New year, new resolution

Yesterday Rizal had to do a stress test (for work). Of course, prior to the test he had to go through medical checkup to ensure that he is in the pink of health.

He called me - right after he got the result from the Dr. And guess what, his cholesterol level which was borderline before, now is WAY above unhealthy level. When he both did our checkup last year his was around 5-ish and yesterday his was 7+! I dont exactly know the scaling but an increase from 5 to 7 is surely high, no?

Anyway. That summons for a complete change in our daily diet. Starting last night.

We went to JJ to get fresh fruits, lots of it. Same with veggies.

And Today, for lunch I am going to cook some healthy food...

MENU for today
Steam Pomphret
Taugeh with kuchai leaves and tofu
Boiled/Steam PakChoy
Sambal Belacan

EXTRA NOTE: taken from Yayasan Jantung Malaysia

Your Cholesterol Reading

Cholesterol readings generally include total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It is important to take note of all 3 readings and not just total cholesterol.

Total Cholesterol [mmol/L (mg/dl)]
Desirable: <5.2>=6.2 (>=240)
Borderline High: 5.2 - 6.2 (200 - 239)
High: >=6.2 (>=240)

Ketam Kari

This recipe was given to me by Auntie Ayie when I was in Penang for Eid Adha, and I am yet to try it tried it last night. Auntie is a great cook, so I am sure was glad it will turn out super. In fact, Rizal rated it 4/5. Not too bad huh?


Ingredients
____________________________________________________________

Ingredient A
Bawang besar sebiji, hiris
Santan RM1
Garam to taste
Tomato 1 biji
Cili Hijau 1

Ingredient B

3 ekor Ketam
Rempah 2 packets
Serbuk Jintan Manis 2 sudu
Halia 3 cm (blend / pound)
Sebatang Kayu Manis
Daun Kari
::mix all above ingredient, with a bit of water

Cooking Method
____________________________________________________________

1. Panaskan minyak

2. tumis bawang until wangi

3. Masukkan all item ingredient B, masak till naik minyak

4. Put in santan & garam to taste

5. lastly, put in Cili hijau and tomato. Leave it to settle for awhile. For me, I feel that curry tasted better if its cooked longer, let the taste of Ketam/ayam/ikan to blend in. I also added a bit of vinegar (since I didnt put in any nenas as the original recipe).

Note: This same recipe can be used for Chicken, meat or udang Curry

____________________________________________________________

Last night, since both me and Rizal already had dinner, I just made capathi to accompany the curry (instant one la... buy frozen at the supermarket)

Tofu Soup

The first time I had this was at Madam Lim's in Jusco Maluri. Since then I have made it a home couple of times, and to date still am not tired of it.

The dish is quite easy to make, and is a healthy one too. Especially sedap to eat during rainy nights, like last night :)

Okay, what you need:
- Soft Tofu
- Broccoli
- Baby corns
- mushrooms
- corn flour
- white eggs
- garlic (pounded)
- Ginger (pounded)
- Chicken breast (sliced) / Prawns

Step 1
- prepare ingredients. Cut Broccoli and baby corn in small pieces


- same goes with mushroom. Cut and wash. If using Oyster Mushroom, make sure you squeeze dry it


- Make the cornflour water mix



-Cut the Tofu in slices (tip: Cut into two first, then cut in slices)
-Fry the tofu till it is goldenish like below


-Separate the egg whites from the yolk. Only use the egg whites


The method:
- Sautee the garlic and Ginger
- Once garlic is golden, put in the chicken meat or prawns. Add water
- Bring to boil
- Once boil, put in solid ingredients first like baby corn and the shiitake mushroom
- Leave it for a minute or two, then add in the tofu, broccoli and cornflour
- Stir and add in the egg whites (continue stirring while adding)
- Close the lid for min or two, and turn off the fire

If ur using a claypot like me, note that the soup will continue to boil in the claypot, so dont leave the fire too long after all ingredients are put in.

The end result... tada...
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New accessories for me.!

Ahem...

Just purchased a new flash for me...

Decided to go with the SB400, due to the size and price. Bought it from Foto Selangor at RM450. At first I wasnt sure if I made the right decision.

So why SB400? I have looked at the SB600 before and I felt it was too big for an amateur and occasional photographer like me. It also looked quite complicated with the settings on the flash. I think I should try with the SB400 first, at least master the skill of using flash gun before venturing to expensive ones. Plus, I was thinking, since I am only on a RM500 budget (thanks baby!), and I also wanted a CPL filter, I think I should settle with the SB400 for now.

