tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28290927353265668402024-03-05T07:22:03.995-08:00leehwa writesreflections and babblingsleehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-21331957809670253302013-12-31T07:18:00.000-08:002013-12-31T07:18:17.784-08:00Happy New Year 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Another year passes by and as
we usher and welcome the New Year, it is time again for reflections and
resolutions. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji774TPNhnDNrIvg-arMTpvj-w2hkbwQOA4B1hF6t0xxgExdn_wSpc-ErTjHVlEzEt4smQwkh-GshDVC5fk-qosoHhzN-Ba6Lz20iZzRKo2i_6EsVmebOvcGqwpkuJSiiJBT-TK0nrZ6xt/s1600/2014_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji774TPNhnDNrIvg-arMTpvj-w2hkbwQOA4B1hF6t0xxgExdn_wSpc-ErTjHVlEzEt4smQwkh-GshDVC5fk-qosoHhzN-Ba6Lz20iZzRKo2i_6EsVmebOvcGqwpkuJSiiJBT-TK0nrZ6xt/s200/2014_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">What had happened to all my
resolutions? No prizes for correct answers here. It is so easy to just gloss
over them and like the sand in the hour glass let them slip through your hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">For me, it would not be a New
Year without making resolutions. Offhand I know what they are and will be, with
a few additional ones to help me steer onto the right path. (ha! ha! ha!). Why
bother making them when no effort is made to fulfill them? One new resolution
would be a quarterly review of things or challenges that I should be
undertaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Fear not, there’s always a
new year round the corner for a repeat of those resolutions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">It is not only that, ‘Forget
Not.’ …..what you resolve to do!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Happy New Year!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-278595134424766442013-11-27T07:22:00.003-08:002013-11-28T06:26:57.409-08:00Express Achar (Vegetables Pickle)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Having gained its share of
fans, I thought that I had better post my Express Achar recipe on my blog. This
is especially for you Eva, it is not that difficult to get the spices grounded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I would caution against over
drying or over heating the vegetables in your pan, you would surely not want to
cook it, otherwise the vegetables will wilt and not be crunchy. Under frying it
will give you a more watery Achar. What I actually do, is to lightly pan dried
(meaning, I fry it over very low fire), the moment I think the vegetables are
getting a bit too hot, I would turn off the gas, let them cool a little and
then heat them up again. Keep stirring too for evenness. Fry the different
vegetables in different batches, according to how quick cooking they are. The
only vegetables that you can pan-fry together are cucumber, fresh </span>chilies<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> (if
you are using) and the hard stalks of the cabbage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">You could adjust the
proportion of the vegetables used, using more of those vegetables you like and
less or even omit those that you are not fond of.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">This is a fool-proofed dish.
You may have some wilted vegetables, i.e. if you pan-fried them too long, or
too sour if you used too much vinegar or too sweet or too salty or not enough
sugar, but in spite of all these little misadventures you would still have a
great Achar (Vegetables Pickle) that is superior to any other pickle. It is not too spicy(hot) so you could eat plenty of it. Happy
cooking Eva!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEu1TxVAWrvoFwNwcU9pxSOcsCUrp6nhwQPzVQGfgupfQtBAJdTJnNuT-YVw-gxgMqH5bV56_FEi8Tdiw3mY_50iGXCj4z3W9RM9z18v5Ge9a37DzR4m7PmGtPc2WqOZmRFzHUvDFWlL0/s1600/IMG_6192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEu1TxVAWrvoFwNwcU9pxSOcsCUrp6nhwQPzVQGfgupfQtBAJdTJnNuT-YVw-gxgMqH5bV56_FEi8Tdiw3mY_50iGXCj4z3W9RM9z18v5Ge9a37DzR4m7PmGtPc2WqOZmRFzHUvDFWlL0/s640/IMG_6192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Ingredients : <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 480; width: 643px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Spices to be grounded :<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.0pt;" valign="top" width="324"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Vegetables : <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">6 - 8 dried chillies <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.0pt;" valign="top" width="324"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">1 pkt peanut candy (220 gm pkt) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" width="295"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">2 buah keras<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.0pt;" valign="top" width="324"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">1 large local cucumber or <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">1 ½ medium sized cucumber<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">2 stalk lemon grass/serai<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.0pt;" valign="top" width="324"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">200 gm long beans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">15 onions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.0pt;" valign="top" width="324"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">1 carrot<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">6 pips garlic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.0pt;" valign="top" width="324"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">3-4 leaves cabbage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">1 piece fresh kunyit (1 ½
inch)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.0pt;" valign="top" width="324"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">1 454 gm tin canned
pineapple<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">1 tsp shrimp paste/belachan
(optional)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.0pt;" valign="top" width="324"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.0pt;" valign="top" width="324"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">3-4 tabsp apple vinegar(diluted with 2 tabsp water) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.0pt;" valign="top" width="324"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Salt and sugar (3-5 tabsp)
to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Method :</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqgjjQu4m9ltJJW5qX8Y05uXTWRlNdpMOpywox8KOsTSE0ENs0MgRBL9Lp86O7DUBXFco0MFLpNArBsjgLOkSIlTI4DkByJOiaJz3fIyg62OT6SG20QIBqtv5dOD4DsmL2dntjoLANRd0/s1600/peanut+candy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqgjjQu4m9ltJJW5qX8Y05uXTWRlNdpMOpywox8KOsTSE0ENs0MgRBL9Lp86O7DUBXFco0MFLpNArBsjgLOkSIlTI4DkByJOiaJz3fIyg62OT6SG20QIBqtv5dOD4DsmL2dntjoLANRd0/s200/peanut+candy.jpg" width="176" /></a>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Pound the peanut candy (you can put it in a cloth
bag and use a small hammer) coarsely, or use an electric chopper.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Cut cucumber, carrots, long beans into lengths of
about 2 cm x ½ cm <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Cut cabbage into square/rectangular pieces.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Either dry the vegetables in the sun, oven or
lightly pan dried.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Grind the spices together.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Fry the spices in oil till fragrant. (about ¾
cup)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">When fragrant, add 2 tabsp vinegar mixture. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Add carrots, fry for 1 minute, and then add the
long beans.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">As you add the vegetables, add some salt and
sugar, in proportion to the vegetables that has been added.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Add in the cucumber and cabbage, followed by more
vinegar, salt and sugar to taste.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Lastly add in the cubed, canned pineapple.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Add in most of the grounded peanut candy, leaving
some for garnishing.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Some notes :</span></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiwo5q8nLWWS9q4U7VonFiczMMki-JndnrWSMXvdMHMpFebMKd0_2rqIpNCAJx4F9yAAaBBwLUHC18b1d0yVEoaQIjrqd62kUTY_GuyJtf-xKM6DPWAGAZEYLfnSn50OH6KLabEpmLxNo/s1600/IMG_6190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiwo5q8nLWWS9q4U7VonFiczMMki-JndnrWSMXvdMHMpFebMKd0_2rqIpNCAJx4F9yAAaBBwLUHC18b1d0yVEoaQIjrqd62kUTY_GuyJtf-xKM6DPWAGAZEYLfnSn50OH6KLabEpmLxNo/s400/IMG_6190.JPG" width="400" /></a>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Some of you may prefer to have more grounded
peanut candy for garnishing.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">You could use some of the canned pineapple juice.
Adjust seasoning accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I usually do not use the full tin of the canned
pineapple, (leave some), but it’s up to your preference too.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">You can add fresh chillies too (cut into half
lengthwise).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Do not add water, unless your vegetables are very
dry.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">For those of you, who prefer a more sour flavour,
you could add another tabsp. of vinegar, especially if you can ‘stomach’
it. However, please note that you may need to add in more sugar to balance
up the vinegar, and besides aren't we trying to cut down our sugar?
Normally I do not finish using the vinegar, it is better to prepare more
of the diluted vinegar, for a better and thorough spread among the vegetables. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Test some vegetables or the gravy for taste. (Is
it sweet enough? Or do you need more salt or vinegar.)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">You could add more peanut candy too, or you could
use grounded peanuts and sesame seeds. If you do that, please adjust the
amount of sugar used.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-56095993351051341952013-11-08T04:38:00.000-08:002013-11-08T04:56:27.289-08:00Budget 2014_??????<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Most Malaysians were more
anxious about our most recent Budget 2014 than budgets of previous years; </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">especially with
Fitch downgrading our sovereign credit outlook, similarly so was yours truly.
Below, some that caught my attention.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">1.
GST <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Goods and Service Tax(GST) will be implemented on 1st April 2013 at 6%. A
consumption tax, it will be zero rated for basic food, domestic water, 200
units of electricity, transport services, residential properties, tolls; exemptions
will be for education, healthcare and financial services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">Our
fiscal deficit and debts have been too high and with the GST implementation,
the government's coffers will improve. Let us hope that the additional tax
collected willl be put to good use (improving the economy, fighting crimes and
corruption, better education, health care and transportation) instead of some
illegitimate or some undeserving pockets. Being a broad base tax, GST will hit
all consumers. So how will the poor cope?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">Assuming
that most consumption from the lower income, for example rice, meat</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15pt;"> and other essential items are
zero rated some will still fall under the GST net. Assuming that only RM400 of
their monthly expenditure is subjected to the 6% GST, that works out to be
RM288 per year, the one-off cash assistance would cover that nicely. But what
if it is RM800, the monthly GST that they will be paying would be RM48 or RM576
per year. Depending on the list of goods zero rated and those exempted, (details of
which would be disseminated) it could be much higher. Hopefully, the list of
zero-rated goods and services will be long, as even exemptions may have some
tax depending on their inputs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">How
badly GST will affect the poor waits to be seen, hopefully there will be
measures to relieve the poor and the struggling middle class too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">2. Sugar Subsidy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">Sugar
subsidy has been removed and the price per kg. now stands at RM2.84, up
by 34 cents. It is a healthy move, too many of us are taking too much sugar.
There should not be any price increase in our drinks or food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">A
tablespoon of sugar is approximately 12 -13 gms., Even if assuming it is 14
grams to 1 tabsp, a kilogram of sugar would give you about 70 tablespoons of
sugar, each tabsp of sugar will cost at the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>most </i>0.5
(half) cent extra with the subsidy removal of 34 cents. On the same note, if
you do not want any sugar in your drinks, you become healthier and you save +/-
4 cents. But I am sure you would not ask the poor vendor to reimburse you 5 cents for your sugarless drinks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">3. Real Property Gains Tax(RPGT)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">RPGT
has been increased to 30% for properties disposed within 3 years, 20% for the
4th year, 15% for the 5th year, and tax free after 5 years for Malaysians(individuals). Foreigners are subjected to 30% RPGT for disposal within 5 years,
thereafter it will be at 5%. Companies too will have to pay 5% from the 6th
year. Someone I know was asking why is it 30% and not 50%? Why not when
properties are have risen so much that most of us are finding it difficult to
own one. Hooray! for the prohibition for Developers Interest Bearing Scheme.
Hooray! too for measures to boost affordable housing. I think it is a bit too little and a little too late for some of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">4. Foreign Ownership of Properties<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
minimum price of properties that can be purchased by foreigners has been raised
from RM500,000 to RM1 million. Is it high enough? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15pt;">Not
for some locations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">5. Broadband Phase 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">RM3.4bil
allocated for high speed broadband. That is just great, isn't it, hope we do
not have to wait too long for the roll out. How many of us have been
experiencing broadband speeds that literally makes us so very mad!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">6. For the Middle Income Earners<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">A
special Tax Relief of RM2000 for tax payers earning up to RM8000 per month for
year 2013. The tax rates for various income tax brackets and maximum chargeable threshold has been amended, but the date
of implementation is unclear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">:-)
Well, go shopping early for those items that will be subjected to GST before
implementation date, those big item purchases and that you cannot do without or
have been thinking of buying. Buy less of those that you can do with less if
you have to pay for GST after<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aqj">1April 2014</span>. My guess is that consumption for Christmas and
the coming Chinese New Year will be higher. Maybe I should upgrade my hand
phone now too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 11.0pt;">Wonder
how GST will affect home renovations? That would fall under residential properties, so material and labour inputs are tax free? What about renovations for non-residential properties? The small contractor will have more clerical work segregating their accounting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-74755959413141672022013-10-10T01:03:00.000-07:002013-10-10T01:18:16.333-07:00Delicious Popiah (fresh vegetables spring rolls) <div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMUJX7JVDVJKhXyaYtgWmSiQmafPcdRI_UX5aHI4Ju0Dqpef2tQ4zd6t_Pqhs8i2iCOlFeXLKD8nyOuhMEBk8HbsXW5FvujcSQix9Zz7FtLfI4GrXEepOcaXnGIK4aon07WB8ZRspXx1e/s1600/IMG_6077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMUJX7JVDVJKhXyaYtgWmSiQmafPcdRI_UX5aHI4Ju0Dqpef2tQ4zd6t_Pqhs8i2iCOlFeXLKD8nyOuhMEBk8HbsXW5FvujcSQix9Zz7FtLfI4GrXEepOcaXnGIK4aon07WB8ZRspXx1e/s320/IMG_6077.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Popiah(fresh vegetables spring rolls) is different from the fried spring rolls. The Popiah that I have been
eating for decades is evolving, because the cook gets older and lazier.
