Friday, December 31, 2010

Buttered bread with sugar

This is what we had for breakfast yesterday morning. Even though we've upgraded our streamyx package from 1 mbps to 2 mbps, it seems like there's no difference at all on the internet speed, despite living behind the Telekom. The technician told us that the nearer you are to the Telekom, the faster the speed of the internet because of the tower. Yesterday, our internet line really sucks and I couldn't even open blogger.com. So, this is a delayed post and hope you'll enjoy this simple recipe. Even my brother who works as a Prison Warden told me that this is what the prisoners called comfort food. Hahahaha..


                               Diva Buttered Bread With Sugar

Bread (depends on how many people eating)
Castor sugar (you can still use ordinary sugar but the texture is big and rough)
Butter
Cheddar cheese slices (optional)

1. Heat the pan. Preferably use non stick pan.
2. Slice the butter and put in the pan. As soon as it starts to melt, quickly rub the bread on the melting butter then turn it over and sprinkle the castor sugar evenly and turn it back and let it toast to your taste. Some like it burnt, some like it brown, some like it just yellow brown.
4. Put a slice of cheese on the bread and another piece of bread on top of it.
3. Repeat the process until all the bread's done.
4. Serve it warm with a cup of coffee.







Thursday, December 23, 2010

Diva Porridge

I've made this special porridge for lunch yesterday but didn't got the time to post it. It's special because instead of just making plain porridge, I gave a little twist by adding a little Kari Kurma powder. GIve it a try and your family will love it! My kids really love it that they had several servings of the porridge.

Kurma Porridge

Sardine and salted eggs

                             Diva Porridge with Sardine and Salted Egg

2 cups of rice
4 litres of water, add more if needed
Rempah tumis - cloves, cinnamon, cardamom seeds
5 tbsp Kari Kurma powder 
Onion and ginger - sliced thinly
Maggi Cukup Rasa or chicken stock cube - to taste

1. Saute onion and ginger with the rempah tumis.
2. Add in kari kurma powder. Stir well.
3. Add in washed rice and water. Let it cooked. Then add in the seasoning, to taste.

A can of Sardine (I use Ayam Brand)
Sliced onion and chili
2 tbsp of thai sauce
4tbsp water

1. Saute onion and chili til brown.
2. Add in thai sauce and water. Let it boil.
3. Add in canned sardine. When it's boiled, put in a bowl. Set aside.

Salted eggs- boiled and cut into half (depends on how many people eating)

When everythings ready, assemble accordingly. Enjoy while it's warm.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Blog Layout

At Miri Marriot Resort and Spa
A friend of mine asked me what was it with my blog layout background. I asked her, "Which part?" She answered, "The bed and lamp stuff." Hahahhaahah.. Finally, there's someone out there who were wondering about my blog's background. I have this 'LOVE' of hotels. I just love being in a hotel, any hotel, as long as it's hotel because I have a secret wish that I've kept for as long as I remember, that is being a hotelier. But, it's not easy to be a hotelier because you have to be super rich or having a super big connection with lots of people. I love wandering from one hotel to another,  just to see their surroundings and if I have the chances to sleep in one of the rooms, I always wonder to myself, if it's my hotel, what will I change and add to make it more reliable and beautiful. Well, as my hubby once told me, dreams are free and you can dream whatever you want, as long as it's not wrong in our religion.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

First time attempt of joining a give away contest

Being a fulltime mum to 5 kids is very challenging and time consuming. I have to sneak some of my time just to do some things that I love such as reading, blogging and surfing the net. So, after blog walking here and there, I came across one blog that is hosting a Give Away contest. It's very easy to join and if you would like to give it a try, please do so. No harm. :)

4 Quls

I've downloaded Surah Al Fatihah and the 4 Quls; Al Kafirun, Al Falaq, An Nas and Al Ikhlas and saved it in my Blackberry and my daughter Sony Ericsson and I will play it continuously every time I lulled my kids to sleep especially baby Darwish. These recitations from Syeikh Mishary Rashed Al Afasy is very soothing and comforting and my baby will stop crying almost immediately when he heard these recitation. I suggest all mums and dads to download it and save it to your phone because listening to our Holy Quran recitation is very good for our children. The 4 Quls are known as the protecting surahs.

