New Kiwi's?

We spent some time doing what tourists do not usually do by attending a cooking class. Yes, you heard right, a cooking class. It was at the Auckland Fish Market and the seafood school is just atop the market. This was last year, going to Auckland again this year, reminded me of these adventures in Auckland, almost one year ago.

The cooking classes were awesome as they demonstrate in one room and then you cook in another room before having dinner with the rest of the "students". This was the beginning of our first adventure in New Zealand. There were oysters (too much of it in fact) and beef or chicken and the meal was finished off with sorbet. And oh, of course, wine, I had a sip and almost died.

It was nothing like hell's kitchen, of that I am sure, just some people enjoying themselves by cooking. Our cooking partners were two women, kiwi's, in fact, we were the only non-kiwis in that class. A team of neice and aunt from a nearby island were paired with us and we were asked if we are "new kiwis". A term I did not know existed, until now.

Oktoberfest!

If you were a sales person from the 60's, you probably do not need a reason to drink for you drink and smoke almost everyday. Mad Men (a TV series) made that very clear. Now, if you were in Malaysia in the 70's / 80's and even the 90's and is in the business of selling or in any other business, you probably have had to drink your way to closing deals. Has it always been like that? Is it still like that? Will it continue being like that? As with all things, there are exceptions to every rule (this i quote from a movie whose title I no longer remember).

Besides the usual drinks and the smokes, another item on the checklist of those trying to move up ladders are probably golf. Many claims that playing golf is the key to climbing up in ranks. Is that so? I have no idea. I guess it is probably true if you choose for it to be true. There is always two sides to a coin and many ways to Rome. I thought hard work and perseverance with a dash of humour, a positive personality and some balls (not golf balls) were all you need.

I am probably the lousiest drinker of alcohol on earth. Half a mug of beer and I go out like a light and if you run a brothel, you can probably use my face as a red lantern and save on your electricity bills. Talk to me about golf and I am thinking if anyone has tried chasing after that golf ball after it has been erm.. what is the term for hitting a golf ball? Oh well, you get the idea. I am just surprised no one has done it yet, chasing after a golf ball.

So, to all you fellow non drinkers, non smokers and non golfers, there is hope yet. I know some of these people who have made it without doing any of the above for their interests lies in other things. Warning: They are labelled as geeks though. Hahahha. Boy, am I proud to be one.

Here is a listing of the "reasons" I overheard for a drink after 5pm.

1. "Hey, it's raining today, gonna be congested, let's go for a drink before going home"
2. "Hey, it's hot today, let's go for a drink and cool down"
3. "Hey, it's cloudy today, let's not waste such good weather and head for a drink"
4. "John got promoted today, let's drink"
5. "Alice got the sack today, let's drink"

........ and the list goes on. To every man their own. Drink responsibly though and this not applies only to those who are driving. Let me share something I have seen with all of you reading this.

It was a couple years back and happened in a shopping centre in Damansara. It was around midnight and I was at the parking lot, paying my ticket and guess what I saw.

"Two guys, Two girls"

Seem pretty normal ain't it? Well it was not cause one of the girl was pissed drunk. She is so drunk she was dead weight. The two guys? Well, I guess they were not entirely sober after all. The only sober one was the other girl.

Now, the two guys were carrying this girl and their hands were all over. She was wearing a skirt and a top and they were just yanking at her, pulling her, dragging her and it was like a lingerie freak show. Her clothes were exposed and a free view was for all to see. The two guys were trying very hard to get her to their vehicle but having had a drink or two, they were not exactly sane. The sober girl just kept screaming...

"Carry her properly!!"
"Don't tug at her bra!!"
"Why are you grabbing her privates?"

Now, no wonder parents / partners / friends get worried. Brains up the anu*, if you asked me. Imagine if a video were taken and posted on the net or worse, if the girl was further violated. Wise up, there is no shame in saying you cannot drink. Yeah, sometimes, you may be laughed at by lesser beings but hey, there still is no shame in not drinking. Go get happy doing other things, watch a comedy act, watch a play, go water rafting, paintballing, go-karting, have makan sessions with friends.

