Winter 2016 : Planning for a Birthday Party for Nabil, Nazran and Nazmi

It was January 2016 and finally I had a free time (and extra money) for our sons' birthday party. Nabil and Nazran was born in December and Nazmi was born in February. First, to get things going, I designed the birthday invite. I just invited a few close friends.

It is going to be Nabil's 10th birthday, Nazran's 7th and Nazmi's 3rd. Good age combination. Those numbers (10, 7, 3) fit into the BIR7HDAY C3LEBRAT10N!!

On Friday, January 29, the day we welcomed Storm Gertrude to the UK, after sending off the kids to school, we went to get some presents for them and ingredients for the main menu and desserts.(Northern UK was the most impacted, but we still get the strong wind)

The night before, after they went to bed, we hung the birthday bunting, pump some balloons and wrap their presents. We keep a few blankets ready to cover everything should any one of them came down to get some water (they did that sometimes, in the middle of the night). 

They will get the light sabers they were asking for quite sometimes, books, stationery and some cool clothes. None of them knew we planned this party. We cant wait to see their faces in the morning! Waking up to the house full of balloons :)

The next morning, YUP, as we expected, they were cheering and laughing and running around the house in joy once they went downstairs and saw all the deco. As I was preparing the chicken rice, they helped me to spread the chocolate topping on the cake I baked the night before and topped it with a few packs of M&M. 

25% of the M&M went into their mouth but I just pretended that I didnt see a thing.

Winter 2016 : Crispy curly kale chip

This is my favourite healthy snack. Curly kale chip.

Kale is known for its superfood properties. If you did not know how it looks like, here, meet kale.

I bought a bag of curly kale which has been cut and washed. Spread it on a baking pan (I use pizza pan), pour a bit of olive oil and bake it for 10-15 minutes.

Tadaaa! Crispy kale chip. It has a natural savoury taste to it.

You can sprinkle a bit of salt (or paprika / garlic powder / curry powder / blackpepper - be adventurous!) before you eat. It tastes wayyyy better than potato chip!

Winter 2015 : Bread pudding and custard sauce

Since Nabil and Nazran did not eat the bread crust/edges, I made bread pudding and custard sauce on weekly basis. 

Winter 2016 : Homemade keropok lekor in Manchester!

Oh yes, I made keropok lekor in Manchester!

From Wikipedia - Keropok lekor is a traditional Malay fish snack originated from the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. It is also called fish sausage, fish stick, or fish fritters. It is made from fish and sago flour and seasoned with salt and sugar. The origin of the word "Lekor" is said to be derived from Terengganu Malay which means "roll".

We went to our favourite fishmonger to get fresh mackerels. I clean, fillet and blend it.

Then mix it with flour and lekor it.

Finally, deep fry it. 

Winter 2016 : Chocolate chunk cookies

I didnt have chocolate chips at home, so I cut topping chocolate into small chunks, and fold it in the batter. These yummy chocolate chunk cookies only last for 24 hours!

Winter 2016 : Homemade clean dough

I am busy shaping the dough and Nazmi wanted to help. I made him a clean dough. The kind of dough that does not stick to your hand or any surfaces and smells nice too. I just mix a plain flour with dish washing liquid. It is good to go.

It keeps him occupied for the whole day.

Winter 2016 : Doughnut hole, cakoi and burger Malaysia

After the final exam, I didnt have anything to worry about (not even my grades - I'll cross the bridge when I get there). I cooked a lot.

This was my first attempt to rise the dough. I put it by the window, to get the heat from the sunlight (the glass blocks the harmful UV rays, but I am not sure about the heat haha). It rose a bit. Then I placed the bowl in front of the portable heater. It worked, after nearly one hour. lol. After the agony of waiting for the dough to rise, my friend texted me a very useful tip - put the dough in the pre-heated oven. Gonna do that next time!

 Doughnut holes are ready. I filled them with custard and rolled it in sugar.

Then I made some cakoi (left plate, below), a deep-fried dough, originated from China. It is originally called Youtiao. Cakoi is a popular snack for tea time in Malaysia, you can eat it just like that or dip it in a peanut or sweet sauce. Chinese usually eat youtiao with rice porridge for breakfast.

I have some dough left, I made these savoury evening snack. I didnt know the name but since my friends called it burger Malaysia, so, let's call it Burger Malaysia too. It is a deep fried dough, filled with a slice of cucumber and sambal tumis (Chili fried with belacan shrimp paste, onions, garlic, tamarind juice. Tumis means "stir fry") with anchovies.

Mini Samosa with whatever-left-from-last-night fillings

I took the leftover from dinner last night, fried it with a bit of onion, garlic, carrot and pepper, to give it stronger flavour. I cut each spring roll sheet into three long strips and start wrapping the filling.

