.
• Make sure that you baby has full neck and body support and the baby is comfortable on the car seat.
• Make sure that your toddler's head and body is well support in the car seat.
• NEVER put in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag.
• Example of Group 1 car seat is the picture on the right.

Group 2,3 (Junior)

• A forward facing car seat for your junior's safety.
• This group of car seat will only need adult seatbelts to secure them in place.
• You could either buy the junior car seat or only the booster seat. However, it is recommended that the child has full body and neck support. ( In this group, I would think it's better to buy junior car seat with high back support)
• However, booster seat is ideal for travel or back up option (eg: Grandparents' car or for unexpected situations) as it is small and handy to carry.
• NEVER put in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag.
• Example of Group 2,3 car seat is the picture on the right.

Group 1,2,3 (toddler/Junior)

• This type of car seat I bought for BabyZara as I was thinking, if I heva to change the car seat for at least 2 times more, why not buy the one which would last until she's 12.
• This car seat could be transformed into junior car seat just by taking off the safety harness. 
• As for my BabyZara car seat, it comes with safety cushion instead of safety harness. When she is big enough I would take off the safety cushion and viola! she would have the junior car seat. (and we don't have to buy her a new car seat, saves us some bucks!)
• NEVER put in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag.
• Examples of Group 1,2,3 car seats are in the picture on the right and the picture on the very first (BabyZara and her car seat)

So there you go, an overview of car seat group and types. I hope this will help you in anyway in choosing and buying the best car seat for your baby.

Nasi Biryani Ayam

Hi peeps!! It's pouring at the moment in Galway and its quite cold! MrHubby and BabyZara is sleeping soundly but I couldn't get my eyes to close! So here I am @01:30am sharing a Biryani recipe ;)) I made this Nasi Biryani Ayam (Chicken Biryani) and chicken curry a few days back. I used Shan's Biryani Masala Mix for the rice. It said "mild" on the box but for me (lidah Kelantan nie..) it was quite spicy. Next time I'll surely use less the Biryani mix.

While I was cooking, BabyZara was playing her Megablocks. Here are the pictures of BabyZara playing and of course the Chicken Biryani picture as well!

Zara and her Megablocks

Trying to climb in the Megablocks table again

The Biryani mix I used (of course you could use any Biryani mix you like)

Chicken Biryani is served!

So here is the recipe:

Nasi/Rice

Ingredients:

• 1medium onion*
• 2 cloves of garlic*
• 2cm of garlic (peeled)*
• 1/2 packet of Shan Miryani Masala mix (will use less next time)
• 3 chicken leg (cut into small pieces)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cardamons
• 1 star anise
• 3tbsp cooking oil/ghee/olive oil/butter/vegetable oil (whatever you have in the kitchen)
• 2cups of rice (washed and drained)-I used basmathi rice
• 4cups of water
• If you want, you could add in raisins/sultanas and cashew nuts.

Method:

1. Blend/finely chopped * ingredients.
2. Preheat the cooking oil in the rice cooker, then add the cinnamon stick, cardamons, star anise and blended/finely chopped ingredients. Cook for about 3-5minutes, until fragrant.
3. Add in the Biryani mix and cook for 1minute. Add in the chicken pieces and 1 cup of water. Let them cook for 10minutes.
4. Then add in the rice and the rest of the water. Cook well.

Vegetable curry:

Ingredients:

• 1medium onion*
• 2 cloves of garlic*
• 2cm of garlic (peeled)*
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cardamons
• 1 star anise
• 3tbsp cooking oil/ghee/olive oil/butter/vegetable oil (whatever you have in the kitchen)
• 3tbsp curry powder
• 1can/400ml of coconut milk
• 3small aubergines (cut into chunky cubes)
• 100g of fine beans (cut into 1inch long)
• 1carrot (cut into chunky cubes)
• 1onion (cut into chunky cubes)
• salt and sugar to your liking

Method:

1. Blend together *ingredients.
2. Heat up the cooking oil in the saucepan. Add in the cinnamon stick,cardamon, star anise and the blended ingredients. Cook for 3-5minutes until fragrant.
3. Add in the curry powder and stir for 1minute. Then, pour in the coconut milk and stir well.
4. Add in the vegetables and the seasoning and cook until tender. Serve with warm Biryani rice

Dai Dai

BabyZara now can says "die! die!" "dai dai"  means "bye bye" in her own cute pronunciation! I'm so proud of her. While waving her hand and says "dai dai" she would then continue her story telling. She is just so cute telling her stories in her own words and she has so many stories to tell! I could now imagine how she would be asking so many questions soon enough ;)) and I can't wait for it.

