Thursday, May 20, 2010

Tai chi kung fu San


Every Wednesday night I had tai chi practice with my sifu and Jannah (friend and neighbour). Class starts at 8.30pm and would end around 10pm. Usually we would warm up first by doing 15 mins of warm up exercises. Then followed by 2 sets of Tai chi exercises which would take another 40 mins. Then we would do the 37 steps "Cheng" style Tai chi, which is another 10 mins. Finally the Tai Chi Kung Fu San (San is Fan in English).

I have been practicing Tai chi for almost 11 years now under my sifu (Mr Hoon Wah Kuang). When we first started in 1999, there were about 20 students comprising my neighbours in Taman Sri Antan. We would practice at my house, because I have a large compound, every Sunday morning. Then, as the years go by, the class started to get smaller and smaller.... when finally, there were only Jannah and myself. But then...

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Steam Fresh River Lobsters


When my husband came home from work this evening, he brought along 1 kg of fresh river lobsters. He bought it at his favourite restaurant in Sungei Panjang. The owner was my husband's good friend. So, after cleaning the lobsters, I steamed the lobsters with all the required ingredients. Would you like to try it too?? You can also use fish and prawns. Here's the recipe:

5 pcs fresh river lobsters
5 cloves garlic (chopped finely)
Salt to taste

Arrange the lobsters onto a tray and sprinkle the salt onto it. Add chopped garlic. Put on steamer and steam for approx.15 mins.

2tbsp oil
1 large onion (chopped)
3 pcs garlic (chopped)
a dash of black pepper
1 egg (use the white only)

Fry the chopped onion and garlic until slightly brown, and pour over the steamed lobsters. Add egg white and black pepper.

Ready to eat!

Deep-Fried Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce


600g whole fish, preferably siakap
1/2 tsp salt
A little cornflour
Oil for deep-frying
1 onion, shredded
1/2 cup shredded raw mango
3 bird's eye chillies, chopped

Sauce ingredients
3 tbsp Thai chilli sauce
1 tbsp plum sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tsp sugar
2-3 tbsp water

Clean and scale the fish. Cut two deep slits on each side of the body and lightly season with salt and sprinkle with some cornflour.
Heat oil in a wok until hot. Fry the fish until crispy and golden brown. Remove and drain from oil and place fish on a serving platter.

Reheat wok with a little oil. Add sauce ingredients and bring to a brief bil.
Pour sauce over the fish and garnish with onion, shredded mango and chillies. Serve immediately.

Beancurd (Tofu)

Beancurd (Tofu) is one of my favourite food. I can just fry a few pieces of Tofu and dip it in cilli sauce, or better still I would pound bird's eye chillies and add black soy sauce. Sometimes, I would just steam the tofu, add in crushed garlic, pinch of salt and black soy sauce, and voila!! a simple healthy dish eaten with plain white rice.

Tofu... so white and pure...

Anyway, I have this recipe for Egg Tofu (Homemade Beancurd) which I found in the Star, some time last year...

Egg Tofu (Homemade Beancurd)

500ml fresh unsweetened soya bean milk
5 eggs
3/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp cornflour

Line a 20cm square tray with cellophane paper of cling wrap
Beat eggs lightly and add soya bean milk, salt and cornflour. Mix well with a fork and strain the mixture into the prepared tray.
Cover the tray with cling wrap and steam over low heat for 20 minutes or until cooked. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.

Thats the recipe. Please let me know if you have tried making this tofu. So easy eh?? But then...

Monday, May 17, 2010

Kuih Talam



Bottom Layer
80g tapioca flour
35g sago flour
30g green pea flour
35g rice flour
170g castor sugar
300ml water
8 pandan leaves, cut into small pieces
320ml thick coconut milk
1 tsp alkaline water

Coconut Cream Layer
30g rice flour
25g green pea flour
1 tbsp cornflour
20g castor sugar
1/2 tsp salt
250ml coconut milk

Bottom layer
Put pandan leaves and water into a blender and blend to a fine pulp. Squeeze the pandan juice and strain to obtain 320ml pandan-flavoured water.