They are not really a friend if they force a drink down your throat or try to charm you into drinking. Do not be afraid to say NO, in a polite manner if you can. =P

Look left, Look right

The above image was taken off Modenas's website. I saw a gruesome sight yesterday and decided to blog about this. I was on my way home after sending PMP home and traffic was slowed down after the first 2.20 toll (from Klang headed towards Kota Kemuning). Congestion in that part of the road is unusual, especially at around 11+ pm. I thought there was a road block. Well, a block there was but not by the police.

A bike was on the ground, its rider sprawled heads first on the ground with his helmet a couple of feet away from him. All these were on the middle lane. He wasn't moving and it was to dark to see if there was blood on the dance floor. I wonder if he danced the dance of death. A helmet is flung away like that if it is not fastened properly I guess.

A couple of feet down the road, a grey Satria was parked by the side of the road, its owner at the back of the car with his hands on his rather bald head. The passenger, a female was alighting from the car. Now, if you think I slowed down deliberately to watch, I did not. I just train myself to take in details, as much as I possibly can, the way many others train themselves to catch the number plates of vehicles involved in accidents. I take in the scene, not the numbers, that's all.

"Wah!!! Accident ar, faster take down the number plate, later we strike 4D"

Shame on you, if you do that. I called 999 and requested for help. I have to say, these guys are quick. Plus, there was not a moment of delay picking up my call. I was informed that an ambulance is already on its way over to the scene. If this inspires you to volunteer or to contribute in one way or another, mayhaps you can contact the St. John's ambulance of Malaysia to find out how one can help in one way or another. This is their website http://sjam.org.my/ The ambulance in the following picture is one of their vehicles.

The next question is "Why was he on the highway?". That question beats the crap out of me. There is a motorcycle lane along Kesas highway but do the motorcyclists use them? If they do not, why dont they use it? Is it so unsafe that riding on the highway together with all the other vehicles seem safer?

If you use the Kesas as often as I do, the part headed towards Northport; you will notice that prime movers uses this part of the road very often. Optimus Prime was probably inspired by a prime mover as he is exactly that. While those we have in Malaysia does not transform into a giant robot, they are equally dangerous. Will you look at the size of this mother trucker and imagine what it can do to you and your vehicle?


Use the motorcycle lane if you are able to. If you drive a car, please be cautious and be respectful to our fellow road users who are on a motorcycle. It is extremely dangerous, I was on my mountain bike on Old Klang Road once and another time on Federal Highway (motorcycle lane), up Frasers Hill from Selayang and to Putrajaya from Puchong so the next time you are in your car, look left, look right and be alert and on the lookout and last but not least, be considerate to all road users, lest you end up sprawled on the ground, face down.

Keeping it Fresh without needing FeBreeze

When a basket of bread as shown above costs a bomb, it is time to cook. Many of us go to that dining place where it's a little special for that special occasion, be it a buffday celebration, an anniversary or to celebrate a triumph. There are others who goes to restaurants to give it a try and to live that life every once in a while. However, cooking can be twice as romantic or comedic or it may just end up a disaster.

Any of you remember that first time you cooked for your partner? I bet it was something special even if it was done on a day with no special occasion at all. I was watching Oprah whilst having my dinner and this episode was all about rising costs of food and how American families order take out all the time.

Can you believe a stay home mom who occasionally works as a sub at the local school only knows how to cook 3 dishes? Yes, you heard me right, chicken, spaghetti and rice; they eat it 3 to 4 times a week. How boring is that? Her children eats microwaved food day in, day out. Now, I would have labeled that as irresponsible but then again, whom am I to judge?


The usual excuse will be "oh, I do not have time to cook" or "I have no skills"; bollocks. If Yan can cook, so can you. I wonder how many of you remembered that show. All it takes is a little imagination if you will. Cook for yourself first if you are worried it may not turn out good. While it may not be possible to make a "pau" as cute as those pictured above, it is absolutely possible to make something as shown below.