Here are a couple of pics of Zara taken last week when MrHubby was on his leave. We went out to a playground as BabyZara was so bored at home.

Now she would asks for her jumper/jacket and then she would walk to the shoe rack to pick up her shoes and would ask me to help her wearing those shoes! This is how she let us know that she wants to go out for fresh air! ;)) She's just brilliant!

Sitting on her carseat

Zara and her swing, enjoying herself

She loves the swing! Can't take her out until she says so ;p

Our BabyZara enjoying herself

And as for me, I had a new haircut yesterday! After so long, I finally had my hair cut and it costs so much! (I never knew that hairdressing in Ireland costs that much!!). Usually I would have my hair cut when I was back in Malaysia. Last 2years I had my hair straightened permanently in Malaysia but they don't have that kinda thing in Ireland, how unfortunate. I miss the super straight hair I had before. Oh by the way, I had my head massaged by the hairdresser and it felt so damn good! I have forgotten how to pamper myself for so long..(all super mummies out there don't forget to take 5 and relax and pamper yourselves). Wish I could go for full body massage! (wishing..)

Assorted Doughnuts

MrHubby was oncalled yesterday and I decided that I would make him doughnuts for his tea. I was planning to make these doughnuts since last week as it was Doughnuts' Week last week. This recipe is a keeper. The doughnuts were so soft and delish. And I made white chocolate and milk chocolate topping and sprinkles (roasted almond flakes, chocolate rice, sugar sprinkles) for the doughnuts.

It was cold and raining yesteday afternoon when me and Babyzara walked to the hospital. Babyzara was excited to go out for a walk but I didn't as I'll be walking in the rain. MrHubby drove to the hospital yesterday morning so I have no choice but to walk to the hospital. (took about 20mins to get there walking)

Assorted doughnuts on plates in Doc Restroom

So here is the recipe:

Source: www.bisousatoi.com

Ingredients:

• 500g bread flour/ strong white flour
• 100g sugar
• 11g instant yeast (I used 7g/1 packet instant yeast)
• 4 egg yolks
• 200ml water 
• 100g butter (I used 50g butter and 50g shortening)
• 1 tsp salt
• Cooking oil to fry the doughnuts

Decorations (use your imagination):

• Roasted almonds
• White chocolate
• Milk chocolate
• Sugar sprinkles

Note: Easy way to melt the chocolate is using microwave. Put your chocolate into microwave-safe bowl and using the full power, microwave your chocolate 10secs at each cycle. After each cycle stir your chocolate. Repeat the steps until your chocolate is melted and shiny.

Method:

1. I dumped everything (except for the cooking oil) into the bread maker (BM) and select the dough setting. Let the BM do its job (1hour and 30mins)
2. After that, took the dough out and punch the air out. Make the doughnut shape.
3. Let the doughnuts proof for about 40mins-1hour.
4. Then fry them on medium heat for 2-3minutes on each side. (be careful not to overcook the doughnuts)
5. Let them cool on wire rack then you could start to decorate them as you like.

Its easy and its yummy! 

Breast is the Best

Alhamdulillah..for all the blessings in our lives. This include the chance given to me to fully breastfeed our BabyZara until this day. She is now 13months and 2weeks young ;))

This post is specially dedicated to new mummies (2 of my closest friends have recently given birth, Congratulations!!), mummy-to-be, and all the ladies (and not to forget the daddies and daddy-to-be) out there with good intention to breastfeed their babies. I'm no expert in this field (Breastfeeding world is so much exciting and need more studies/explorations) but I would try my best to share the experiences and the knowledge that I have on breastfeeding from my point of view as a mother and a doctor. This topic would definitely need more than one post :)

Today, I would like to share the millions (that is exaggerated, but probably not, because some things we might have not discover yet) of breastmilk and breastfeeding wonder. When I was a medical student I was taught the benefits of the breastmilk versus the formula milk. There is no doubt through the science and research that the breastmilk (BM) is superior than the formula milk (FM). People has been misled that the FM are "nearly identical to breastmilk and that they are almost as good as BM" which is NOT TRUE at all!