Combine tapioca, sago, green pea and rice flours, sugar and pandan-flavoured water in a saucepan. Stir in coconut milk and alkaline water.

Cook over gentle low heat until mixture is thick. Pour into a lightly greased 22dm square cake tin. Steam for 20 minutes.


Coconut cream layer
Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over gentle low heat until it starts to thicken. Pour over the green layer and steam for 10-15 mins or until set.

Remove kuih talam to cool completely before cutting into serving slices.

Tip: When cooking the green portion and coconut cream layer, avoid overheating the mixture. It needs to be slightly cooked to a liquid form and not to be in a thick paste-like form. Overcooking it in a thick paste form will not give a smooth surface after steaming.

Chilled Cheese Cake


200g digestive biscuits, crushed
110g melted butter

Cheese filling
3 tbsp gelatin powder
200ml hot water
1 tsp grated orange rind
1 tsp grated lemon rind
50ml lemon juice
200g cream cheese
145g castor sugar
270ml evaporated milk, well chilled

Line the base of a 20cm round spring-form pan with nonstick baking paper.
Break biscuits into a food processsor and whizz until crumbly in texture.
Add melted butter and mix until well combined.
Press the biscuit mixture firmly onto the base of preapared pan and chill while preparing the filling.
Dissolve gelatin in hot water. Leave aside to cool, then add orange and lemon rind followed by lemon juice.
Beat the cream cheese until creamy and add sugar. Continue to beat until light and creamy.
Whisk chilled evaporated milk until thick and doubled in bulk. Fold into the creamed cheese mixture together with the cooled gelatin mixture.
Turn the cheese mixture onto the prepared biscuit base and smoothen out the surface with a spatula. Chill the cake until firm.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Massage o massage

Regarding the massage done by Daeng Kuning on Friday morning (14th May), I felt so goooooodd after the body massage. Daeng Kuning is 46 years old, but she looks 35. Very slim and well groomed too. Imagine she has eight children of which two are already married.

Anyway, when Kuning (she prefers to be called) arrived sharp at 9 am, I was already wearing my husband's sarong (coz I did not bring mine). Luckily she did not ask me to remove my panties. I hate it when a masseuse wants me not to wear my panties. Why remove??? Surely she's not going to massage between my legs what?? Anyway, I got to wear my panties when Kuning massaged my body.

Kuning told me to lie on my stomach. She began massaging my right leg, followed by my left leg. Then, the whole of my back and my buttocks. Then my left arm and right arm. When I lie on my back, she massaged my tummy and told me that my womb is in the correct position, has not lowered at all!! The massage took an hour. My second massage will be next Friday, God willing.

So, this morning I telephoned Kuning and made an appointment for my 2nd massage. I told her to come at 8am. So that I can have my breakfast by 9.30am. But then...

Ovarian Cysts

My husband and I visited Suhaily, our niece, at Subang Jaya Medical Centre after maghrib prayers today (Saturday 15th May). We came to know about Suhaily aka Along's hospitalisation through her brother, Suhaimy. We were at Bro Zakaria's high tea party where all my husband's siblings and their children attended.

Anyway, Suhaily was in ward 368, a single bedded room at SJMC. Mizi, her husband, took care of her at the hospital. She had surgery on Friday 14th to remove a number of cycts which occurred outside her womb. I watched the surgery via a video recording which the hospital issued to her. Imagine seeing the inside of her stomach. I could see part of her liver too. There were a lot of fat surrounding her womb. The fat looks just like chicken fat!!! I told her, how come you did not ask the surgeon to suck out the fat too, since the 'vacuum' is sucking out the cysts!! At least she could get a free liposuction. Heheeeeheee...

So, to Suhaily, I pray you have a speedy recovery. Follow the doctor's orders okay. No rough activities for the time being. Complete rest okay. But then....

Friday, May 14, 2010

Body massage.....

