Tuesday, February 21, 2012

HONGKONG REVISITED DAY 1

This is an update of my trip to Hongkong on 9/2/2012. I have been to Hongkong what seems like 20-30 years ago and I was looking forward to this trip. Besides I am going with both my daughters and we did have a great time.



On flight with Sarah. After a harrowing morning, we managed to reach LCCT airport in good time and also to have our brunch at the Old Town White Coffee before boarding.


Definitely good weather for travel. Flight was uneventful.
We arrived on time and were met by our guide to transfer to the hotel.



On the way towards our hotel. This is the shipyard/harbour at night. Was told by the guide who meet us that the shipyard mainly operate at night, so that there is no traffic jam and besides the fresh produce will reach the people early next morning.


Our hotel room- SILKA SEAVIEW HOTEL (formerly Dorsett Hotel)in Yau Mah Tei. We requested for a triple share room and were left with hardly any space to walk. I knew that space is limited in Hongkong and this certainly confirm it. There is no closet and we have to climb on the bed to hang our clothes at the shelf above the bed! (not in the picture but somewhere behind Sarah)


The mini toilet/shower - so small that Sarah said she dare move around for the fear of breaking anything- haha.
After refreshing ourselves, we went looking for dinner. Our hotel is just located next to the famous Temple Street! There is a night market which sells the usual stuff like our Petaling Street.




We strolled along the street and saw many families having their dinner along this shop.

Sang Kee Claypot Rice.


So we sat down at the table and placed our orders. The man immedialy placed the utensils for eating were placed down before us. So, we started to pour the tea into our glasses.


Then .....we saw and realised that we are to "rinse" the glasses and bowls with the same tea first!

What a laugh! But the man assured us that the tea is both for drinking and for rinsing- no worry.



Deep fried Oyster Omelette- very crispy outside and inside the soft oysters. Different from our "orh chien" !


Later as we walked down the street, saw this lady deep frying the oyster omelettes.



As we were not sure how big the portion would be, we ordered 2 claypots- one Sliced Beef and another Chicken and Spareribs.



The Beef claypot comes with an raw egg and you crack it over the steaming hot rice- yummylicious- slices of beef very tender.


The aromatic Chicken and Spareribs claypot was equally very tasteful with a hint of rice wine.
We even dug into the burnt rice at the bottom of the claypot




Another very popular Claypot Rice stall- this one has long queue from one roadside and breaking off onto the other side of the road! Its called something "Four Seasons" in chinese. We did not get to taste this.


As we wandered along the back lanes there are stalls selling beef/pork offals, "trolley" mee and street snacks like above. The reddish stick is large pork intestines.



Looking pathetic after frying. It has a chewy texture.




Esther chosed this giant sausage.




We got our hands on some "Kai Tan Chai" (mini egg waffle).



These soothsayers' booths line both sides of the road and when you see a long queue sitting in front of a particular booth, you know that's the one whose predictions must have been good.


One outstanding feature that I like about these Hongkong people, they queue everywhere everytime. Hope one day I can say the same for our people.

The karoake singers along Temple street- just like the TVB dramas.



As it was getting late and chilly, we decided to revert to our hotel for a hot bath and warm beds.


We could not resist a last stop- Desserts at the Hui Lo Shan Desserts. They have branches on almost everystreet and this particular one is just opposite our hotel. We shared a bowl of their popular Mango Sago and Pomelo. I dont fancy the coconut flavour which seems to come from a can.































































































Sunday, February 19, 2012

Chocolate Mille Crepe Cake

This is a long overdue post. My nephew came back for the Chinese New Year holidays and his birthday fall on Valentine's Day.



The birthday boy (young man) with his mother.
Decided to bake him this Chocolate Crepe Cake.



The key ingredients for the crepe cake- eggs, flour, cream, milk.


And this botter of Amaretto liquer (almond flavour) from my sister in Australia.



Prepared the chocolate ganache first- melted chocolate, cream and amaretto. Leave aside to set.