I am saying it can be done because I have done it before, made a burger patty from minced meat and marinated it from scratch. and Hey! My "PMP" can give me a testimony for the taste. Perfect!

Coffee Places Around Town

Coffee joints have been mushrooming all across town the past couple of years. From Coffee Bean to Starbucks to Gloria Jeans to Austin Chase. I spend a lot of my time in places like these. Its either meeting customers or reading a book at Starbucks in Borders. I recently came across Gloria Jeans@The Curve and I absolutely like their non-smoking room.

Its a room with 3 tables and its super cold which is nice as Malaysian weather is non too cold. I dislike stuffy places or joints where the air conditioning leaves you sweating. Starbucks in Borders are awesome because you can browse books in them. I am going to list down discounts at the different coffee places around town.


Starbucks:

• 10% discount given with HSBC cards
• Buy 7 drinks and receive a small sized drink for free
  

Coffee Bean:

• Prepaid system, additional 10% value given for top-up (top up RM50 and you get a value of RM55)
• Every cent spent yields loyalty points (100 points is equivalent to 10 cents)

Gloria Jeans :

• Buy 10 drinks get one Regular sized drink for free
• 20% off drinks with Amex
• 30% off drinks if you are a Digi customer (dont know the mechanics of this system though)

Austin Chase :

• No discounts nor are there any loyalty card system yet

One thing great about Austin Chase is they have a good selection of magazines / board games and the sofa's are comfortable. They have the usual board games and not euro board games or any of the non-mainstream boardgames you find at Toybox (www.toybox.com.my) though.

Aunties Ssam

At times, we all get bored with food in shopping malls. What to eat is a commonplace question amongst the following category of people: -

• Colleague going out for lunch
• Couples not knowing where to eat during meal times
• Friends not knowing where to eat during meal times
• Where to bring your parents.....or grandmother
  

The irony about not knowing where to eat is, no one seem to pack food from home. If one suggests a place to eat, the other party will counter the proposal and these group of people will probably end up where they started in the first place. Not knowing where to eat.

I dislike eating in the malls most times for it is the same ol same ol plus you don't get your veggies eating in shopping malls. Salads? I heard salad, is that food? I prefer my stir fry kai lan with garlic if you please.

Salad is fine but not all the time!! We all need our serving of good ol' Chinese style vegetables as a break from the nice looking leaves with a cute looking egg in the centre sprinkled with a healthy dose of croutons and that sweet balsamic vinegar. Eating salad all the time maybe ok if you have not had stir fry vege with garlic before, certainly not for me. There are vege and then, there are salads.

Having said that, the next time you are in KL and want good ol tasty Chinese style cooking, head on to Aunties Ssam. This joint is opened by three Aunties and boy, are they friendly. The restaurant provides a good view of the twin towers too. This joint is situated in Jalan Kamuning, off Jalan Imbi.

Turn left at the cross Junction before Overseas restaurant (there is a chapel to the right and a Honda showroom / hawker food area to the right). Take the first left turn and then take a right heading towards the Imbi wet market. Drive slowly now and take the first left thereafter. Aunties Ssam is the second or third bungalow to your right and sports a yellow signboard with red letters.


We ordered the Durian pork as illustrated above. It tasted sweet, very sweet in fact, like durian dodol. Now, I am not a big fan of durian but wanted to try this dish as it was mentioned by a food guide. It tasted alright to me however, I will only order this dish again if someone I brought over wants to try it. I personally prefer Marmite pork or "Hak Peh Kuat" (Guinness Pork). I don't know if they really use that black liquid people stuff down their throat and go Ahhhhhhh this is good for I find all forms of alcohol pungent and it probably tastes as good as dog poo. Yes, I am unappreciative of alcohol, bite me.



Second item on the menu was fried lotus roots and it was a much needed dish as we needed our dose of vegetables!! We also ordered salted egg fried rice which tasted marvellous. The belacan served was simply awesome. I am big on the spices and chili and this belacan, is awesome.