Surah Al Kafirun and Al Ikhlas :
-protects from Shirk (the sin of idolatry or polytheism, i.e. the deification or worship of anyone or anything other than the singular God, or more literally the establishment of "partners" placed beside Allah)
-Al Ikhlas is pure tawheed and equal to 1/3 of Al-Quran


Surah Al Falaq and An Nas
-protects from mischievous things, envy, black magic and the whispering of shaitaan


SOURCE: Yahoo answers and wikipedia


SURAH AL-FATIHAH



SURAH AL-FALAQ



SURAH AL-IKHLAS



SURAH AL-KAFIRUN



SURAH AN-NAS



I've uploaded the files at 4shared.com.

Coffees and Teas

My hubby and I loves to try different type of coffees and teas. We absolutely love trying these drinks, anywhere especially in the comfort of our home. We even redeemed Morgan Espresson Maker from our Direct Access points but I forgot to take the photo. We will buy any teas especially the black ones but personally, I don't like green teas and chamomile teas. As for the coffees, I'll buy the type of coffee that can be made as latte. Anyway, here are our in stock coffees and teas.

Teas

Coffees

Mee Jawa

My hubby went for a meeting at Kuching today and at first place, he told me that he's going back this late evening. Alas, he didn't make it because the meeting ends at 4.30pm and the last flight from Kuching to Miri without any stop departs at 4.30pm. So, he had to spend the night at Pullman Hotel, Kuching. I've made Mee Jawa with neck bone because he loves to eat it but he's not here to enjoy it. Luckily, my kids loves the Mee Jawa minus the neck bone. I should have garnish the Mee Jawa with coriander leaves, sliced chili and fried onions but I don't have any of them in stock. Anyway, enjoy.

                  

                                                        Diva Mee Jawa


1 kg yellow mee (depends on how many person eating) - boiled then strain
1 kg neck bone - boiled til tender, with a little bit of rempah tumis
2 medium size sweet potato - boiled til tender, then mashed
1 packet of Mee Jawa powder
Sugar, salt and seasoning to taste
4 boiled eggs (depends on how many person eating) then cut into 2 each
Coriander leaves, chilli - sliced for garnishing
Fried onions for garnishing
Taugeh - boiled then strained


1.  After making all of the necessary preparations according to the list above, mix the mashed sweet potato inside the pot of the neck bone soup.
2. Stir well and and add in the Mee Jawa powder. Stir and let it thicken a bit then add in sugar, salt and seasoning to taste.
3. Assemble the noodle, taugeh, egg in a bowl then pour a few ladles of the soup and some neck bone then garnish it with coriander leaves, chili and fried onions. Serve hot.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Pollock Fillet with Sweet Sour Sauce

Our meal for dinner tonight is Pollock Fillet with Sweet Sour Sauce. It's delicious, easy and satisfying.



           Diva Pollock Fillet with Sweet Sour Sauce


2 pieces pollock fillet - sliced bite size
5 tbsp flour
1 egg white
5 tbsp Japanese bread crumb or ordinary bread crumb
Onion - thinly sliced
Ginger - thinly sliced
2 types of mushroom of your choice - cut into pieces
2 red chilis
4 tbsp thai sauce
4 tbsp ketchup / tomato sauce
Salt to taste


1. Beat the egg white. Dip fillets with egg white, then coat with flour and bread crumbs.
2. Deep fry the fillets. Set aside.
3. Sautee onion, chilis and ginger. Then add in the mushrooms. Stir fry for 30 seconds, then add in the sauces and salt to taste.
5. Then add in the fried fillets and stir well. 
6. Serve hot with white rice. Yummy!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Lobster Masak Percik

Hahahahha.. The title of this recipe is funny because I don't know what's percik in English. I cook this for lunch today and I can't wait to dig in but first, I have to post this entry to share it virtually for all my readers.
It'll be a hit instantly! Hahahahha...




          Diva Lobster Masak Percik


1 kg lobster / udang galah - cleaned and sliced on the center top
1 big onion
3 cloves of garlic
5 cm ginger
6 pcs bird eye chili / cili padi
Sugar, seasoning and salt to taste
5 cm turmeric or 2 tbsp of turmeric powder
1 cup coconut milk or fresh cream milk
2 tbsp tamarind juice or 1 tbsp tamarind paste


1. Fry the lobster on a non sticking pan or griddle, without any oil until it's half cooked. Put in on a baking tray.
2. Blend all the onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, chili. tamarindand coconut milk/milk.
3. Cook it for a while on the pan or griddle that you have used to fry the lobster, just until it starts to boil. Turn of the heat and pour it on the lobster inside the baking tray.
4. Cook it in a preheated oven at 180 degrees celsius for 10 minutes. I put mine in a microwave for 10 minutes using heating mode.
5. Serve warm with hot rice. Nice!!!

