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Lessons learnt from my mum always stays with me. My mum never let me waste food. She would make sure I finished every bit in my bowl. I was taught to take what I can eat only and leaving food and let it waste is totally unacceptable. She even scared me by saying if I leave a grain of rice in my bowl, I will marry a husband who have a face full of scars. LOL! Nowadays, c
If you are a woman, I am sure you will agree with this. What about me? I agree with it 100%!! The above makes me think of a “ball” story I heard from one of my ex boss. Somehow, it shows what was said above is so true. He told me one of his golf “kaki” (mates) brought home a few boxes of new golf balls and handed them to his wife to put away one evening when he returned hom
"Yau Yuen Chin lay lang seong wui, Moe Yuen tui mien but seong foong" (A Chinese proverb with the meaning: If one is destined to meet another, they will even from afar, if not, they will not know each other even they are face to face." This shows the believe in "Destiny". Do you believe in Destiny? I believe in destiny but I do not think it is pre-ordained. I think destiny is self creat
My Quay Lo teased me often and call me a "Stage Mum" whenever I share our son’s music. I was not very sure what it means so I checked it in the wikipedia. What was written there was “A stage mother may also be the official manager of her child (e.g., Rose Thompson Hovick, Dina Lohan, Ethel Gumm, Teri Shields, Jaid Barrymore, Susan Duff, etc.) — representing her child in negot
We had a wonderful time in Vegas three weeks ago. Who knows when we returned to LA, everybody were down with a bad flu. Then, two days later, I tripped and fell while getting out of the long bath. I landed on my overturned left foot and my 5th metatarsal into two and displaced it. OUCH!!! Few days later my Quay Lo's feet got an infection and now admitted into the hospital. HAIYAH! So that's w
Dear family and friends, Times flies and I have been blogging for almost three years this coming July. This will be the first time I am taking a long break and I know I am going to miss sharing my stories and recipes with you all. I hope to be back by the beginning of May 2013. In the meantime, I will try to stay in touch on my Facebook Page.
Recently, Nick made a musical video called “The Departure” introducing himself as a solo artist. A question that is often asked of him is “What inspires you?” People seem fascinated with the creative process. He answers “moments”. Please click on picture to see the video I agree with him. “Moments” inspire me too. First let me say what I mean by a "moment". After a
You may have heard the old adage "it is better to give than to receive," but you may not believe it. Well, now scientific studies show that it’s true. — Anthony L. Komaroff, MD Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Sir Richard Branson are the proofs of "Giving brings happiness". They all said, "Stuff" really is not what brings happiness. Family, friends, good he
This is a long overdue post. For quite a while now I had lost the folder with the photos of the occasion. It is a pre-Christmas pot luck lunch at Sonia's home. She is the originator of the “Nasi Lemak Lover” blog. All of us were to bring a contribution and I took "chee cheong fun" from my favorite store and home made yong tau fu, the one that my Mum taught me.
