Another Successful Dish

Another Successful Dish - Sharkfin's Soup

Yippee! Tried out this dish and yes, hb passed it and said it is good. He and 2 kids both had 2 servings. What a great encouragement!

Thanks to Y3K free recipes.

Ingredients:
150g processed sharksfins or artificial sharksfins

150g cooked chicken shreds

200g crab meat
2 litres superior stock

2 stalks spring onion (cut into sections)

4 slices old ginger4 pips garlic (smashed)

1 egg (lightly beaten)

Seasoning:

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 chicken stock cube

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp sesame oil

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine

For thickening: (mixed together)

100g potato starch or corn flour

100ml water

Method:

1.Place sharksfins in a colander and wash it clean under running water. Pour boiling water over, remove and keep aside.

2. Place crab meat in a colander, wash and let it drain well. Remove crabs to a bowl, steam it for five minutes. Remove and set aside.

3. Heat up a little oil in a pot. Saute ginger, garlic, spring onions, superior stock and seasonings. Bring it to a boil, discard ginger, garlic and spring onions with the aid of a sieve.

4. Place in chicken shreds and flaked crab meat. Bring it to another quick boil.

5. Taste and adjust according to your own preference. Thicken the soup.

6. Turn off heat, beat in the egg, add in no.(1) the fins. Serve hot in small bowls with condiments of black vinegar and brandy.

These are optional items.

Tips:1. Cooking Superior Stock: Chop a chicken into pieces. Remove skin and fats, parboil in boiling water for 10 minutes to remove scums. Remove and wash meat clean. Place meat into a pot filled with 2 1/2litres of water. Add in 5 dried scallops and boil it on high heat till it comes to a rapid boil. Turn heat to medium and boil stock till flavours are released. Cool stock before freezing it. Thaw stock before usage.

2. Potato starch gives a nicer consistency as a thickener even when the soup has been kept standing for a long time. Both cornflour and tapioca flour loosen up the glueing effect when the soup turns cold.

Daiso Shopping Spree

Daiso Shopping Spree

What did I do on a half day leave yday ? Shh, cannot tell Aden because he was in full day childcare. We fetch Charmaine after school and she was lucky to join us with Yaps for a dim sum lunch at Ah Yat. Thanks to the Yaps that I had advance birthday treat.

Thereafter, we did a lil shopping at MWL. Wow it has been ages since we last pop into MWL. Of course we din got out empty handed but quite friendly purchase so it is ok.

Next is Daiso, just $2 per item makes you feel like buying almost everything. Focus for me was for storage containers, Baking ware and Bento related stuff. Check out my lil damage.

Just for record

Just for record

Juz a lil conversation between Aden and mummy.

Mummy: Wake up, Aden. Let's get ready for school!
Aden: Don't call Aden. I still sleepy.
(No choice, mummy have to drag Aden out to sofa in living room)
Aden: I want some more milk.
(Daddy prepare the milk and mummy has to pass to him otherwise he will reject)
Aden: No school no school, I don't want change.
(Mummy just changed his diaper and his shorts, leave him to drink milk and walk away.)
(Since nobody pester him to change, he finished his milk, set it aside and sat onto the floor)
Aden: Ok I want to go to school.
(Mummy brought his Cherie Hearts top and go "Ta-da")
Aden: No Ta Da, don't Ta Da.
(Mummy flashed his Tshirt in front of him)
Aden: Wow , so nice.
(Mummy wanted to help him change the tshirt)
Aden: No, I do myself. (Tried but had difficulty pulling out.) Hey, how to take out leh ? (So mummy helped and daddy left the house for car park)
Aden: Bye Daddy, see you later. (to mummy) Daddy goes drive the car rav 4 downstairs.

Just a typical morning to record the lil speech development of Aden

Happy Niu Year

Happy Niu Year!

A review of last year of the kiddos in CNY. Check out my grown up Charmaine and cheeky Aden. This year Aden is more willing to pose for pic. Both got to make a choice of their own CNY clothes. What do you think of their selection ?

Our Family

Our Family

After 1 month's break, here I scrap again for the Moment's Record Challenge #3. Always wanted to do a family layout of us when we were all at 1 year old. Hidden journal in the box under title - Our Family.

Finished up my Love Elsie's fabric and patterned papers from SOMO's Oct 07 Kit. The family stickers are from my favourite K & Co. Earned another compliment from hb for this layout. So happy!!!

Journal says : Family filled up my life with Happiness and Laughter. Family Moments are cherished today and forever after.

New Dishes

New Dishes

Heard so much about sharkfin's melon so tried it out. If successful, was thinking of cooking and bringing to fil's house for Chu Yi. But ha ha I think taste still not up to standard so better not lose face. But the kids enjoyed so lucky to have support from the lil ones. Must work hard to make it taste right for adult too.

