Goodbye 2008!

As 2008 is coming to a close, I am reflecting on what has happened since. The highlight of the year was my relocation of my home in August. Prior to that, there were anxieties over the en bloc process, and whether there were anymore hiccups. Fortunately, everything fell in place and the completion was as planned, right up to the day of payment.

I can still remember 12th March vividly, a rainy day, when the sale was finally completed and payment made to all the owners. The sale was a miracle under present financial situation.

All that is behind me now as I poise myself for the new year. I do not believe in making new year resolutions as I believe in meeting events head on.

It has been a very nice Christmas with the family in the new home. There was good food and much merriment within the family and some friends who visited us. I helped roast the turkey, which turned out better than expected. The ham from Mandarin Meridian was super and the salmon/halibut was nice and rich. My son cooked ribs which went well with everyone. I am now becoming more confident with the new oven.

Little Emma was the darling in every one's mind. Within a few days of listening to the carol 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing', she is able to sing the whole tune now. Earlier, she could only sing a few words and improvised the rest of the lyrics. It was very funny. To her, she is wishing that Christmas will never end. She is going to Kindergarten next year.

To the other two kids, well, they certainly enjoyed themselves and spent several days with us when their mum went to Spain.

Last night (28/12), we had a neighbourhood pot luck dinner for all the residents on the same floor. It was very successful and there was so much food. Everyone got on well and there was much goodwill among the residents.

And so to all those who bothered to read my blog, may the new year bring you much happiness and good health and God bless you all.

Till then....

My High-Tech Kitchen

I am coming to grips with my high-tech kitchen. Since the demonstration by the manufacturer, I am getting some experience in cooking both with the oven and the steam oven. Fact that my wife still cannot use them since she is computer illiterate, I am forced to help out.

For one dinner, I had to steam rice and fish head. The rice came off well, but the fish head was not as soft. A little more cooking time should resolve that, I think.

One day I bought two pieces of veal steak, intending to cook them for dinner. For lunch, we were supposed to eat at the Food Park. Unfortunately heavy rain fell and we could not go out. So I had to cook the veal for lunch instead. I did a quick marinate of the veal with olive oil, chopped garlic, black pepper and some sea salt. The veal was delicious and tender, served with butter head salad tossed in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Using the induction cooker, I heated up the vegetable soup. It was a nice lunch which gave me confidence to cook with the new equipment.

Last Saturday, my daughters decided to come to put up the Christmas tree and to have dinner with the kids and one husband in tow. My son eventually turned up as well. Roasting two chicken and steaming rice and one fish, I tried making Char Siew.

At 3 pm, I started marinating the pork with Char Siew sauce. By evening, I positioned the meat inside the oven and started the cooking program. After about one hour fifteen, the meat was ready, but I re-positioned the Char Siew under the high grill to burn it more.

The Char Siew was a success and while chopping it, everyone came to sniff and pinched so many pieces, that I had to use a small plate to serve what was left. Needless to say, there was no left over.

The chicken was delicious but not as good as the one roasted on the rotisserie, when the chicken was not so mushy and the skin more crispy. One lesson learnt.

The fish was undercooked because my wife tried to steam it for ten minutes instead of fifteen to tweny minutes. So was the rice too.

All in all, a very nice dinner and everyone enjoyed the evening.

Till then....