My grandmother's chicken soup - her own recipe - just carrot, celery, onion, chicken, garlic, parsley and plenty of black pepper. This soup definately makes me sweat!
My Lavender pillow - I put in microwave for about a mintue and wrap around my shoulder. The heat feels so good and it relaxes my shoulder, mind and of course it made me feel sleepy.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Home repair 101 - part 1
Here are some simple home repairs tips you can do it yourself.
Clogged Drain : Pour a potful of boiling water down ny three teaspoon of ammonia down the drain. Wait for a few minutes, then plunge until clear.
Furniture scratches: Make a paste of instant coffee and water and rub into nicks on dark wood furniture.
Squeaky floor: Lightly sprinkle noisy floorboards with cornstarch.It helps lubricate the boards.
Window Screen holes : Repair small holes by applying several layers of clear nail polish.
Sticking drawers: Make them glide more smoothly by rubbing thr drawers and track with soap and candle wax.
Banging Door: Cushion the slam by gluing 1/8 inch thick pieces of foam rubber along the stop.
Clogged Showerhead: Uncrew the showerhead and scrub with an old toothbrush or nail brush. Poke a tooth pick through the hoels to cleat them. Then, soak the plastic parts in warm warer and white vinegar to one cup of warer or rub with half a lemon to remove remaining mineral deposits.
Loose Screw hole : If the hole has become too large for the screw, smear glue on one or more wooden matchsticks and slip them into the hole, After the glue dries, reinsert the screw. It will have something to hang on to.
Clogged Drain : Pour a potful of boiling water down ny three teaspoon of ammonia down the drain. Wait for a few minutes, then plunge until clear.
Furniture scratches: Make a paste of instant coffee and water and rub into nicks on dark wood furniture.
Squeaky floor: Lightly sprinkle noisy floorboards with cornstarch.It helps lubricate the boards.
Window Screen holes : Repair small holes by applying several layers of clear nail polish.
Sticking drawers: Make them glide more smoothly by rubbing thr drawers and track with soap and candle wax.
Banging Door: Cushion the slam by gluing 1/8 inch thick pieces of foam rubber along the stop.
Clogged Showerhead: Uncrew the showerhead and scrub with an old toothbrush or nail brush. Poke a tooth pick through the hoels to cleat them. Then, soak the plastic parts in warm warer and white vinegar to one cup of warer or rub with half a lemon to remove remaining mineral deposits.
Loose Screw hole : If the hole has become too large for the screw, smear glue on one or more wooden matchsticks and slip them into the hole, After the glue dries, reinsert the screw. It will have something to hang on to.
The Set meal served on Christmas 2009
The Fruit Salad- Christmas 2009
Golden Pumpkin soup with Topioca Matchsticks
Pan Fried Dory fillet in Orange sauce with Baked potato and coleslaw
Turkey and mushroom stuffing served with butter rice
The Salad served during the Christmas 2009
Salad consist : Strawberry, apple, can peach, blueberris, mixed nuts, raisins.
Snoopy..the big nose..
Snoopy in the living room, sniffing all around. Well, he is old enough not to make a mess. Watch it Snoopy! you will get caned for breaking!Snoopy..our super cutey
This photo was taken when he had his first shift of house. And he was kind of " where am i?" kind of look. And he was only 9mths old. Thursday, April 1, 2010
Soup recipe - Leek & Potato Soup
200g potatoes, peeled and cut into smalle cubes
500g leeks, skinned and chopped
50g onon, skinned and chopped
20g olive oil
20g butter
700g hot water
1 chicken stock cube
1/2 tsp salt
Methods:
1. In a pot, heat oil and butter over low fire. Add leeks and onion and stir constantly till cooked but not brown.
2. Add all remaining ingredient to pot and turn the heat up to medium. Allow it to boil for another 20 minutes or until the potatoes break up. You can use a masher in the pot to mash the remaining potatoes.
3. Bring to a boil again, then remove from heat. Serve hot with a dollop of cream and sprig of parsley if desired.
500g leeks, skinned and chopped
50g onon, skinned and chopped
20g olive oil
20g butter
700g hot water
1 chicken stock cube
1/2 tsp salt
Methods:
1. In a pot, heat oil and butter over low fire. Add leeks and onion and stir constantly till cooked but not brown.
2. Add all remaining ingredient to pot and turn the heat up to medium. Allow it to boil for another 20 minutes or until the potatoes break up. You can use a masher in the pot to mash the remaining potatoes.