Also tried sharkfin omelette. Dun play play it is quite nice leh. But too bad hb cannot take eggs and is having flu so cannot really comment if this dish pass or not.

Sharkfin's Melon Soup by Wokking Mum
Ingredients:
1/3 Shark's Fin Melon, skin and seeds removed and cut into smaller pieces
250g Pork Ribs or 1 liter broth
1200ml water if not using broth.
1 handful Wolfberries
8 Red Dates, pitted
Salt to taste

How to do it:
Blanch pork ribs.
Boil ribs, melon, wolfberries, red dates in a pot of water.
Reduce heat when it starts to boil.
Simmer for another 3 hours.
Add salt to taste.
Serve hot

Alternative for Thick Soup (羹):

Additional Ingredients:
2 egg whites or 1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup cornflour mixture
4 - 5 dried scallops, steamed and shredded (optional)

How to do it:
Add scallops during the last hour of simmering since it's already steamed.
After adding salt to taste, thicken soup with cornflour mixture to desire thickness.
Let the soup continue to simmer.
Gradually add in egg while slowly stirring.
Serve hot.

Notes:
You can add in shredded carrots during last hour of simmering to give the soup extra colour and texture.
If you like, you can also add dried scallops for the clear soup
I do not add in Wolfberries when I make thick soup (羹).
Add a bit of black vinegar to the thick soup, just like you are having Shark's Fin Soup.

Shark's Fin and Crab Meat Omelette

Ingredients:

6 eggs

1 cup imitation shark's fin1 cup crab meat (freshly picked or frozen)

1/2 cup thinly sliced cabbage

1 tablespoon oyster sauce

1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

3 dashes white pepper powder

1/2 teaspoon fish sauce

1/4 teaspoon sugar

3 tablespoons cooking oil

Some chopped scallions

Method:

Beat 6 eggs in a big bowl. Add in all the ingredients above (except crab meat and cooking oil). Stir well. Heat up a wok and add in the cooking oil. Drop the crab meat into the wok and lightly stir it around for about 1 minute. Pour the beaten eggs mixture into the wok and continue to stir until the eggs start to cook. Break the eggs into small lumps/pieces and make sure they are completely cooked (but not overcooked). Toss in the chopped scallions, do a quick stir, dish out and serve hot.

Cook's Notes:
If you can't find imitation shark's fin, you can use glass noodles (also known as cellophane noodles or mung bean noodles) instead.
I used freshly picked crab meat from a 1 1/2 pound crab. I saved the orange roes from the crab and top the omelette with them.
You can also use lettuce if you wanted to make this dish into omelette cups.

Driving Alone Home

Driving Alone Home

Since Aden has got 2 days record free of fever, so we thought he is fine to go to cc today. Who knows he got rejected, his temperature was 37.9.

So this happy boy says bye to teacher and happily went back to daddy's car. So mummy has to take childcare leave to take care of Aden again. Of course mummy was thinking of taking taxi back but there is a surcharge of 35% so daddy told mummy to drive the car home.

Since the arrival of our Rav 4, I have not driven the rav 4 alone and it is always short distance with supervision. Daddy assured me the traffic is smooth so the drive should be easy. He bluffed me lah.

It is traffic jam all the way till Buona Vista Exit but of course driving is not my phobia as I still give myself high marks since I managed to reach home at 8.40 am despites the jam.

Parking is my problem. went up to B2 without any difficulty , chose a good spot for parking. Actually after second round, was straight and within lot but closer towards right. Of course cannot pass daddy's requirement lor, so in and out , I spent 10 mins trying to get it right.

Down with Fever and Cough

Down with Fever and Cough

Me and Aden are both down with very strong virus. Since last Sunday, Aden had fever and I was coughing like mad. The next day I am on MC and we complement each other , I got his fever and he got my cough. Thot I am ok by Tues, went to office and was shivering all the way. Sigh took half day and rushed home to rest. For 2 days I had fever while Aden is free from fever and suffering from bad cough. He is always woken but his own cough which is so bad that he has to sit up , cough it out and lie down again.

Of course me being the poor mummy has to be woken each time too since we are both confined to 1 room since we have another 2 healthy beings in the house enjoying their peaceful sleep individually in each room.

Aiyo disturbed sleep sure by Wed still not recovered so it is full day sleep again with Aden at home. I have forgotten what is work and Aden forgotten what is school liao. This is only the beginning of the year leh.

Sight of medication is so scary. Me 3 , Aden 4. sama sama.

Bully in School!!!!

