Risotto

We had mussels yesterday and there were much leftover gravy, which is packed full of flavour and hubby thought of making a dish out of it. The only dish he could think of was risotto. I've never tried risotto before simply because any rice of sorts other than Jasmine Rice, would taste, funny, I guess.

Anyway, it turned out not bad. The gravy from mussels was what made the whole dish impeccable. I've opened up my taste bud to a whole new dish, yet again. Oh and this time, I made sure I took a photo of it and the banana bread, from yesterday.

Twas a good day!

We've been such lazy people for the last few months. We wake up early (not as early as most people) to go to work on weekdays and come home when the sun sets. Everyday's a long day for us, so Saturday is a day where we'll just take the golden opportunity to sleep in. The time that we wake up really varies every week; on a not so tiring week, 9 am and on a superbly stressed week, we'll wake up at 12 just on time for lunch! Guess we are not so grown-up afterall since grownups normally don't sleep till that late.

The culprits, other than work to these sleep-ins are, of course (it's not entirely our fault that we are lazy):
1. We've got the best bed on earth; latex bed!
2. We know there won't be anymore chance to sleep in once baby arrives, so we are trying to sleep as MUCH as we can now!

Anyway, a new colleague of mine recently told me about this grower's market at Pyrmont which he and his housemate go to every month. It's held every first Saturday of the month and it's probably the best organic and local producer markets in Sydney, of course not to mention it's just a stroll away from Darling Harbour, a superb and beautiful location.

It got me interested as I was wanting to check out on some plants to put on our balcony. So, I suggested to hubby to come along with me, since I hate going to these places on my own. At first, he was pretty reluctant because it means only one thing, he has to forgo his beauty Saturday sleep and wake up probably earlier than normal days in order to get a parking spot. But thank God for bank holiday this Monday, so in the end he cheerfully agreed.

It was a beautiful morning, and the market was absolutely unlike any asian markets. They are 'civilized' and 'clean' and 'peaceful'. There's a water bay just beside the market and it was an enjoyable morning. We had latte and pretty much our breakfast there too by sampling on all the food on display.

My only regret was, I forgot my camera. I could have taken some photos but my placental head is taking a toll on me now. I am going through pregnancy ie a scatty period now. So, blame it on the baby.

We bought some strawberry and fig jam, which was absolutely lovely and a kg of fresh mussels for dinner. Hubby cooked mussels provencale pasta and it was absolutely excellent that I had to write down the recipe. Again, my scatty brain forgot to take pictures of the mussels.

Then I attempted my banana bread, the second time since the first turned out, well... not sweet, not soft, not moist... basically it was a flop. And after some research, I managed to find out about the secret recipe on baking a soft and moist banana bread -----> apparently, it's sour cream!

Hubby was a a little apprehensive on using sour cream, cuz somehow he couldn't really imagine how the taste would be and how sour cream helps. Oh well, no harm trying I thought.

After an hour or so of baking, voila, it turned out to be probably the best banana bread we've had, so I quote hubby! Will try to take a photo tomorrow when we have it for tea.

Hah, all in all, it was a good cook day for us. Finally a Saturday went by unwasted except it was a litle tarnished by the movie we watched after dinner; Burn After Reading. I am still flabbergasted with that movie. Watch it if you want, and you'll know what I mean.

Oaahhh..... another early morning tomorrow for church, I'm sooooo not a morning person.

Nothing much lately

There's nothing much happening in my life lately, apart from the pregnancy stories in my other blog. Work's been usual but I've been more and more incompetent because of my current state. Also because we have new staffs to train, so thank God, I am not needed to do most of the work, I just basically train them and let them do the job! I'm basically taking it easy at work.

However, I'm in a dilemma whether to resign when baby comes. The good thing about Australia is, you get to keep your job for a year although in NSW, you don't get paid maternity leave. But I suppose the baby bonus (about AUD5K) we get for each baby is better than nothing. I cant wait for 2011 when the government will implement paid maternity leave for up to 18 weeks.