However, it is still as delicious as ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">When we were children, the
Popiah my mother and grandmothers cooked would have crab meat, belly pork and yellow tau kwa(soya
bean cakes). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CwIu9rxwt7z5NOxgD-8rlR8T4f3ujNrF3e9n6ESdHF7kuXX9CkFE_DZ3f12-0gcPSrCrCpiceBIyw9PWpPjO2lDHGUMy62qQFc8FZqisWTzBPWgyC7CSwEv_tzCypgn90aNitnNR90ua/s1600/IMG_6071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CwIu9rxwt7z5NOxgD-8rlR8T4f3ujNrF3e9n6ESdHF7kuXX9CkFE_DZ3f12-0gcPSrCrCpiceBIyw9PWpPjO2lDHGUMy62qQFc8FZqisWTzBPWgyC7CSwEv_tzCypgn90aNitnNR90ua/s640/IMG_6071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Over the years, we now have a
healthier version, replacing the belly pork with chicken breast meat, fresh crab
meat has been omitted because of the hard work, (unless you get the frozen crab
meat) and the frying of taukwa simplified!! I now like the flavour of the leeks and
have added them into my Popiah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">For 3 -6 pax </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Ingredients :</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">2 kg or 3 large sengkuang
(yam bean) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">2 carrots<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">300 gm french beans, thinly
sliced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">300 gm leeks, thinly sliced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">8 pieces small squares of
firm tau kwa (soya bean cakes)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">1 big piece of chicken breast
meat finely, shredded and seasoned with salt, pepper and some light soya sauce<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">300- 400 gram large prawns,
peeled and minced, and seasoned with salt, pepper and some light soya sauce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5ihNvV3avUeK3ADTEcxQGewih2BcWs4bS3Bjsj6Mj5g6oRM175FDSTtdY3IxBSqplTsJDA9pZgnGI_vRCdFlzlMBfCqVZd0INzUYJbFbowjJdlbTfZO_gvNXZjJ_nq7iMVdP226rxFps/s1600/IMG_6075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5ihNvV3avUeK3ADTEcxQGewih2BcWs4bS3Bjsj6Mj5g6oRM175FDSTtdY3IxBSqplTsJDA9pZgnGI_vRCdFlzlMBfCqVZd0INzUYJbFbowjJdlbTfZO_gvNXZjJ_nq7iMVdP226rxFps/s320/IMG_6075.JPG" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Fried Shallots : </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">20 – 30 shallots thinly sliced, deep fried and stored in an air tight
jar </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Coriander (cilantro) leaves,
for garnishing and flavoring </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Lettuce leaves (optional) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -45.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">2
pkts of Popiah skin (500 gm each), these can be bought from Tesco Hypermarket or if you could get some freshly made, that would be great.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 10.0pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Chillie Paste</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">
: Grind together, 8-10 fresh chillies, 10-12 pips of garlic and chillie padi (bird
eye chillie) Season with some salt and sugar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Sweet paste, (these can be
bought from provision shops from <st1:place w:st="on">Chinatown</st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Cooking oil and 1 head of
garlic, minced <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Salt and pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Method :</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i></b></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Deep fry the shallots (these can be prepared
earlier).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Prepare the chillie paste. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Thinly shred the tau kwa(soya bean cakes) and fry
in oil till dry and fragrant.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">(season
with salt to taste)</span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Use a shredder or food processor to shred the
sengkuang(yam bean) and carrots.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Fry the minced garlic in oil till fragrant, add
in the chicken meat shreds<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Add in the minced prawns. Fry till fragrant.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Add in the sengkuang (yam bean) and carrots. Try
to keep dry and not to add water.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Fry till vegetables are soft and done, then add
in the greens. (French beans and Chinese leeks), fry till done.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Finally add in the fried taukwa (soya bean
cakes), allow it to cook thoroughly.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Season to taste. The dish should not be too wet, (the popiah skin will break up) especially after the addition of the fried taukwa.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Skin Preparation before Serving :</span></i></b></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">After defrosting,(those bought from Tesco) peel the Popiah skin, (they
usually stick to one another) to overlap. Just peel those you are going to
use.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Steam over gently boiling water on a plate larger
than the skin for 5-8 minutes.(even those bought from the market, unless it is freshly made), (<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 15px;">Not too long, otherwise they stick together).</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If
steaming a big stack of the Popiah skin, please <b>do</b> flip over a few times for
even distribution of steam over the skin. Alternatively, you could just steam
only a few at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEnAGxH4sTp__cIeAmlPmLMeB5NhxX0-KrQT6VijZQAKN3lakKz0BT-kQE0eN9wYj8_XfkmWriFisRb71Et3UbLKnLvpXqVTpAQp_eK8BMmlqIVG4M4y30OUqAa0bqXDXE_cO7U5kRY6B/s1600/IMG_6073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEnAGxH4sTp__cIeAmlPmLMeB5NhxX0-KrQT6VijZQAKN3lakKz0BT-kQE0eN9wYj8_XfkmWriFisRb71Et3UbLKnLvpXqVTpAQp_eK8BMmlqIVG4M4y30OUqAa0bqXDXE_cO7U5kRY6B/s640/IMG_6073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">To Serve :<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Place Poh Piah skin on a clean plate.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Spread a row each of the chillie paste and sweet
sauce paste on the poh piah skin.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If using, spread a small piece of lettuce on the
skin.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Scoop 3-4 tabsp. of the cooked Popiah vegetables, arrange in
a row on the center of the skin.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Garnish with fried shallots and coriander (cilantro)
leaves.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Flip one side of the skin over the vegetables,
compact and roll it in a little, bend the ends, and finish the rolling.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Now, you get to enjoy the delicious Popiah as
you bite into it. Yummy!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Alternatively, cut the Popiah into 4 -5 pieces
and serve.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">NOTES :</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyt660yKB6Ui_3E9jfZEnd6DgvevOcwK9tbpQ1I2TvjfQGEhtXNKpfKMh0BGiVmAmtJb82x13lL-qpZheVfu_OKn0AHa0pW8lV6s55aO8r2oeOOdUSuFwd47dtS3JGDG2ekQD9hY1REnaB/s1600/IMG_6750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyt660yKB6Ui_3E9jfZEnd6DgvevOcwK9tbpQ1I2TvjfQGEhtXNKpfKMh0BGiVmAmtJb82x13lL-qpZheVfu_OKn0AHa0pW8lV6s55aO8r2oeOOdUSuFwd47dtS3JGDG2ekQD9hY1REnaB/s320/IMG_6750.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If you are able to get Popiah skin from the
market, which usually comes in packs of 300 gram, you will need 3 packs.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The Popiah vegetables can be kept in the fridge,
heated up and will then be ready to be served again. If you cook a lot,
you may want to s</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">pread
out your Popiah skin purchases especially since those popiah skins go stale very easily.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Any left over skin are best sealed in a plastic
bag. Cover the plastic bag with a damp cloth to prevent drying up. Store in
coolest part of your fridge.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I personally find frying the tau kwa (soya bean
cakes) tedious, as it is difficult to source for the hard ones, they are
normally too soft to fry well from shreds. I now fry the whole pieces,
then shred them and re-fry till as dry as you possibly can.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Most
of the preparation can be done in advance, so fret not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Hope
you enjoy them as much as I do. :-D<o:p></o:p></span></div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-80540878369619754022013-09-09T23:59:00.001-07:002013-09-10T00:02:25.331-07:00Life After the Rains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXEi8mh4MTqx0SJgI6u2ELvEStY3fgsmKzz8nbceqouYmhyrVGcUVp56jO5FOOIwOLfHDeQ5dc9_N-eam3xhQNauO0RZuuxZv3afilKMxIQmtn6ANyz1wJxOWN0eOwQxSm8Ghq_L7pboJ/s1600/IMG_6354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXEi8mh4MTqx0SJgI6u2ELvEStY3fgsmKzz8nbceqouYmhyrVGcUVp56jO5FOOIwOLfHDeQ5dc9_N-eam3xhQNauO0RZuuxZv3afilKMxIQmtn6ANyz1wJxOWN0eOwQxSm8Ghq_L7pboJ/s1600/IMG_6354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXEi8mh4MTqx0SJgI6u2ELvEStY3fgsmKzz8nbceqouYmhyrVGcUVp56jO5FOOIwOLfHDeQ5dc9_N-eam3xhQNauO0RZuuxZv3afilKMxIQmtn6ANyz1wJxOWN0eOwQxSm8Ghq_L7pboJ/s320/IMG_6354.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I could not help noticing
that my garden was brimming with life after the recent bout of rain. It has
been raining every day for the past few days, heavier sometimes and a light
drizzle at others, or just looming heavy clouds waiting for the next cue to
fall.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c0CSw5jxSYtzDzGHGw2oCHj9k9xvtEhEUpyLbCEdv1GLEHndFsXIAVdhf3gire0-ErMtf5udA7tFkXwBGCfKU8ZwOEIc4SPdf6edmARYTDZviG0Cxf-l0B6EVzb9ds-zC7vsXSQtekdE/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c0CSw5jxSYtzDzGHGw2oCHj9k9xvtEhEUpyLbCEdv1GLEHndFsXIAVdhf3gire0-ErMtf5udA7tFkXwBGCfKU8ZwOEIc4SPdf6edmARYTDZviG0Cxf-l0B6EVzb9ds-zC7vsXSQtekdE/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6851.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The sun filtering through gaps in the leaves</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">This morning, the sun breaks
through the clouds. There was an inevitable hive of activity. The plants seemed
more alive; insects and plants both were busy basking in the morning sunlight,
maybe preparing for yet another onslaught of rain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iYdUlHiOEYDzfoWSRvYKNSrvw_VJ4FS7pMCJtlvaJW0K6pw0jaooMqjqAzd3uXukOyloz55ie5mpL1Bebn2TrKcmb9Zfbznbb6eIg8sAF6ShpgWQI5U1kbk4v-WIr34lkovFXNOIdZZ_/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iYdUlHiOEYDzfoWSRvYKNSrvw_VJ4FS7pMCJtlvaJW0K6pw0jaooMqjqAzd3uXukOyloz55ie5mpL1Bebn2TrKcmb9Zfbznbb6eIg8sAF6ShpgWQI5U1kbk4v-WIr34lkovFXNOIdZZ_/s640/Resize+of+IMG_6607.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A black mushroom</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5yi6XcMflHT9OqoqgHJWsqsxeQxy9UJZE0Q9fx41HbfBV6EK59y2jtSlGifc10cX-YdPJD7OW7AudNDuKiiydydQLNbqk1k9L5LMjzR96o0NAXKr8E3HZVQMaHZm_l8HYntZp7CZd-m8/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5yi6XcMflHT9OqoqgHJWsqsxeQxy9UJZE0Q9fx41HbfBV6EK59y2jtSlGifc10cX-YdPJD7OW7AudNDuKiiydydQLNbqk1k9L5LMjzR96o0NAXKr8E3HZVQMaHZm_l8HYntZp7CZd-m8/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6767.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>'siblings in a row'</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UyqFJq-k6vxy9xmD1e108ay-uO5gDLGz7uvg7oWB3KozKv2tXnxFLOZ5rFyBEiFfkCwzI3XIOsuaFVyADCr7RQpKK1Xs26XwqYEoHReMW4hFoXz0Hlu7yMlmANb79Ppmz585t08TNCDU/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UyqFJq-k6vxy9xmD1e108ay-uO5gDLGz7uvg7oWB3KozKv2tXnxFLOZ5rFyBEiFfkCwzI3XIOsuaFVyADCr7RQpKK1Xs26XwqYEoHReMW4hFoXz0Hlu7yMlmANb79Ppmz585t08TNCDU/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6836.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beautiful, isn't it? Flowers of our common chives.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Bqyqzd_r8laWVb3v_YiJEQ8EnOtJklLu02I_OhzM-XDH9d4M83qNYVLSFb_LVFav_jEiot1gIBAZ1ZH1lmO7E-bXD-7b9CyB-sDbhDGyjTBy6ukwaFb74KWX4G72njKnG3Cx_wkLXHx3/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Bqyqzd_r8laWVb3v_YiJEQ8EnOtJklLu02I_OhzM-XDH9d4M83qNYVLSFb_LVFav_jEiot1gIBAZ1ZH1lmO7E-bXD-7b9CyB-sDbhDGyjTBy6ukwaFb74KWX4G72njKnG3Cx_wkLXHx3/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6827.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Busy web weaving?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_7b4Bi86mTP0yPGHXGbl5ma-5AdYFb3003N1tJSh3ELmd-nKGjslSGxNKdfiLSa5XaIB__oSAOxtZwB-TaOuR8xWzOHCk6WJUpAgwNf8gou89UDLMBeUmd4srboR37LBuj17GKHTjWVK/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_7b4Bi86mTP0yPGHXGbl5ma-5AdYFb3003N1tJSh3ELmd-nKGjslSGxNKdfiLSa5XaIB__oSAOxtZwB-TaOuR8xWzOHCk6WJUpAgwNf8gou89UDLMBeUmd4srboR37LBuj17GKHTjWVK/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6874.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Very busy having a meeting? Or consolidating resources?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVORjJCtq9tlDd9IYplwt_mKzIOET77oGuc1qSilWOOniFO4r89yXXhyphenhyphenDSAfm_2FIcJ9Tl8f0RXRpidvqZr2D2fLbshzEh6usRWMOrGqG-jGvVA__-XrNytiDYYls9cQSgFAadtJANFKW/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVORjJCtq9tlDd9IYplwt_mKzIOET77oGuc1qSilWOOniFO4r89yXXhyphenhyphenDSAfm_2FIcJ9Tl8f0RXRpidvqZr2D2fLbshzEh6usRWMOrGqG-jGvVA__-XrNytiDYYls9cQSgFAadtJANFKW/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6838.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Black ants, busy building a new nest</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXS8YzfvJlaiX849QRJZihCkpFQ6_1J9JRMhQ6wCH65ytH3lKVJiPPe8dcVs9zRMw7aYvgTykR74aZzCMQabNsqST55YCVqenVwRZhyphenhyphen3J5laROYXrhlXjC47fxgulmpSmuOK-I4IBbkOl7/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXS8YzfvJlaiX849QRJZihCkpFQ6_1J9JRMhQ6wCH65ytH3lKVJiPPe8dcVs9zRMw7aYvgTykR74aZzCMQabNsqST55YCVqenVwRZhyphenhyphen3J5laROYXrhlXjC47fxgulmpSmuOK-I4IBbkOl7/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6869.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>They do complement one another beautifully.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52K14O0x187s4rfKTA4oSJPT6oyUluzAFJmtvHXs_PX9iHX_ezE1w5eiNf1eQeWB607w3zDSjJ0389lgsiYwOS61BpNz1KckcUV4V7wOgMwYO5sSHrZ7Do1_UyzZZZJcACi7TAnd_mNif/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52K14O0x187s4rfKTA4oSJPT6oyUluzAFJmtvHXs_PX9iHX_ezE1w5eiNf1eQeWB607w3zDSjJ0389lgsiYwOS61BpNz1KckcUV4V7wOgMwYO5sSHrZ7Do1_UyzZZZJcACi7TAnd_mNif/s1600/Resize+of+IMG_6877.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The moist ground is our favorite place for our home.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-70558799133012813332013-08-07T07:51:00.001-07:002013-08-07T08:02:08.049-07:00Caveat Emptor, "Let the Buyer Beware"<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I am not convinced it was a human error neither am I convinced it
is a system error. What is it then? The blanks .......are for you to fill after
going through the scenarios that developed and prompted me to such a unpleasant
conclusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />
We went to do our usual supermarket shopping and picked up a styrofoam tray of
middle eastern dates covered in cling film. It has a price label indicating
RM14.98 for a kilogram, packing date and the Price for that particular tray of
500 gms of the dates at RM7.49. Simple enough. But it was not to be. After
paying the cashier for our purchases that day, I browsed through the receipt
and was surprised to find a RM14.98 item. I double checked, was convinced there