Bully in School

My poor gal became a victim of a big bully on Monday. On tuesday morning, she woke up crying and said she did not want to go to school. Same scenario we experienced on her 3rd day of nursery , because a Indian boy bit her hard on her hand.

Just beginning of the second week of school, this boy has to hit so hard on her head on the return school bus while waiting for upper primary students to board the bus. Of course my chilli padi who is good at carrying tales will not let him off. From young, she is taught not to fight back and must report to teacher. This time she report to bus auntie but auntie could only ask the boy to stop. She cannot give me more details because this boy does not carry a name tag.

The same boy has got accomplice. The accomplice snatched charmaine's princess lunch box cover and passed to that boy. That boy took the cover , went down the bus, ran to the staircase at courtyard and threw the cover hard towards the bus. The cover has got a crack now.

Called the bus driver on Tuesday, he said leave to him to settle. But no explanation was given to me. Reminded the bus driver this morning, still no reply. Decided to ask what P1 custodian will do for such situation. They need the name and class to identify the boy so that she can speak to him.

Daddy was so upset that his princess got bullied. Wanted to go after school and tell the boy off. I guess parent or teacher's guidance is more important. Asked sil for help to get the bus auntie to get the details and we must pin the boy down to make sure he knows what he has done is wrong though it is minor.

Part 3 - Aden's Birthday Dinner at New York New York (backdated for 9 Jan 09)

Part 3 - Aden's Birthday Dinner at New York New York (backdated for 9 Jan 09

Sure is lots of fun for Aden. Long day full of celebrations. After a good nap to recharge, off he went for the birthday celebration finale at New York New Yo

We had the company of Yeye, Da Bo Fu, Da Bo Mu, Glenda Jie Jie and Charles Kor Kor. We have nice spread of food, the kids had their favourite chocolate fondue set and of course ice crea

Look at how Aden was trying to snatch the Ang Bao from Yey

New York New York @ Lot1 did a great job to make the evening more enjoyable with the crew singing a birthday song for him.

Check out the last part. Petty boy got angry when Glenda jie jie made fun of him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or2mh2mkwm0

Part 2 - Aden's Celebration - Fun @ Go Go Bambini

Part 2 - Aden's Celebration - Fun @ Go Go Bambini (backdated for 9 Jan 09)

Been awhile since I have individual bonding time with Aden. So though I am all alone, still pluck my courage and brought him to Go Go Bambini at Dempsey. It is realli a big place as compared to the Leisure Park one that we frequent.

Plus pt. - Aden went wild running all over and seemed to overcome his phobia on danger as he does not need my assistance. Mummy got a free tea signing up the buddy reward.

Minus pt. - Aden got cranky as it past his nap time. And hmm though the kids are asked to wear socks but they are running in and out the cafe and the socks caught all the dirt. So this place not so clean leh.

P.S. Aden saw this familiar shark used at Foto-U and he immediately used it to scare me just like it is used during the photo shoot.

Part 1 - Aden's Celebration in School

Part 1 - Aden's Celebration in School (backdated for 9 Jan 09)

Aden was so thrilled to see me appear in his school. He knew I was going there for his celebration. He wore his cake hat from Ikea and got in position. Very protective over the Leo and June Little Eintein Figurines, he insisted that nobody can lay their hands on them.

Well done at 3 years old, he could blow the candles out himself and even cut the cake without help.

Surprisingly, he knows everyone's names in class and helped teacher in handing out the goodie bags, making sure no one is missed out.

Check out the video clip for the birthday song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv6oNUfTbEw

Aden is 3

Aden turns 3 today! ( 9 Jan 2009)

My first baking project for 2009 is a Little Einstein Pat Pat Rocket for Aden. The first practice made all very worried including my shifu, even I thought I cannot make it.

With lots of encouragement, help from shifu , Pink who made the fabulous red fondant for me and my great neighbour - Hwee who helped me with the dome shaped cakes, I present my lovely Pat pat rocket cake.

How much time have I spent ? 3 hours on decorating the fondant cake, 1.5 hours on decorating the cupcakes. Loss of beauty sleep is worthwhile to see the excitement and big smile of my son.

Happy Birthday to CY

Happy Birthday to Daddy. (back dated for 7 Jan)

January is a very busy month for me. CY and Aden's birthday just 2 days apart. While busy practising on Aden's fondant cake, of course cannot forget to bake for CY. His favourite is cheesecake so found a simple recipe on AY's blog.

Chilled Cream-O Cheesecake

Biscuit Base:

Mix them together and press into an 8" springform tin. Chill it.

