Greetings from Bahrain

Some pictures from my hotel window. Currently its Summer over here. Weather is SUPER HOT, over 45C degrees. Never experienced it like this before, warm in the morning, super hot in the afternoon, warm in the night!!! No relief at all.

Thank goodness for air-conditioner otherwise it would be EXTREMELY UNBEARABLE.

AT DAWN - 5am

Mid-Morning

Night time

Cucumber Kimchi

Yesssh, I finally made this *skips in glee*

The steps might seem a little lengthy but its actually very easy to make. Am quite happy that this recipe taste almost the same as those bought at the stores.

Special thanks to aeriskitchen for sharing on youtube this recipe though I twigged it a little by adding the Chinese pear and carrot.

Ingredients

10 Japanese cucumber
½ cup coarse salt
5 cups water
2 cups garlic chives, cut about 2 inches
½ cup spring onion, cut about 2 inches
½ cup carrot, finely cut about 2 inches
½ Chinese pear, skin removed and julienned (add 1 tsp sugar to keep it from browning)

Sauce ingredients
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
½ cup Korean chilli powder (gochugaru) or to taste
3 tbsp Korean fish sauce
3 tbsp water
1 tbsp caster sugar

Method:

1. In a large pot bring to boil the water and coarse sea salt.


2. In meantime, was cucumber and cut both ends and divide into 4 equal pieces (depending how long or short you want them to be) and then with each mini cucumber cut a ‘cross’ or ‘T’ starting from the top of the cucumber until about 2cm from the bottom, making sure that you do not slice all the way through. Each mini cucumber is suppose to be like a mini bite size kimchi cup.

3. Place prepared cucumber into large bowl or pot.

4. By now the water would be boiling, turn off heat and pour hot water into your bowl or pot of cucumber. Set aside for at least 50 min.

5. In meantime, prepare the other vegetables and the sauce ingredients in a separate bowl. Mix to combine well.

6. After 50 min, rinse cucumber in fresh water and squeeze out excess water and dry them with paper towels.

7. Wearing a pair of disposable gloves, stuff some of the vegetable mix into the cucumber, rubbing the outside of the cucumber with the mix too.


8. In a container, leave the stuffed cucumber at room temperature overnight to enhance the flavour before refrigerating.

9. Best eaten well chilled. Consume within a week.

Snap shot - Crabapple cupcakes

Formerly known as Crabapple Bakery, now known as Crabapple Cupcakes and Supplies in Melbourne.

The 'swirl' pretty similar to infamous cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery.

Don't they look too pretty to eat?

Hard time picking just one right?


Pretty popular not just with the kids alone!

Note - the cupcakes are very attractive but tastewise, well you judge for yourself! After reading the comments here and here, maybe better off baking them yourself!!

They have a book (got a copy of myself) and the pictures are same as those available at the craft markets. Haven't tried the recipes myself - just one of those coffee-table books or should I say bedtime books to drool over before sleeping....sweet dreams mah Heh heh heh :)

3 days Physical Torture

Over the weekend, participated in some company training. Unlike most typical courses, it was not classroom focused - instead we were all physically challenged with lots of outdoor activities, almost like team building but with the focus on leadership.

Even though it drizzled and rained a lot, the outdoor activities continued as per usual. The lead organizer said he would only begin to consider postponing it if there was heavy monsoon down! Not good news especially since I just recovered earlier in the week from a flu and sore throat bug.

But overall I had a lot of FUN, was laughing so much as most of the people in the group was outgoing, noisy and fun; obviously the 'jokers' of the group kept the free-flow momentum going!

In some parts of the challenge, I felt like I was in the 'Amazing Race', trying to get the clue so that we can 'check-in' on time, running from one place to the other. Ha ha

Established many new friendship with colleagues from different departments and subsidiaries (which I would otherwise not have met), learnt a few new things and increased my knowledge.....the BEST NEWS of all is that I also lost 1 kg!!!!