was an error, requested the cashier to re</span><span style="font-family: 宋体; font-size: 11pt;">‐</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> check the item. The conclusion was that
the Fruit Dates were scanned and picked up by the scanner/Point</span><span style="font-family: 宋体; font-size: 11pt;">‐</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Of</span><span style="font-family: 宋体; font-size: 11pt;">‐</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sales system at
RM14.98. The cashier approached her supervisor and explained to me that their
system had picked up the item as a kilogram pack. I was duly reimbursed the
amount overcharged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTSeKsVbrjkNegIkfKEIAeYcDpjEymBN2__Y_HlAe6KwHOtT6ITFqGcGji_3yTuP3b5T00-aqXOQIVYIdDsm2d41kM6Idze8M_lgOJAd_queC430xG2c8o4a5r9Yw7lWiCq-HBsP_gaXi/s1600/beam+balance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTSeKsVbrjkNegIkfKEIAeYcDpjEymBN2__Y_HlAe6KwHOtT6ITFqGcGji_3yTuP3b5T00-aqXOQIVYIdDsm2d41kM6Idze8M_lgOJAd_queC430xG2c8o4a5r9Yw7lWiCq-HBsP_gaXi/s1600/beam+balance.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />
The explanation given to me seemed ridiculous? If their system at some point
was able to print out the price label, indicating the price/kg and the price
for that particular pack, then I believe at some other point in time the
correct pricing has been altered with. Was it deliberate? Was it a system
error? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />
Luckily, I did not buy much on that day and was easily drawn to the incorrect
amount charged. Had there been more items, or more items of similar value,
there could be an oversight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />
I do hope it is a case of negligence by the supermarket, and not being diligent
in staff training and supervision. However, I do have my doubts that it is as
simple as that. Similar incidents have happened before and it is difficult to
brush it off as negligence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />
I hope that other shoppers experiencing similar incidents would be able to get
back their losses and the managements of Supermarkets will do something to
prevent that occurrences. (Not only this one).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Imagine, if there are shoppers, (how many?) unaware of such
discrepancies and the supermarkets getting away with it, not for one item, as
such incidents are not uncommon, but for.......... items.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />
Is it then a case of an unscrupulous trader taking advantage of naive
consumers? The consumer could be enticed to buy thinking it is a good bargain
as the Fruit Dates are of good quality. A justification for the vendor could be
that those dates should have priced at twice the price per kilogram! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-79023296800986666782013-07-26T08:11:00.001-07:002013-07-29T08:23:42.818-07:00Perut Ikan Curry (Preserved Fish Stomach Curry)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">I usually
would have some frozen Preserved Fish Stomach in my freezer (preserved by generously
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3vi2KALovCAX9JTRAzJFe1GM1MVg_vePVyhYym16n7wS-RTQ4Jc9NRskEcqXGPGBxz0xS7Ykl5idJmeBsrGGzy03ve8pr0wO8sXycOUKedG4dhOHCHPUKY6MNyCk4xaLI3Lu2RHKm-4C/s1600/IMG_4464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3vi2KALovCAX9JTRAzJFe1GM1MVg_vePVyhYym16n7wS-RTQ4Jc9NRskEcqXGPGBxz0xS7Ykl5idJmeBsrGGzy03ve8pr0wO8sXycOUKedG4dhOHCHPUKY6MNyCk4xaLI3Lu2RHKm-4C/s200/IMG_4464.JPG" width="200"></a></div>
covering the stomachs with salt, something like 2-3 pieces of finger length
fish stomachs with 2-3 tsp. of salt).I usually request for some fish stomachs
from my fish monger, enough to at least fill a small jam jar, as it is not very
pleasant to clean these stomachs, so I do prefer to do more of it and less
often, rather than doing less of it and more frequent.<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Besides, I prefer
the homemade to the commercial ones, that is one of the reason, I endure some
unpleasantness to savor a wonderful curry, picked up from the culinary skills
imparted by my late mother-in-law.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq06S2TADQDGLpV3IVSVK_1oWbj7Eypza4xJoSHJAxrS8bhFD90MEAlp3iOOQRDxLhiU-3FkoaUOEsfDYSSLtWvLQyzIASwlAFaMxlUPVFeiPBo1nV_9ZyUcHaJ-RbU-cZwbGgfulxACn/s1600/IMG_4456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq06S2TADQDGLpV3IVSVK_1oWbj7Eypza4xJoSHJAxrS8bhFD90MEAlp3iOOQRDxLhiU-3FkoaUOEsfDYSSLtWvLQyzIASwlAFaMxlUPVFeiPBo1nV_9ZyUcHaJ-RbU-cZwbGgfulxACn/s320/IMG_4456.JPG" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">To describe
it simply, I would say it is a potpourri of aromatic herbs, vegetables and seafood
cooked in a medley of spices, tamarind juice and coconut milk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">This recipe
would give you a about 3- 4 litres of Perut Ikan curry. You could half the
recipe or freeze the balance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Ingredients : </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">2 -3 pieces
of approximately finger length preserved fish stomachs (leave the salt, or
saltish gravy behind, only to be added if your curry needs more salt to taste.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">300 to 400
gm large or medium sized prawns </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
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<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Spices to be grounded :</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .05in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Herbs to be thinly
shredded </span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">10 - 12
dried chillies seeded</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .05in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Some limau purut/kaffir lime leaves (thinly shredded) </span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">12
shallots/onions</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .05in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">15 sprigs Daun kesum/ Vietnamese coriander(or Vietnamese
mint)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .05in;">
<br></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">6 pips
garlic</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .05in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">1-2 bunga kantan(torch ginger flower)</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">2 lemon
grass</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .05in;">
<br></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">1 tsp
shrimp paste/belachan </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
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<br></div>
</td>
</tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Other spices</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:</b> 5 tabsp of fish curry powder, or 4 tabsp of wet curry fish
paste(this can be bought from the market) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vegetables :</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">One 454 gm
tin canned pineapple cubes, cut the larger pieces into 2</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">2 bunches
or 200 gms 'daun kadok' or wild betel leaves(a type of aromatic ground
creepers)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">200-300 gms
long beans</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">2 round
medium-sized brinjals or 1 large long brinjal</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Half grated
coconut, to get about 150-200 ml of thick coconut milk </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Half cup
tamarind /(assam
jawa) from about 1/2 tabsp of the paste (I usually bought those seedless
tamarind paste </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Preparation : </span></b></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKAKVfosZZPYiLYSPV5lMF8CznFur7w24Z6U_INKu4gXUNCPsZ6qvtDWwiGjkgNcXcNFSToee3QYa1Pa3NJ2Qi2u8tABbtMZOWbPdo-eMaf3qSAZ4mJ5HUioIj3GKx9SmCD-YW_PsYb24/s1600/IMG_4466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKAKVfosZZPYiLYSPV5lMF8CznFur7w24Z6U_INKu4gXUNCPsZ6qvtDWwiGjkgNcXcNFSToee3QYa1Pa3NJ2Qi2u8tABbtMZOWbPdo-eMaf3qSAZ4mJ5HUioIj3GKx9SmCD-YW_PsYb24/s320/IMG_4466.JPG" width="213"></a>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Grind the chillies, shallots,
garlic, lemon grass and belachan together. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Clean the prawns, by trimming
off the heads, sharp tails and trim open the back to remove intestines
with a pair of scissors. I prefer not to remove the shells.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Cut long beans into 2 cm.
lengths. Cut the brinjals into similar sizes as the long beans. (Remove
the skin).</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Fry/sauté ground spices in oil
till fragrant and oil surfaces. Then add in the fish curry paste. Fry till
fragrant.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Add in the fish stomach(s).</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Add in the long beans, followed
by the brinjals and lightly fry.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Next add in a cup of water,
bring to boil.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Add in the prawns, cubed
pineapples, shredded herbs (daun kesum, limau purut leaves and bunga
kantan) and assam
jawa juice.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Add in more water if necessary.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Bring to boil till vegetables
are almost done. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Then add in the thick coconut
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Simmer till the coconut milk
comes a boil to finish cooking and test for taste. Add in more salt if
necessary.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> You could serve the curry with </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; ">rice or bread. It is equally delicious with either one.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; "><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">NOTES :</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14px;">1. I have always use canned pineapples, (please drain them,</span></font><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> yo</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">u may use some of the syrup if necessary)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; ">as they are less sour and they save me the </span><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; ">hassle of cutting them. It is not easy to buy ready-cut fresh pineapples </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; ">over here.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14px;">2. If you do not have preserved fish stomachs, you may substitute them with salted fish. The taste would not</span></font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14px;">deviate too much, you would still have a great dish because of all the other great ingredients.</span></font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"></span><br><br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-13075986184586074442013-06-16T07:55:00.000-07:002013-06-16T07:57:59.548-07:00An Unintentional Victim?<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Recently, it happened again. I am sure some of you had experienced it before. Paying more for an item than the price displayed for the item on a supermarket shelf.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">How many of us have been so subjected to such pricing unawares? How many of us had brushed it off? I had previously done so, but not for the latest incident. The amount overcharged is small and going back to put in your claim would mean driving to the supermarket and putting away some time for it. The thing that irked me then was how often it could have happened and was it an honest mistake or a deliberate inefficiency. If it was the later, not putting in a complaint could mean that the aggressor could get bolder, and more victims. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">This time round, the amount overcharged is a mere two ringgit, on top of that the offer price was printed in </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvCkecmD2ZB7JOu_bXR0Ml740d4QWzd-Xh77GRE0_gcycPW_At5FzuVj7IqyTrGuT8uKvCGtBjMJz5Q11lS7foIykQM27UER_YLYjdq9sg5k6sGVq11MnadKuPYfqLa9mMGaSCW4CufXB/s1600/untitled.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvCkecmD2ZB7JOu_bXR0Ml740d4QWzd-Xh77GRE0_gcycPW_At5FzuVj7IqyTrGuT8uKvCGtBjMJz5Q11lS7foIykQM27UER_YLYjdq9sg5k6sGVq11MnadKuPYfqLa9mMGaSCW4CufXB/s200/untitled.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">large fonts on the packaging. I had to check out the outlet's contact number and get routed to the person-in-charge. I had to wait to be contacted again while they verify my claim. Next, I had to go back to the supermarket tugging along my good(s) and receipt, with a pathetic, upset expression, wait for further verification, fill up a form and..... No I did not get my money back, I was informed that I have to go down the aisles, and get a replacement good of similar value or more. So there you have me, looking around for something cheap as at that moment, I most certainly do not feel like increasing their bottom line, however minute it may be.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">So, would I go through the same process again if I so happened to be such a victim again? </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Do you think I should?</span>leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-63595800250048543372013-06-05T05:59:00.000-07:002013-06-05T05:59:36.427-07:00My Blog ... Sad progress<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Is my blog experiencing a sad and slow demise? </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">I started my blog about 2 years ago, with just the objective of putting down, some of the things that came to me as I go through my daily routines. I had hoped that it will keep me active and alert. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">I know very well that I would not be writing much about my personal experiences, knowing full well that there would, not be much to tell. On top of that being a Malaysian of Chinese ethnic, some sentiments are usually kept private. Besides not being well exposed, and not well experienced and knowledgeable enough of all worldly things is a drawback too. That is why my blog is not specific on its genre, more of a potpourri of all things.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcWkIabqcwUyYRs8I_9VSi85j1LMKiYkNrov4HZwUVzsMZqVo-_Fkw1KQV2je2Qo5HE8Eb9u0wTyvb9U_HUfa5TAKa1Qz_cZYYZCDbLviev1slgDJOUPWmZmjs_ny6MdAmcV3T0uI8bJx/s640/blogger-image-1994915645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcWkIabqcwUyYRs8I_9VSi85j1LMKiYkNrov4HZwUVzsMZqVo-_Fkw1KQV2je2Qo5HE8Eb9u0wTyvb9U_HUfa5TAKa1Qz_cZYYZCDbLviev1slgDJOUPWmZmjs_ny6MdAmcV3T0uI8bJx/s200/blogger-image-1994915645.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">So is that an excuse for its lethargy and early hibernation? I guess not. I hope not. I just have to strive to do better, otherwise it will inevitably be on the path to its slow and uneventful retirement.</span><br />
<br />
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-67066058505598315802013-05-15T07:51:00.000-07:002013-05-15T07:51:50.690-07:00Simple, Easy ‘Ice Kacang’<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our local ‘Ice Kacang’ or literally translated as ‘Peanut
Ice’, is undoubtedly a favorite dessert for many, including yours truly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aahh, it was so hot and you were so thirsty, and images of
your favorite dessert keep floating across your rapacious mind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You headed for some leftovers of your red bean soup, in the
fridge. Voila, your expedition to concoct your own ‘Ice Kacang’ that hot