Many friends asked me about the quote I have on my Blog header. “Family is the main ingredient in our life, without it, we will be under nourished”. I truly believe in that. To me, it is sad when I see someone who does not value their relationship with their family. Perhaps, they haven't learned to appreciate that it is, more often than not, through thei
It seems that the stereotype for accomplished chefs are that they are dictators and control freaks in their kitchens, charmers with the customers, and stoically dedicated and private about their creative processes. So I decided to say up front that that is not what I saw in Chef Robert Danhi. Chef Danhi is one of those people you feel instantly comfortable with
“You don’t ever have to feel guilty about removing toxic people from your life. It doesn't matter whether someone is a relative, romantic interest, employer, childhood friend, or a new acquaintance — you don’t have to make room for people who cause you pain or make you feel small. It’s one thing if a person owns up to their behavior and makes an effort to change. But if a person disregards you
When I posted the inspiring essay, "A never ending dream" written by the Oscar winning Director, Ang Lee, on my facebook account, I received a question from a fellow food blogger, Mel of "Through the kitchen door". She asked, “when Quay Chai chose his career to become a singer, do you sternly object this path in the beginning?” My answer to her was, “I was not
I love to start my day laughing! Today, my son Nick shared a video titled “The tale of two brains” which I would love to share with you all. This is hilarious and yet so familiar and TRUE! After watching the video with my Quay Lo, he commented that we should watch this video each time before we start an arguement. LOL! Click on the picture to go to the link Now, tell me you did no
There are so many mouth watering Chinese New Year cookies in my friends’ blogs the last few weeks and guess what? I wanted to make them all but in the end, I made none! LOL! Then finally, two day before Chinese New Year, I decided to try making the famous “Chicken biscuits” from Bidor, a little town in the north of Peninsula Malaysia. I got this recipe from a friend and was surprised to
In November last year, I attended Anna Olson’s cooking demo. She showed us how to make meat pie and since then, I have wanted to make one at home. I did not follow her recipe and ended up creating my own, primarily to match the ingredients I had on hand, but also because it felt like a good time to play-play. When I shared the meat pie photos on my facebook page, I received several
Last year I made a Valentine lunch for my Quay Lo and this year, I will think of something different but I will tell you in another post. Please click on the photo to get the recipe Anyway, I would love to wish all my friends, readers and my family a VERY HAPPY Valentine's day. May you all have LOVE in the air around you. My Son, Nick has just launched his third single timely for V
From left: my youngest nephew, Calvin, my son, Nick, my eldest nephew, Christopher and my only niece, Christine Time flies, and all these kids are now young adults, and they are all so busy with their own lives. Despite how busy they are, they never fail to come to my house for Chinese New Year reunion dinner every year. And whether it is here, or some where els
Today I heard the boss of our regular grocery shop ask why do people like to do last minute shopping. That made me think of the word “procrastination”. Aren't we all guilty of that sometimes? Is there any of us that do not feel the heat of our schedules breathing down our back? In this “rush rush” world, we seemed to have less and less time in a day to do all the things w
It is good that as we grow older, that we sustain our interest in life and various topics. Its good to have a hobby as more of our time frees up, and we aren't as consumed by working. I fear that if we do not have pastimes that sustain our imaginations and thought processes we may risk becoming a walker-and-turner. I know you'll be puzzled by that term. Don't fret too much becau
Many of you will remember that I am in touch with quite a number of my high school schoolmates. We call ourselves the “Golden Girls” (GGs) class of 72, and have been friends for over forty years! " We meet up now and then for "talk therapy". Don’t get me wrong, we are not a whole bunch of depressed or bi-polar women. In fact, we are the opposite. Our "talk therapy
Did I just graduate? Recently my friend Chef Ryan asked me to assist with a promotion at Carrefour of a brand of acqua culture prawn. The plan was to demonstrate preparing the prawn near the seafood department. I agreed as it sounded like fun, and a new experience. Arriving early at Carrefour Subang Jaya last Sunday, I met up with Chef Ryan to make sure the demonstration was set up. It
I am often told by my mum not to burn bridges. I woukd hear that advice most often when I was changing jobs. My mother always reminded me not say anything about my ex employer unless it is positive. She reminds me often not to say anything unless it is positive about friends, fellow emplloyees, and acquaintenances. So for all my life, I heeded her advice and I kept i
