A Pair of Angels

This is one of my favourite things, a pair of angels which was a gift from my sister. I placed it near the window at the bathroom. It gives me such pleasure to look at it every day.

Grilled Salmon

We had grilled salmon served with steamed broccoli, potatoes salad and mushroom soup for dinner on Sunday. I sprinkled some salt, pepper and garlic powder on both sides of the salmon and grilled 1 side for 5 minutes and turned the other side for another 5 minutes on low heat. The potatoes salad was made last evening. However, the mushroom soup wasn't home made. Instead I opened a can of mushroom soup from Campbell which was rather delicious, thick and creamy.

Thyme Roasted Chicken with Potatoes

We bought this chicken from BSC which is antibiotic free and the size is just right for two. Thyme herb has a pungent minty and light-lemon aroma and goes well with chicken. I just love the smell of thyme.

. Olive oil

. Salt

. Pepper

. Thyme

. 2 medium size potatoes

1) Mix salt, pepper and thyme (chopped).
2) Rub the mixture of salt, pepper and thyme under the skin of the chicken.

3) Sprinkle chicken with olive oil.

4) Cut potatoes into halve.

5) Season potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper.

6) Pre-heat oven to 180 C and roast for 1 hour or until cooked.

Chicken Macaroni Soup

Last night I cooked Chicken Macaroni Soup for dinner. It is simple and yet nutritious with carrot, tomato, onion and chicken. I added in a handful of wheat macaroni, just enough to make me full.

. 1 white onion, sliced thinly

. 1 carrot, peel and cut about 2" length

. 1 tomato, cut into 4 pieces

. 1 chicken drumstick, peeled skin

. 2 cups of water

. Salt

. Pepper

1) Boil 2 cups of water in a small pot.

2) Once boiled, add in carrot, tomato, onion and add in the chicken drumstick.

3) Add salt and pepper.

4) Cover the pot then lower the heat and boil for 20 minutes.

5) After 20 minutes, throw in the macaroni and boil for another 10 minutes.

Banana Muffins

Muffins are so delightful to have as desserts. Today I have decided to bake banana muffins because it has been a while since my last baking of muffins which was about 3 months ago.

Makes: 16 to 18 muffins

. 5 medium bananas, mashed

. 1 cup white sugar

. 3 slightly beaten eggs

. 125 gm butter

. 1 tsp baking soda

. 1 tsp baking powder

. 1/2 tsp vanilla essence

. 1/2 tsp salt

. 1 1/2 cup flour

1) Mash 2 of the bananas with a fork in a small bowl.

2) In a large bowl, mix 3 mashed bananas, butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla essence.

3) Add in shift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat the ingredients with an electric mixer for 3 minutes or until all ingredients are mixed together. Do not over-beat.
4) Fold in the 2 mashed bananas with a spatula.

5) Spoon the batter into each of the baking cup and fill about halfway.

6) Preheat oven to 180 C and bake for 20 minutes.

Dell Studio 1555

My long awaited Dell Studio 1555 has finally arrived today. Delivery took more than a month due to some technical error on my order. I am so glad that at long last I finally have it with me. I have chosen ruby red colour because I never really like the standard boring black colour for a laptop. It comes with Intel Core 2 duo processor P8600 (2.4GHz), 4GB memory, 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570, 320GB hard drive, 15.6" high definition (1600x900) display, 2.0 mega pixel web cam and 6-cell lithium ion primary battery. Can't wait to try it out......

I have used it for a few days now and so far there aren't any issues with the new Laptop. I simply love the design, the vibrant and crisp display and good overall performance.

Fried Rice

Fried rice is a simple dish that can be prepared real quick and you can choose which type of ingredients to use. I cooked this fried rice last night so that I could bring some to the office for lunch. The ingredients that I have chosen are as follows:-

. 2 red onions, sliced

. 2 cloves of garlic, chopped

. 1 cup cooked rice

. 2 tbsp oil

. 2 large eggs

. 1 cup of frozen peas, diced carrots and corns, thawed

. 10 bird eye chillis (also known as chilli padi)

. 1 tbsp oyster sauce

. 1 tsp salt

. Pepper to taste

. 1 tbsp soy sauce

. 2 tsp sesame oil

1) Heat oil in a wok, fry the chillis, onions and garlic until fragrant.

2) Stir in peas, diced carrots and corns.

3) Add rice, salt, pepper, soy sauce and oyster sauce, stir to combine.

4) Break eggs in a small bowl, add in a dash of salt, pepper and sesame oil, whisk lightly.

5) Make a hole in the centre of the wok and pour the egg in.

6) Cook the egg and combine well with rice.

Spaghetti Bolognese

The urge to eat pasta was so strong thus I cooked Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner last Sunday. I prefer beef mince, alternatively you can choose chicken mince depending on individual taste. The following ingredients can serves 2 - 3 persons.

. 2 tbsp olive oil
. 1 large onion, chopped
. 3 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
. 1 medium carrot, chopped
. 250g beef mince
. 1/2 cup red wine
. 1 tsp sugar
. 1 tbsp oregano
. 1 can of 425g tomatoes
. 1 tbsp of tomatoes paste
. Salt & pepper, to taste
. 200g spaghetti
. Parmesan cheese, for serving

1) Heat oil in a large deep pan.
2) Add onion, garlic, carrot, cook and stir for 5 min over low heat.
3) Increase heat, add mince beef then add wine, tomatoes, tomatoes paste, sugar and oregano.
4) Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Stirring occasionally.
5) Add salt and pepper.
6) In another pot add some salt to boiling water, add spaghetti. Cook until tender.
7) Drain well.
8) Serve sauce over top of spaghetti and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Keng Thye & Pau Peh

My nephew and niece are 12 years old. This picture was taken at my brother's previous house.

Unique Seafood Restaurant, Sec 13

Last Saturday we went to Unique Seafood Restaurant for dinner. We always enjoy eating there. The seafood was real fresh and delicious, the best part was we didn't have to wait for so long for our dinner to be served. This time we ordered Steamed Patin Fish, Schezuan Spicy Tofu, Steamed Scallop with Garlic, Stir-fry green Pak Choi, and not forgetting some rice and beers too. There goes my diet.......

Losing Weight...

My mission right now is to loose 2 kg. I need to change my eating habits, to forego all the fattening junk food. The biggest culprit are the potato chips and doughnuts. Just enjoy eating it so much. Besides going to the gym 3 times a week, cardio exercise and 1 hour of yoga plus sit ups, I can't seem to loose the extra kg. Something to do with age I guess.....the older you get the more fat you accumulate, I wish it was the wealth bit though, however being healthy is better than being wealthy.

I am going to eat smaller portion of meals but still have a good breakfast, a healthy lunch like salad, fruits (apple, bananas), some almond nuts (bye bye to all my favourite food, char koay teow, curry mee, chicken rice, etc etc), my colleague is teasing me "see how long you can stand without eating your 'lunch' hahaha...." and for dinner something very light. I still need to eat a reasonable amount of carbs on days when I go to the gym, otherwise I wouldn't have the energy to move. Just the right portion not overboard. I love pasta. Already thinking of having spaghetti bolognese this weekend. I guess the key to a good healthy lifestyle is to exercise, eat sensibly and everything in moderation and doing all your favourite things. I will endeavour to stick to my plan for at least 4 weeks to see the result. Wish me luck...