afternoon was just about to begin.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1v28dYZT5iTav8NeJwh-Qowgxknerg4aFWkwyRJILESjLYUHA0fCTcZdRWNH6ZnTJ9rtvv09or18EWAj9TglTOKjIpwcbQYtTN3inUp3ZgtMg2raTZcznU1xOaTrh7TKaC2ZM0FEVrXu/s1600/IMG_6098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1v28dYZT5iTav8NeJwh-Qowgxknerg4aFWkwyRJILESjLYUHA0fCTcZdRWNH6ZnTJ9rtvv09or18EWAj9TglTOKjIpwcbQYtTN3inUp3ZgtMg2raTZcznU1xOaTrh7TKaC2ZM0FEVrXu/s320/IMG_6098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>That's my concoction</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You eagerly filled your bowl, with four spoonfuls of the
thick, leftover red bean soup. Then you reached for your freezer and your
favorite Nestle Vanilla Ice Cream, 2 scoops should be adequate, (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you thought to yourself).</i> Somehow I have
a weakness for Nestle Vanilla Ice Cream, I find it creamier and being not so
sweet, the light vanilla taste is so very good. It is simply scrumptious for
me. I find other brands not so delectable. Then you stretched out your hand for
that cookie jar filled with great tasting roasted peanuts. You sprinkle some on
top of your red bean soup, and there, you have it, undeniably a marvelous
companion. With your cool, sweet companion, you headed toward your comfortable
chair in front of the television. Isn’t that a great way to spend a nice,
lazy, relaxing afternoon. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyyrkhgAqY-dmtKrN94mJ6CYeauFxgNtDt2crP0osqlu4FVnhu7NwCKFXe4-zZDcppZgvsQPGk5Z970MCOGjWi0Ge4Bhmis_fsUv3RZhp-RIUegnj1MI7M8nKFamtSAGLC9lUTxrkjMfU/s1600/ice+kacang+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyyrkhgAqY-dmtKrN94mJ6CYeauFxgNtDt2crP0osqlu4FVnhu7NwCKFXe4-zZDcppZgvsQPGk5Z970MCOGjWi0Ge4Bhmis_fsUv3RZhp-RIUegnj1MI7M8nKFamtSAGLC9lUTxrkjMfU/s200/ice+kacang+1.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Is this the original?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I assure you that you will enjoy it very much, although it
might not look and taste exactly like the original and traditional ice-kacang.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEPk8AKbnLY89W8TJYlnUDmJWeLg7LnL8CtaK3NYd1rDqz8R3a-i6PBsmwqJWSysC95_2csBa81fwhYiG-EA9gV8gFWL6Y3U65zAr1Azf6RHj2T1sCqd8ROi4y0N4VwurfwGxG6En7uPJ/s1600/ice+kacang+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEPk8AKbnLY89W8TJYlnUDmJWeLg7LnL8CtaK3NYd1rDqz8R3a-i6PBsmwqJWSysC95_2csBa81fwhYiG-EA9gV8gFWL6Y3U65zAr1Azf6RHj2T1sCqd8ROi4y0N4VwurfwGxG6En7uPJ/s320/ice+kacang+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Traditional or original, all are just so good</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All you need is some of the ubiquitous red bean soup, which
we all had, at one time or another made some. Make use of the leftover/ balance
of the red bean soup. (Especially if what is left is thick and gluey, your
family and friends may have taken most of the liquid.) Try adding some ice
cubes, or ice shavings, or any confections, jellies or delicacies that you
fancy. How about adding some ‘chendol’, blueberries or cranberries? Yummy!
There goes my dieting plan through the window, but who cares!</div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-23447133239139141952013-04-23T08:24:00.001-07:002013-04-23T08:33:48.347-07:00How Shall I Cast My Vote<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">All the excitement for the
upcoming GE13 is nearing its peak. For each and every one of us, how do we want
the General Election to play out? I believe that it really does not matter who
forms the government as long as most of it, if not all of our needs and wants
are fulfilled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmKfZSujWUrzpzGWRNFb3SgCOxR0VBUDy8GAcNSU9HPU8l9a1Zi254HCrrKUODFn1qsbfTebxjoyeEyLtQi1brUXm7qs7-RwfADM6AlTCBmzj8xjVQVOEi87IvkeLln0pLyi6oJRpiDkF/s1600/GE13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmKfZSujWUrzpzGWRNFb3SgCOxR0VBUDy8GAcNSU9HPU8l9a1Zi254HCrrKUODFn1qsbfTebxjoyeEyLtQi1brUXm7qs7-RwfADM6AlTCBmzj8xjVQVOEi87IvkeLln0pLyi6oJRpiDkF/s200/GE13.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">What is it that we hope for,
and will whosoever forms the government implement them for us?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I do not profess to know much
about politics. I fact, in am pretty ignorant when it comes to politics, but
like any citizen I am aware of the minimum essentials and needs that a
government should be doing and helping its people and the country.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">For the man in the street,
for the citizens on the ground, these are fundamentally our wishes:</span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Affordable, quality, untainted food</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Affordable housing</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> Security
and Safety</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Good
Education System</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Good
infrastructure and facilities</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Employment opportunities</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Easy,
reliable traveling be it by cars, trains, buses or planes and not only in
the big <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">cities </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Facilities to support Work, Life balance </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Accessible and affordable quality health care</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Protecting our environment and natural resources</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Is that all? Basically, we
all aspire to have and live in an environment where we are able to live a good,
happy life with our loved ones, and where there are opportunities for us to
excel, as citizens and as a nation. Has it been too long a wait?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">So
who will get my vote? Who is capable enough to give us a better life? Who can
help fulfill the role of guardianship for checks and balances? And are we
not forgetting the scourge-corruption?</span>leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-65822556458591593172013-03-30T06:27:00.000-07:002013-03-30T06:33:15.256-07:00Dry Ray Fish Curry<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I upload my posting for my Assam Pedas Ikan (Tamarind
Spicy Fish Curry),</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could not help thinking about my Dry Ray Fish Curry which
I had recently prepared.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It should be the sequel to my Assam Pedas Ikan, both dishes
are almost identical to me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ingredients used are almost the same, except the amount
of each ingredient is increased so that the flavors of all the ingredients will
penetrate well into the meat of the ray fish. The dish is somewhat similar to the 'Ikan
Bakar' that is sold at some hawker centres.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You could opt to keep the piece of Ray Fish (approximately
the size of an 8 inch round plate, or +/- 400 gms) which you bought from the
market or cut the ray fish into small pieces. If the Ray Fish is too big, not
only will it be fishy, the meat will be much thicker and that would take a much
longer time to cook. There are different species of Ray Fish. There is a specie
which will not grow much larger than a plate, with not much flesh. I cut my Ray
Fish into small pieces for serving purposes, as dinner time can vary for some
of us and the dish will look neater for late diners.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are using a whole, or an intact piece of Ray Fsh, you
could shallow pan fry the fish over low heat in the oily, fried spicy
ingredients till cooked and dry. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ingredients : </i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
+/- 400 gm fish Ray Fish/Ikan Pari</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8 dried chilies (seeded for a mild flavour), less chilies as
it is a dry curry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
15 shallots</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6 pips garlic</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 inch piece of fresh turmeric (about the size of your distal
phalange of middle finger</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 thick lemon grass</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 ½ inch piece of belachan(shrimp paste), more belachan for
this dish too</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some limau purut/kaffir lime leaves (finely shredded or torn
up)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daun kesum/ Vietnamese coriander(or Vietnamese mint),
optional for this dish</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Assam
jawa/tamarind paste (about ½ teaspoon) mixed with a quarter cup of water.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Salt and pepper to taste</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmRB4lBZFgn1njhhLZx45CxOPKO3tnj_GEfboGEwVaO5O3j3ZzXGfyBhaju7ae6H-ZSxae3nEWOjpsdCMQdaeI4FNfLynGK-qaQJ2HP-IIuICUZ0NJC0R-ZUZZ6siTRgx5NVMNNyhTU7r/s1600/IMG_6195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmRB4lBZFgn1njhhLZx45CxOPKO3tnj_GEfboGEwVaO5O3j3ZzXGfyBhaju7ae6H-ZSxae3nEWOjpsdCMQdaeI4FNfLynGK-qaQJ2HP-IIuICUZ0NJC0R-ZUZZ6siTRgx5NVMNNyhTU7r/s400/IMG_6195.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Try to get it drier than this, if you like those 'Ikan Bakar', at the hawker centres.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Banana leaves or pandan leaves to line your pan, i.e. if you
are not cutting your Ray Fish into pieces, i.e just one big piece. It will help
you flip your Ray Fish and they do give a very nice aroma too. The skin of the
Ray <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Fish is gelatinous and sticky. </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Another alternative is to use a non-stick pan.</div>
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Method :</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Grind
the chilies, shallots, garlic, turmeric, lemon grass and belachan
together.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Fry
the ingredients in oil till fragrant. You will need a little more oil for
this dish.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Add assam
jawa/tamarind water, about a quarter cup, or just enough for the fish to
cook.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Add in
the kaffir lime leaves.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Bring
to a boil and add in the pieces of Ray Fish.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Add in
salt and sugar to taste.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">As Ray
Fish is a bit bland, you will have to add in more sugar for this dish.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Simmer
till the sauce thick and dry. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">It
would taste better, if you end the cooking process by some slow frying in
the oily spices.</li>
</ol>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-64506545689315988432013-03-24T08:22:00.001-07:002013-03-30T06:28:31.050-07:00Assam Pedas Ikan/ Tamarind Spicy Fish Curry <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Could not help wondering if the naming it Tamarind Spicy Fish
Curry is misleading, as there is another dish, (the Assam Gulai) using almost all the
same ingredients, but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">without</b> frying
the ground ingredients in oil till fragrant. You just put all the spices and
herbs into the tamarind juice, bring to a boil, simmer a while then add in the
fish. Complete the cooking with the requisite salt and sugar seasoning. Absolutely
delicious if you add some mint leaves and shredded bunga kantan (torch ginger
flower).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hardly cook that now as my family does not like it and
freshly ground ingredients are a must for the Assam Gulai dish.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I normally will use a chopper to grind/chop the ingredients
in bulk. Anytime I need to dish out a curry, I just thaw some and voila! time
to enjoy a delicious meal. Depending on the dish, I sometimes have to change or
adjust the ingredients/spices used.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QjmdI_Pyl0xSXbCzyYTKfOIPFLO9pzN3ffSVFJt7WmMr6TlsCWwKxzkt0SSrs-dTarX1iBEoSxIRGzaUa2jz0SKvlIvCQMUV-XizGV-hvD6hCZ9be4-tK-7HerDR_3JffB2zJUMg3A8r/s1600/IMG_6225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QjmdI_Pyl0xSXbCzyYTKfOIPFLO9pzN3ffSVFJt7WmMr6TlsCWwKxzkt0SSrs-dTarX1iBEoSxIRGzaUa2jz0SKvlIvCQMUV-XizGV-hvD6hCZ9be4-tK-7HerDR_3JffB2zJUMg3A8r/s400/IMG_6225.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Assam Pedas Ikan/Tamarind Spicy Fish Curry</i><br />
<i>(the tail portion of the Threadfin that I cooked)</i><br />
<i>The shredded Torch Ginger Flower provides an occasional change of flavour. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ingredients : </i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
400 gm fish meat or 2 pieces of fish steaks ( I used ‘senangin’or threadfin)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10 dried chillies (seeded for a mild flavour)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12 shallots</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6 pips garlic</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 inch piece of fresh turmeric(the older rhizomes taste better)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 thick lemon grass</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 inch piece of belachan(shrimp paste)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some limau purut/kaffir lime leaves (shredded or tore up)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daun kesum/ Vietnamese coriander(or Vietnamese mint)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Assam
jawa/tamarind paste (about 1 teaspoon, mixed with a cup of water and strained.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Salt and pepper to taste</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aternatively,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">i) use any fish you
like (suggestions: red snapper,garoupa)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ii) use the bunga
kantan (torch ginger flower), shredded finely, instead </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>the daun kesum and kaffir lime leaves </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Method :</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Grind
the chillies, shallots, garlic, turmeric, lemon grass and belachan
together.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Fry
the ingredients in oil till fragrant.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Add assam
jawa/tamarind water, about a cup. (depending on whether you prefer a
thicker or thinner curry)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Add in
the Vietnamese mint and kaffir lime leaves.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Bring
to a boil.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Add in
the fish, and add in salt and sugar to taste.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Simmer
till fish is cooked.</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjdujnOGxVJwWh08EspxA3bD8yfuJl_s7vVwYsrW9TEiH2-BtI0r1v5_8D293oAjZPuOXG05qxOqVAtUiv2MYHHhGs8zWKXu6tOEWvCFmMNyIsAnOXg7PyHwBApBxYScMUZBt4Ip0M8IJ/s1600/IMG_5748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjdujnOGxVJwWh08EspxA3bD8yfuJl_s7vVwYsrW9TEiH2-BtI0r1v5_8D293oAjZPuOXG05qxOqVAtUiv2MYHHhGs8zWKXu6tOEWvCFmMNyIsAnOXg7PyHwBApBxYScMUZBt4Ip0M8IJ/s400/IMG_5748.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i>In this picture, I used red snapper steaks which I cut into smaller pieces to hasten cooking time</i>.(and Vietnamese mint)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-36352685460070892292013-02-28T07:25:00.000-08:002013-03-13T07:15:16.186-07:00Chinese New Year indulgence and shedding off the extra calories<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">Wow!
