[RECIPE] Cheaters Guide to Claypot Rice

Claypot rice. Who doesn't love this dish? It's extremely appetizing and can satisfy even the pickiest taste buds. Plus, its so easy to cook it because I do it the cheater's way - in rice cooker!

Here's how I cooked it :

Ingredients :

- 2 pcs chicken thigh deboned (sliced into bite sized pieces)

- 4 pcs large sized black mushroom, sliced

- 1 pc waxed chinese sausage (kids love it so I added an extra. Otherwise, 1 should do)

- Chye sim

- A few slices of ginger

- Sesame oil

- Black soya sauce

- Salted fish (optional yet essential!)

Marinade the chicken with these and leave it aside for at least half an hour :

- 4 tbsp oyster sauce

- 1 tbsp hua tiao jiu (chinese wine)

- 1 tbsp light soya sauce

- 1 tbsp cornflour

- 2 dashes of sesame oil

Method :

- Lightly fry the salted fish till crispy and leave aside.

- I had prepared 3 rice cup scoop for this as there will always be 2nd and 3rd helpings! After slicing the waxed sausages, I placed it in with the rice in order to give it an extra fragrance, together with the ginger slices.*

- Then, using the same leftover oil from the salted fish, stir fry the mushrooms till fragrant and added the chicken in. Add about 1/2 rice bowl of water. Leave it to cook for about 10 mins.

- Add the chicken and mushrooms into the rice cooker before pressing the cook button.

- Just when the cooking is almost done, add in the vegetables on top of the rice. (some would prefer to cook the vegetables first and add in separately after the rice is cooked. But I find the vegetables added in the way I did doesn't over cook the vegetables and leaves a nice crunch.)

  

Before serving, drizzle sesame oil and black soya sauce quite generously and give the rice a good mix. Add the salted fish, some chinese parsley for garnish and you've got yourself a great dish!

*note : do use lesser water than you usually would to cook the rice because after the chicken is cooked, there will be some gravy from it that you would need to pour in which will make up for it.*

 

And yes, my family enjoyed it very much. No. In fact, they love it!

Till the next post, have a blessed week!

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Love IS all around.

  Till the next post, have a blessed week!

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I blog. Therefore, I am.

I have been a "blogger" since 2005.

Well, not really full-fledged-wordy-kind of blogger that chronicles everything about what I do but considering that blogger.com hosts my blogshop, I am a "blogger"? Okay, not funny! Like what MummyMoo would say to me, I must have had cornflakes* for breakfast! (*and that's why I was being corny.)

Actually, I first started a photoblog for the family in the beginning of this year. You see, the family is each equipped with a camera so I thought it would be interesting to showcase our best shots in different perspectives when we go for our photo taking outings.

Just at the point when I was reaching out to contacts with my photos in Facebook, I chanced upon 'Singapore Mom Bloggers' (SMB).  It was then less than a week old group set up and led by Rachel. I didn't think for one second that I would "qualify" to be in the group and was absolutely thrilled when she accepted my self-invite! I also began to enjoy reading the mommies' blogs and how they share their motherhood journey, milestones of their children and other snippets of their lives -something I never did before. It felt great to be part of this lively group of motivated Singaporean moms and to network with them.

As the group members grew in numbers within a short span of time, I realized I seemed to be the only one with a photoblog. I wondered to myself if I am considered a true blogger? Because there are hardly any expression of words as I was mostly using photographs to convey messages and feelings so, that was not how I perceived a blogger per se.  I felt kind of  "left out" when the group could discuss about their blog posts yet, mine was confined to visuals. Could I take a step further and tell my story with photos and plenty of words too? Am I prepared to open up part of my personal life for others to read about or would people even be interested to read what I want to say?

There was a struggle to the last question. Then it hit me! I was reminded (I think it was God) that I used to have a silly dream when I was in my late teens. To be a writer. (aiyo, now you know my darkest secret! *blush*) For what is worth, I did take up a writer's course when I was in my youth though it didn't work out for me and I never completed my course. It was a correspondent course and to follow through to it's entirety proved overwhelming for me.

When I finally decided to blog in April this year, I must admit that I did it solely to "fit in" the group. (The ladies at SMB surely has influential powers.) Or should I just say, I was bitten by the blogging bug! Hence, the name of my blog. I wanted to be selective with who can read my blog and I didn't mind that only the SMB members could glimpse into my life. I was very shy to share it with my family and friends because I wasn't sure if they would embrace my new undertaking or feel embarrassed for me on the lack of vocabulary. (and trust me, I am still trying to come out of my shell.)

As the months went by, I learned that blogging need not be about exposing every detail in my life. It is about journalizing your encounters which others can learn or be inspired from. It is about sharing my experience and perspective with matters that are close to my heart that may able me to connect with the person reading my post by the familiarity of my story. We need not express ourselves using big words because very often, the simplest of tenses can get messages across.

