Nasi Ulam

This is a belated post.

About a week before cny, I decided to try making a Peranakan dish, Nasi Ulam. I've not tried before, but it have heard that it is a famous Peranakan dish with lots of fresh herbs. Fresh veges and herbs are in abundance during the summer time, so why not give it a try?

I didn't buy many herbs as I only thought of this dish 'last min'. (hohoho) So I dug up all the different herbs from the garden and 'salad' veges in my fridge.

I 'followed' the recipe from this website: http://www.sunshinekelly.com/2013/06/nasi-ulam-nyonya-nyonya-herbs-rice-for.html

Of course I change here n there due to the herbs availability.

So I got here: Baby Cos lettuce, Coriander, Lemon Grass (garden), Basil (garden) and Dill.

I pounded some dried prawns and then stir-fry them in oil to fragrance.
I mix all the chopped up herbs and fried dried prawns into a big bowl of cooked rice (must cool down slightly first). I also added bean sprouts at the end to give the nice crunch. Seasoned with Salt, black pepper.

And Tada! My own Nasi Ulam. I also topped it off with some fried anchovies. This healthy and fresh salad rice is sure to entice the taste buds, especially on a hot summer day.
My MIL and family loves the freshness of the herbs all mixed in there. Looking forward to making it again before the cold weather comes.

Njoy!

kcan

Happy Sunday!

It's long weekend for us in sydney. 

Have a good day!

With spring, every flowering plant are blooming. Here's the orchid from home. =)

Kcan

Photo blog: out door concert

It was a pleasant surprise today while walking back to our car after lunch. I heard music coming out from the concourse, and decided to kaypo a bit. It's a performance by the Sydney wind symphony. Apart from the drummer lady, everyone is playing a wind instrument. 

We took a sit on one of the cushions they put down on the steps. It's so comfy and thoughtful of them to put the cushions out. It's rare to hear orchestra playing without any microphone amplify the sounds. Closing my eyes, the music was enough to makes me felt as if I'm at one of those European countries, walking through the historic buildings and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

This was all part of the Spring festival organized by the council.  =)

I hope they will have another performance next week, so I can just enjoy the music and have a picnic there. 

Kcan

Photo post: Aussie pavlova!

Before I get into the photo blog...today is the first day in three months that I don't need it wake up at 6am on Saturday! Yay! Love the sleep in. =D

Ok, back to the photo.

Do you know that Pavlova is an Australian dessert? It is similar to a meringue, and the name was named after a famous ballerina. The soft light meringue was like the agile and delicate ballerina. Pavlova was usually topped with fruits and cream.

This was my first ever try on making a meringue. As usual, my egg white beating skills was not very good. My pavlova sank as you can see above. I think I had also baked it on 20 degC too high temperature. So the golden bronze colour, instead of white. But any how, after I put on the decorating fruits, it's all good!

Tada! Haha, looks like a sank boat. LOL. I didn't have the cream, so it looks quite plain. Unlike store bought ones, this is a reduced sugar version, as I did not use the full amount of sugar for making the pavlova. =)

It's a nice try, will have to improve my egg beating skills. 

Any tips on that?

Good night!

Kcan

God's promise

Whenever I saw rainbows, it will reminds me of the promises made by God to Noah after the great flood. God promised that He will not destroy his creation. It is also the start of the greater promise of God, that one day, everything will be made right again. His son Jesus, whom came to earth, died on the cross for us, had defeated death, rised up from the dead, raised up to the heaven and will one day come back to judge. We look forward to the day, where there will be no more tears, no more sickness, no more hurt. Dear Lord Jesus, come Jesus come. Prayers to the many families and friends who had loss love ones in the many tragic disasters and wars. Let's put our hope on Jesus's return.

The rainbow outside my work place last Saturday. 

Kcan

Photo post: hot pot

Another lazy to cook night on Sunday. 

So we have Hot Pot!

Burp. So full. 

Kcan

Photo blog

Surprise visit from an Australian native:

A kookaburra!

Getting closer.

Saw us, and even turn to gave me a good shot!

It stayed on for quite a while. Eric even try offering it my barley seeds. But I don't think they are that tempting for Mr kookaburra. 

Kcan

Photo blog

We were out shopping the other day, when we saw those big Ibis sitting on top of the tree.

Our last uncomfortable encounter with Ibis was at the rubbish tip last year when we drove a full 4WD load of recycled paper. Passing by the general rubbish collection section, we saw many Ibis, salvaging through the rubbishs, looking for scraps. >_< 

And because they are soooo big, (like that of a crane), it's quite a scary sight seeing them ramaging through the rubbish heap. 

So our association of Ibis=Rubbish tip scavengers.

Therefore it caught us by surprised when we see them up there on the tree. Can you spot them?

I didn't know they can fly!!!

This photo taken on a way back from one of the Ikea trip at sunset. This is another famous bridge in Sydney, called ANZAC bridge.

Hope your Wednesday was a good one.

kcan

Winter meals 2

What's winter without lamb!!

I had strange cravings for lamb last week. So I decided to buy some lamb mince from the butcher to make some yummy meals. I had lamb dumplings in mind, but I don't have the time to excecute that. So shepherd pies it will be!

Yummy lamb sauce with soft fluffy potato mash, topped with tasty cheese. 

Delicious! Great for the cold wintery night.

Kcan

Fog on the river

Last night was not partially cold, but we work up to this view on our early drive to church today.

The bridge over the river is covered with thick layer of fog!

This is us approaching the fog area. 

The fog should lift when the sun comes up. Oh how this reminds me of the days in Canberra!

We will be heading to Canberra again this Easter long weekend for a day trip to attend a church friend's wedding. Eric n I are both looking forward to it! Can't wait to try out the food we missed. ( it sounds strange I know)

Kcan

Commercially bought vs home grown

In addition to yesterday's harvest, I noticed something interesting.

As pictures speaks more than words, I'll let you see it for yourself. 

So happens that I have both lime n tomato from shops to compare. Those I've grown are so much smaller!

Kcan

Tomato harvest

My little tomato harvest from the garden.

After many months of watering, fertilizing, chasing away the possums, and jet spray away the white fly, here's the fruit of the labour. 

Have you had fresh tomatoes? They smells so good! Full of flavour, unlike the ones you get from the shops. 

A good tip, never store your tomato in the fridge. It will loose all it's wonderful flavor.

Kcan

Photo blog

My homemade beef balls.

Not bouncy though. =( 

My MIL's ingenuity.....

Quite good I'd say, stops the toilet roll rolling everywhere on the table. Haha

Kcan

Photo blog

This little maple leave caught my attention when Eric stopped the car on the roadside to fix something. (Forgot what he was doing)

Not only is this leaf is growing on the bark of the tree, it is the only coloured leaf (as in being red) as the rest of the tree leaves are green!

God works wonders. 

Kcan