Here are some highlights of BM and BF (breastfeeding) wonder:
Source: www.babycenter.com

1. BF will protect your baby from a long list of illnesses-Numerous studies from around the world have shown that stomach viruses, lower respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and meningitis occur less often in breastfed babies and are less severe when they do happen. Exclusive breastfeeding (meaning no solid food, formula, or water) for at least six months seems to offer the most protection.The main immune factor at work here is a substance called secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) that's present in large amounts in colostrum, the first milk your body produces for your baby. (Secretory IgA is present in lower concentrations in mature breast milk.) The substance guards against invading germs by forming a protective layer on the mucous membranes in your baby's intestines, nose, and throat. (So mummies, DO NOT give water to your baby before 6months, this will flush out all the good stuffs from BM that protect your baby's intestines, nose and throat)
2. BF may boost you baby's intelligence-Various researchers have found a connection between breastfeeding and cognitive development. In a study of more than 17,000 infants followed from birth to 6 1/2 years, researchers concluded from IQ scores and other intelligence tests that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding significantly improves cognitive development. (Who doesn't want a brilliant baby ;P)
3. BF can protect your baby from developing allergies-Babies who are fed a formula based on cow's milk or soy tend to have more allergic reactions than breastfed babies.Scientists think that immune factors such as secretory IgA (only available in breast milk) help prevent allergic reactions to food by providing a layer of protection to a baby's intestinal tract. Without this protection, inflammation can develop and the wall of the intestine can become "leaky." This allows undigested proteins to cross the gut where they can cause an allergic reaction and other health problems.Babies who are fed formula rather than breast milk don't get this layer of protection, so they're more vulnerable to inflammation, allergies, and other eventual health issues.
4. BF may lower your infants' risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
5. BF can reduce your stress level and your risk of post-partum depression- When nursing your baby, your body will release the oxytocin hormone, a hormone that promotes nurturing and relaxation.
6. BF may reduces your risk of some types of cancer-Numerous studies have found that the longer women breastfeed, the more they're protected against breast and ovarian cancer. For breast cancer, nursing for at least a year appears to have the most protective effect.
7. BM nutrients are tailored to your baby- BM is species-specific for human and changes accordingly to the infant's needs. Its nutrients are easily digest and absorb by infants digestion system. (That's why BF infants usually will get hungry faster-2hourly feed, and that's why FM fed baby will usually get constipated. FM is hard to digest by baby).
8. And BM is FREE!!!!
9. BF babies usually will have healthier teeth, eyes and ears-FM fed babies more likely to get ear infections compared to BF babies.
10. BF will help mothers to shed post-partum weight-BF could consumes upto 500calories per day!!
11. BF may protect your baby from obesity-Experts think that breastfeeding may affect later weight gain for several reasons:

• Breastfed babies are better at eating until their hunger is satisfied, leading to healthier eating patterns as they grow.
• Breast milk contains less insulin than formula. (Insulin stimulates the creation of fat.)
• Breastfed babies have more leptin in their system, a hormone that researchers believe plays a role in regulating appetite and fat.
• Compared with breastfed babies, formula-fed infants gain weight more rapidly in the first weeks of life. This rapid weight gain is associated with later obesity.

These are the facts of BF and BM wonders. I believe and I know there are more benefits of BF that I have not mentioned above. And of course BF could build special bond between you and your baby. And if you'll be working you could continue to give BM to your baby (it would be in different post). 

Breast is the Best (Source:Google)

BF in the train from Paris to Amsterdam (Winter 2010)

Happy baby after BF! ;))

However, if you are not able to BF your baby (due to medical illnesses or any inevitable reasons) you are not becoming less motherly. Maybe you could try for your next baby? ;))

Oh, before I go, here are RARE reasons you CANNOT BF your baby (from medical point of view)

• Maternal HIV- transmission rate upto 30% to the newborn
• Maternal HTLV-1 and HTLV-2- transmission rate upto 20% to the newborn
• Maternal Metabolic Disease (Wilson's Disease)- Wilson's disease treated with penicillamine which is contraindication in BF
• Infant Galactosemia- diagnosed with newborn screening, baby requires lactose-free diet
• Maternal drug (Chemo/Radiotherapy,drugs of abuse-most commonly encountered)

 As I said before, these are the points that I know, and there are lots more that I do not cover in today's topic. I will try my best to post the topics related to BF and BM in the near future. I hope this post today would help you in anyway. All the best and keep up the good jobs you have done so far. HAPPY BREASTFEEDING LADIES!!