Blogging has become an outlet for me to express my feelings and perhaps, reach out to my children who will know more about me - as an individual, through this journal. I also intend to make this a personal challenge to keep my mind more active and improve my writing - something I had lost touch since school days.

These days, I've become a wee bit more confident being a brand new blogger in the scene. Sometimes, I take longer than usual to come out with a post so I will just take a breather and continue to write another day or sometimes abandon the topic all together. There is no right or wrong about how I blog.

I must thank the mommy bloggers at SMB - some of whom have become my "partners-in-crime" and have been very generous with information and encouragements for me to have taken a bigger leap of faith in this area. I may still be a noob in many areas but am always open to learning and improving as it comes my way.

Our SMB facebook page tag line shares that :

"where every mum has a story, and every story has a heart"

 This must be the perfect phrase to sum up why I blog.

Till the next post, have a blessed week!

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Next on the ‘Why Moms Blog’ blog train -

Summer is a media executive and Chinese teacher turned SAHM from Singapore. She has a passion for writing, loves to travel and her life took a 360-degree change when she moved to Sweden in 2008. She is mum to 2-year-old Angel and currently pregnant with her second child. Read her blog at A Happy Mum, a place where she shares her joy on motherhood, DIY crafts, travelling and all things happy in life.  

An Obligation to Cook

Earlier this week spelled exhaustion for me.

In the span of 8 hours, I could barely stay home for half an hour. And each time when I wanted to catch up on Facebook, I had to scoot off within a few minutes to start my "mom/wife taxi service".

So I decided that on such busy days when I am required to cook, I was gonna make dinner ultra simple. I don't even consider it as cooking! So all you mamas out there who claim you can't cook, surely you would agree to my lazy cooking version!

I happened to pass by Cold Storage and bought 2 pcs of smoked duck breast meat at the deli section. One in original flavor for the kids and the other black peppered one for hubs and I.  It costs $3.95 per piece. Got hold of fresh tomatoes to add into my bottled pasta sauce and a packet of spaghetti. And wala! Whipped this up in under 45 minutes.

  I made some croutons for topping on soup but I didn't even have time to prepare soup! So I used it as garnish here. (psst, it didn't go well with the pasta by the way.) The smoked duck is super-delicious! Tender and flavorful.
 

Care to share what do you cook if you are tired out but still want a meal at home?

  Till the next post, have a blessed week!

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Around The World in 18 Days - Desaru, Malaysia

Back in 2010 during the June school holidays, we scheduled an impromptu trip to Desaru with a close friend and his family for a one night stay.  It was our first drive up to Desaru as we usually end up in Malacca for short getaways! 

We booked rooms at the available resort (I was quite sure I can remember the resort name but that's not the case). Anyway, the place we stayed was nothing much to rave about. It was quite a worn out place. We envied those families that came prepared with their own barbeque pits and having a blast at the ground floor balcony though! (see below in photo on the top left) 

I am usually quite particular about cleanliness when it comes to hotel room. Especially when it comes to the musky smell (cough! gag!), it can almost spoil my holiday. But never mind about me if the kids aren't as affected! Look at them having fun at the hotel pool slide and trying out a game of table tennis. 

What is Desaru if it doesn't come complete with visiting the crocodile and fruit farm? You can see from the photos that the children were the most fascinated. At this trip, I also found out that Brandon has a natural love for animals in general. He wasn't the least bit afraid of holding a baby crocodile even though it tried to snap his fingers while holding it! 

 

One of the highlight of the trip would be the go kart as the children had first hand experience driving it. But as there were height restrictions, Megan had to "tompang" on my husband's lap throughout the laps. I think they had about 4-5 laps each and costed about RM30. Not too bad I think, for something that is not readily available in Singapore.

In the evening, all of us were looking forward to see some fireflies!  So we conveniently booked a dinner package cum firefly boat tour through the hotel's recommendation. I was really jitterish when I saw the little speedboat that came for us at the dock to send us to the kelong for our seafood dinner. (see top left photo below) You see, me and water don't get along like chalk and cheese. Anyway, prior to the dinner, we could walk around the kelong, something we never did in Singapore. There were some who did recreational fishing and the kids could feed the fishes.

I remember there were only 3 filled dinner tables at the kelong though I wasn't expecting that they were all there as part of the firefly tour. The one thing that irked us throughout the dinner were the mosquitoes that were enjoying a major buffet spread on us! So remember your repellants if you are ever there!