Day 1 was spent walking all over Tanah Rata @ Cameron Highlands. Main reason was that we went off course and couldn't complete the course on time which meant extra penalty and had to walk back to the hotel, about 2.3km. Must have been the cool weather but didn't feel too tired and wasn't wheezing like my typical self when I was running from point A to point B.

Slept late, woke up early basically sum up how time flew by - funny but for some reason couldn't sleep properly and so didn't get much rest.

Day 2, again started with outdoor activities requiring us to solve some challenges. After lunch, some recaps and classroom presentation; after which we were required to prepare our night outdoor activities. From the preparations for the activities, I got bruises on my knees as had to kneel a lot to colour, paint and draw - really felt like going back to kindergarten again. But looking back it was enjoyable! Also got to know how well my other colleagues could draw, paint and colour including those who could do them upside down *shy man*!

So that's how I spent my weekend. When I got back to office on Monday, let's just say that it was a TOTAL BLUR - was physical burnt out! Thankfully there were no meetings that day.

The whole week, I've been chuckling silently to myself like a crazy woman, recalling back the silly, funny and embarrassing things we got up to on the weekend!!

Of course no trip to the Highlands would be complete without a quick detour to the markets!! Here are some quick snaps.


Strawberries - but don't be fooled, check the bottom cos even though looks like a big heapful there may be some added leaves at the bottom to make it look fuller (??) and mixed in with smaller strawberries. If you wish to eat them fresh, better to buy the ones which are individually packed in a row.


A variety of Highland vegetables and fruits being sold.

Bought a bag each to try, based on Bento Pet's recommendation.
Great healthy snack! I also had lots of steam and BBQ sweet corn.

Lovely fresh flowers - though they are fairly cheap, didn't get any cos dissapointingly the roses especially do not bloom and only last 1 or 2 days only.

Javapot's KDS One-Bowl Mixed Rice

Seem to be on a KDS and Korean food Xtravaganza roll! So please bear with me.

If you are a K-drama follower, there will be a typical scene where the actress will be mixing in a very large bowl some rice, kimchi and other ingredients (gochujang and sesame oil)....almost like Bibimbap but not that complicated.

Have you ever wondered what they are mixing? Ever wondered how it taste like? Looks pretty tasty doesn't it as the actress shoves in spoonful after spoonful?? Or is that all just pure emotional rage eating?

Whatever it is here is my simple & quick version.

In a LARGE bowl, add:

hot cooked rice

kimchi, cut into bite size

bean sprout banchan

spinach banchan

1 tbsp gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste) (to taste)

1 tsp Korean sesame oil (to taste)

Get R-E-A-D-Y and M-I-X.

There you have it....a very satisfying, fuss-free & wholesome KDS meal!

Can add a sunny side up egg if you wish or a side dish of meat for a fuller meal. But this bowl of veggie mix rice is good enough to satisfy my crave while I'm watching my favourite K-drama series!

Have a good weekend.

Spinach Banchan

Sharing another super easy Korean banchan!

Ingredients
300g spinach leaves, washed
3 cups of water
2 tbsp soy sauce (or to taste)
1 spring onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp Korean sesame oil
1 tbsp lightly toasted sesame seeds

Method:

1. Bring water to boil and blanch spinach for about 30 seconds. I used baby spinach but can use normal spinach too – hold leaves together and blanch the stalk first for about 1 min before plunching in rest of the leaves into the hot water.

2. Rinse spinach under cold water. Drain and gently squeeze out excess water from spinach.

3. Mix all the other ingredients in a large bowl. Add blanched spinach and toss until well combined.

4. Cover the sesoned spinach and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.


Bench note – If opt to use baby spinach, the longest time spent would be cleaning it!

Cameron Highlands

This is a back-dated post in March this year. *slack* Been sitting pretty since then and was spurred on by Jacss who posted pictures of her recent Highland trip!!