I am now at Dmuara Marine Park in Sungai Besar. Its about 2 hrs drive from Kuala Lumpur. I have been here numerous times, accompanying my husband on his field trip. This resort has 13 exclusive 'floating' chalets, 9 units of 2 rooms apartment, a floating restaurant, a jetty etc etc etc. visit http://doranibayuresort.blogspot.com for more details...

Anyway, I am now waiting for Daeng Kuning, a masseuse who is coming around 9am. I have not had a massage for quite some time now, and since this resort also offers body massage to their clients, I choose to have one this morning.

Usually I would engage Makcik Mek who hails from Kelantan to massage me whenever she visited her daughter, who is my neighbour. Makcik Mek could really massage me well. She knows where to 'knead' at all the right points of my sometimes, aching body.... BUT... be prepared if she puts extra pressure.... I would howl so loud..... that Fifi my cat, would jump out of her skin!!! Hehehee... Fifi would usually be napping on the sofa while I was being massaged.

Anyway, since Makcik Mek last massaged me in December last year.... so... my 'delicate' body is calling for a badly needed massage... Usually I would like to be massaged at least 3 times before the next massage. The 1st massage session is to 'loosen' all the 'knotted' urat, which could be very painful. Then for the 2nd massage session, the knotted urat which has been 'straightened', would feel less painful. Finally the 3rd massage session, my body would feel very 'light' and I would feel more relax... Hmmmm...

Normally, I would doze off while being massaged, i.e. if minute pressure is being utilised!! This usually happens during the 2nd and 3rd sessions. A massage usually take about an hour. But then...

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Crispy Anchovies in Honey Lemon Sauce


250g split and cleaned anchovies
1 cup tapioca flour
1 tbsp sesame oil
4 dried chillies, cut into sections
1 onion, halved and sliced thinly
6 bird's eyes chillies, chopped
2 calamansi limes, squeezed for joice
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp fish sauce

Rinse anchovies and soak for 10-15 minutes. Drain dry in a plastic colander then pat completely dry with several layers of kitchen paper towels. Toss in tapioca flour.

Heat some oil in a wok. Shake off excess tapioca flour from the anchovies and deep fry until golden brown and crispy. Dish out and drain from oil.

Heat the sesame oil in a clean wok, fry dried chillies, onion and bird's eyes chillies for a while. Combine lime juice, honey, water and fish sauce and add to the pan: bring to a boil until mixture turns frothy and thick. Return prefried anchovies to the honey sauce. Stir-fry briskly until well combined. Dish out and serve.

Sambal Anchovies


100g deep-fried anchovies
3 bombay onions, halved and shredded
1/2 cup oil
80g shallots
2 cloves garlic
20g tamarind pulp mixed with 220ml water

Ingredients A (mixed)
3 tbsp chilli paste
1 tsp shrimp base granules (belacan)
1 tsp curry powder mixed with a little water into a thick paste

Seasoning
50g soft brown sugar
50g sugar
1-1 1/2 tsp salt or to taste

Grind shallots and garlic together. Heat oil and fry the ground mixture until fragrant.
Add chilli paste mixture. Stir fry until aromatic.
Add onion, tamarind juice and seasoning. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until gravy is thick.
Put in prefried anchovies to mix.

Anchovies.... (Ikan bilis)


The following recipes I copied from Cook's Nook (the Star). I have tried all three dishes, and I love it. Its so simple to cook, very straightforward.

Home-Style Stir-fried Assorted Beans

50 g anchovies, rinsed and drained dry
100g fermented bean cake (tempeh), cut into small pieces
150g four-angle beans, sliced at a slant
3 pieces long beans, cut into 3cm lengths
60g stinking beans (petai), split and soaked for 15 minutes
1 red chilli, sliced
4 bird's eye chillies, chopped
1 tsp chopped garlic
4 slices young ginger
1 tbsp sesame oil

Seasoning:
1 tsp light soy sauce
1 tsp oyster sauce
1/4 tsp chicken stock granules
3/4-1 tsp sugar or to taste
2-3 tbsp water

Deep-fry anchovies in hot oil until golden and crispy. Dish out and drain from oil. With remaining hot oil fry fermented bean cake until golden. Dish out and drain from oil.