Nasi Ayam Goreng Berempah

This Nasi Ayam Goreng Berempah (Spiced Fried Chicken Rice) recipe is a shortcut (as I used chicken cubes to make the chicken stock). Its easy to make and its taste good too. So here is the recipe:

Nasi Ayam Goreng Berempah (eat 4-5people)

Nasi/Rice:

• 2cups of rice (washed and drained)
• 4cups of chicken stock (4cups of water and 1 chicken stock cube)
• *2cm ginger (sliced)
• *1 medium onion (sliced)
• *2cloves of garlic (smashed and chopped)
• *1 cinnamon stick
• *2-3 cardamon
• *1 star anise
• 2 tbsp cooking oil

Method:

1. Heat up the oil in the rice cooker and add * ingredients. Cook them for 5minutes.
2. Add in the rice and the chicken stock. Cook well.

Sup Ayam/Chicken Broth

• 4cups of chicken stock (4cups of water and 1 chicken stock cube) 
• 2stalks of celery (chunky cuts)
• 1 carrot (chunky cubes)
• 1-2 potatoes (cubes)
• *2cm ginger (sliced)
• *1 leek (thinly sliced) -optional
• *1 medium onion (sliced)
• *2cloves of garlic (smashed and chopped)
• *1 cinnamon stick
• *2-3 cardamon
• *1 star anise
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• Seasoning (to your liking)

Method:

1. Heat up the oil in the rice cooker and add * ingredients. Cook them for 5minutes.
2. Add in the chicken stock, potatoes, carrot and celery. Cook until tender.

Ayam Goreng Rempah/ Spiced Fried Chicken

• 3chicken legs (cut into 9pieces)-I cut into smaller pieces
• 1 1/2tsp salt
• 2tsp curry powder
• 2tsp tumeric powder
• 2tsp garlic powder
• Oil for deep frying

Method:

1. Mix all the ingredients together and marinate them for at least 30minutes. Meanwhile, heat up the oil (180 degree C if use deep fry)
2. Fry the chicken until well cooked.

 Sambal/Chilli sauce

• 1 tomato (cubes)
• 2 red chillies (chunky cut)
• 1/2 cup of Thai Sweet Chilli
• Juice of 1 lime/lemon
• 1/2 tsp of salt

Method:

1. Blend them together and ready to serve

Side salad

• 1 cucumber (thinly sliced)
• 2 tomatoes (thinly sliced)
• Lettuce (didn't have them in my fridge this time around)
• Coriander/Spring onions (chopped)
  

So,that's the recipe I wanted to share. Its quite easy to do. If you noticed, the ingredients to make the rice and the chicken broth are almost the same. So I usually will prepare them together and cook them together at the same time. Hence save half of the time ;))

Nasi Ayam Goreng Berempah

First Zoo Trip

MrHubby's on his annual leave starting last Monday. And where did we go while MrHubby's on hols? Hehe..we went no where. We spent times lazing around. We went to Dublin Zoo on Thursday as planned ages ago. Weather was not so great..one minute it was sunny, the next minute it was pouring!! Poor BabyZara..half of the times she spent being on the stroller with the rain cover on!

Here are some infos of Dublin Zoo. It's located in Pheonix Park, Dublin and it was opened on 1st  September 1831, which make the zoo almost 180 years old!!! Tickets costs 15euro for an adult (free admission for kids under 3yo). We did have fun while touring the zoo. BabyZara was really excited walking about the zoo. And she really enjoyed the African Plains especially the giraffes! That was our first ever visit to Dublin Zoo!! (after 8years living in Ireland)

Here are some photos taken on our first Dublin Zoo visit.  Enjoy!

Enjoying her first trip to the Zoo!

Our small family

Our cheeky monkey ;))

Baby Rhino ride

Giraffes in African Plains, Zara really enjoyed this view!

African Plains again

"Mummy,is that really a tiger?"

Apam Pisang Kukus

Ahhh..feels so glad after a couple of days that I finally could update my blog. The blogger webpage was down and I could not sign into the blog. I hope it wasn't just me! 

Anyway, back to the main thing, the kuih I made this morning using my over-ripened banana. I initially wanted to use them to make jemput-jemput pisang. Then I found a recipe in www.tiffinbiru.blogspot.com and decided "I'm making those apam!" Thanks to Dapur Tanpa Sempadan (DTS) for the recipe!