An after thought - I think I made the right decision, especially after reading
this

So here goes

From others

From others

From others

Apart from the flash, I also bought a CPL filter (Hoya Circular Polarised). Unfortunately they didnt have any stock, so will collect it probably Monday or tuesday. Got the CPL for my 18-200mm, and hopefully will be able to capture better skies and water photos soon...
I purchased a Hoya, 72mm and quoted price was RM195, and since I bought both filter and flash at the same time, managed to get another RM10 discount..

Photos of the filter & its outcome to follow soon. :)

Happy Anniversary to us!!

Alhamdullillah.. Its been four years. How time flies :)

I wasn't really expecting anything for our anniversary, but was so pleasantly surprised when I got flowers at work. Thank you baby! Love you lots

From 09AnniversaryFlower

From 09AnniversaryFlower

From 09AnniversaryFlower

Now sitting prettily at our dining table

From 09AnniversaryFlower

From 09AnniversaryFlower

More than anything, I thank Allah for this blissful marriage, and hope that both me and Rizal will continue to be blessed with lots of love, respect and care for each other. And hope and pray that our marriage be blessed with many many children. Insyaallah. Amin.

*********************************************************************************
1. Oh Allah, bless our marriage and let it be a means for us to become closer to You in love and devotion. Let it be a source of untold blessings, happiness and joy.

2. Oh Allah, let our marriage be a way for us and our families to enter Jannah.

3. Ya Allah, protect our marriage from the whisperings of Shaytan. Give us the strength to live together in justice, equity, love and, mercy.

4. My Lord, let this marriage bring untold blessings to us individually, to our families, and our children Insha Allah.

5. My Creator, bless us with children who will be a source of great joy and happiness.

6. Oh Allah, give us the love which you had blessed Muhammad, Allah's Peace and blessings be upon him, and Khadija with, May Allah be pleased with her.

*******************************************************************************

Bonjot's 1st car wash

I have nicknamed Rizal's new ride as bonjot. Why? cos its lights terbonjol-bonjol here and there.

Kan??



Its been nearly a week, and finally today Jot (kasik glamer sket) gets its first wash..







If you live around Pandan / Maluri area, do visit this shop, cos their service is quite good, and price is reasonable. Normal size carwash like mine costs only RM10 for wash and vacuum, while bigger sized car is RM11. Its easy to spot this shop, as it is in Pink color - in fact I nicknamed it pinkie (hehe). I am not sure of its actual opening hours, but they are open on sundays and usually closes around 11PM.

Oh I forgot, how to get there?
From Maluri Jusco, just keep go along Jalan Jejaka, the shop is just along Pizza hut.Just keep goin till you see a corner Pink shop (it is 2 shops away from Domino Pizza). Map below for reference

View Larger Map

The lost nurseries of Sg Buloh

I havent been to Sg Buloh for quite a while. I think ever since we moved to KL, even so. Here in BAM there is not much space for plants, so naturally the need to go to Sg Buloh is not really there.


Anyhow last weekend we went to Sg Buloh to get some grass for Papa's lawn. We took the new exit, which is the exit of Hospital Sg Buloh. Its very easy with this new entry to Sg Buloh, cos the moment you are out of the highway you are already in front of the hospital. As we drove in, we noted that the roads are widen, it is now a dual carriageway both sides. The newly constructed road no doubt has made it easy for us to go towards the nurseries. However imagine our surprise when we reached there, the many many nurseries there was reduced to only one lonely shop crammed by the roadside!.

See what I mean???


Regardless, we still manage to get what we came for. The price is still way cheaper than in KL itself (especially compared those overpriced nurseries around Pandan). The Philippines grass quoted at RM2 for 1 x 2 ft. Since we buy in big amount, we got it at RM1.80 per piece. Which is cheap, compared to RM3.50 in KL. Same goes with the tanah. Red ones is RM1, but if buy more you can get it as low as 80sens. In KL, prices vary, I think it Tesco and Giant, they are selling for RM1.50, but the overprice nurseries here is selling it at RM2.50. Steep huh.

So, all in all if you are thinking of buying a lot i think it is still worth visiting Sg Buloh since it is considerably cheaper still. Though I dont know how much longer they will there....