Add in long beans and parboil for less than a minute. Dish out and drain.

Leave 1tsp oil in the wok and aded 1 tbsp sesame oil. Fry garlic, ginger and bird's eye chillies until fragrant.

Add seasoning and return parboiled ingredients into the wok. Add four-angled beans, stinking beans, fermented bean cake and red chilli. Toss and fry until well combined.

Add in fried anchovies to the wok. Fry briskly then dish out.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

My tai chi video


I have been practicing Tai chi for almost 11 years now. Recently I did a video of the Tai chi exercises that I learned with my sifu, Mr Hoon. I want to be able to use the video to practice my Tai chi anywhere and at anytime. I have made 20 copies of the DVD and I hope to distribute it to my friends who would like to practice this ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi.

I have, so far, managed to discipline myself to practice Tai Chi every morning. When I followed my husband outstation, I would bring my laptop with me and put on the Tai Chi dvd and exercise, even in the hotel room.....

None of my children are interested in learning this art. Perhaps when they are older, they might want to learn Tai Chi. But then...

Monday, May 10, 2010

Mothers' Day



Sunday 9th May 2010 was Mothers' Day. I have never celebrated Mothers' Day with my mother. It was never a ritual to celebrate it yearly. To me, everyday is Mothers' Day. I would cherish every little things my mother did for me and my brothers. My mother was 18 years old when she gave birth to me.

She did not go to University or had a career, but she could speak, read and write fluent English. She studied at a Convent in Seremban until Form Five. I realised she was never a sportswoman, because she did not play any sports. But.... she could ride a bicycle like a 'tomboy'. That was what one of my aunties told me.

My mother could cook any dish, bake any biscuits and cakes, and could sew clothes, knit, crochet and took care of the house, my dad, and my siblings too. Shes just superb!! I love her so dearly.

But it was different with my own children. They would celebrate Mothers' Day every year, ever since they were in Secondary School. I always told them it was not necessary, not an obligation to give me a cake and a present. Perhaps to them, it has become a trend. All their friends did it, so should they.

I am different from my mother. I can never cook so well, I dislike baking, and I could only mend clothes and do cross-stitch (which I love doing). I did try to learn knitting and crocheting, but it never worked out. I was just not interested. In fact, I only learn to cook when I got married, since my mother was not around to cook for me. I lived with my husband and mother was an hour's drive away. So, I bought cookery books and seek tips from my colleagues in the office. I was too shy to ask from mother. Cooking for my husband, the first time, was a disaster!! Oh well, but then....

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Countdown - Dec 2010 (Part 1)

My nephews and nieces wanted to have a get-together. They have not had one for some time now. When they were small, they would gather at their grandparents house in Pedas. But eversince their grandparents were no longer around, they got to meet each other only when there were weddings, engagements or during Hari Raya.

Being their aunty, with a FB account, and also, sporting and fun (I am fun!!), they want me to help them organise the forthcoming event. This event is strictly for them, excluding their uncles and aunties.

They have decided the date and venue. So, a mini discussion between Suhaimy (mimi) and myself will take effect this afternoon at Mimi's house. Then only we can all meet, either at my house in Kajang or Lizloteng in Pedas, to discuss the itinerary for that event.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

My handsome pen-pal (Part 7)


The next morning at the office, I received a letter from my husband. He wrote how much he missed me and would like to meet me again. There was no mobile phones during those times, so we kept in touch via snail mail.

I would receive 3 letters every week. In fact, he wrote to me almost everyday! Then he called me and wanted to meet me to share his MCE results. I took half day leave to be with him. Mr Sethu was a bit reluctant to approve my leave, but since I completed my tasks, he allowed me to go.


My husband was waiting for me at Paul corner (our meeting point). It is actually Paul Street. There he was leaning against a pillar, again, smiling from ear to ear. Happy to meet me or his exam results were perfect??!