150 gm. Digestive Biscuits - Blended

80 gm. melted butter

Cream Cheese filling:

260 gm. Cream cheese

50 gm. Icing sugar

1 Tbsp. Maple Syrup

60 ml. milk

1/4 tsp. vanilla essence

10 cream-o cookies - chopped coarsely

260 ml. whipped cream - whipped till medium peak

1 Tbsp. gelatine powder + 70 gm. water (mix together)- microwave

Some extra chopped Cream-O biscuits for sprinkling on top

Method:

(1) Beat cream cheese with icing sugar till well combined.

(2) Add in fresh milk and mix till well combined. Add in gelatine mixture and mix well.

(3) Fold in whipped cream and divide mixture into 2 portions.

(4) Fold in chopped cheam-o cookies into 1 portion and maple syrup and vanilla essence into the other portion.

(5) Pour in the white portion into the chilled biscuit base. Level the cream cheese filling and put it into the fridge to let it set.

(6) Pour the cream-o cream cheese filling onto the set white cream cheese. Level it and then sprinkle some chopped cream-o biscuits on top.

(7) Put into the fridge to let it set.

(8) Slice and serve chilled.

Simple Cake

Simple Heart and Teddy Cake



Worried that my lil princess will skip breakfast and recess again. So hope she likes it and my problem will be resolved.



Thanks to this simple recipe from Peng's Kitchen



Ingredients
75 gm plain flour
50 gm sugar
2 tsp baking Powder
1/4 tsp salt
75ml fresh milk
1 large egg
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla essence


Method
Mix all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Add the milk, egg and oil and stir till well mixed and smooth.
Pour batter into moulds.
Bake in preheated oven at 180 deg cel for 12 minutes

3 in 1 celebration

First weekend of 2009

Wat were we celebrating at Rasa Sentosa ? 10 years wedding anniversary, hb's and Aden's birthday.

10 years, not too long and yet not very short. Losing the couple freedom to fun filled family of 4. Housework is 2x, 3x or more!!! Totally not tired at all is impossible but it is fulfilling to work hard for these 3 VIPs.

Looking forward to the next 10th year celebration!

Charmaine's First Day in P1

How is our lil princess doing on her first day in P1 ?

3 cheers for Charmaine

She woke up willingly with no whinning at all. No dilly dally and I really feel she has grown up overnight.

She board the bus willingly. She did not cry at all and she is not even looking out for me even though she is aware I am in school.

This daring gal also finds the return bus auntie too slow, so she even walked ahead of the bus auntie , found the bus number and got up herself. ( so much for the naggy mummy who kept reminding her it is bus no. 54 though she keep replying it is 55 after my constant nagging , her lil coconut did registered afterall.)

One thing that worries me is her food intake. She could not even finish half a bun for breakfast before boarding the bus. First recess today , she did not bring down her lunch box and did not want to buy food. Second recess which is only available for first 3 days, she only ate a pack of snack - seaweed shared with her buddy. My lil bamboo is going to be stick soon!!!!

Lets hope for a better 2nd day on 5 Jan!!!!

Lil Achievement by Aden

What has Aden achieved so far as he is turning 3 years old next week ?

Speech
Not everyone can make out what he is talking about but I can still catch 80%. He is a "please" boy.
Once he hops into the car , he will say "daddy , can you please switch on xxx ?" "May I watch xxx please "

Whenever he uses pleases, you will be melted by his sweet voice.

When he wants to talk to Charmaine but she did not respond after calling her a few times, he goes " Jie Jie, Aden talking to you, you know ?"

Just now he saw the moon and goes " Hello Moon, how are you ? I looking at you."

Passion in Car
He loves all cars. You will see his big smile and he will exclaim " wow, car." Daddy could not resist getting him cars too.

He can recognise cars by who drives them. Like Honda Stream , he will go Uncle KA's car, A Yap's car. Honda Civic , it will be Uncle HS's Car, M's Car, Auntie F's car. Wish will be Da Po Mu's car.

Any car with spare wheel at the back of car = daddy's car Rav 4. Rush, CRV etc all are Rav 4 to him. He gets upset when you correct him. He will debate " No No not rush , it is Rav 4."

Toilet Train
Not 100% but there is great improvement. He can say " can I go toilet please" and he will remove his pants, diaper himself, get onto the toilet bowl, pass urine, clean with toilet paper and finally flush. All on his own if he wants to.

At times, if he is diaper free, there will still be accidents.

Poo ? Ha ha too much to ask for. Let nature takes its course.

Waking up at 5.30 !!!

My lil princess has been refusing the practice for waking up early. Got a Hello Kitty alarm clock to try if it motivates her. Yes, $8.90 did the job!! Well done for 2 achievements - sleeps alone in the playroom on 31 Dec 08 and wakes up on her own when the alarm clock strikes 5.30 am and ringing the whole house down on 1 Jan 09. Good job, Charmaine!!! Keep it up and enjoy your P1 journey.