Glorious food! How not to over indulge yourself when you are surrounded with
all the sumptuous spreads come each Chinese New Year. I have tried not to buy
too many goodies and cookies for this festive season, partly because most of
it, are so unhealthy and I tend to put on a few pounds every Chinese New Year.
Another reason is that I have yet to find a nice supplier of nice cookies. All
mediocre and I do not want to be in a position whereby I ended up with jars of
half tested cookies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">However
I was asked "how could you celebrate Chinese New Year without any
cookies?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">So
there you are, carrying home some jars of my favorite though not outstanding
pineapple tarts and peanut cookies. Did not have time to bake anything this
year, besides I cannot guarantee that what I bake will turn out superb. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1eYyfpA_GLr38J9_VF1SkOrSFAvcNBjetxj9Be6_vdHRWW6AHhJOZ1C_7dURY79X5J3VBnVhQjXXfOUE9t6va2YJLjK-A623wFLsKHLWUFs8Ih4gdozdAYK_D7XfJ50YX3IqydD1k8Hw/s1600/slim+6+pack+abs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1eYyfpA_GLr38J9_VF1SkOrSFAvcNBjetxj9Be6_vdHRWW6AHhJOZ1C_7dURY79X5J3VBnVhQjXXfOUE9t6va2YJLjK-A623wFLsKHLWUFs8Ih4gdozdAYK_D7XfJ50YX3IqydD1k8Hw/s1600/slim+6+pack+abs.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">Well,
as the Chinese New Year progressed I found myself with more than a few jars of
cookies. Gifts from friends and relatives kept my waistline firm and round.
Frankly, it is an indulgence I could not resist come every lunar New Year.
Inevitably I gain a few pounds. But not this Chinese New Year. I lost a few
pounds. Not very much, but it did have me grinning to the cookie jars more
often. A word of warning though, not putting on any extra pounds does not mean
all these New Year goodies are healthy. And it is not only cookies, our new
year reunion dinners or get togethers overflow with our favorite foods. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">Come to think of it, society
has changed such that most of what we normally serve on our dinner table the
whole year through used to be what was reserved only for Chinese New Year or some
other festivities. But that definitely has not stopped us from dishing out something special for the occasion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">How did
I manage to shed those additional calories? What happened was I was helping out
my cousin sister at her new restaurant. To get rid of the extra layers of fat
you cannot be sitting at the till. Put on a good pair of running shoes and get
down to the floor to serve those customers. Better still, is when you serve during
weekends or public holidays. It might not get you your six-pack abs but it sure
can build up your stamina and convinced you of the magic of physical
activities.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRmlj9m80J9Mxi8Chior6Wc3lXPaT-t57Rw0iiyBzqhkGXhLmSzKa2TiAkzqJDfuQERJqTi4dGDKsofQuQVG1tY5-R_AcM_CmB4l3uXjysX9kt-yTA0jCxlnjzOWPozRkMpuvUd6ZXhmd/s1600/Tong+Jing+Famous+Chicken+Rice_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRmlj9m80J9Mxi8Chior6Wc3lXPaT-t57Rw0iiyBzqhkGXhLmSzKa2TiAkzqJDfuQERJqTi4dGDKsofQuQVG1tY5-R_AcM_CmB4l3uXjysX9kt-yTA0jCxlnjzOWPozRkMpuvUd6ZXhmd/s320/Tong+Jing+Famous+Chicken+Rice_2.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">If that
is not your cup to calories reduction, an alternative is to do something that
keeps you fast on your feet, while you do something productive or useful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">Thanks,
Ms. Swee Nee (Tan) for the wonderful experience. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">If you
are keen for a wondrous spell serving at tables or care to enjoy a great lunch,
click on the link <a href="http://www.chickenricecentre.com/" target="_blank">www.chickenricecentre.com</a> to find out more.</span></div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-48215127949442587152013-02-10T05:53:00.001-08:002013-02-10T06:12:36.258-08:00Happy Chinese New Year Everyone<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">What’s in for this Chinese New Year? Honestly, it is a low
key celebration this year,</span><span style="font-size: small;">planned not to have too many things, partly getting lazier
and partly because of my other commitments, therefore less time to indulge.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1bQI2KKtY2iCFKWuSDlswZk1bjz7V5gU1aLErmyVbtfLCziS8vm5Zc3hm1rm9p0cGke2Fpqn1FN6II8aJcBq03cskP9zkZAMBMCRXGF3-SV-UUlM9EnqC3OhGz-p0jkkPyOQJXKEiLxd/s1600/pic+-+Gong+Xi+fa+Cai+2013.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1bQI2KKtY2iCFKWuSDlswZk1bjz7V5gU1aLErmyVbtfLCziS8vm5Zc3hm1rm9p0cGke2Fpqn1FN6II8aJcBq03cskP9zkZAMBMCRXGF3-SV-UUlM9EnqC3OhGz-p0jkkPyOQJXKEiLxd/s320/pic+-+Gong+Xi+fa+Cai+2013.jpeg" width="213" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Having said that, the New Year greeting is late too.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Downloaded a special <span style="font-size: small;">Chinese New Year </span>app to my iPad mini, I am able to choose <span style="font-size: small;">some of the d<span style="font-size: small;">ecorative icons/pictures<span style="font-size: small;"> to design my own card.</span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-22978614306408007312013-01-31T07:38:00.000-08:002013-01-31T07:38:33.314-08:00Simple Stir-Fried Mee Sua (wheat vermicelli)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I recently received a gift packet of thick mee sua. I have
never tried frying mee sua but decided that it could not be much different from
frying beehoon or mee. I did not deep fry the mee sua as that would make it a
very unhealthy dish.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPX3CH_SijQ9CyWJ_Wn8SmmMfoOHkF9vKdtD469xSOFqa8KyWXqB-QQDqf0V27cvLfmNBmwMR3Q-mBSoxaaVLnDlkdk8qhzA2Gr7hTPZ43h85AfXURUO45vbux66FddpTVS6KbG9ilKX3/s1600/IMG_2927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPX3CH_SijQ9CyWJ_Wn8SmmMfoOHkF9vKdtD469xSOFqa8KyWXqB-QQDqf0V27cvLfmNBmwMR3Q-mBSoxaaVLnDlkdk8qhzA2Gr7hTPZ43h85AfXURUO45vbux66FddpTVS6KbG9ilKX3/s320/IMG_2927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The dish ended up tasty, not unlike stir-frying noodles or
spaghetti. Yes, I do fry spaghetti in the same manner that I fry my noodles or
beehoon. It is a good, localized change from the usual fare of tomato based
spaghetti.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For 3 pax</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ingredients : </i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">300 gm thick Mee Sua (wheat vermicelli)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">5 pips garlic, minced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Some chicken meat and/or pork slices (seasoned with some
salt, pepper and light soya sauce, and some cornflour) or prawns</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">3 pieces of cabbage thinly sliced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Some carrot strips</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">5 shallots thinly sliced<span style="font-family: sans-serif;"> </span>and 3 pips of minced garlic, fried in oil for garnishing</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Coriander(cilantro) leaves, for garnishing</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 cup chicken stock</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cooking oil</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Salt and pepper to taste </span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 10.0pt;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></td><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Method :</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lightly
boil the mee sua in boiling water to soften it a little, but not too long, otherwise it becomes too soggy to fry.</span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fry
the minced garlic in oil till fragrant, add in the chicken meat/pork slices .</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Add in
the drained ‘mee sua’, fry a little. Add in chicken stock and vegetables.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stir
well, add seasoning to taste.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fry
till, the chicken stock is nearly all absorbed.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Garnish
with coriander leaves and fried onion slices.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Serve
warm with some sambal belachan.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-91549611309575385172013-01-19T07:10:00.000-08:002013-01-19T07:22:15.963-08:00Appraisals and Rewards<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Time for that year end appraisal(could be over for some) and for the new
year's increment, and not forgetting the bonus too.<br />
<br />
How have you fare? Have you been adequately compensated and rewarded? Is
your organization fair in its rewarding its employees? Do you have an
opportunity to present to your superiors your performance for the past year and
are you given the chance to bring up issues that have been troubling you or the
challenges that you feel are not adequately supported with the right
resources.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWWCZBc0jDxd36cZQiqm-31S7HfZesnrAfKVXLEmPp5v-FQMlnt6v_hK8CaASxtJNBUhG2XMCl3M9qhD5M6ExniHkPKTzjc_5ul3qv-4FadFJOzv2WtiX6lKEGbIGeIpVAFFnE6ZH1gd2/s1600/shaking+hands.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWWCZBc0jDxd36cZQiqm-31S7HfZesnrAfKVXLEmPp5v-FQMlnt6v_hK8CaASxtJNBUhG2XMCl3M9qhD5M6ExniHkPKTzjc_5ul3qv-4FadFJOzv2WtiX6lKEGbIGeIpVAFFnE6ZH1gd2/s1600/shaking+hands.JPG" /></a></div>
Appraisal is a process loathed by most people, appraisers as well as the appraisees.
This is particularly so as it is almost impossible to be fully objective for a
very subjective operation.<br />
<br />
How does one then ensure that all that are involved are impartial and
shows no favoritism? This will be much easier to adhere to if those in authority
are seen to be so.<br />
<br />
Managing the human side of an organization is never easy. Leadership in the
right vein plays a crucial role here.<br />
<br />
My wishes to all of you for a rewarding and fruitful assessment and that you
do get what you wish for. If not, chart and document your progress as you work
hard and perform better this year and hopefully your remuneration committee is
receptive and wise enough. Otherwise, search for greener pastures.<br />
<br />
For bosses, quoting Mr. Tan Thiam Hock "never underestimate the power
of inspired teamwork".<br />
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<![endif]-->leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-76122951270628016822012-12-31T22:08:00.002-08:002012-12-31T22:08:24.584-08:00Happy New Year 2013<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC46KnHe7Qz0m4j6qHKREY5SnKvGnRjq2TI5zcFVeVoDEtAmYQBnxCqG-b05r_x-1r5YMQpDEhWtlILnWnmcnbZaj3-EfKWbleYFPIdB9Z70OfT5AkuTNy-c7TU8VTE4XLBA_xM53mfRp/s1600/Year+2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC46KnHe7Qz0m4j6qHKREY5SnKvGnRjq2TI5zcFVeVoDEtAmYQBnxCqG-b05r_x-1r5YMQpDEhWtlILnWnmcnbZaj3-EfKWbleYFPIdB9Z70OfT5AkuTNy-c7TU8VTE4XLBA_xM53mfRp/s1600/Year+2013.JPG" /></a></div>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: red;"><b>Happy New Year </b></span></i></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bye-bye 2012 and welcome <i><b><span style="color: red;">2013</span></b></i>. How do I feel? A little sad, as
with all goodbyes, saying goodbye to year 2012, makes one feel nostalgic too. Happy
to welcome another year. Another year of opportunities to do and be better in
all that I do and love to do and that I do not love but have to do. Ha! Ha! Ha!