As night fell, we gathered along the boardwalk of the kelong to board our "boat" that will bring us deeper into the forested area where the fireflies can be seen. We thought we would be in a larger boat like the photo on the left side above, which was docked by the kelong. But lo and behold! We had to get into the same speedboat that ferried us to the kelong, and this time, squeezing at least 18 of us! *shudder*

Well I shan't talk about my fear and the wildest imagination I had in the total darkness. However, as soon as we spotted the fireflies, my fears instantly disappeared. It was a beautiful sight, almost like a fairy tale. We even managed to catch 2 fireflies and had them gently placed into a tissue paper which were lighted up like lanterns. Unfortunately we didn't capture any photos. The children were just too thrilled for words and remained excited throughout the night. So, it was a worthwhile boat trip afterall.

I won't say I will want to plan a trip back to Desaru again unless we are itching for a super quick getaway. It was nonethelss an educational trip for the children so I would encourage you to go there at least once in your lifetime for the experience, if you haven't already.  But truth be told, I would rather stick to Malacca anytime! 

So if you're up for a little adventure to catch fireflies, this is the closest bet you can get.

Till the next post, have a blessed week!

This post is part of a Blog Train hosted by Madeline at MadPsychMum. Continue your journey around the world through the eyes of Singapore Mom Bloggers!

Next up is Ai with her destination to Macau!

 Ai Sakura is a full-time working mother with a beautiful toddler daughter.  She hopes to inspire and show how passions like travel, food, fashion and photography can exist in a family setting. Ai Sakura shares insights and ideas about parenting and living in Singapore on her personal blog, Sakura Haruka.

Stay Calm and Craft On!

   Lately, I've been busy. But honestly, I'm not sure what I have been busy with!
Perhaps because the son's PSLE is around the corner, my mind has be preoccupied with that although I know it serves no purpose to take up my time.    Perhaps its all the nitty gritties that has chalked up too much of my time although I cannot pin point to you what exactly they are.      (Perhaps its blogging? NAH! That's fun! Who doesn't have time for some fun?)    Weekends are usually a no-no for work unless I have a customized order I've committed to complete. And weekdays are JUST.TOO.SHORT. for me to sit around and do what I want because I'm always out and about doing my motherly chores, wifely duties and daughterly accompaniment.   This week, I plan to focus on my craft - I can hear my beads calling out - "rummage me!"  I think I could do with exposing myself to more color visuals and reading up on what's new in the market to get some fresh ideas on what I want to do with my recent loot. I need to experiment, experiment, experiment!    May the creative force be with me.  :)

My creative mess! And some abandoned ideas waiting to be revived.

  Till the next post, have a blessed week!

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[Recipe] Oyako-Don.

I had a full packed day. Didn't do my grocery shopping. And had ZERO clue what to cook for dinner. This happens to me a lot of the time. 

Then,!!!

 

I decided to cook a no-brainer one dish meal and tried something in the line of oyako-don.

So I cooked my rice, went to the grocers and was back home within 20 minutes.

Here's my ingredients :

- 2 pcs of boneless chicken thigh

- a small packet of shitake mushrooms

- one large onion

- 3 medium eggs, beaten

- 1 rice bowl of sweet corn

- 1tbsp chopped garlic

- 2 tbsp oyster sauce

- 1 tbsp teriyaki sauce

- 2 tbsp mirin (sweet cooking sauce)

- 1 tbsp corn flour 

- 1/2 cube of chicken stock

- approx. 1 rice bowl water

- pepper and salt to taste

Method :

- slice the chicken into bite sized pieces and marinade it with oyster sauce, teriyaki sauce, corn flour and some pepper. Set aside for a while to let the flavors set into the meat.

- When ready to cook, stir fry garlic and onions. 

- Once onions are soft, put in the chicken and fry till half cooked.

- Add the mushrooms, sweet corn, mirin sauce and chicken stock.

- Add water and leave it to cook for about 20-30 mins.

- You could do a taste test at this point, to adjust if its too salty or too bland for your liking.

- Add the eggs and let it cook for another minute or two.

- Serve it on top of your rice bowl.

Images captured with my iphone.

Well of course, we cannot forego the seaweed topping on the dish that makes it even more authentic! And I pan-fried some breaded scallops for the kids as side dish.

Nothing fancy - just a simple home cooked meal we enjoyed.

    Till the next post, have a blessed week!

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Please Mr Postman, Send This to Heaven For Me?

Dear dad,

I wonder how it's like to celebrate your birthday in Heaven;

you would be 73 years old today.
 Though you are not here with us;
you are in our thoughts in every step of the way.

What's it like in Heaven, dad?
I'm sure you're happy and well.
Though you are unseen and unheard;
We know you are always near - we can tell. 

 We understand why you were taken to a better place;

but truth is, it is hard for us not to feel down.
So we think of you fondly all the time;
you live in our hearts and you are always around.

As I imagine you looking down at us today;

the smile upon your face makes everything okay.

Thank you dad and for all it's worth;

here's wishing you a heavenly birthday, with hugs and kisses from earth.

  

  Till the next post, have a blessed week!