HK March 2009

I never miss going to this Teo Chew eatery whenever I'm in HK. In the day, they serve the
freshest fish paste made into any shape imaginable, fish, meat, beef & squid balls as well as tripe, brisket and fried fish skin. In the evening, out comes various Teo Chew dishes such as braised goose, whole cuttlefish, tofu, peanuts all braising slowly in their individual claypots.

This is a bowl of broad rice noodles with fish roll, fish cake and seaweed in a delicious clear broth, topped with fried garlic, coriander and spring onions. Eat with chilli oil and red vinegar.

Squid balls (very tender and tasty).

Mee Siam - yeah!!

Saturday, 4th April 2009

Z invited us for tea and we had her mum's fabulous mee siam.

And chicken wings.


The mee siam is served with prawn sambal.

and bean paste spicy gravy.

Top with chives, boiled eggs, lime and fried tofu.

See how beautiful the food is.

Another look.

My serving.

And now with gravy added. The odd lighting is due to me trying to lessen the flash by putting my finger partially over it.

For dessert, A brought a cooling 'cheng tng' and I brought some mango pudding (made from a box - only effort was chopping up some mangoes to add to it) to go with curry puffs and butter cake.

Thank you for inviting us to tea, Z. Now everyone knows where the best mee siam ever is!!

Dinner Party - Sat, 4th April 2009

Some good friends came round last night to share a meal with us. The star of the night was definitely:

PEKING DUCK!!

First time in our household. Lovely shreds of roast duck and crispy skin on a bed of sliced cucumbers, spring onions, hoisin sauce enveloped in a homemade dough wrapper.

The duck was bought in HK and frozen, then flown home with me recently.

The table - from top - a plate of finely sliced iceburg lettuce, roast goose, a platter of sliced cucumber, spring onions and hoisin sauce, shredded roast duck with lots of crispy skin, grilled vegetables and dough wrappers. Condiments were chili oil and plum sauce.

The dough wrappers made by Wm.

Grilled vegetables platter served cold.

Another look at the shredded roast duck.

Cucumber, spring onions and hoisin sauce.

Choice pieces of roast goose, we served the best parts only.

That's me and helper working on the birds.

And a candlelit picture of my dining table - I've Santana on, a glass of wine in my hand, house is prepared, kitchen under control and all logistics planned. There's nothing I like more than moments like these, waiting for lovely friends to come round to share a meal together, and the certainty that the night will be another fabulous one.

And a lit shot of the table.

Right now, I have to start preparations for Hazel's belated birthday party - I have 15 children ages ranging from 4 to 12 coming round in 5 hours, anticipating traditional party games, food and fun! Have a great Sunday, everyone!

Having some friends over tomorrow night and I made 2 platters of grilled vegetables tonight to go with our meal tomorrow. Red, yellow, green peppers, carrots, brinjals, baby corn, sugar snap peas, onions and mushrooms tossed with garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, light herbs, salt & black pepper.

After this picture was taken, I scattered a little sea salt over the vegetables, and added a few droplets more of balsamic vinegar and olive oil for extra seasoning. There will also be roast duck which I will attempt to serve Peking Duck style (with dough wrappers, hoisin sauce, spring onions & cucumber) and also a whole roast goose.....

Sunday, 29th March 2009

Dinner at home. Mashed potatoes (lite version) - boiled potatoes mashed with salt, black pepper, butter and 3 tablespoons of milk. I reduced the amount of butter and milk for a healthier version and it was just as good; and created grooves on the top to obtain a crispy finish.

Sirlion steak, with sauteed mushrooms with garlic and mash.

Hazel gets terribly annoyed but I still cut up her meat for her, trimming away gristle and fat.

Mark's portion.

Tues, 31st March 2009

Went out with me old mates, K & J, for drinks and dinner. The spring chicken was good, nicely marinated with garlic and light herbs whilst the meehoon was a total disaster - all broken and mushy. We were having such a good time, I didn't have the heart to complain, etc, so I didn't.

After dinner, we did what we always do after dinner when we were in our late teens, a CAR RIDE, but this time with a purpose.... ;-) It was such fun... ^-^

HK

With a little plum sauce...

HK roast duck..... there is another one in my freezer which I brought home.. roll on Saturday night!