<i><b><span style="color: red;">Happy New Year!</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-41655442420272362132012-12-30T07:12:00.000-08:002013-01-01T07:09:04.611-08:00Baked Otak Otak<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The Otak Otak, a fish dish cooked in a blend of spices,
thinly shredded limau purut(kaffir lime)leaves and coconut milk. My mum’s
signature dish, I remember how she would fill banana leaves that have been folded
into packages with the fish mixture for steaming. The waft of delightful spices
and aroma filling the air would not fail to stir our appetites.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7HJxYL3sH9jFzMiS4cLxA8R-1m74EhecMIuNR18jCTIrEqw_nc6SDiGzxDFKEVkGo1Y9kRB7YOEZogsUdNCH5z537VnXYYUqGwmklJ7XM4QdXAHmuX26xXqiHfyPicSq7DhitEhsqMn1/s1600/IMG_3190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7HJxYL3sH9jFzMiS4cLxA8R-1m74EhecMIuNR18jCTIrEqw_nc6SDiGzxDFKEVkGo1Y9kRB7YOEZogsUdNCH5z537VnXYYUqGwmklJ7XM4QdXAHmuX26xXqiHfyPicSq7DhitEhsqMn1/s320/IMG_3190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have modified the recipe a little, using only the daun
kadok(aromatic wild betel leaves), omitting the banana leaves to simplify the preparation
a little. My mum would say, “not bad at all.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Baked Otak Otak Recipe</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ingredients : </i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
300 to 400 gm white fish meat (2 blocks of Red Snapper or
Garoupa or other similar fish meat)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8 dried chillies (seeded for a mild flavour)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12 shallots</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5 pips garlic</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 inch piece of fresh tumeric (about the size of your distal
phalange of middle finger</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 lemon grass</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>inch piece of
belachan (I do not like it too strong for this dish)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4 tabsp of fish curry powder, or 3 tabsp of wet curry fish
paste(this can be bought from the market)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some limau perut/kaffir lime leaves (thinly shredded)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Half grated coconut, to get half a cup of coconut milk</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 eggs </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sufficient 'daun kadok' <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">or wild betel leaves(a type of aromatic ground creepers</span>) for lining tray or
pan</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Salt and pepper to taste</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Preparation :</i></b></div>
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<br />
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Grind
the chillies, shallots, garlic, tumeric, lemon grass and belachan
together.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Mix
the ground ingredients with the fish curry powder or wet curry fish paste.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Add the
beaten eggs, and mix well.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Add
the thinly shredded kaffir lime leaves.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Add in
the fish meat that has been thinly sliced.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Stir
well, add salt and pepper seasoning.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Line a
baking or steaming tray with ‘daun kadok’. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Scoop
the fish meat and egg mixture into the tray, leave about ¼ cup of the
gravy for spreading over the top of the top 'daun kadok'.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Cover the
fish and egg mixture with a layer of ‘daun kadok’.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">Pour the remaining gravy onto
the ‘daun kadok’ and bake for about 30-35 minutes at at 180 deg. till sides of tray are slightly brown.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><span id="goog_899983601"></span><span id="goog_899983602"></span></span></li>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lSxxyg0ooocQFVmkjbNZ3jjrRiuI4fvCezSZkclUtic-DCgeQ5KJbFgoHtflqr_eiMMo4JOxuC_GEZUbS_7kBatrq6aQX7M9OOHpuP9Wd9591yAILk_vC17la6dBI16uJABKUHR9zT15/s1600/IMG_3185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lSxxyg0ooocQFVmkjbNZ3jjrRiuI4fvCezSZkclUtic-DCgeQ5KJbFgoHtflqr_eiMMo4JOxuC_GEZUbS_7kBatrq6aQX7M9OOHpuP9Wd9591yAILk_vC17la6dBI16uJABKUHR9zT15/s320/IMG_3185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
NOTES : </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.35pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 27.0pt; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>You could steam the Otak Otak in a plate/tray
for about 15-20 minutes instead of baking it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.35pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 27.0pt; text-indent: -27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>You can estimate the proportion of coconut milk
used. It should be approximately 1.5 times the volume of eggs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 27.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Some cooks omitted the curry powder and some do
add some rice flour to thicken the gravy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-34002990950091598672012-12-01T07:47:00.000-08:002012-12-12T07:21:56.096-08:00Nature's Canvas 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
When I put up Nature’s Canvas 1 in August 2012, I was not
sure that there will be a follow-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, if you ask me now, I would say I would not know how many sequels
there will be.
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing though, as they say, ‘ Beauty is in the Eye of the
Beholder’, so it might not necessarily appeal to some of you. Yes, you are
right, it definitely is not going to deter me. For me these pictures that I put
up have their own unique attraction and beauty.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, enjoy the ride as much as I have and thanks for taking
time to do so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkDpjqx3U7z71_XK-3wlRzTDpqnJ6beNFTyimX2BsJll8ufkE2Yn3-duib_ykaFckZT3rhyvbUTHxXEHHUlOROf6U0GvhjpbeOu9D-pEWdhsnYzafuCuZDnkI1aNA3j3GbO8W2SKRpWhy/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkDpjqx3U7z71_XK-3wlRzTDpqnJ6beNFTyimX2BsJll8ufkE2Yn3-duib_ykaFckZT3rhyvbUTHxXEHHUlOROf6U0GvhjpbeOu9D-pEWdhsnYzafuCuZDnkI1aNA3j3GbO8W2SKRpWhy/s640/IMG_1151.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The yellow flowers in the photo above and the red fruit in the photo below are from the same plant. Fasinating, isn't it? No, I do not know the name of the plant. The photos are from my neighbour's plant. I had previously planted this shrub, but not anymore.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKbnbWRFGbPyHFRJbjkfVSTOyZoAPXiU2-IGSzL_Co3ld9_pDOehaPmrvx5aCy6YkwHFVRceah-Lft5shPmrFdxE6wxC6kdOmDNTq2SNPW2zqVRNGgbOiNkLl4O_mtyP1SDSdOnLvSn7W/s1600/IMG_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKbnbWRFGbPyHFRJbjkfVSTOyZoAPXiU2-IGSzL_Co3ld9_pDOehaPmrvx5aCy6YkwHFVRceah-Lft5shPmrFdxE6wxC6kdOmDNTq2SNPW2zqVRNGgbOiNkLl4O_mtyP1SDSdOnLvSn7W/s640/IMG_1149.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiJQZwjMIl17cTYdKCAYLxo_jyAqmxH74qJiGEYU6Z7BToTAyot7cZMyMoKnUpBvv-9iCHSNRDrIE9yMNSXMwssVE95sDJDMZLGCn7n3OdDbBFcZTbc7ZOzZSdevH06SAmxkzEJHzWEA4/s1600/IMG_4078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk5-4RGyCp1YtJN_1b4v-pZKeosRhpqvvsPZf2r8X6i3ZcDohugi1jjA_luXH_nmOVj7KIqq9YhG6h7XUEhsmXushm2tjp2vQVjKDvvcZy7z8W97KfETDHdUkXHNsswWclr632zuac6Hs/s640/IMG_4334.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is one of my favourite flowers, partly because my hubby cared so well for it and it blooms so well.It's flowers exude a light, enchanting fragrance. The photo below is from the same plant and that is its ripen fruit. I was happy to be able to snap this before the birds get to it.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKbnbWRFGbPyHFRJbjkfVSTOyZoAPXiU2-IGSzL_Co3ld9_pDOehaPmrvx5aCy6YkwHFVRceah-Lft5shPmrFdxE6wxC6kdOmDNTq2SNPW2zqVRNGgbOiNkLl4O_mtyP1SDSdOnLvSn7W/s1600/IMG_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFToSE1E5UU4ykUfktnINhHyTbyGY2Pmt6C8hXS4dtE3XUiSrSTGwqxRA7EgpaHMmCoxkQECr9qoK_8suAjGP1OlU-7PkkJpHJ23SNUqMfcx0gGpTe-aJtux-dzRDSoiIbTmjAOo58upKF/s1600/IMG_4781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFToSE1E5UU4ykUfktnINhHyTbyGY2Pmt6C8hXS4dtE3XUiSrSTGwqxRA7EgpaHMmCoxkQECr9qoK_8suAjGP1OlU-7PkkJpHJ23SNUqMfcx0gGpTe-aJtux-dzRDSoiIbTmjAOo58upKF/s640/IMG_4781.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFKOLk65fq9IbnQz4BI3CKLcLhmaJEuOgosBa8IGIPLV0fuqjoHrJeuXXeJf2HawTpArJEhFxP_eOIOE1jUjYFYihSeydN3CQEpSY-9mCqiDpgI2lPRsNDIw54gLoiomBk65zj_vuVpmz/s1600/IMG_2178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFKOLk65fq9IbnQz4BI3CKLcLhmaJEuOgosBa8IGIPLV0fuqjoHrJeuXXeJf2HawTpArJEhFxP_eOIOE1jUjYFYihSeydN3CQEpSY-9mCqiDpgI2lPRsNDIw54gLoiomBk65zj_vuVpmz/s640/IMG_2178.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beautiful, purple lily gives me so much pleasure</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFQoyyoAt40rul2oaBsOCQdEHG9yotOxD3VAaVanLd0makWhCI-T6zRxvDxezwzhXyHw_aqZMo1Syo5FSe_ozcIzeTWmaHbO-iusVWxkzfg70zwkBnM-SA8vJ3f4wdGYW5arRzkdfwXQv/s1600/IMG_2180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFQoyyoAt40rul2oaBsOCQdEHG9yotOxD3VAaVanLd0makWhCI-T6zRxvDxezwzhXyHw_aqZMo1Syo5FSe_ozcIzeTWmaHbO-iusVWxkzfg70zwkBnM-SA8vJ3f4wdGYW5arRzkdfwXQv/s640/IMG_2180.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I enjoy the light reflected on the water and the leaves. The flower buds standing majestically, basking in the light</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKs5yy5dCdpz8cqC8M5qNQ4XUsfqkPQKN_eEJZavoYl4ecGuLQAh_VznIrsuZ_qWgYqbDJipU6YBreBcY4i53tOUpZwjzzNl4u8TbUkNwAeeuoeuz-ca9wo1m5Xw5VT3lsAq-MH1mtQGaM/s1600/IMG_2460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKs5yy5dCdpz8cqC8M5qNQ4XUsfqkPQKN_eEJZavoYl4ecGuLQAh_VznIrsuZ_qWgYqbDJipU6YBreBcY4i53tOUpZwjzzNl4u8TbUkNwAeeuoeuz-ca9wo1m5Xw5VT3lsAq-MH1mtQGaM/s640/IMG_2460.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The rambutans lend some colour to the dark twined trunks. </i>:-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIXUY_x9K3kpowijn_ItpiUIqckJg3x2gU66OP_YXOR7cViRvs7usFPw7vI9kxx3VQA0zLO-p95bQMbC0WlRgquWFSIdpqrJRqsJHKhQHdPNAg_o7qp04ba6dR7782_YaQ_GI7R5YEvPQ/s1600/IMG_4155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIXUY_x9K3kpowijn_ItpiUIqckJg3x2gU66OP_YXOR7cViRvs7usFPw7vI9kxx3VQA0zLO-p95bQMbC0WlRgquWFSIdpqrJRqsJHKhQHdPNAg_o7qp04ba6dR7782_YaQ_GI7R5YEvPQ/s640/IMG_4155.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>These colourful Crotons look their best after the rain in the morning light.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFYpmgNCepsq6YInQRAXYMaBvNVbtT_UP3_vmiOeGRxQlgD-NbolfS8qoic29zyJfLz0_-C-WudpnbuFEc03AASFtsxy32Q1AUweAC42fIFgFtxS4p50HrXbYqyWW_KmFlWa0fD_7dB7n/s1600/IMG_2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFYpmgNCepsq6YInQRAXYMaBvNVbtT_UP3_vmiOeGRxQlgD-NbolfS8qoic29zyJfLz0_-C-WudpnbuFEc03AASFtsxy32Q1AUweAC42fIFgFtxS4p50HrXbYqyWW_KmFlWa0fD_7dB7n/s640/IMG_2594.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fresh and beautiful</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlREdksL5lYKHC1DbInZR92gYrQbnMBeXQ5QBDJ77IS9HOPUgayuh0lVQo2gHss7xtPWv84uQqzXCvx4KHHRG3ZS3XE6NnSP_WccFmWNxazMsJk1FKvyBQ9Rgq4esrel261u8u3HVBDPm/s1600/IMG_4145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlREdksL5lYKHC1DbInZR92gYrQbnMBeXQ5QBDJ77IS9HOPUgayuh0lVQo2gHss7xtPWv84uQqzXCvx4KHHRG3ZS3XE6NnSP_WccFmWNxazMsJk1FKvyBQ9Rgq4esrel261u8u3HVBDPm/s640/IMG_4145.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Another type of Crotons bathing in sunlight and raindrops</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6Duh9KoquXev8LhlRcvTJ2QKYJ3UQw5JSjbnHu5sXWD6DZxH5xDK9mWN-DeTX56L_T0-gXflCBwUtGjlmQW-dRHSxgx_yli5jMTV9uaPo7wvcxUrfHnBXrCe5xjjd1inKHl5Q5-lou4i/s1600/IMG_4147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6Duh9KoquXev8LhlRcvTJ2QKYJ3UQw5JSjbnHu5sXWD6DZxH5xDK9mWN-DeTX56L_T0-gXflCBwUtGjlmQW-dRHSxgx_yli5jMTV9uaPo7wvcxUrfHnBXrCe5xjjd1inKHl5Q5-lou4i/s640/IMG_4147.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Insects love the rain too</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyDG56uVGlUhtW3TxBl_ioG7iF6ZbxsWO_CkXzq-iROz6-_q8BYkWr0_60sfp9pXDEHanbU-Sh2m77R4NuH6IxEKa2XgdtXJS3DmCRkBZ9I1QWySjLJTH9reiu62AGGL20pmWrYKcht77/s1600/IMG_4836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyDG56uVGlUhtW3TxBl_ioG7iF6ZbxsWO_CkXzq-iROz6-_q8BYkWr0_60sfp9pXDEHanbU-Sh2m77R4NuH6IxEKa2XgdtXJS3DmCRkBZ9I1QWySjLJTH9reiu62AGGL20pmWrYKcht77/s640/IMG_4836.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> The pink bougainvillea emerging blooms, common to some but gorgeous to me</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTxSb9rlMFcPWem1XVino11b8dJOp_IBC3Ed_iLGVh2V1BCNccryLWnGtRE3S3zAyPzMzY1vLoFnLgtWg1WiQo5-NxXrZMxmU2K2SlGdrfgSt9bssleiN_BEiF8yZVYtm2Ki9SRF9t0K6/s1600/IMG_1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTxSb9rlMFcPWem1XVino11b8dJOp_IBC3Ed_iLGVh2V1BCNccryLWnGtRE3S3zAyPzMzY1vLoFnLgtWg1WiQo5-NxXrZMxmU2K2SlGdrfgSt9bssleiN_BEiF8yZVYtm2Ki9SRF9t0K6/s640/IMG_1375.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Interplay of sunlight and raindrops on Palm fronds</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKy8vr6D-7Ry_5PRXYO8IAY984VMtJ_acrgllHoIczx09aurLftk7_KRmUQq6tXUtHU4GzyIdmAKecA0dx0-EH9iypAmpSc5W5CTSMkVXRlj1eCbSp_IcPlnHhYBSMBwFDI74gma9UYX8/s1600/IMG_4959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKy8vr6D-7Ry_5PRXYO8IAY984VMtJ_acrgllHoIczx09aurLftk7_KRmUQq6tXUtHU4GzyIdmAKecA0dx0-EH9iypAmpSc5W5CTSMkVXRlj1eCbSp_IcPlnHhYBSMBwFDI74gma9UYX8/s640/IMG_4959.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>What was I thinking when I took this? My fasination with raindrops</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzm24LG5ZFw22f-RiB7CgfyXhIB3MIhUjXnubvmIyJvpEfLrGR9TD9BwX9k0BFtAy-bG0KVsMkmAFnGzZAPSCU3LhAxwnaN3sV_RSLiyFWxEF9yx0d0w49XuH6ZK83FusRGKFSOYnLSoi/s1600/IMG_1985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzm24LG5ZFw22f-RiB7CgfyXhIB3MIhUjXnubvmIyJvpEfLrGR9TD9BwX9k0BFtAy-bG0KVsMkmAFnGzZAPSCU3LhAxwnaN3sV_RSLiyFWxEF9yx0d0w49XuH6ZK83FusRGKFSOYnLSoi/s640/IMG_1985.