Operation Knee Can't Walk - Double Boiled Pork Essence

The mother-in-law had total knee cap replacement on 1 leg, 5 days ago so I have been making double boiled pork essence for her to drink for the past few days.

Since the Chinese believe that one should not have chicken or certain fish right after an operation for fear of wound infection, I have been making pork essence instead. This is the easiest thing to make, super yummy and very nutritious.

Also had plenty during both my post natal confinements and loved it. Here's the recipe:

1. Go get a slab of fresh lean pork fillet from your local butcher. $10 worth of meat can make about 3 portions of soup.
2. Wash the meat clean, dry it and place it on top of an overturned bowl in a double boiler pot.
3. Add half cup hot water and sprinkle wolfberries, huaqishen (optional) and yuzhu (optional) around the overturned bowl.
4. Steam for about 1 hour or so.
5. Pour essence out, add a little salt to taste and drink up.

Try it out.

Spaghetti Squash Friday

My mom came home from Canada with a spaghetti squash and made us yummy spaghetti squash bolognese for dinner tonight.
Spaghetti squash cannot be found in this region and is more commonly found in North America.

To me, it is like a cross between radish and thick vermicelli and is also great as a cold summer dish.
Often used as a substitute for pasta, it cooks very quickly and shreds up very easily with a fork.

Enjoyed mom's squash bolognese very much even though I laughed at her for lugging a 3kg squash home.

Sunday Night Cap: Awfully Chocolate Super Stacked Choc Cake

Some me time after the kids go to bed = A slice of Awfully Chocolate's Super Stacked Choc Cake and a cup of Earl grey courtesy of the equally super awesome other half and I shall worry about the hips tomorrow...

This $7.50 little wonder is tastefully bitter sweet, moist and oh so soft. Layer after layer of rich, thick bitter choc that is sure to satisfy any chocolate cravings almost immediately.

www.awfullychocolate.com

Good night and have an awesome week ahead.

Heavenly night cap

Weekend Shenanigans at Legoland Malaysia

We finally did LegoLand Malaysia and I only have 1 word to describe the experience - HOT!!!

With the humid scorching tropical sun constantly beating furiously down on us, the experience was not exactly pleasant but the kids were happy and that is all that matters.

I will leave writing about Legoland to another day. Recovery from roller coaster ride in progress.

....

Toasted Nostalgia: Dong Po Colonial Cafe

I love Sundays for so many apparent reasons and one of the best things about Sundays is the family food hunting we do together. This ritual has gradually become an important bonding time between us and our 2 children. 

Today, the better half brought us to Dong Po Colonial Cafe for kopi and toast brekkie. Love the  old school cafe decor and kaya toast which was very very good. Really the best kaya toast I have ever had because the butter they used was thick yet not too cold and the toast was warm and not too hard. Excellent combo of thinly spread kaya coupled with thick melting butter and crispy bouncy toast.

We also had their signature warm almond toast, strawberry mousse cake, strawberry lamington and long cup butter cake. My top picks are the strawberry mousse cake, almond toast and definitely kaya toast. 

Great chill out place hidden along an old quiet street.

4.5/5 
56 Kandahar St.
Open 930am to 930pm daily.

JB Baby: Jeju Korean BBQ

Went back to work yesterday after a 4 day birthday hiatus.
Took time off to spend time with both my children baking choc chip cookies, reading made up pirate stories, doing somersaults and playing all kinds of games from blanket castle peekaboo to uncoordinated amateur princess badminton. Albeit the bones feeling a little brittle by the 4th day, I thoroughly enjoyed the bonding time we had together.

And aside from that, I ate loads of bbq meat for my birthday dinner and I may have eaten too much considering the extent of the nightmares in my sleep after dinner. Hahaha. 
Had korean bbq at Korean run Jeju Korean in Bukit Indah, JB. Fed the entire family of 4 with bbq beef, pork, chicken and pot of bean paste soup for RM127. Cheap and cheerful.
They serve 15 types of both hot and cold appetisers like the usual kimchi, black beans and bean sprouts. 
Like the huge yummy variety they have.
Being the meat lover that I am, I enjoyed the bbq meats the most. Nothing beats biting on warm meat wrapped in cold fresh lettuce. The meats were awesome!
Be prepared to have your hair and clothes smelling like charcoal grilled meat by the end of it.
Great relaxing casual dining for families with young kids. 
Go early as it can get busy. 

Address 22 Jalan Indah
15/3 Taman Bukit Indah
81200, Johor Bahru

Bakerzin Cake from the Spouse

Its my birthday and I turn 34 today!
By most standards, I have yet to achieve much in my lifetime but as a young girl I remember wanting to be married and be a mummy much and I thank the Lord everyday that both wife and mummy dream came true.
Was very touched by what was written on the cake.
It is always nice to be recognised sometimes.
7 years of being a wife to my lovely spouse and 5 years and counting of being a mummy to my 2 beautiful children.
May I always strive to be the best wife and mummy to them so God help me! Lol.
Far better than a Tiffany.
My birthday wish is that I get a cake like this one every year.

Strawberry cheesecake from Bakerzin.

So creamy and heavenly in taste.