yummy mummy :D

really need to learn how to cook like my mother

she is the best cook ever

this is dinner tonight - FOUR dishes for the two of us

i love my mom

刴椒魚腩

炒莧菜

自家秘汁醉雞

香茜皮蛋拌拍青瓜

Meatloaf (or almost meatloaf)

Few days ago I suddenly had a craving for meatloaf. Googled Jamie Oliver's meatloaf recipe and off I went to the shop to get all the ingredients. Seemed like getting meatloaf (pre-made on a tin tray) from the butcher in Melbourne costed half as much as to make it from scratch in Hong Kong. Anyway, so I started to cook. Maybe because I hadn't cooked for a while, or maybe the kitchen was just too small, I forgot to mix in the cracker crumbs to the meat mixture. I didn't realize it until 5 minutes into baking, as I was cleaning up the kitchen and found the crumbs sitting there. Doh! It tasted alright though (just maybe smaller than usual as there's no filler). Severed with salad and meatloaf sauce with tomato and chick peas.

iPad as recipe book :) posed with bacon

The meat and other ingredients

Spices etc

The meatloaf - first round baking

The meatloaf after 30 mins in oven - then wrapped in bacon for another 15 mins

Simmering the tomato chick pea sauce

Done!

Some greens just so I don't feel too guilty :) 

... and the cracker crumbs that never made into the meatloaf... :(

Doggie Carrier From France

Mia doesn't like to walk. So every now and then, half way through a walk, I have to pick her up and just carry her all the way home. There was one time we were hiking in Cheung Chau, I had to carry her for the rest of the hour long hike. But fear not - introducing the all new all purpose doggie carrying backpack (carry it as a front-pack if you don't want your doggie to get motion sickness :P)

The Bag

Mia Demo

North Point Dog Park

The other night I brought Mia to the North Point Dog Park along with my friend and her new puppy, Luna. Luna is very curious and friendly, but Mia just did her usual "stick with mommy" thing. After half an hour of warming up Mia finally started to play with other doggies. I thought she'd be most interested in Luna, but turned out she was very much attracted to a Husky, and the Husky almost followed us home! It is so unfortunate that the Government close down the Wanchai Dog Park, that used to be so much bigger, and with grass :-/

The Park

Luna saying hello to Mia

Luna and Mia

The Husky that just loved Mia

The Husky followed Mia everywhere

Responsible Breeding / Responsible Pet Shop

See this cute Whippet puppy? She's suffering from Canine Distemper Virus infection and secondary pneumonia. Most of her teeth enamel are chipped off, including her canines. There's a chance she can develop seizure and either die of the disease or be put down. Canine Distemper Virus (and Canine Parvovirus also), though life-threatening, is highly preventable. Matter of fact, it is almost unheard of and considered eliminated in Australia, by good vaccination protocol, with the cooperation of breeders and pet shops that care enough to adhere to those protocols. Last year, the pet industry in Hong Kong turned over 1.3 billion HKD. A lot of people want part of that money. But before you buy a pet, or breed your own, stop and think; maybe adopt a pet? buy from reliable sources? Read up and make educated and informed decision and act responsibly. These are the only way to push puppy mills out of business. The joy of a healthy happy puppy is priceless.

Super Yummilicious Marinated Raw Shrimp

Special thanks to Timmy for making this wonderful dish. You made my day. Although in all likelihood she is not gonna read this blog :-/

Anyway, here is marinated raw shrimp Chiuchow style:

1. clean shrimp

2. soak in soda water

3. drain, then add steam fish soya sauce with minced garlic and red chili

4. cover and keep in fridge for about 1 hour

5. Bon appétit!

Step 1 & 2

Step 3

Ready!

De-shell, de-vein, and enjoy!

Lovely Night-Ins

It's very nice to have chilled out night-ins at home. I was so wrong to think I could manage my weight by staying home for dinners. Homemade food can be so much better than dining out, I usually ended up eating more! But there is nothing more relaxing than eating on the couch while watching a good Blu-ray movie (yes, must be Blu-ray quality!)

*I'd be honest, the seared tuna salad was bought from Taste*

Gazpacho 

Grill Stuffed Beefsteak Tomatoes with Seared Tuna Salad

Open the tomato-lid, it's magic inside!

Ratatouille & Stuffed Portobello Mushroom

"Be More Happy" Happy Birthday

Colleagues surprised me with "Be More Happy" birthday cake just before I depart for Taiwan, what a lovely working place :)) Thanks everyone!

"Be More Happy" Coffee

Surprised!

Happily smiling for camera :)