Diva Pancake

I woke up quite late today because last night, baby Darwish was cranky and uncomfortably crying because he was down with measles. After giving shower to all of the kids, I went down to make breakfast. I made pancakes, and you can drizzle it with chocolate syrup, honey, maple syrup, condensed milk or even spread it with kaya. Enjoy!




          
Diva Pancakes


300 ml / 1 1/2 - 2 cups flour
4 eggs
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup water
300 ml / 1 1/2 cups milk
2 tbsp melted butter
1 tbsp shortening (to make it fluffier but you can skip this)
1 tsp green coloring
1 tsp baking powder


1. Whisk eggs with sugar. Add in butter. Whisk again.
2. Add in milk and water. Stir well.
3. Add in flour and baking powder. Whisk again.
5. Add in coloring then cook it batch by batch, a ladle at a time, on a griddle or a non stick pan. Make sure the heat is low. For the first batch, drizzle a little oil on the pan, because first batch tend to stick.
6. When finished, serve it warm with drizzled chocolate syrup, honey, maple syrup, condensed milk or even spread it with kaya. Nice to eat with a cup of latte at the side.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Top 7 mommy guilt trips – and how to handle them

As a mom to 5 kids and still counting, I couldn't avoid of thinking whether I've done a great job of being their main caretaker. I always think hard about it, every day, usually at the end of the day, when all of them were sleeping. I've tried so hard of giving my all in order to teach them to be smart, good, kind and well behaved children. I also tried to instill Islamic teaching in them although not to say that I am very religious, I wanted them to be successful here in this world and after life. 
Here, I listed 7 top mommy guilts and how to handle them and this was taken from my subscription from babycenter.com. All that are listed are very true to my experience and I couldn't help on feeling relieved that it's not just me who always felt guilty when doing those things. Read it, and give yourself a break, once in a while. These was written by Devra Renner and Aviva Pflock, co-authors of the book Mommy Guilt.


5 angels


Top 7 mommy guilt trips – and how to handle them



1. Feeding your baby formula

This usually happens to me when I have to wean my children, especially when I was pregnant with the a new baby, and my milk supply was reducing month after month. But life has to move on. I always cried when this happen andI always blame myself for getting pregnant too quickly but this doesn't mean that I hate the baby that's inside me.
If you're grieving the loss of nursing, allow yourself your sadness. But then accept that you did your best, and move on. Breast milk is best for your baby, but formula-fed babies are also thriving, nourished, and nurtured. As one BabyCenter mom says, "The best thing you can do for your baby is to be a happy mom — and if that means no breastfeeding, then that's the best choice for your family."

2. Using TV as a babysitter

This usually happens to me when the baby is sleeping and I need them to be quiet. I open their favorite channel of cartoon and minimized the volume and asked them to keep quiet and they'll listen to me happily. This also happens when I need some 'US TIME' with my hubby. Hahahha... BUT, I never turn on the TV when they are having their meal, one of them are studying or when they behaved badly. TV for me is a reward and a break for them.
Is television really so evil? No, say Renner and Pflock: "Using television entertainment as a form of quiet time is perfectly appropriate." The key is moderation. If your child is under 2, keep viewing time to a minimum, and break it into 15-minute chunks. Watch with your child, and pick programs that are appropriate. If your child is older, see our TV guidelines for preschoolers and big kids. Then relax and send your guilt on its way.

3. Being environmentally unfriendly

Having lots of kids means lots of diapers, lots of shampoo, powder and bath foam bottles, toothpaste tubes (children's toothpaste are small and with 5 kids using it, you can imagine how much tubes are being disposed), formula milk's packet or tins, papers etc. Every time I threw the trash from our bin, it's like lifting a trash from a small restaurant. Just imagine how much trash I'm throwing. Not to count thrown leftover food that they refused!
This push and pull can lead to a nasty case of green guilt. Let this be a wake-up call — but know that letting guilt devour you won't do you or the earth any good. You may not be able to take public transportation to work, switch to cloth diapers, hang your laundry on the line, or toss out all your environmentally unfriendly cleaners right now.
Instead, focus on the dozens of achievable changes you can make. Try unplugging appliances when they're not in use, doing your laundry in cold water when possible, lighting your home with fluorescent bulbs, and other easy, earth-friendly tricks. Don't worry too much about the Greens next door — maybe someday soon you'll be giving them tips.