A few months ago, I wanted to submit this recipe for the Malaysian Food Fest hosted by my friend, Wendy of "Table for 2 or more". By the time I remembered that I had written this post for food from Melaka, it was too late to submit. Oh well! LOL! Anyway, I have no regrets cooking it and I hope you will try and feel the same. Although it was my first attempt it came ou
I used to be a perfectionist but not anymore. I once read an article by Henrik Edberg and he said: “Does life have to be perfect before you are happy? Do you have to behave in a perfect way and get perfect results to be happy? If so, happiness will not be easy to find. Setting the bar for your performance at a level higher than reasonable usually leads to low self-esteem an
I suspect that my mum still believes in this notion of “Spare the rod and spoil the child”. Oh, maybe she has mellowed a bit since my youngster years, but that was how I was brought up. Oh yes, there was a cane in her house when I was little. There was a cane in my house too when my son, Nick was little. Is there one in your house? Many modern parents have a different view. A few days ago,
The first time I received an invitation from Feryal, the Assistant Public Relation Manager of One World Hotel, to taste the food at Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurant and do a review, I was unable to go because of some prior commitment. The second invitation came at a time when I was less busy so I was able to attend and I am glad I did. Setting out in my car I didn't bother with the GPS bec
Hi everyone, Quay Lo here. Quay Po took the day off. It seems only fair to start by explaining the meaning of the word “Poppycock”. Here is what the Miriam Webster’s on-line dictionary notes: pop·py·***** noun \'pä-pe-?käk\ informal + old-fashioned: foolish words or ideas : : empty talk or writing : Nonsense Examples of usage for POPPYCOCK “The congressman imagined that he h
It was a great way for us to end 2012 and start 2013 because my son, Nick Davis launched his second single “Cover Me” at 12 midnight st December 2012. ? Use original player Nick Davis feat. Róisín - Cover Me [Official Single] By Nick Davis YouTube 1080p 720p 360p 240p FLV ? Replay X i On "Cover Me", Nick collaborated with another local performer
There is nothing more fun than a girls day out. Me, my stepdaughter, Erin and her BFF, Danah The last time we went back to the USA to visit with our family there, my step daughter and her best friend took me to the famous seaside town of Santa Monica. A century ago it was a resort area for Los Angeleans who could hop on a street car for a ride out to the pier. The city has re
Baking started two days before Christmas Bourbon Balls Swedish Wedding Balls S'more marshmallow chocolate bars We started the day with opening gifts Ruby gets to wear a new dress given frommy best friend's daughter, June Ranger gets a new toy Nick's wish for Christmas came true One of my Mum's X'mas gifts that amused her -&
Brownies are one of my Quay Lo’s favorite dessert. He told me long ago that usually the pastries that passed themselves off as brownies here were little more than overly dry chocolate cake. He has often said that brownies are not cake. I have never figured out how to bake the brownies that he describes. So most of the time, he is the one who will attempt t
The meaning of “saucy” is "impertinent in an entertaining way; impossible to repress or control". Will you be surprised if I tell you that President Abraham Lincoln had used the perogative word “saucy” and had written out his true feelings about a lady visitor in a short note to himself? This note now belongs to the Library of Congress. Interesting ha? My use of the word in today's tit
Hi everyone, Quay Lo here. When it comes to making turkey for the holidays Quay Po surrenders her apron to me. She takes it back again when it comes to preparing the many other dishes we serve, especially the pies. I’ll start with a promise. If you follow the recipes below you will make a perfect turkey, perfect gravy, and a perfect side dish called “dressing” not to be confused with
It is hard to buy a gift for someone who has everything. The best gift for her is something made with lots of love. I made a birthday cake for my best friend forever (BFF), Peng on her birthday a few months ago. Quay Lo and I took her to lunch at Di Wei in Empire Subang and that was our birthday gift for her. We like it there because the food is delicious and the ser
During our last trip back to USA, we managed to catch up with my step daughter’s mum and her hubby. Darlene is reading the birthday card we gave her in advance Tony is busy cooking up the meal for us It was so kind of them to invite Gary and I over to their beautiful home for a home cook meal. We had a delicious plate of risotto with perfectly pan s