How do you keep yourself occupied at Camerons??? Good R&R place since the weather is nice and cool (not freezing cold) but if you are like us and can't sit still, here are some things you can do.

#1 Visit the tea plantations

- Bharat Cameron Valley Tea Plantation (good place for a quick tea break with a magnificient view. Since this is along the highway, its very convenient).

- Boh Tea Plantation * (ORIGINAL & very rustic atmosphere)

- Sungai Palas Boh Tea Plantation * (NEW & pretty chic - the cafe reminds me of Ikea, very modern but with a much better view! TIP - bring your own news paper, trudge up the hill (treat as nice short morning walk) and find a nice table out in the balcony to enjoy both your cuppa and the beautiful green backdrop of the tea valley! Aiseh, wish I had a country holiday house up in the highlands!)

Part of the back to nature deco.

*Note the Little Man (below) says closed on Mondays, otherwise opened 9am - 4.30pm.

More scenic sights.

See the people doing their morning walk (small hill, not that bad). Family with prams, would advice taking the side road instead of the off-beaten path!!

#2 Steamboat Dinner (best way to warm up since weather is pretty cool as sun goes down)

Relaxing and enjoyable charcoal steamboat dinner was at Water Cress Valley (pass Equitorial Hotel and the butterfly farms, drive a little further and the restaurant is on your right hand side). Food was good (maybe we were too hungry) but best part was it wasn't jam packed with people unlike those heading towards Brinchang.

#3 Eat strawberries and corn

#4 Buy strawberry merchandize (if you have girls, this is really a pink/red paradise. Sorry boys, just stick to the corn which is pretty yummy!)


#5 Visit other farm attractions - butterfly, bee/honey, cactus, strawberry, vegetables, etc.




There are night markets (aka pasar malam) @ Brinchang but since it was school holidays, traffic was pretty bad and raining so we gave it a miss. Yep even visiting the tea plantations can be a traffic nightmare as the roads are very narrow - so PATIENCE otherwise don't visit during public or school holidays!!


Getting there - we went up Tapah Road and came down the Simpang Pulai Road. More intersting using the former but roads are narrower and more windy. The latter was good (less cars & less windy) but further, good if you plan to stop by Ipoh to makan!

More scenic shots - taken on a morning walk. *INHALE, DEEP BREATH IN & OUT - air very fresh indeed!!* These pictures were taken on the road to Sungai Palas Boh Tea Plantation. It was Monday and early in the morning so we knew traffic would be minimal. We parked along the main road (near butterfly farm) and walked in. Since this is Malaysia, watch out for the cars ya and don't forget your camera.

Good link for more Highland information - here.

Yep, we were curious enough to stop by this road side stall to quench our thirst and curiosity. Drink is very sweet but refreshing especially if stuck in a slow bad jam! Stall owner is also very friendly - and why not, as he gets business with all the curious cityfolks like us, ha ha!!

***********
How could I forget this part of our journey....we were one car away (repeat ONE CAR away) from a head on collision. We were so fortunate otherwise whole trip would have been cancelled not to mention the hassel of getting the car towed and repaired, etc. What happen was an coming car over steered or something and ended up bumping the side of the 1st car, then crashed head-on into the 2nd car in front of us (we were the third car that was spared). No one was injured but sufficient damage was done to all cars involved!!

THE KNOTS PRAYER

Thought I share this...something I noticed while waiting at my GP last night.

Dear God:

Please untie the knots

that are in my mind, my heart, my life.

Remove the have nots,

the can nots and the do nots

that I have in my mind.

Erase all the will nots,

might nots that may find a home in my heart.

Release me from the could nots and

would nots that obstruct my life.

And most of all Dear God;

I ask that you remove from my mind,

my heart and my life all the “am nots”

that I have allowed to hold me back,

especially the thought,

that I am not good enough.

Author Known to God.

Homemade strawberry jam - Barefoot Contessa

Got two punnets of Cameron Highland strawberries on offer. As some of you may know they are not the sweetest but good enough for making jams!!