4. Feeding your kids junk food

I've mentioned this in one of my posts. It usually happens when I'm so tired to make healthier snacks or when I'm desperately need to calm them down. 
Sometimes we forget that fast food and junk food — while not usually the best nutritional option — isn't poisonous. As with television, the key is moderation and smart choices.

5. Leaving your child with another caregiver

I've not yet done this but the longest time I've left them with my brother and sister was a few hours, to do some groceries shopping. But this only happens once in w hile. Normally, I always tagged them along. But next week, my husband and I along with our 2 small children are going for a short trip to Kuala Lumpur. This is going to be my first time leaving my children to go somewhere far. Only God knows how guilty I feel, but we just couldn't bring all of them along because nobody can help me to attend them when we go there. It's safer for them to be at home.
But for those who have to send their children to a caregiver because they are working, remember that your work serves a crucial purpose. You know you're doing what's best for your family, whether you're working for financial reasons or because it makes you happy.

6. Yelling at your kids

Ahh.. This is a common scene at my home because it's so hard to be sane in a home with 5 kids! There's shouting, quarreling, nagging and crying. Sometimes, when talking slowly and sweetly doesn't help, I took a deep breath. But if this doesn't help either, yelling is a way to grab their attention PRONTO!
No one feels good about yelling at their kids. In fact, Pflock and Renner's survey of mothers found that yelling is the number one cause of mommy guilt.
When this happens, take a careful look at your own behavior. Was the yelling out of the ordinary? Are you usually calm with your child? If yes, then let yourself off the hook and take this as a learning opportunity for both of you. As Elizabeth Pantley says in The No-Cry Discipline Solution, "Even the most peaceful easy-going parent loses patience and yells from time to time."
Reassure your child that everything is okay, and explain what happened: "Sometimes people yell when they're upset. But that can hurt people's feelings. I'm sorry. It would have been better if I had said 'Please be quiet. The baby is sleeping.'"
But if screaming is becoming a habit, you may need to take action to manage your anger and reduce your stress levels.

7. Not being able to afford all the extras

When my children ask me to buy expensive toys or clothing, I felt guilty to watch their disappointment and crestfallen faces when I say NO. I just can't simply splurge on anything because having 5 kids, you need to make sure every body have enough. Besides, Islam teach us to live in moderation; WASATIAH. I don't w ant to spoil them and teach them to buy things because of their brand and high tag price. I want them to differentiate between NEEDS and WANTS. Every time they said that how they wish that we are very rich and can just buy anything off the rack, I'll tell them that being rich doesn't promised happiness. Maybe they are too small to understand it but somewhere, sometime, they'll get it.
But many of the things that we think of as "necessary" aren't. What kids really need is love — not the next expensive activity or "It toy." In fact, too much stuff can be a problem. "If you're constantly overindulging your children, they'll never learn the value of money," explains psychotherapist Kate Levinson, who leads workshops for women to explore their emotional relationship to money. "You also want to teach them how to enjoy life and solve problems in ways that don't have to do with buying things or using money."
Instead of focusing on what you can't give your child, focus on what he can have. For example, instead of the high-end music class, try a free class or library story time. If he loves to "cook" but you can't afford a play kitchen, help him make one out of a cardboard box. You'll probably feel your guilt drain away as you watch him happily banging on his new stove.

Just enjoy your children and be a happy mom because happy moms means happy child and this will make them grow to be a happy, responsible person.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Months In Islamic Qamariah Calendar

It's kind of hard to find complete Islamic material that can be teach to my children. So, starting from today, I'm going to post one at time, things that I found in the internet, that can be share among us which can be pass to our children. Knowledge is power.
Islamic months begin at sunset of the first day, the day when the lunar crescent is visually sighted. The lunar year is approximately 354 days long, so the months rotate backward through the seasons and are not fixed to the Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian calendar, also known as the western calendar or the Christian calendar is the internationally accepted civil calendar.