We shook hands and he immediately showed me his results. Wow! He got 2nd grade. He would have got 1st grade by just a point!! I congratulated him and felt honoured because he came to see me right after getting his results at his school. We then spend the rest of the day at the Lake gardens.


After that second date, we wrote letters almost everyday. Of course, to save our postage, we used the technique which my husband taught me when I was in Singapore. We would smear the stamp with starch, let it dry first and then post it. Clever eh??!


Mr Sethu was puzzled why I suddenly received letters almost everyday. Sometimes two letters a day!! But then, we do not have telephones at home,so we kept in touch via letters.


Then my husband called me again, wanting to meet me for the third time. This time he has to attend an interview to enter university. Since the interview falls on a working day, I again had to take leave.


By this time, I have this 'one kind of feeling' which I just could not describe. We met at the bus terminal and walked to the Mara building in Jalan Rahang. I waited for him until he finished the interview. Then, we took the bus to Port Dickson town and another bus to 5th mile. While waiting for the bus to 5th mile, a Chinese woman approached me and spoke to me in Chinese. I just looked at her, stunned, and told her, I don't speak Chinese. She looked at me again, and started to laugh, I laughed too, so did my husband. She said, "Gua ingat lu China, lu rupa macam ah moy lor" (I thought you Chinese, you look like an ah moy (chinese girl).). I was wearing skirt at that time!! No wonder she thought I was Chinese. Maybe because I have fair complexion... hmmmmm. But then....


When we reached 5th mile, the beach was deserted. It was low tide. So, we looked around for a tree to lean on, and found one. So... we sat and talked and talked and talked and we laughed a lot too. My husband was so funny. Suddenly we realised we were sitting under a tree with no leaves!!! Meaning, we were leaning against a dead tree!!! No wonder we could not feel the shade!! Hahahhaaa.. But then....


It was time to part, again. This time I felt so heavy to say our goodbyes. Was it Love??? Have I started to fall in Love...???

My Husband's 52nd Birthday


Yesterday, 2nd May 2010, we celebrated my husband's 52nd Birthday. Actually, his birthday is on 3rd May, but we always celebrate a day earlier. Anyway, I was at Lizloteng, our abode in Pedas, Negeri Sembilan with my husband, Sofiyah and Wahiduzzaman. We stayed the night at Lizloteng after attending our niece's engagement in Seremban on Saturday.

But then, my other children were at home in Kajang. They did not attend the engagement ceremony because they have their own itinerary. Khairulzaman returned to his University to study and prepare his next final paper on Sunday. Badruzzaman promised his friend to help repair his BMW 5 series. Ayeshah went to her friend's wedding ceremony, whilst Khadijah had to shop her dad's birthday present (as always... doing it at the last minute!!).

Anyway, since we drove in separate cars to Pedas, I returned to Kajang with Sofiyah and Wahiduzzaman after maghrib prayers. My husband returned after his Eshaq prayers. Driving along the Lekas highway was a breeze.... We reached home at around 8.45pm.

Khadijah bought the birthday cake for my husband, Vanilla mousse cake. We switched off the lights in the house, and Khairulzaman (who returned home to celebrate his dad's birthday), lighted the cake. When my husband reached home and opened the door, we all greeted him with the Birthday Song!!! He was surprised but delighted. I gave him a big hug and a kiss on his cheek. Then the children hugged and kissed him too.

He then blew the candles and cut the cake. We then proceeded to Po'Sen Seafood restaurant for dinner. Oh ya!! Forgot to mention what we gave for his birthday!!

I gave him two Bonia long sleeved shirts, Khadijah, Wahid and Sofiyah gave him a wall clock (shaped like a cow, cute!), Khairulzaman gave him a pair of croc shoes. Khairul was pretty smart, he bought the shoes according to his shoesize, so dad may have to give up wearing the croc shoes since he (dad) could not wear it with his socks on!! As for Badruzzaman, till now he has still not bought any present for his dad, well, maybe a belated one, like he always does.... But then...
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