Sunday, April 18, 2010

Onion Cheese Quiche



Its depressing when the cakes you bake or the sweets you always prepare for the children doesnt appeal to them anymore. I guess they must be bored with the same stuff mummy makes. Enough of sweet desserts I believe, so I decided to make savoury tart for tea one afternoon. It was worth the effort and it was really nice to see them eat and fighting for more. Just finished baking onion cheese quiche again so they could bring to school for their lunch tomorrow. Safe me the hassle of preparing their lunch box in the morning.



Here's the recipe:-

Ingredients:

(For filling)
25gm butter
1 large bombay onion
3 large eggs
50ml cream
150ml milk
70 gm turkey bacon or beef salami (cut into small pieces)
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
100 gm grated cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped parsley

(For Pastry)
200 gm plain flour
100gm butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoon cold water


Method:

To make pastry

1. Mix flour and salt in a bowl. Rub the butter into the flour until it becomes breadcrumbs. Add water and mix to a firm dough. Add more water if required. Knead until it become a smooth dough.
2. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 20 minutes.
3. Roll dough on lightly floured surface and use a 23 cm pie tin (loose based pan).
4. Press the pastry firmly to the sides and base of tin. Use a fork to prick the pastry all over. Use a rolling pin to trim the excess pastry.
5. Cover with aluminium foil and put in the freezer for 15 mins.
6. Preheat oven to 200c and blind bake the tart for 15 minutes. Remove the blind beans and foil and continue to bake for another 5 minutes.
7. Remove the tart from the oven and reduce the temperature to 180C.
8. Spread the onion mixture, sprinkle with shredded cheese and pour the milk mixture and bake for 35 minutes or until the filling set.
9. Let cool before removing from the pie tin. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

To make the filling:-

1. Heat butter in a pan and saute the onion until the onion become soft, add the turkey bacon and saute for a couple minutes more. Remove from fire and let cool.
2. Beat the eggs, cream and milk in a bowl. Add the nutmeg and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Note: You can omit the turkey bacon or beef salami to make a vegetarian quiche. I have tried putting cod fish into the mixture and it taste equally good too. Its up to your own creativity and personal taste....happy trying!!

Monday, April 12, 2010

It's been awhile............

Hello my readers

It has been awhile since my last posting. Not for anything but too occupied with home front. I believe moving always take its toll on anyone. Well, glad that I am back to my normal routine and things are falling nicely into its places. I do miss my life in Nippon (thats history for me) but at the same time I thank God for allowing me the opportunity to discover a new place. It will be a good experience for the family and me especially the children. Thanks to my other half whom has been working so hard for the family thus enabling us to experience new place, people, culture and language.

Slightly over 3 months now and I am very much settle and at my best state in this new environment. The kids are happy with their new school, I have made some new friends and a handful for now to keep my social life abuzz, started my baking business again by chance (special thanks to a friend..you know who you are), I know my whereabouts a little and of course I hope to be able to explore every inch of this Island that I call home for the timebeing.

Its quite easy to live here and there is influx of supply for anything that crosses your mind as long as you have enough lollies in your purse ~ no worries mate. Plenty of choices to suit your budget. Though a person may not speak Cantonese but one can easily get around and adapt to living in this vibrant city called Hong Kong.

At the beach, Park Island for the first time

A view from The Peak during one of the walks

experiencing Yamcha, a must for anyone

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Happy Birthday Mother



Today mark Mak's 67th Birthday. Safe...my grandma gave birth to her on the 28th of February not 29th..lols! Regret that I couldnt be home to celebrate this special day of hers. It has been many years since I last celebrated her birthday. Sad, could only afford a phone call to wish her. Having a family of my own robbed me from being with her. Insyaallah, if God permits, I want to celebrate your next birthday together.
Mak, I wish you a very happy birthday and many more to come. May Allah continue to shower you with his utmost blessings. Amin. I know I have not been a daughter you wanted me to be and we always differ in thinking and in a lot of ways. One thing for sure, I take my hats off you for you are such a strong woman that I have ever met in this world and I envy your sense of determination. Nothing can stop you Mak. I hope I do inherit those trade mark of yours.
I miss you Mak and I hope you had a wonderful day today. I love you Mother.

Luv Always
Your daughter.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

Its 5 days into 2010 and next I know it will be another countdown to welcome another new year. I had a very quite new year as we had just arrived a couple of days before we say farewell to 2009. This year marks another important chapter in our lives as there's great changes for the family. Moving to a new country and adjusting to new place and environment is a challenged I must say and especially after staying in one place for a period of 6 years. I would be lying if I say I dont miss my old place but the truth is the people I found there, that makes my life and my stay so comfortable and so much fun. I must thank god for my lucky star to have a life so blessed and to have met a bunch of wonderful friends.

Alhamdulillah, the kids are happy and seems to be adjusting very well at our new place considering we have been here only for 9 days. They started their first day at school yesterday and have already been busy making new friends and were so excited about their new school. That' a good sign!! Kids are happy.


upon arrival at the airport.

Yes, 2010 come what may....I am all set for you!!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

ABC Cooking Studio

Off late, I'm never home as time is running short for me, in between my daily routine and whatever spare time, I'll be rushing to school. At the end of the day of course I'm tired but satisfied. Trying to learn as much as I could whilst still here. Sorry friends, I've been out of the social circle for a while, I guess my social obligations can be put on hold for the time being. Once I'm done, insyaallah will try to catch up with all my friends here before I finally say sayonara...sob..sob..sob..........





This is where you can find me day and nite......gambatte ne!!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Its still Shawal.......

Although far away from home land but alhamdulillah....terasa juga kemeriahan beraya and had a wonderful time experiencing raya abroad. Dapat juga anak-anak merasa kemeriahan berhari raya. With invitation to friends raya open house...rasa macam kat KL pulak.....to those that we couldnt make it to your home...thousand apology insyaallah next time.





Sunday, October 4, 2009

Rendang Daging Sempoi

Its still raya month and for us who didnt get to spend it with family back home.... any opportunity comes.....so eager to create the continuation of raya mood. Impromptu, had some friends over to share our raya specialties together. Had nasi impit (rice cake), with kuah kacang (peanut sauce), chicken satay, beef rendang, instant lemang (glutinous rice cake) and serunding (beef floss). As usual another wonderful morning with full of laughter and food.




My quick beef rendang recipe:-


Ingredients:-

1 kg boneless beef
20 dry chili
20 bird chili (optional - if you like it spicy)
1 1/2 big onion
2 garlic
5 cm ginger
3 stalk lemon grass
5 cm galangal
3 tablespoon kerisik (coconut paste)
400 ml coconut milk
2-3 kafir lime leaves
salt and sugar to taste (i use a little bit of palm sugar)


Method:-

1. Cut beef into cubes, wash and drain.
2. Put chili, onion, garlic, ginger, lemon grass and galangal into a blender and grind until smooth.
3. Put beef into wok and add the blended ingredients, coconut milk, sugar, salt and mix well.
4. Cook under medium flame until the juice dry out. Add water if meat is still not tender.
5. When the meat is almost tender, add the coconut paste and kafir lime leaves and adjust the gravy. Add water if you like it with more gravy and continue to cook. Adjust the taste.