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>For this shadow image, I have to wait for right moment </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymcJR2m6zW3AunDRm5dJQsNDXIeY3jKgcpyNG0NnE49z6P76Db2EAZXOGuidtk77uh1wfyo1aeikhqI6YpCk9CDwHWCWNRj5zywfroH6QXkz1bOMHgGHvhu5haFjiBuXRTB-cKqOJKvvN/s1600/IMG_4951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymcJR2m6zW3AunDRm5dJQsNDXIeY3jKgcpyNG0NnE49z6P76Db2EAZXOGuidtk77uh1wfyo1aeikhqI6YpCk9CDwHWCWNRj5zywfroH6QXkz1bOMHgGHvhu5haFjiBuXRTB-cKqOJKvvN/s640/IMG_4951.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The fragrant limau purut bud, flowers and fruit</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiJQZwjMIl17cTYdKCAYLxo_jyAqmxH74qJiGEYU6Z7BToTAyot7cZMyMoKnUpBvv-9iCHSNRDrIE9yMNSXMwssVE95sDJDMZLGCn7n3OdDbBFcZTbc7ZOzZSdevH06SAmxkzEJHzWEA4/s1600/IMG_4078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiJQZwjMIl17cTYdKCAYLxo_jyAqmxH74qJiGEYU6Z7BToTAyot7cZMyMoKnUpBvv-9iCHSNRDrIE9yMNSXMwssVE95sDJDMZLGCn7n3OdDbBFcZTbc7ZOzZSdevH06SAmxkzEJHzWEA4/s640/IMG_4078.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wild? So green and luscious, isn't it?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yYsful1LsAE4hjsza4do8IRi8p7iYi-HLdBCl2viUyNtOZ1a3q69KIzCLgfTFhV4kwzmbj_504HK9Hhl8wcXvtIZqS0-qXLtVO0GlDWV4QVKqbW2m_JhhFMnAiV3gkm0tDN1TEAQV3It/s1600/IMG_4751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yYsful1LsAE4hjsza4do8IRi8p7iYi-HLdBCl2viUyNtOZ1a3q69KIzCLgfTFhV4kwzmbj_504HK9Hhl8wcXvtIZqS0-qXLtVO0GlDWV4QVKqbW2m_JhhFMnAiV3gkm0tDN1TEAQV3It/s640/IMG_4751.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Crimson beauty</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7tzZKhuahorBR6uHtujyY7QqcOjwr3RNKoTI_D8srISHOXLPHV7qdxLgVuw09huEanCAIV_uJDoD1eVCvR8TS27XOMng-PlGlys4mL0V7PNfB9TdPCyOwmeqtfBzS7pJxYbMyd_-jLjx/s1600/IMG_4850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7tzZKhuahorBR6uHtujyY7QqcOjwr3RNKoTI_D8srISHOXLPHV7qdxLgVuw09huEanCAIV_uJDoD1eVCvR8TS27XOMng-PlGlys4mL0V7PNfB9TdPCyOwmeqtfBzS7pJxYbMyd_-jLjx/s640/IMG_4850.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Definitely, one of my favourite flowering shrub. This is its bud and so beautiful.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEP5HzpAwNrUw1Rk7ao608T9tqwclbXOjg_0xP0TfieD4VNB3BrIRt7vSsCNT_gtrA6jipC_vjmh-wyiFTD8PX_yfYgvnI_VDxjvNilltaMlxB_Cd1Td3iE8oYsAbOxaZQJFbOhdDMbkF/s1600/IMG_4353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEP5HzpAwNrUw1Rk7ao608T9tqwclbXOjg_0xP0TfieD4VNB3BrIRt7vSsCNT_gtrA6jipC_vjmh-wyiFTD8PX_yfYgvnI_VDxjvNilltaMlxB_Cd1Td3iE8oYsAbOxaZQJFbOhdDMbkF/s640/IMG_4353.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My favourite again, I love the way the bud displays itself, the flower and the young fruit. ...... and the fallen petal, so soft and light</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-85900846074094050352012-11-28T07:39:00.001-08:002012-11-28T07:40:32.707-08:00Hand Cast Removed<!--[if !mso]>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
How am I doing? What is the prognosis upon removal of the
cast on my hand?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Fortunately, the fracture along my 5<sup>th</sup> metacarpal
has healed. That means I do not need any further treatment. All I need to do is
some simple hand exercises and physiotherapy to recover the full range of
functions of my hand, including my wrist. Simple enough, isn’t it?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After being in a cast for exactly 23 days, my hand,
particularly my 4<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup> fingers have forgotten some
of the motions they have been doing for fifty over years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_7Onx-cPj0RD2nJAKHVA1ID7UNDVx3kUC7nO9NnqxC_-cKZFKQXysQyPBh0w-blkF20ODNSeK45vq2NW19Rg7conyDvJ-5xM31PaXOt4ECEKX1jzwLqgJ9UUJOV4M6eZbxNouUwb98Wl/s1600/Clenched_human_fist.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_7Onx-cPj0RD2nJAKHVA1ID7UNDVx3kUC7nO9NnqxC_-cKZFKQXysQyPBh0w-blkF20ODNSeK45vq2NW19Rg7conyDvJ-5xM31PaXOt4ECEKX1jzwLqgJ9UUJOV4M6eZbxNouUwb98Wl/s1600/Clenched_human_fist.png" /></a>There appears to be some venous congestion and tightness. I
could not bend and close my fingers tightly to form a clenched fist over the
middle of my palm. So there you have me, not only trying to bend my fingers to
form a tight fist, but clenching my teeth as I bear with the pain to work those
lazy muscles, tendons and ligaments. For the first 20 hrs, the pain was
practically unbearable, but fearing the worst, I persevere and finally could
see some progress. The full strength and scope of movement has yet to
materialize but </div>
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I am now confident, that all will be well and soon too. </div>
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For the past 23 days I have been cradling my right casted
hand like a baby and being very respectful of my left hand. My left hand had
stood and still stands in good stead of my right hand, although I could not
lift something heavy or that which require enormous dexterity. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I have even been able to write a few legible words and am thankful
that my dear left hand has served me well in my hour of need.</div>
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leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-62583590803672449142012-11-11T06:44:00.000-08:002012-11-12T06:16:17.766-08:00Humpty Dumpty had a ……..<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Lo and behold, if only I had not hesitated and not turned my back again to feed my dear plants with more water, I could have avoided all this trouble. But alas, the morning rays were screaming, “a very hot day it will be”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How does it feel to be like a deck of cards tumbling down? It happened so fast that I do not actually remember the sequence of events. Just oh no, and next, I found both knees in the drain, (my garden drains) and my right palm beside the drain. It did not seem to hurt much, and then the pain reared its ugly head warning me not to take it lightly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With ice packs, Ketoprofen pain relieve gel and two panadols, everything seemed fine and inflammation subsided.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 315.0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, the two doctors advised otherwise when the inflammation returned with more vengeance and seemed to be more extensive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My reply then was, “What’s the fuss about, it is just something minor.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1kqm4VvrBpgYhg4MtzPSfEdMMj7D100o0MYSHBJfq3jkli1MaFJepM8-CtJu7raX_X6ya3lGi6vqs6tE0Md1i1be3DDKKDzRJJXoJ3o9ngXa9ybLcpYbdnTmKuBagZQ9nNlEW2rcZu9X/s1600/IMG_5460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1kqm4VvrBpgYhg4MtzPSfEdMMj7D100o0MYSHBJfq3jkli1MaFJepM8-CtJu7raX_X6ya3lGi6vqs6tE0Md1i1be3DDKKDzRJJXoJ3o9ngXa9ybLcpYbdnTmKuBagZQ9nNlEW2rcZu9X/s200/IMG_5460.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
So off to the hospital we went. After seeing the doctors, the prognosis is : A spiral crack on the metacarpal at the base of my little finger. I was informed that I may need either a plaster cast or a wire and a cast. That got me worried, if they need to wire it, I had to be warded. Fortunately, the fracture has not displaced the alignment of the metacarpal and managed to evade the wire but not the cast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moral of the day, ‘BE CAREFUL’. Then all these troubles and hassles could have been avoided.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was a week ago, I still have another two weeks before
the cast is removed.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The positive thing is I get to train and manage around on my
left hand, an intensive course at that though. Most certainly hope the training
will last me a lifetime, as I am not signing up for a sequel. The thing is,
your muscles cannot be in high gear mode on such short notice even if it’s only
for minor chores. That means I will have to be less ambitious with my training
targets.:-(</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The heightened use of my left hand has also provided me an
opportunity to better understand what stroke victims have to go through to
regain function of their limbs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is indeed a test of my patience and an alert alarm, a
wake up call for my mounting carelessness of late.</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-28566738300156766842012-10-25T08:31:00.000-07:002012-10-25T08:40:39.173-07:00My iPad Mini that will be<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
:-D….finally the long wait is nearly over. I have been waiting for iPad Mini since Apple launched iPad in April 2010.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did I love it that much then, no, not really. But, as I inevitably get to know the iPad and its features, I could not help falling in love with it. As Apple released its iPads, one after another, I held steadfastly to my desire for an iPad Mini. I would occasionally surf the internet for grapevine news of iPad’s little brother, and I would always find something, somewhere or someone who has some little bit of news or rumours to feed my dream.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why wait for iPad Mini, when we have other Tablets of the smaller size too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It must be my fascination with Apple products and not owing one, the fact that three of my siblings have iPads did further foster my desire for iPads, its user friendly interface, its smooth, responsive touch screen, vivid display and its amazing and numerous apps. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had on occasions tested out some of the other tablets but they did not succeed in arousing my interest, although I had to admit that was some time back and they have since improved their models and products too. But undeterred, I waited patiently for my iPad Mini, besides the fifth generation is always the best. Another point is its compatibility among Apple’s products.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have small hands and have too many things in my handbag for something heavier than iPad Mini which is a mere 308 gm. 7.2 mm thin packed into a 7.9” display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow, that’s fantastic. Not to worry, Mr. Tim Cook, for in spite of some critics especially on the price there will many out there, who are like me and who have been waiting patiently for the iPad Mini.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ETMzS7oU4vVyefraDYf8F_dY_1xENzGOGMIfSwVt_kiP8aB0BPbHvg15kkt8915t9lYD1f5aEn0VKQTHsr95PNLnuC8BXlRtc2jLPR75cRUY6XCCG2R3wq5IevBcDNN6-mXGXQwWmzqK/s1600/Apple+Mini.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ETMzS7oU4vVyefraDYf8F_dY_1xENzGOGMIfSwVt_kiP8aB0BPbHvg15kkt8915t9lYD1f5aEn0VKQTHsr95PNLnuC8BXlRtc2jLPR75cRUY6XCCG2R3wq5IevBcDNN6-mXGXQwWmzqK/s1600/Apple+Mini.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Frankly, I will not be jumping on the bandwagon immediately, after all I have waited so long, what is a few more…months. :-( The iPad Mini is only expected to be released in Malaysia in early 2013. :-(<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">General rundown on the specs
: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Measuring 200 mm (7.9”) x
134.7mm (5.3”) with a ‘thinness’ of 7.2mm(0.28”)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">and weighing a mere 308
gm(0.68 lb).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When all's said and done, my very personal choice is of
course, the iPad Mini. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best is, I will be getting as a present from…………??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>:-D</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Watch the video link for a video introduction of the iPad Mini and I am sure you would be bowled over too.<br />
I am sure Steve Jobs is smiling up there too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57538781-37/apple-shows-off-the-ipad-mini-in-youtube-videos/">http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57538781-37/apple-shows-off-the-ipad-mini-in-youtube-videos/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
For related links : </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.apple.com/asia/ipad-mini/overview/" target="_blank">iPad Mini Overview : http://www.apple.com/asia/ipad-mini/overview/</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.apple.com/asia/ipad-mini/specs/" target="_blank">Technical specifications on iPad Mini : http://www.apple.com/asia/ipad-mini/specs/</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2411313,00.asp" target="_blank">For a comparision on my favourite small Tablets : http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2411313,00.asp</a> </div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-50012369859010859762012-10-05T08:22:00.001-07:002012-10-12T06:58:29.900-07:00Birds Visiting My Garden 1<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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If you had asked me if I would be spending my time bird
watching, my answer would most certainly be a ‘No!’. Never dream that I would
enjoy them so much. I don’t actually bird watch, but more like “I SPY, I KNOW,
I LOVE”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I simply could not help finding
myself drawn to these feathered friends, although I actually do not know them that well.</div>
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Now that I spend so much time in the garden, I watch these
birds courting for mates, looking for food and just enjoying themselves in my
garden.</div>
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I find so much pleasure if I manage to snap a good picture
of these birds, although it is not easy as they can be very elusive and they
take off into the air to stay safe, the moment they sense something or someone
approaching.</div>