And turned it into mini samosa. My kids' favourite.

Apart from those fillings, I also made scramble egg filling and cheese. I cut the cheese slice into triangle and wrap it with the sheet, then fried it. The cheese will melt and find its way between the sheet layers. 

Lunch on my day off - bread and grilled chicken

I took a day off last week to run some errands.
I went home for a quick lunch before continue with my office work afterwards.
This is my quick lunch. Grilled barbeque chicken with onion and bread.

DIY Sandwich

I grilled a few mini buns and prepared variety of sandwich fillings:

- grilled barbeque chicken, 
- homemade mini beef burger using minced meat and spices,
- steamed crab meat with mayonnaise, 
- scramble egg, 
- caramelised onions, 
- cheese, 
- mustard; and 
- sauces.

We let the kids choose and make their own tiny sandwich.

They really had fun experimenting with different type of sandwiches, one after another.

Homemade Sugar Body Scrub for Teacher's Day

My kids made (the above).

Nabil chose peach essential oils.
Nazreen chose strawberry EO.
Nazran opted for lemon EO. Our house smells nice that night.

They jot down some wishes, cut the string and tied the strings to the mason jars themselves. They feel proud to be able to give something handmade/homemade to their teachers this year.

Pop Corn Magic

My husband bought me this.

Just put in a handful of kernel in the silicone container, pop it in the microwave for two minutes and your popcorn is ready. You could coat it in any flavour you like.

1. Air-popped popcorn has only 31 calories per cup; oil-popped popcorn has only 55 calories per cup. When lightly buttered, popcorn contains about 133 calories per cup. Popcorn is a whole grain, making it a good-for-you food. Popcorn contains fiber, providing roughage the body needs in the daily diet (Source : here)

There. So you wont feel guilty about eating.

Sweet revenge: food

I was feeling under the weather for almost two weeks. 

I didnt do much house chores during that period. My neighbour came and helped me to fold three baskets full of clothes and after that she hanged another basket of newly-washed clothes. What would I do without you, Maton :)

Good neighbour is hard to get.

No, that's not what this entry is all about.

(Well, I have this tendency to talk about something else first whenever I blog about food)

After two week having lunch/dinner at my parent's because I was not feeling well, last weekend, I woke up and the first thing I did after Subuh prayer was mixing pizza dough. Nazran helped me to bake pizzas. This is the second one. The first one finished in a minute. I spread tomato puree with Herbes de Provence, capsicum, tomato, chicken bits marinated in barbecue sauce and cheddar cheese.

Then we had what Kelantanese called colek.

My mom went to the market and bought us young mangoes. 

My version of colek (fruit dip) is the mixture of soy sauce, coarse sugar, shrimp paste and grounded bird's eye chili. You'll taste sweet, sour, salty and hotness from the chili in every bite. 

At night, I made fruit cocktail with mango pudding. No photo.

Ayam percik

One night, I planned to prepare healthy meal for my family, so I marinate some chicken parts in blended onion, garlic and ginger, then I grilled it.

But then I saw aplenty of coconut milk in the fridge +_+

Soon, it become ayam percik Kelantan.

Saturday breakfast - Homemade chicken nuggets

Minced chicken with a bit of barbecue sauce, black pepper and marjoram. Some corn starch to hold them together. Shape it into bite size pieces and grill on a non-stick grill pan.

SEDAP SANGAT.

Saturday Snack - Peanut butter and chocolate pizza

One roti Arab, spread generous amount of peanut butter on top and sprinkle some chocolate chips. Bake for 10 minutes in 180 degree Celsius. The roti will be a bit crispy outside and the chips will melt inside. 

(Nazmi is left-handed)

Breakfast Menu

My MIL and BIL came to our house. I have no idea what to serve for breakfast. So I made Sherperd's pie, a classic [yet simple] British dish and lemon juice.

I prepared the potato and ground beef filling the night before. I woke up the next morning, layered the pie with sliced cheese in between and baked it for 40 minutes. Once the kids finished putting on their school uniforms, the pie is ready. 

Photo credit : Husband :)

(before he finished the whole thing +_+)

Saturday Bake

In the morning, we bake garlic bun. I grilled barbecue beef strip and prepared caramelised onions. The kids enjoyed putting their own topping/sauce, making their own tiny sandwich.

At night, Nazran helped me to bake cream puff. Not bad for the first attempt. I kept a few in a container and the next morning, Nazran woke up early and finished all the puffs! 

Food : Fever

I was down with a fever during weekend and my husband prepared barbeque and steamoat for dinner. The next day, I prepared white rice and grilled salmon for baby Nazmi. Salmon is his favourite fish :)

Food : Tea Time

My husband was away for a photoshoot. I prepared Mi Bandung Muar for him in the evening. And of course, some fruits.