3. Bring to a boil again, then remove from heat. Serve hot with a dollop of cream and sprig of parsley if desired.
Kitchen tips - 2 - Save the water resource
Here are some great dishwashing ways to help saving on time, effort and even dishwashing liquid.
* Alway seperate glasses, cup. mug and non-oily utensils and those oily untensil such as pan, plate, bowls, wok.
* Soak dirty dishes in hot water and little soap. This will scrape off the food remains easily which means less work in scrubbing.
* After soaking, start with the least dirty dishes first and the dirtiest dishes last. This gives the most soiled dishes more soaking time which will help in removing the food remains easier.
* Never waste water by letting it run while washing or rinsing dishes. Fill a sink or dishpan with hot water instead. And rnise clean a group of dishes instead of just one dish in it.
* Put on rubber gloves to help you better tolerate the hot water and harmful chemical effects of dishwashing liquid.
* Don't overuse dishwashing soap. Using more will cause you also use and waste more water.
* Alway seperate glasses, cup. mug and non-oily utensils and those oily untensil such as pan, plate, bowls, wok.
* Soak dirty dishes in hot water and little soap. This will scrape off the food remains easily which means less work in scrubbing.
* After soaking, start with the least dirty dishes first and the dirtiest dishes last. This gives the most soiled dishes more soaking time which will help in removing the food remains easier.
* Never waste water by letting it run while washing or rinsing dishes. Fill a sink or dishpan with hot water instead. And rnise clean a group of dishes instead of just one dish in it.
* Put on rubber gloves to help you better tolerate the hot water and harmful chemical effects of dishwashing liquid.
* Don't overuse dishwashing soap. Using more will cause you also use and waste more water.
Kitchen tips 2 - Masking tape
Having diffcult time scooping dry condiment? Either too much or too little? If not, scoop out and created a mess?
Here's a little solution.
For a more precise way of scooping dry condiments like cocoa powder or salt, attach the stick side if a masking tape across the top of the container. Therefore, scoop and level off the helping with the tape. It is thin and wouldn't interfere the closing of the container. An easy and great solution to prevent condiment overload!
Here's a little solution.
For a more precise way of scooping dry condiments like cocoa powder or salt, attach the stick side if a masking tape across the top of the container. Therefore, scoop and level off the helping with the tape. It is thin and wouldn't interfere the closing of the container. An easy and great solution to prevent condiment overload!
Kitchen tips 1 - salt
Soap can ruin a cast iron pan by plaguing it with rust. Here's a cleaning alternative to rid the pan of oil while keeping it practically rust-free. Douse it with some salt and then start scrubing! Salt is a great abrasive agent and will even soak up the oil. If there's no salt, another effecitve cleaning solution is ti add warer into the soiled cast iron and then put it to a boil. This thoroughly removes any oil residue.
French Soup- The five ingredients
Ingredient:
Red wine
Beef stock ot chicken stock
White onions
Sourdough bread
mozzararella
and why this five ingredients makes a wonderful French onion soup?
Red Wine:
An important point to note when using wine for cooking: Don't cook with corked or stale wine. If it tastes like vineger in the glass, then you can be sure it'll taste likewise in your dish. Red wine and beef are just the perfect combination. You can add red wone to beef stews or baste oevr a roasting beef in the oven. Leftover wine mixed well with the juices from the roasted beef makes for a lovely sauce.
Beef stock:
Beef stock, like any other stock, is great for enhancing the taste of your favourite dishes. It is readily available in cans ot in cubes at your nearby supermarket. Beef stock is usually used in stews. roasts amd other mear dishes. Thicken beef stock with water to make a delicious gravy.
Mozzarella:
This type of mozzarella is also known as traditional fresh mozzarella.It is white in color and rolled in the shape of a ball of 80 -100g and soaked in containers of brine. They are originally made from the milk of the water buffalo, hence mozzarella do bafala, while mozzarella made for cows' milk is referred to as fior do latte. Mozzarella also comes in smoked varieties which are suitable for salads and grilled foods.