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But there are some moments, when I am lucky enough to catch
them just before they escape. I hope that these pictures will get better and clearer
when my photographing skills improved.</div>
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My tribute to these small featured friends………………….</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Zebra Dove aka Bared
Ground Dove</b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNQFeIuvjOvi-uN0u0waKeyhgxD2FieYYpw9RyO9uhS3gpiPBb-alMgvkfE0MBuY0B0UD3n4pdXRz91u63ZVeLbQd1WtMLqgvR6hD8jRLkKdOkkNUbpixROCgFB05j3G3MiWeToQaoNr2/s1600/IMG_3071-edit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNQFeIuvjOvi-uN0u0waKeyhgxD2FieYYpw9RyO9uhS3gpiPBb-alMgvkfE0MBuY0B0UD3n4pdXRz91u63ZVeLbQd1WtMLqgvR6hD8jRLkKdOkkNUbpixROCgFB05j3G3MiWeToQaoNr2/s640/IMG_3071-edit1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui6ze17-D_2ymuz2TqQBuV6I_ixbV3Mg5o_o2yE-jOkZa4IfQ839kbpe6IaQyG6cOGPxXez5MO6j1lcmhNhxhT6hnFqufYVC43qmrDbPQUwqrkim8fg7_6KeQYaX7c883d2e_ZkOOPcZg/s1600/IMG_wet+dove_edit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui6ze17-D_2ymuz2TqQBuV6I_ixbV3Mg5o_o2yE-jOkZa4IfQ839kbpe6IaQyG6cOGPxXez5MO6j1lcmhNhxhT6hnFqufYVC43qmrDbPQUwqrkim8fg7_6KeQYaX7c883d2e_ZkOOPcZg/s400/IMG_wet+dove_edit+1.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This lovely, couple were sunning themselves after a night of heavy rain</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Also known as the ‘Merbok’, to the local community, the
Zebra Dove is a peaceful, calm looking bird. It usually forages on short grass
for seeds. Home is coconut palm trees or other high trees. Both parent birds
have special glands in their crop which will enlarge to secrete a Pigeon’s
milk. The young chicks will then feed from their parents throat with their
bill(beaks). These Doves call/sing in low melodious coo(s).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks2MOlhl1q1VpEK78IYtWHI8CRgcNFtt9XlfbIwmjxpHDAKHgU2mbJLqLPiA8Heupl3oPWer4WR3j3tvTqcrC1f4wFf-bRV76DRreQBNuiQfNQuwvyJrYSUNbZq5gyzZm1LOVc9PiKCrv/s1600/IMG_1106_edit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks2MOlhl1q1VpEK78IYtWHI8CRgcNFtt9XlfbIwmjxpHDAKHgU2mbJLqLPiA8Heupl3oPWer4WR3j3tvTqcrC1f4wFf-bRV76DRreQBNuiQfNQuwvyJrYSUNbZq5gyzZm1LOVc9PiKCrv/s400/IMG_1106_edit1.jpg" width="400" /></a><i> </i><br />
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<i>Another couple,foraging for food but the picture is not very clear</i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Kgi22o0uqcDbOfz-o7YchdTJrAx7Ahnqt2xrWBg-cF6uR6xHUmTitj6Xa3Tq7xxJL6molzMfPESB66Ecqb3Qib-sMiLPj2UFUo4yEsIwATRF6MbWi1fRvNgWz4DuKgX03iwMldWj-KJf/s1600/IMG_3120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Kgi22o0uqcDbOfz-o7YchdTJrAx7Ahnqt2xrWBg-cF6uR6xHUmTitj6Xa3Tq7xxJL6molzMfPESB66Ecqb3Qib-sMiLPj2UFUo4yEsIwATRF6MbWi1fRvNgWz4DuKgX03iwMldWj-KJf/s640/IMG_3120.JPG" width="449" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Black-Naped Oriole</b> <br />
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The Black-naped Oriole is known as the Burung Kunyet Besar
to the locals. It has bright yellow and black plumage. With wings and tails in
black and yellow, the Black-naped Oriole is an attractive, medium-sized bird of
around 27 cm. There is a distinctive black band, going round the head, crossing
the eyes from base of the bill. </div>
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Its diet consists mainly of fruits and insects. It can be
aggressive and frequently raids nests of other birds feeding on eggs and nestlings.</div>
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It makes a loud call which to my untrained ears sound like
‘oriole’.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHhh-1CAtOL3l3N1Oeh0OwLZgfsZxXhEcO4eR97bVmI5j-2Dwi5aWI6GNYncEzukMdfm_WyF9SS13hhyphenhyphenQV5hWog6oTeQpvyfcbGhYpyDzt0fZlhbe7gOutMSdOba0iD3cU7dZOIdSaMes/s1600/IMG_3798_edit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHhh-1CAtOL3l3N1Oeh0OwLZgfsZxXhEcO4eR97bVmI5j-2Dwi5aWI6GNYncEzukMdfm_WyF9SS13hhyphenhyphenQV5hWog6oTeQpvyfcbGhYpyDzt0fZlhbe7gOutMSdOba0iD3cU7dZOIdSaMes/s640/IMG_3798_edit+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVWVl5ADqtDfaWlWNEcMoNmyv9vaL_1v-yHdUOAKeKD-GOkMG4ttCJpVXWqbAQKGt748-qxbUt6yvY_Sc3xpz7i91d8fN5uSMgid51vVp5NU2UlZ7TVS9LYEdNRXJE8NBtva48d-k1td7/s1600/IMG_4083_edit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVWVl5ADqtDfaWlWNEcMoNmyv9vaL_1v-yHdUOAKeKD-GOkMG4ttCJpVXWqbAQKGt748-qxbUt6yvY_Sc3xpz7i91d8fN5uSMgid51vVp5NU2UlZ7TVS9LYEdNRXJE8NBtva48d-k1td7/s640/IMG_4083_edit1.jpg" width="442" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXrPLM-p0QGmJxqB1bouoqtDhvu1-QhYDWtcDUlC9hNmFDj0Ot188fxOG40KoKRZLKyOHrYYniHTRXiQ8nHU98zSerhS2l-lJT1nemv8tzHhzgkGVT7wXK3FWE9loNB4beJC0OsAfgL5r/s1600/IMG_1877_edit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXrPLM-p0QGmJxqB1bouoqtDhvu1-QhYDWtcDUlC9hNmFDj0Ot188fxOG40KoKRZLKyOHrYYniHTRXiQ8nHU98zSerhS2l-lJT1nemv8tzHhzgkGVT7wXK3FWE9loNB4beJC0OsAfgL5r/s640/IMG_1877_edit+1.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Olive-Backed Sunbird
aka Yellow-Bellied Sunbird</b></div>
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This is a small bird, barely 4-5 inches, bill to tail
(approximately 12 cm). It flies very fast, getting away from predators or me,
unaware that I am just a bird watcher, and definitely not going to cause any
harm. Nectar and small insects form its diet. You can easily see them with
their long, slender, decurved (curving downward) bill, deep down inside a
flower, sucking up the sweet nectar. Plumage on its head, throat and upper
breast are dark, metallic olive with bright yellow under part. Both sexes are
olive green above and yellow below. Its shrill chirps are often heard, cutting
through the morning air around our Malaysian home gardens.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgKIxtRU_F00SmdVtUnL4Kf8B_e3CWKwjV_Hw7CWgAJEmj-02olU36xuMhHR5RuPWACuf96PG608CIKWk85NxG3a6ahd_FcyUnxSlOjTz_jQTAWRqEU2QiJ2FZHN4YwMFMTirqWSidfZZ/s1600/IMG_1507_edit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgKIxtRU_F00SmdVtUnL4Kf8B_e3CWKwjV_Hw7CWgAJEmj-02olU36xuMhHR5RuPWACuf96PG608CIKWk85NxG3a6ahd_FcyUnxSlOjTz_jQTAWRqEU2QiJ2FZHN4YwMFMTirqWSidfZZ/s640/IMG_1507_edit2.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Olive-Backed Sunbird in flight</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
These are a few links for some very good videos on the Black-Naped Oriole.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SXf-O_IiYw&feature=relmfu" target="_blank">Black-naped Oriole Nesting Story Part 1-Incubating</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYN2ySqBc58&feature=endscreen&NR=1" target="_blank">Black-naped Oriole Nesting Story Part 2 - Feeding</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOSeSH5qjMI&feature=relmfu" target="_blank">Black-naped Oriole Nesting Story Part 3 - Leaving The Nest</a></span><br />
<br />
A youtube posting of Orioles contributed by my neighbour, Azlina. Hope you like it too.<br /><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZieuNrR2a2s" target="_blank">Recording of Orioles melodious calls</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
Another good video here, so well taken.<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=" " dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Black-naped Oriole breeding 黃鸝鳥育"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=" " dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Black-naped Oriole breeding 黃鸝鳥育"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38ExuGbgJAI" target="_blank">Black-naped Oriole breeding 黃鸝鳥育 </a></span></span></div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2829092735326566840.post-69447871121904904912012-09-29T07:27:00.000-07:002012-10-05T07:10:27.076-07:00Focaccia Bread<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I was looking for something new to bake and chance upon a
recipe for the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Focaccia Bread. </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxT3ikqAIFVNocV_laRosxoR-VIk0WFqfCWgwdpcTeVrwwwDJMt1nncRkZR_eTG_TKIBbuPTKzw3YZR3nAoNqb3Az1F4M4DuJYld6Jl4W7tfXjzCIGPTuLcy0d0DHxxrOVLRBdZvzaj2H/s1600/IMG_4403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxT3ikqAIFVNocV_laRosxoR-VIk0WFqfCWgwdpcTeVrwwwDJMt1nncRkZR_eTG_TKIBbuPTKzw3YZR3nAoNqb3Az1F4M4DuJYld6Jl4W7tfXjzCIGPTuLcy0d0DHxxrOVLRBdZvzaj2H/s320/IMG_4403.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is an Italian bread. There are various variants, slight
variations to the olive oil content and to the flavourings or toppings. You
could use Focaccia Bread as a pizza base, eat it on its own or use it for
sandwiches. You can top it with cheese too. </div>
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The recipe that I am using is oily but with the heavy use of
the olive oil you do get a very tasty crust. I did some amendments to the
amount of olive oil and to the herbs that I use, as we practically could not
find these fresh herbs here in Malaysia,
especially in Alor Setar.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Focaccia Bread Recipe</b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Ingredients</u></i></div>
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300 gm bread flour</div>
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1tsp salt </div>
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1 tsp yeast</div>
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½ tabsp<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sugar</div>
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2 tabsp extra virgin olive oil plus 1 tabsp herb oil
(instead of 3 tabsp olive oil)</div>
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200 ml water</div>
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Olive oil for greasing your tray</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Herb Oil </u></i><u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 ½ tabsp extra virgin olive oil (1 ½ for spreading on top
of the dough before baking)</div>
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2 tsp dried herbs (plump the herbs in a little hot water)</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(I used mixed dried herbs which consisted of mixture of Oregano,
Rosemary, Sage,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 12.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thyme, Basil, Savory and Majoram, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">bought
all packed in a bottle from the supermarket</span></i>)</i></div>
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2 tsp freshly ground/pressed garlic</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Preparation</u></i></div>
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</div>
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1. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As usual I
prepare a yeast starter dough, using 50 ml warm water, 1 tsp yeast and ½ </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tabsp sugar. Let
the yeast mixture rise for 10-20 mins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mix together the
bread flour and salt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mix together the
herb oil (heated to 100 deg. C) and add 1 tabsp to the flour.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add another 2 tabsp
of extra virgin olive oil to the flour mixture.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add starter dough
to the flour mixture.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add the balance
of water. Leave some and check that it is pliable and of the right consistency.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knead well for
about 10 mins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cover the dough
and let rise in a warm place for 1 hr. or double tin size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Liberally oil a
baking tray with olive oil (about 1 tabsp)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
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</xml><![endif]-->10. Punch down the dough to knock down the air and spread it out
on the baking tray.<br />
Press out but do not pull too much.</div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
11. Cover and let rise again till double in size. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<w:View>Normal</w:View>
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</xml><![endif]--><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
12. Preheat the oven to 425 deg. Depending on your oven, or
tray(s) and if </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you prefer
something really crispy, you could even try for 450 deg. This would </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>also depend on
the thickness of your dough. I prefer mine, crisp on the outside and </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>soft on the
inside, besides with my tray of diameter 9 inches, the dough is not spread </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thin. Just the way
I like it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
13. While preheating the oven, use your finger to poke the
dough to make regular, little
holes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
14. Liberally spread herb oil on the dough.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
15. Bake for 20 to 25 mins. till golden brown. (depending on
your tray and oven too).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turn your baking
tray 180 deg around half time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
16. Cool your Focaccia bread before cutting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
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</xml><![endif]-->I used a round stainless steel plate, which does not
brown as fast as a baking tray, thus calling for some additional
time. I like to eat the bread as it is, and it is fabulous.I love it. You could use a 10” x 13” tray. Normally, a rectangular baking tray is used for Focaccia
Bread.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Recipe adapted from Michelle, <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2012/01/18/focaccia-bread-recipe/" target="_blank">The Brown Eyed Baker</a></i></div>
leehwa writeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401176203372320561noreply@blogger.com0