I remember that in the sixties, when I was a young girl just starting to become socially aware, we kept in touch with friends by writing letters and making phone calls. In those days phone calls were prohibitively expensive if one of you was staying abroad. Locally we would often just take a drive to go visit our friends. Although progress has brought us convenience a
Last Tuesday, I attended a cooking demo that was featured as “Celebrating with Organics this Christmas Season”. It was held in The Pantry at Jaya Grocers, Empire Subang with Ozganics founder Anni Brownjohns. When I got the invitation from Chef Ryan, I extended the invitation to my friends but only Yen of "Eat Your Heart Out", Esther of "The Fuss Free Chef", Sonia of "Nasi Lemak Lo
My good friend, Diana, shared a video with me and it is so hilarious (but true) that I have to share with you all, especially with friends that are around my age. ? Use original player Funny Prayer about Getting Old at the Caregiver of the Year Dinner By HomeInsteadInc YouTube 360p 240p FLV ? Replay X i I had a good laugh watching the video and I believ
Both my Quay Lo and I love to watch Anna Olson’s shows on Asian Food Channel. Her recipes are simple and easy to follow yet yield beautiful bakes. I never thought I would see her show live! My thanks to Asian Food Channel for bringing her to Kuala Lumpur. Anna Olson is a professionally trained pastry chef with over fifteen years of experience in the culinary field. She
Since my Quay Lo and I came together, potatoes are available in our home at all times. There are many dishes I have made with potatoes as an ingredient. As you might expect, these have been either an appetizer or more commonly as a side dish to the main course. So when I received an invitation to attend a private dinner at the Le Meridian hosted by the United States P
Some people are experts at running their mouths, and often times they have learned to wait for just the right moment to hurt another person's feelings. How many of you agree with the saying, “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all”? I believe in it but sometimes I forget my belief. From time to time I speak too hastily and forget to put a check on what
Anni Brownjohn founded of The Right Food Group in 1999 with a dream to bring to the world her passion for clean, healthy, low allergy food. It has now grown to be Australia's leading developer and manufacture of organic condiments and sauces. OZGANICS brand is available nationally and internationally. She will be in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 27th November t
Today is Deepavali and I would like to wish all who celebrate the festival of lights a Very Happy Deepavali. May this special day brings you all lots of peace, love, happiness and good health throughout your life. Today reminds me of our visit with our family in the USA last year. We brought with us many packets of roti canai and several varieties of ready curry mix. My step daugh
It was the USA election day last Wednesday. Both Quay Lo and I were eager to follow the progress of voting. We were both glued to the couch in the living hall. Our lunch was quick and simple and we had it in front of the TV. LOL! Simple lunch - grilled herb sausage and carpet bag egg on French toast with sliced carrots and seedless grapes (Photo taken with my iPhone 4S)
As most of you know, I was recruited to be on the panel of judges for The Nutriplus Baking Competition. I guess I was what might be referred to as the local "anchor" judge as I was to join each day of the event. Judges for the Semi final - Round 1 from left: Chef Bernard, Chef Federick and Quay Po The competition took place over five days and a new panel of judges were
We have a Kamias tree in our garden. It bears fruit throughout the year. The Kamias tree is called cucumber or sorrel tree in English. Its fruit is used both for cooking and traditional medicine. Kamias fruit is very sour so it is often used to make chutney or sauces for meat or fish dishes. I love the dish my mum cooks with it. She stir fries thinly sliced kamias fru
A friend once shared a link to a video titled "Chef Gordon Ramsay in Malaysia". In this video, he had learned how to cook our Malaysian dishes from all the aunties who cook their dishes with “agak agak” recipes. Both Quay Lo and I had so much fun watching this video because there were so many funny moments. If you want a good laugh to brighten up your day, you must watch it . Also,
Dear friends and readers, I apologize for not responding to your comments promptly the last two days. This is because I was tied up at the Nutriplus Baking Competition as one of the judges. I will be till the final on 31st October 2012. I have read all your comments and will reply to them after that. Thanks for dropping by and take time to leave your comments. It is always, greatly appreciated.
Finally, Le Cordon Bleu courses are here in Malaysia. There is a network of educational institutions dedicated to providing the highest level of culinary and hospitality instruction through world class programs in gastronomy. Le Cordon Bleu is considered to be the guardian of French culinary technique through its culinary programs that continue to preserve and pass on the ma