SOURCE: islam.about.com



Months In Islamic Qamariah Calendar


"The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year) - so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth ..." (9:36).


1. Muharram - means Forbidden, one of the 4 months which it is forbidden to wage war or fight


2. Safar - means Empty or Yellow


3. Rabi'ul Awal - means First Spring


4. Rabi'ul Akhir - means Second Spring


5. Jamadil Awal - means First Freeze


6. Jamadil Akhir - menas Second Freeze


7. Rejab - menas To Respect, another holy month when fighting is prohibited


8. Sya'ban - means To Spread or Distribute


9. Ramadhan - means Parched Thirst, month of daytime fasting


10. Syawal - means To be Light and Vigorous


11. Zulkaedah - means Rest, another month when no war or fighting is allowed


12. Zulhijjah - means Hajj, month of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, no war or fighting is allowed
              

Ikan Tongkol Masak Lemak

This is what I cooked for lunch today. My kids really love fish, especially when they are cooked with some 'dup' (that's what they call the soup or kuah). ENjoy! If anybody would like to read this recipe in English, please leave a comment and I'll translate it for you. No worries.



                        Ikan Tongkol Masak Lemak Diva


Ikan tongkol seekor, dipotong kecil
Bawang besar, bawang merah, bawang putih dan halia dikisar
3 sudu besar serbuk kunyit
1 cawan santan
2 cawan air
Garam, gula secukup rasa
1 sudu besar serbuk cili
2 biji cili besar, dipatah-patah kecil


1. Tumis semua bahan kisar dan cili sehingga wangi.
2. Masukkan serbuk kunyit dan cili. Tumis hingga pecah minyak. Masukkan santan.
3. Setelah santan mendidih, masukkan air. Tambahkan perisa.
4. Setelah kuah mendidih, masukkan ikan tongkol dan biarkan sampai masak. Jangan biarkan terlebih masak atau ikan tersebut akan hancur.
5. Hidangkan bersama nasi panas. Yummy!

A SONG FOR WIFE

This song can really gets into your heart the instant you listen to it. It's so comforting and kind of giving you a euphoric sensation. It's a song from a husband dedicated to a wife by Ahmad Bukhatir entitled Zawjati.



Lyrics and translation SOURCE: www.dawaholic.blogspot.com

Zawjati (My Wifeeey...)
“Uhhibuki misla maa anteee” I love you the way you are,
“Uhiibuki kaifa ma kunteee” I love you the way you were,

“Wa mahma kaana ,mahaa saara“ No matter what did or will happen
“anti habeebati anteee” You are and will be My Darling.

“Zawjateee…” My Wifeeey…

“anti habeebati anteee” You are and will be My Darling.

“Uhhibuki misla maa anteee” I love you the way you are,
“Uhiibuki kaifa ma kunteee” I love you the way you were,

“Wa mahma kaana ,mahaa saara“ No matter what did or will happen
“anti habeebati anteee” You are and will be My Darling.

“Zawjateee…” My Wifeeey…

“halaali anti laa akhshaa adulan…an numaqteee…” You're my rightful wife, I don’t fear sin… I don’t care not about those who like to reproach and irritate me.
laqad azina zamaanulana bi wuslim ghayri mumbatteee” It is our destiny to be Together eternally.

“Saqaytil hubba fi qalbi bi husnil fa a’li was-samti” In my heart you instilled love With grace and good deeds.
“yagheeb-us’-sa’adu innibti” Happiness vanishes when you disappear,
“Wa yasful a’yshu inji ti” Life brightens when you're there.

“nahaari kaadihum hatta izaa ma a’ttulil baytee” Hard is my day Until you return home.
“Laqituki fanjala anni duna ya izaaa tabassamteee” Sadness disappears When you smile. J

“Uhhibuki misla maa anteee” I love you the way you are,
“Uhiibuki kaifa ma kunteee” I love you the way you were,

“Wa mahma kaana ,mahmaa saara“ No matter what did or will happen
“antee habeebati anteee” You are and will be My Darling.

“Zawjateee…” My Wifeeey…
“antee habeebati anteee” You are and will be My Darling.

“tagiku bi al hyaatu iza bi aa yauman tabarramti” Life turns black When you're upset,
“fa asssaa jaahidan hatta aw haqqi qaamaa tamannaytee” So I work hard To make your wish come true.