They are easy to make and they are yummy too! I'd changed a few ingredients and below is my recipe:

Apam Pisang (Steamed Banana Bun)-make 12-13 apam using the muffin silicone cups

• 1 cup of plain flour (seived)
• 1/2 tsp of baking powder (seived together with the flour)
• 2 eggs
• 100ml of sunflower oil
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 200g ripened banana
• 1/2 tsp of soda bicarbonate
• Pinch of salt
• Dessicated coconut+pinch of salt 

Method:

1. Brush your cups with oil and set aside.
2. Smash the banana, soda bicarbonate and salt together until creamy.
3. Beat the eggs, sunflower oil and brown sugar until fluffy. Then add in the banana mixture. Mix well.
4. Add the seived flour and mix well.
5. Spoon in the batter into the oiled cups (3/4 full) and steam them for 15minutes.
6. When they are done, eat them with the dessicated coconut. Yummeh ;))

My Apam Pisang Kukus

Broken camera

Our BabyZara dropped our 6year old Sony digital camera and now its broken! Thanks to Mr&Mrs J (neighbours and our bestfriends), the pictures taken for this entry were using their digital camera. Is this a sign that we should get a new camera?? Hehehe..I'm eyeing a dslr..which at the moment we couldn't afford (sigh...) maybe will get it once we have got extra money in the pocket to spend (sigh..as if it's going to happen) Or  maybe that would happen when I start going back to work soon? I hope so..in the mean time, maybe we'll get a bargain and inexpensive digital camera.

BabyZara's crying when she didn't get what she wants

Melting my heart away with her smiles (and those sparkly eyes)

Now back to my lunch menu made yesterday, Laksa Kelantan. This is a famous delicacy of East Coast Peninsular Malaysia (Kelantan and Terengganu). MrHubby called it Laksa Terengganu or sometimes Laksa Putih (mentang2 la dia orang Terengganu)..hehe..but I always called it Laksa Kelantan (since I'm originally from Kelantan ;p)This recipe is very easy (especially when using canned tuna/salmon as I did) as you only need only a few ingredients blended together and let them simmer in the pot.

Laksa Kelantan consists of coconut-based fish soup/kuah, eat with rice noodles, mixed salad and chilli paste/sambal. There is another variation called Laksam Kelantan, where rice sticks are used insted of rice noodles.

Ingredients:

• *1 onion
• *3 cloves of garlic
• *2cm ginger (peeled)
• 1tbsp freshly ground black pepper
• 3 pieces of asam keping (picture as below)- you could get this from asian store
• 1 canned salmon (400g)- or you could use canned tuna/mackerel
• 1 canned tuna (120g)
• 1 can of coconut milk (400ml)- I used Chaokoh brand
• 400ml water
• 3tsp salt
• 1tbsp sugar
• 1 packet of udon noodles (Japanese rice noodles)- usually I used spaghetti

Canned tuna, canned salmon, udon noodles and coconut milk

Asam keping/Asam gelugor

Method:

Simmering kuah laksa

1. Blend together the *ingredients. Transfer them in a big saucepan/pot.
2. Blend coarsely the canned fish (you could add in some water, would be easier to blend) then transfer them into the pan
3. Add in the rest of ingredients (except the Udon/spaghetti) and cook on high heat until boiled. Then turn down the heat, le it simmer for 10minutes. Then,its ready to be served.

Salads:

• Cucumber (sliced and julienned)-as in the picture below
• Beansprouts
• Longbeans (sliced)- I used fine beans instead
• Kesum/Laksa leaves/Vietnamese coriander@mint (Didn't have them in my fridge so I used normal coriander)
• I also added ready-to-eat salad leaves

Sambal/Chilli paste:

• 10 dried chillies (seeded, boiled and blended), 100ml of water and 1 tsp of salt, cooked on medium heat for 10-15mins  

Laksa Kelantan is served

How do u eat Laksa Kelantan?? Its easy peasy! ;) Take the noodles about one cup, then take about 1tbsp of each salads,scatter them onto your noodles. Add about one cup of fish soup (I usually add more cos I love soupy noodles) and 1 tsp of sambal (add more if you like it spicier). Mix them all together. Now, enjoy!! You could use your hands (lets get messy ;P) or you could use your fork to dig in the goodness! The end results would be the same, its DELISH!

Ready to be eaten