White onions:
White onions are a popular variety used for cooking.It is suitable for spicy dishes because of its clean, piquant flavour.Due to their slightly high water content, they are a little sweeter than other onion varieties. They can also eaten raw, used in burgers and in potato or pasta salads. They tastes great when sauteed and can be added to casseroles, stews, soups, roasts and meat dishes.
Sour Dough bread:
Consume sourdough bread fresh, preferably within 2 days. Do not place in the refrigerator as it will turn bad quickly. If leftover bread is to be eaten that day or next, leave it turned up on its cut surface or stored in a paper bag ensuring the crust stays dry.
Red wine
Beef stock ot chicken stock
White onions
Sourdough bread
mozzararella
and why this five ingredients makes a wonderful French onion soup?
Red Wine:
An important point to note when using wine for cooking: Don't cook with corked or stale wine. If it tastes like vineger in the glass, then you can be sure it'll taste likewise in your dish. Red wine and beef are just the perfect combination. You can add red wone to beef stews or baste oevr a roasting beef in the oven. Leftover wine mixed well with the juices from the roasted beef makes for a lovely sauce.
Beef stock:
Beef stock, like any other stock, is great for enhancing the taste of your favourite dishes. It is readily available in cans ot in cubes at your nearby supermarket. Beef stock is usually used in stews. roasts amd other mear dishes. Thicken beef stock with water to make a delicious gravy.
Mozzarella:
This type of mozzarella is also known as traditional fresh mozzarella.It is white in color and rolled in the shape of a ball of 80 -100g and soaked in containers of brine. They are originally made from the milk of the water buffalo, hence mozzarella do bafala, while mozzarella made for cows' milk is referred to as fior do latte. Mozzarella also comes in smoked varieties which are suitable for salads and grilled foods.
White onions:
White onions are a popular variety used for cooking.It is suitable for spicy dishes because of its clean, piquant flavour.Due to their slightly high water content, they are a little sweeter than other onion varieties. They can also eaten raw, used in burgers and in potato or pasta salads. They tastes great when sauteed and can be added to casseroles, stews, soups, roasts and meat dishes.
Sour Dough bread:
Consume sourdough bread fresh, preferably within 2 days. Do not place in the refrigerator as it will turn bad quickly. If leftover bread is to be eaten that day or next, leave it turned up on its cut surface or stored in a paper bag ensuring the crust stays dry.
Dressing up? What's in for salad?
There's always some questions for using what other alternate for dressing when eating salad. Well for me, i try out some funny dressing but the fav one was with lemon and yoghurt. It's light, healthy and taste ' losing weigh". hahaha...
Here's some i got from a magazine. Instead of 1000 island, here's some straght from the bottles.
Thai marinade
- The marinade perks up any Asian style salad with its refreshing limey flavours and blend of spices. Makes a great side dip for Thai fish cakes. Vietnamese rice paper rolls and even roast duck.
Tips: It's only the dressing you'll need to make Thai Vermicelli, papaya or mango salad. Just toss ingredienta well with the sauce, with a squeeze of fresh lime if you want extar zing.
Macadamia & honey dressing
- Sweet and zesty, Blended from Australian macadamias, honey and mustard, the piquat, nutty flavour is enticing
Tips: Toss roasted macadamias, walnuts, pistachios and raisins with mesclun salad and lashings of the dressings. Sprinkle with lemon peel.
Here's some i got from a magazine. Instead of 1000 island, here's some straght from the bottles.
Thai marinade
- The marinade perks up any Asian style salad with its refreshing limey flavours and blend of spices. Makes a great side dip for Thai fish cakes. Vietnamese rice paper rolls and even roast duck.
Tips: It's only the dressing you'll need to make Thai Vermicelli, papaya or mango salad. Just toss ingredienta well with the sauce, with a squeeze of fresh lime if you want extar zing.
Macadamia & honey dressing
- Sweet and zesty, Blended from Australian macadamias, honey and mustard, the piquat, nutty flavour is enticing
Tips: Toss roasted macadamias, walnuts, pistachios and raisins with mesclun salad and lashings of the dressings. Sprinkle with lemon peel.
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