“anaaee anti fal tanay bi jifhil hubbi maa ashtee” You're my happiness. May you be happy forever.
Fa roohanaa qadi talafa ka mislil ardhi wa annabteee Our souls are united Like soil and plants.

“wa amali wa Yaa sakaanee Yaa unsi wa mulhimateee” ”You're my hope, my peace My good company and inspiration.
“yatibul a’eshu mahmaa daaqatil ayyaamu intibteee” Life is good, no matter how hard it is, When you're fine.

“wa amali wa Yaa sakaanee Yaa unsi wa mulhimateee” ”You're my hope, my peace My good company and inspiration.
“yatibul a’eshu mahmaa daaqatil ayyaamu intibteee” Life is good, no matter how hard it is, When you're fine.

“Uhhibuki misla maa anteee” I love you the way you are,
“Uhiibuki kaifa ma kunteee” I love you the way you were,

“Wa mahma kaana ,mahaa…saaraa“ No matter what did or will happen
“anti habeebati anteee” You are and will be My Darling.

“Zawjateee…” My Wifeeey…

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Girl Killed Herself After Dad Posted On Wall ---> SCAM!!!


I notice that my wall is full of this so called Girl Killed Herself After Dad Posted On Wall status of my friends. i was very curious so after googling it, I felt that I have to share this to all of you, Facebookers because sharing is caring.
SOURCE:  http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2010/09/24/girl-killed-dad-posted-wall-spin-facebook-scam/
NOTE: This article was first posted in September 2010, but continues to receive a high amount of traffic as malicious scammers continue to use the story of a girl killing herself to spread their campaigns across Facebook. The scams use a variety of techniques and variations of the disguises to maximise their chances of tricking people into taking surveys or handing over personal information.
Be sure to join the Sophos group on Facebook to learn about the many different scams which are spreading, and share warnings with your online friends.
And now back to the original article from September 2010..
For a few days we've been monitoring a new spin on a Facebook scam, that claims a girl killed herself on Christmas Eve after her dad posted a message on her wall. Before we've documented both the related hoax warnings spread on Facebook, as well as scam pages that popped up trying to trick users into "liking" them, and the truth about the real woman's death that has been exploited by heartless cybercriminals.
The latest scam is spreading virally, tricking users into liking pages which claim to offer you access to the "horrific wall post" that allegedly made a girl kill herself on Christmas Eve.
Girl killed herself, after her dad posted this to her wall
Girl killed herself, after her dad posted This to her Wall
If you click on the link then you are taken to a Facebook page which says you have to like it in order to view the father's alleged message. In some cases, the page will use clickjacking techniques to trick you into sharing the page as a status update with your online friends, but the end result is the same - you'll be directed to a webpage which asks you to complete a survey.
And that's what makes money for the scammers who create these pages.
Girl killed herself, Facebook page
So all that needs to be done is for Facebook to clean up the offending pages, educate their users about these types of scams, and police the community better in future to stop yet more scams popping up.
A quick search on Facebook found these "girl killed herself" pages popping up like mushrooms on the site.
Girl killed herself, after her dad posted this to her wall Facebook pages
Come on Facebook, can't you get a handle on this?
If you believe you may have been hit by this attack, view the recent activity on your news feed and delete entries related to the above links. Furthermore, you should view your profile, click on your Info tab and remove any of the pages from your "Likes and interests" section.
You should also check which third party applications you have allowed to access your profile, and revoke the rights of anything suspicious viaAccount/ Privacy Settings/ Applications and Websites.

Fish Head Curry

I finished cooking for lunch early today because baby Darwish has slight fever after having Hep B jab, thus making him cranky and doesn't want to be leave by me. In fact, I'm typing with hand right now while breastfeeding him.  I cooked Fish Head Curry with Long Beans and Tomato to make it 2 in 1 combo, a meal that consists of protein and vegetable. Who says cooking is hard when you can do this meal under 20 minutes or so.
          