Anyway, it's true, nothing much happening although I must blog about my neighbour, Suh who never fails to bring us food whenever we hope for a miracle meal. She's truly like an angel to us. So, we are more than happy to return the favour to her by making food we knew best. The latest being Andrew's famous tiramisu! =) Sorry, no picture this time but just imagine it to be one of the best tiramisu you'll ever taste! =)

In an unrelated matter, I really loathe Sydney's property market, perhaps not just Sydney but everywhere, Sydney being the top 10 most expensive city to live in the world. The housing property has soared sky-high, making it tough for the younger generations to own a property. All because of GREED! All because people want to make money out of properties. In just the last 10 years, properties have doubled, but has our pay doubled?? Well, one can easily do the maths. It's ridiculous, how do they expect the youngters to own a house these days? Oh well, what can we do?

Yummy scones!

Masterchef Australia has somehow got me excited about cooking/baking, well at least the simplest dish of all. One of them being scones. It looked so easy that I had to try it out. Only difference was I didn't use any lemon zest according to the recipe because the lemon tree in the garden hasn't been producing any good lemons for a while now. I wonder what's wrong with the lemon tree.

Anyway, I'll just share with you the recipe from MasterChef;

Ingredients

150ml-175ml milk
150ml cream
1 egg
3 cups self-raising flour
2 tbs caster sugar
1 cup chopped, dried dates
Finely grated rind 1 lemon
Cream & jam, to serve

Makes 12

Method

1. Preheat oven 200°C fan forced. Line large flat oven tray with baking paper.

2. Whisk 150ml milk, cream and egg together until well combined. Combine flour, sugar, dates and lemon rind in a large bowl. Add milk mixture and stir gently to a soft dough, adding remaining milk if necessary. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until dough comes together.

3. Press dough out to 2cm-thick. Cut scones from dough and place onto tray flat-side up. Press dough together gently and repeat using the remaining dough. Brush the tops with milk and sprinkle with a little sugar. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden and well risen. Serve hot with jam and cream.

It is really simple. Do try it out and enjoy your tea time!!

P/S: Do get a really good quality jam and not just any sugar spread, else the sweetness will be an overkill.

The day I embarked on my life journey

I can still remember the day I was all set to fly to Sydney, to start the next chapter of my life. I have a friend who just left Malaysia for the States to reunite with her boyfriend of many many years, now her fiance. I am so excited and am truly happy for her. I wish her all the happiness she so deserves.

I don't think many people knew I was heading for Australia because no one really said goodbye to me except my uni friends. But that was also because the night I flew was the last day of my final exam for my degree. So I bade farewell to my close friends at Uni and couldn't contain my happiness and joy that I will soon be reuniting with Andrew.

Preparation for Sydney, went by like a breeze. It was like, I was meant to come here. There wasn't any trepidation, for I knew and trusted the person whom I will commit myself to. I wasn't sure what my family were thinking, were they thinking, was that it? To see their beloved daughter leave home for good? That finally, their daughter is all grown up? To me, it was that way. I knew it was for good, I knew I will soon set up my own family and my own life. It will be the next phase of my life.

That day was in March, 2004. It wasn't yesterday nor was it too long ago. Today, indeed I have my own family now, and soon with an addition. Life in Sydney has taught me so many things. I daresay I am not the same person as before. I have grown and changed so much, although still much to learn I hope. God has indeed kept His promises to me. I almost couldn't see a way to come to Sydney, but when God opened the door and showed me the way, I could so far beyond the horizon. That was when God gave me strength and courage to come to Sydney. This is probably one of the best and wisest decision I've ever made in my life.

So, for my friend, Angel, I hope you find that finally, the happiness and joy that you are going to embrace is worth all the wait and will be one of the best thing that ever happen to you, in your life.