Yum! Perfect for scones.

Source from Ina's Back to Basics cookbook

Ingredients
3 pints strawberries, washed, hulled & cut into half
3 cups sugar
2 tbsp Grand Mariner or orange flavoured liqueur
1/2 granny smith apple , cored and diced finely*
1/2 cup blueberries, washed

Method

1. Mix together in a heavy base post the strawberries, sugar and liquor.

2. Boil using medium heat, stirring often.

3. Add apples and blueberries and keep fire at rolling boil, stirring occasionally until temperature on a candy thermometer reaches 220C degrees (about 25-35 min).

4. Skim any foam that rises to the top and discard.

5. Cool jam to room temperature before storing in sterilized jars in the refrigerator. Can last for at least 2 weeks.

*Note - Pectin makes jams gel and found in underripe fruit. Granny Smith Apples are available year-round and contain lots of pectin.

My version

320g (washed, hulled & cut) strawberries
75g caster sugar
1/2 vanilla bean
1/4 granny smith apple, diced
1 tbsp organic honey
zest of orange/lemon (optional)

Method - follow above.

This was an earlier batch I made but added some water to the jam ingredients while cooking. It all came together in the end - just longer cooking time. But realised from using Ina's recipe, no need to add the extra liquid as there's plenty from the strawberries themselves!!

Bench notes - The amount of sugar used in cooking the jam will usually determine the length of time you can keep/store the jam. So do keep this in mind if you plan to reduce the amount of sugar in your recipe.

Pretty tasty on toast too...ahh, nothing beat homemade stuff! :)

French Apple Tart - Barefoot Contessa

Barefoot said in her introduction to this recipe that this is her 'all time favourite dessert'.

Have had good results so far with Ina Garten's recipes so decided to give this ago.

Recipe source from Back to Basics

Dough
2 cups all purpose flour, sieved
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp caster sugar
170g chilled unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
½ cup iced water (may not need to use all)

Method:
1. In a large bowl, mix in flour, salt and sugar.

2. Rub in butter until resemble breadcrumbs.

3. Add water as required until dough comes together into a ball.

4. Chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

5. Roll dough out into thin rectangular pizza, trim edges if you wish to keep it looking neat. Using a fork, poke some holes on the dough. Store in fridge while you prepare the apple filling or until ready to bake.

Note if in a rush, can use puff pastry for the base instead.

Filling
4 granny smith apples (cut into slices)
½ cup sugar (use caster sugar cos when I used brown sugar it was not sweet enuf!)
65g butter, cut into small cubes

6. Arrange apple slices over the dough - overlapping slices of apples diagonally down the middle of the tart and continue making diagonal rows on both sides of the first row until the pastry is covered with apple slices.

7. Dust sugar on top of apples and ground cinnamon (optional).

8. Scatter/dot butter over the apples and bake in pre-heated oven at 180C degrees for 40-45 min until pastry and apples start to brown. Rotate pan once during cooking.

Glaze
½ cup apricot jelly
2 tbsp water/rum

9. In a small saucepan, gently warm up glaze up before brushing glaze on top of baked apples.

10. Allow to cool and serve warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice-cream! :)

Have a good weekend everyone.

Snap shot - Tulips

One of my favourite flowers.
There's just something about them that cheers me up instantly. Can't tire looking at them. There are many varieties available and just love them all.

One of my favourite shot - notice the butterfly?

Rows of tulips.


They are everywhere - in the fields, in rows, in bushes, in buckets & pots etc.


There's something related with tulips and windmills! *wonder what that is :) *

Tesselaar Tulip Festival in Melbourne (Sept-Oct).

Word of advice - wear old shoes as it may get a little muddy and dirty (not to mention faint stench of manure - they also have carriage rides drawn by horses) as you explore the tulip fields! On the way, feel free (if you are not tired spending the entire day frolicking in the tulip fields) to drop by the local fruit and honey farms.

Pictures taken a few years back @ 2006.