Sambal Ikan Bilis

Resipi from Dina... belum try lagik.. so no pix... will upload once tried


SAMBAL KERING TEMPE DENGAN IKAN BILIS
Ingredients :

2 pieces tempe ~ sliced thinly
1/2 cup dried anchovies
1/2 cup chillie paste + blended onion
2 cloves of garlic ~ knocked
2 tablespoons dark sweet soya sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons tamarind juice
salt to taste
1 Bombay onion ~ diced

Method :

1. Fry the tempe and dried anchovies (separately) till golden brown and set aside.
2. Add in the chillie paste and blended onion. Let it simmer till fragrant.
3. Add in the garlic, tamarind juice, soya sauce, sugar and salt.
4. When it's slightly dried, put in the fried tempe, anchovies, diced onion. I added red chillies as well.
5. Stir to mix.

gone baby gone..

auf wiedersehen! ...Till we meet again

It's been 3 wonderful years... and you remain to be one of the best driving experience for me.

sob.. sob..

Let's go sweeeeettt..

Unlike me, Rizal does not like to drink the good ol plain water... his drinks has to be flavored and chilled..! For that reason, we always to stock up on cordials at home. I have noticed lately that those cordials we purchased especially the F&N brand, is not like what it used to be. It is no longer concentrated enough but very very diluted - AND it is not that cheap!
Since we've had enough of those not-so-good commercial cordials, we thought we'd make our own. With coaching from mama, I managed to make my very own syrup cordial, which surprisingly, was quite easy to do.

All you need is basically:

1. Sugar = 1kg
2. Water = 6cups (1.5ltr)
3. Coloring = 2 table spoon (depends on ur liking more means darker colour)
4. Rose flavoring = 2 teaspoon
5. Pandan leave = 1 piece and fold

The ingredients

Methods:
1. Put in pandan, water & sugar. Bring to boil in medium heat. Stir to avoid sugar burning
2. Once the sugar dissolved, and the mix thickens, add coloring and flavor
3. Bring it to boil for a minute or so

Thats it. Easy peasy!

Taman Tasik Perdana

You know what they say - a picture is worth a thousand words.. actually sebenarnya malas nak menaip :))

so enjoy views of our very own hyde park, Taman Tasik Perdana, Kuala Lumpur

From Taman Tasik Perdana

The lake

From Taman Tasik Perdana

From Taman Tasik Perdana

Serene...

From Taman Tasik Perdana

From Taman Tasik Perdana

Pretty in pink

From Taman Tasik Perdana

waiting for the bus??

From Taman Tasik Perdana

From Taman Tasik Perdana

Save the best for last. My favorite shot of the day.

From Taman Tasik Perdana

That's it for now! till later... ciao

Fish Curry

Okay, this is not really a completed recipe since I am yet to find the perfect combination / measurements for it. Right now, I still need Rizal to help me with the tasting to tell me what to adjust. So.. Kalau x sedap.. consider yourself warned okie.

As usual lets start with ingredients. Pretty basic stuff:
1. Oil
2. Salt
3. Red Onions (pound coarse)
4. Garlic (pound coarse)
5. Curry leaves
6. Tomatoes (cut into four)
7. Asam Jawa (mix with water)
8. Curry powder (I use Baba's or Aligappa. Mix with water)
9. Fish (suitable fish: tenggiri, small kembong, bawal hitam (cut))


And here are the Optional things you can add on:
1. Lady's fingers
2. Coconut milk
3. Green Chillies

As you know there are different variation and type of curry, and the recipe I am sharing here was given to me by Rizal's mum.

This time I used ikan temenung. One of Rizal's favorite. According to him the fish meat is sweet thats why he likes it. Since I dont eat fish curry I just take his word for it


We have a Karipalley plant, so I just took the curry leaves from our plant ;). A hint on choosing the leaves, pick the old ones, it gives better flavor


Okie dokie, lets get rolling.

1. Heat the oil. Sautee onions, garlic and curry leaves


2. Once browned, then add curry powder mix

3. Let it dried up, until the oil surfaced. Org panggil naik minyak.


4. Add Lady's Fingers if you like. Also if want to put in santan, this is when you add it. I didnt put any santan. Just lady's fingers


5. Add the asam jawa mix, then tomatoes. Bring to boil


6. Finally, add the fish. Allow the fish to gently simmer, not actually boil, or the outside will break into pieces before the inside is done.


7. Once mixed well, that's it. Turn off the heat and serve!