Prepare the batter- eggs, cream milk and flour - allow to sit for at least half hour.




Prepare a bowl of melted butter -used to brush the pan for the crepe



Pour 1/4 cup of batter into pan and swirl it round. Cook till the batter is set. Flip over and cook through the other side.


Continue cooking till batter is used up. Set aside to cool.



Prepare the cream filling.



To assembly the cake- place 2 crepes at bottom of pan and spread with chocolate ganache.




Top with whipped cream filling -(I have added just a thin layer - should have added more)
Continue till all the crepes and fillings are used up. Remember to top with at least 2 crepes to balance. Leave to set in the fridge overnight.



I used the remaining chocolate ganache to cover the cake the next day. I am totally very dissatified with the decoration for this cake- should have just left is plain instead of using those decorating gel.



Everyone thought it was an ice cream cake!



Just very uneven layering - I will definitely top more filling around the sides the next time as you can see the centre is higher than the side.
Verdict- the cake was not sweet at all though texture was ok.






























Wednesday, February 15, 2012

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2012

Chu-chu wishes everyone a Happy Chinese New Year.
Within the 15 minutes of wearing the suit, he had biten the collar already!


Watching a lion dance performance on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year - my nephew Chee Hong with his son Ethan. They came back from Melbourne to celebrate the new year with us.



Always eating and more eating- lunch on the 1st day of CNY



After lunch it is mahjong and more mahjong



Simple dinner on the 1st day - Taiwanese Sausages, Fried Yee Mee with Braised Ginger Duck, Green vegetables and waxed meats.


Food for the 2nd day Dinner - Fried mini nga ku (arrowroot bulbs) with leeks and pork.



My contribution for the dinner- Fry Fish Maw with celery


Achar made by my sister-in-law's mother


Braised Lion Head -another Taiwanese dish cooked by my sister-in-law



More waxed meats.


Steamed fish, chicken and prawns.


Long table dinner - getting ready.


Yee Sang from Tai Thong Restaurant.


It's 1, 2, 3 and all go - great fun



It was also Chee Hong's son Caden's birthday on the 24th January. Happy Family.

































Tuesday, February 14, 2012

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Just got back from a short 4 days tour to HongKong. I had thoroughly enjoyed the trip with my daughters. Have been there and have done that so will updating my blog shortly.
A Happy Valentine's Day.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

7TH DAY OF CHINESE NEW YEAR

After having been feasting since day 1 of the Chinese New Year, it's time to spend a quiet weekend and to rest my stomach.




BBQ at second brother KK's house, Taman Desa on the 4th day of the Chinese New Year.




my niece Chloe, the dancing princess.



On the 6th day day, my sister Jennifer gave us a lunch at a restuarant in Sungai Long.



Steamed Herbal Kampong Chicken.


What a sight to behold when we came out of the restaurant! Only my brother's car seemed to be perferred by the pigeons!



So on the 7th day of Chinese New Year, which happened to be called "Yan Yat" (translation "everybody's birthday") I prepared this simple yet delicious lunch.





Ingredients: Mee Sua (chinese like to eat mee on their birthday as a symbol for longivity); Spring Onions ("chong" in chinese- so that they will become brillant/clever ("chong ming") and dried prawns.

The dried prawns are washed and then soaked in chinese rose wine or Shaoxing wine till soften.



The dried prawns are then saute till fragrant and dish up and set aside.

Then the white part of the spring onions are added to the oil and fried till fragrant.




Next add the green parts and again fry till fragrant.

Then add the sauteed dried prawns back into the wok.



Meanwhile blanch the mee sua till just cooked- not too long as it will become mushy.


Quickly add mee sua to the spring onions/dried prawns and mix well.



Serve warm. There is no need for any other seasoning as the dried prawns is salty. Can add a dash of pepper, if desire.



I added a fried egg (chinese also served red hardboiled eggs on birthday- symbol of new life) and served it with some greens and a Sweet Logan and Lotus seed soup.