In summary, we ordered: -

• Salted Egg fried rice (simply superb, a must try, give up the white rice!)
  
• Durian pork (not gonna get a second order from me at least)
  
• Fried lotus roots (crunchy and fragrant)

The bill came to RM56 with two drinks concocted out of cucumber / calamansi / asam boi and I cant remember what. Definitely beats eating at the usual joints one finds in shopping malls.

Bon Appetit!

Cooking for pleasure and for that special someone

I forgot to take photos when I made this so I had to take a photo from thehungrymouse.com which is an awesome site by the way. If any of you remember the phrase "If Yan can cook, so can you", you must be in your late 20's. I don't remember much of that show but I guess it inspired me a little to try my hands at cooking. Seeing how much I love to eat, I guess it's inevitable that I will try getting my hands dirty, cooking that is.

I am not qualified to teach one how to cook, merely sharing my experience in the kitchen with whomsoever is reading this blog. Not many, I guess, at time of reading. Probably only one person and no.... no prize for guessing who that person may be. Her picture is on the post right before this post.



These are the stuffs you need: -

• Minced meat (pork / chicken / beef / yr choice) but I chose pork... for obvious reasons (400 grams of minced meat makes 2 patties; so for those of you who eat alone, you can save the other patty for your next meal. Sad but true. Get a life, get a friend or better yet, get a partner. If you have a partner, more often than not, she will clean up after the meal, now hey! aint that incentive enough?)
• Onions (ang moh's uses shallots but we Asians shall stick to Onions. Chopped)
• Garlic (chopped)
• Seasoning (thats a whole new chapter itself)
• Bread (whatever kind of bread you like)
• Eggs
• Butter
• Cheese (Cheddar, for the bread)
• An appetite and a beautiful partner to eat with (if you are as lucky as me)

Marinating thy meat (no, not yours per se but that piece of minced meat... oh lord.. I hope your meat, is not minced)

Now, this is the funny thing. I have never in my life taken notice of how I marinate stuffs, foodstuff that is. I usually use whatever I can lay my hands on. For this pork burger made, I used the following seasonings and what not and marinated it for a full, say... 15 hours?

• First, wash the meat, dry it and leave in bowl
• Add a dash of whisky (takes away the pork smell) / a tablespoon of vinegar (whatever vinegar you fancy or can lay your hands on / a pinch of salt / pepper / 1/2 teaspoon of soy sauce
• Mush up everything in that bowl until it is well mixed (it's well mixed if you think its well mixed, hey, we all learn from experience and mistakes don't we?)
• Leave bowl in freezer / fridge (depending on when you are gonna cook it)

Cooking that piece of meat

• defrost it if its still frozen, chop up some garlic and onions
• add onions into the bowl of defrosted meat and mix till well mixed.........
  
• grab a handful of meat and roll into a ball
• toss the ball of meat between left and right hand until somewhat flattened

Meanwhile.........

• Heat up frying pan and add a lil wee bit of butter ( I like a lot, but she prefers a wee bit)
• Throw in some garlic and fry with butter
  
• Put somewhat flattened patty onto frying pan and hear it sizzle!!!
• Let the garlic and meat get to know each other
• Cook till meat is cooked (when meat is no longer transparent, it is cooked, well most of the time, it is cooked when its no longer transparent)

In the not too distant future (left over garlic, onions?)

• Waste not, want not
• Scramble them eggs if you will
• Spread butter on bread and sprinkle what's left of the chopped onions and garlic onto bread
• Place bread on frying pan (the garlic and onions should be under the bread, not on top)
  
• You may take the bread up anytime you want, just don't burn it

Serve, Eat and oh no! clean up!

• Light up some candles
• Turn on the music (not Led Zeppelin, please, unless you really want to)
• Pop that sparkling (ribena....)
• Enjoy thy meal... even if you are eating alone, one must enjoy the fruits of his / her labour