Munchies & A Lil' Bit Of Everything » In Our Kitchen

Gummy In A Cake

Chilli Padi — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:01:20 +0000

I loved Gumdrop cakes ! they are awesome to eat and a treat to the eyes and they are very easy to make. The very first cake I learned to bake was a gumdrop cake, a friend from college taught me how to do it. This Christmas, I’m making some for friends and family – so I’m starting early and as soon as Christmas is over – the family and I are heading to Mauritius Island for a few days.

Tao Foo Fa aka Soy Custard

Chilli Padi — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:07:02 +0000

It’s funny how a simple dessert that I’m used to having since I was a kid is so missed by me – now that I’m staying abroad. Never did I ever think that I won’t be having this dessert at anytime I want. My kids don’t like soy anything at all even though I tell them it taste great and silky but they refused to try it at all. They say the texture is just too squishy to enjoy – I guess they are like any American kid who loved their burgers and meat.

I remember when I was young and my parents would send us out in the evening with a bowl in our hands and 50 cents to buy a big bowl of Tao Foo Fa for my grandparents to enjoy. We would not have any till my grandparents and aunts had enough – what a difference with this generation. Our kids are always taken care of first and the adults later and even though things were quite different for us when we were kids – it sure beats eating just burger and fries. The Asian culture is way too rich to ignore.

Presentation

Chilli Padi — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:14:53 +0000

I look around at my kitchen and then I look around my house today and realized that I take my grandmother’s words pretty seriously – for she was the one who taught me that presentation was everything. One don’t need to be dressed up in expensive clothes or having expensive things to show that you are rich – just as long as you pick quality stuff. For example this corning ware pot that I picked up from a yard sale – it was only $10 but the color and everything of it looked so good and so expensive that when I cooked for my kid’s teacher one day during a teacher’s appreciation day – they all thought that it was a very expensive or vintage corning ware item. But it isn’t – and they cannot believed it when I told them it was $10.

Now I wonder if it’s because of all the money we give in donation for the school that they think that we are well-to-do or even rich that they assume that whatever we have must be expensive? But my grandmother was right- presentation counts a lot – it doesn’t really matter if I was the best cook – but as long as they are in pretty dishes – they would taste better. I know it’s wrong to judge a book by its cover – but it sure doesn’t hurt that you can get pretty good admiration for your food – because someone thinks you put some thought into what your are cooking.

So can you imagine the spouse of mine – interviewing someone and he was dressed in a t-shirt? sure it’s a technical job – but still – it is a job interview right? just like the mayor of this town – he is so sloppy dressed – sometimes I just have to shake my head and wonder – what he was thinking? he looked really fit when he was trying to be elected – but as soon as he got elected into office – he must have forgotten that presentation is important even when you go to your office daily – and not just when the Premier is in town.

Starting A Recipe Box

Chilli Padi — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:19:41 +0000

I’m sure you all realized how much I loved to eat by now – but there is another thing I would loved to do – cook and then now I want to learn how to bake. Yesterday, I just saw some curry puff made by an online friend in Australia – and I was so hype up to make them myself here in Canada. Curry puffs! who would have thought that lil’ old me – who is so westernized wants to make curry puffs – and bake and make cookies with my kids. My mom who never believes in recipe books – didn’t leave any of her pineapple tart skills to me – therefore, I am not going to make the same mistakes with my kids. I’m so going to start a recipe box – and hand them down to my grandchildren.

Brinjai Splendid

Chilli Padi — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:52:09 +0000

I never used to like brinjai also known as eggplants to the people from the west till I came to Canada and since the spouse and kids don’t eat anything spicy, I have to cook brinjai differently. As you can see, I’ve learned to bake them with cheese and meat and once in a while I make them when we have company and they enjoyed it so much.

Last night we had friends from Hong Kong over for dinner and I baked some of my brinjai splendid for them, we also had a bottle of good wine brought back by the spouse from Australia. It was sweet – like a fruit like wine. I didn’t know that the Torbreck The Factor wine were so expensive until our guests left for the evening – had I known I wouldn’t have pour away so liberally – haha! But the company was good and we had a really good time plus enjoying the last of the summer.

Digital Steamer

Chilli Padi — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:45:05 +0000

Like any Asian we loved and grew up with eating steam rice, steam fish and steam vegetables but here in Canada or in France where we used to live – the Westerners are not very much into the steaming things. But that doesn’t mean that my kids got to eat fried food all the time right? We started steaming food using a pot, bowl and a plate with some water – but a few years ago, we bought a electric steamer, a very easy one to use but only one tier. Then we saw this digital one – with 3 tiers but I was afraid to buy it because I don’t know how the smell of fish would go with vegetables – but with a sale price of $30 – I can’t resist it. I haven’t used it yet – but as soon as I do, I am going to share my experience with all of you.

Keurig Coffee Maker

Chilli Padi — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 04:13:29 +0000

I’m looking to get one of this coffee maker machine – for home but I would have loved to get one of those that grinds the coffee bean just before it drips the coffee. I have been hunting for the same machine I had in my office – but never could find it here – what a shame. The reason why I want a coffee maker is because I don’t want to get a big breakfast from Mac’s just because I want a coffee in the morning – that spoils my entire meal intake entirely.

But for almost $200 after tax – I wonder if it would be a good splurge? because my doctor had told me that coffee may be the cause of some health issues – like palpitation of the heart. As much as I would love to get it – I still think that I need my 3-in-1 tea from home – so would it be crazy to get an elite keurig coffee maker? I have to check on the sugar content and also the calories for each K-cup before buying it – but I am going to make up my mind really soon – instead of looking at the machine for so many times – the spouse thinks I’m crazy doing that instead of just buying it. Oh btw, this machine makes coffee, tea and hot cocoa.

Slow Cooker With Timer

Chilli Padi — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 16:19:26 +0000

Why didn’t I think of buying one with a timer – and programmable is just crazy of me! I should have done this many years ago because each time I have something in a slow cooker – i worry that the stew may be overcooked or undercooked. But with a slow cooker with timer – I don’t have to worry anymore! So I’m gonna go out and look for one after the new year – and I’ll be all set – and my kids can get nutritious food every other day. I don’t claim to be the best mother around – but I do try.

Appetizer – Trying Something Different

Chilli Padi — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 03:27:22 +0000

I am having some dinner party at our home for Christmas – so I’ve decided to try a few new things this year. A new appetizer to start with – Kiwi with potato salad – quite yummy to be honest – with lots of fruit salad cream. So instead of bacon and scallop also one of my favorites – this is what I will be doing for our Christmas party at home. Our Christmas party is held on boxing day for friends – family and neighbors.

Quaint Lil’ Cafe

Chilli Padi — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:50:51 +0000

It is my dream – to own a quaint lil’ cafe – not to make money – but to have something to do when we retire. This cafe is not going to have extraordinary food but definitely a good cup of expresso and desserts. This cafe will also have internet access free to all our customers. This cafe will serve good but cheap coffee, cakes, desserts and snack food. This cafe will be opened for long hours and will welcome anyone that dresses decently. My dream, my hope and my plan for friendship.