          


Diva Fish Head Curry with Long Beans and Tomato


500 gm fish head of your choice (I use ikan pelayak), cut into pieces
4 tbsp white vinegar
Blended shallot, ginger and onion
5 tbsp of fish head curry powder (I use Ragavan)
Sugar, salt and seasoning to taste
1 tsp of methi seeds
1 tsp of mustard seeds
Sliced long beans, depends on how much you want
Sliced tomato
1/2 tbsp of tamarind paste (Adabi Xtra) or 2 tbsp of tamarind juice
4 tbsp of evaporated milk or 1/2 cup coconut milk
2 cups water
Oil


1. Boil water with vinegar. Add in fish heads and continue to boil until it's half cook. Strain and put aside.
2. Heat oil. Sautee the blended shallot, ginger and onion, methi seeds and mustard seeds til fragrant and add in curry powder. Add 1 cup of water first. Stir til the oil separates from the curry.
3. Add in the balance of the water and season to taste. Add in tamarind paste or juice. Stir.
4. Add in long beans and tomato and when it's boiled, add in the fish heads.
5. Lastly, add in the evaporated milk or coconut milk and turn off the heat after the heads are just cooked. DO NOT over cook the heads.
6. Serve while it's hot with steamed rice. Yummy!!!

Tenderloin Steak with baby corn and tomato salad and poached eggs

This was our lunch meal two days ago. I was thinking of baking some potato but I'm out of stock so i used poached egg instead. Tenderloin is the tenderest part of a cow and the price is very expensive, I bought it at RM69.50 per kg! You don't have to use the exact vegetables that I'm using. I only have those veges in stock and that's why I'm using it. As usual, use your creativity to create a palatable meal of your own!


       DivaTenderloin Steak with baby corn and tomato salad and poached eggs.


500 gm tenderloin fillet
Few baby corns, sliced long
2 tomatoes, diced
Mayonnaise
Eggs, poached 2 at time for each plate
Salt, sugar and pepper to taste
Oyster sauce
1 cup water


1. Rub the fillet with some salt and pepper. Leave it for half an hour.
2. Fry the fillet on a pan, 5 minutes each at both side then bake it in a preheated oven, 200 degrees celsius for 20 minutes. Careful not to burn the fillet. Retain the pan that you have used to fry the fillet. Don't wash it straight away!
3. Fry the baby corn with little oil then add in tomato and few spoons of mayonnaise. Put it aside.
4. Boil water in a frying pan, at least half of the height of the pan. When it's boiled, add in 2 eggs slowly, careful not to break the yolks. Slow the heat and let the eggs cook in the water. Use a strainer to take out the eggs.
5. For the sauce, add in water inside the pan that you've used to fry the fillets. Boil it and add in 4 tbsps of oyster sauce, pepper, salt and sugar to taste. If you want it to be thicker, whisk in some flour.
6. Assemble everything on a plate with your own creativity. Serve it hot with a glass of cold juice. Yummy!

Mee Nyonya Laksa

I made this for our lunch yesterday. I tried Mak Nyonya Kari Laksa and the taste is quite good. I used lobsters that hubby just bought, fresh from Niah I think. So, enjoy it virtually if you're lazy to prepare it.




                                   Diva Mee Nyonya Laksa


1 packet of Mak Nyonya Kari Laksa paste
50 cent taugeh
1 kg yellow  mee or noodle of your choice
Sliced daun bawang
10 lobsters or any choice of seafood
1 cup of milk / coconut milk
Salt and sugar to taste


1. Boil noodle and taugeh separately and drain. Put aside.
2. Cook the paste according to the insturction on the packet, then add in cleaned lobsters.
3. Serve the noodle accordingly adn you can add boil eggs or fried tofu in the dish.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Diva Pavlova

This was my first attempt of making pavlova and it turned out well but for those of you who's not into sweet delicacy, pavlova is not meant for you because it's basically meringue with cream and fruits. Meringue is made from egg whites and sugar. In order to create very light and fluffy egg whites, you have to make sure that the utensils that you are using are grease free, clean and dry or else, it won't be as light and fluffy as it should be.
Folding in vinegar and cornflour in the meringue

Ready to bake the meringue

Whipping the cream with Milo

The cream that I used

My Peach Pavlova


                             Diva Peach Pavlova


Merengue: 4 large egg whites
                  1 cup (200gm) castor sugar
                  1 tsp white vinegar
                  1/2 tbsp cornstarch (corn flour)


Topping: 1 cup (240ml) heavy / whipping cream
               1 1/2 tbsp (20gm) sugar
               Fruits of your choice (I use canned peach)


1. Heat the oven at 130 degrees celcius. Place rack at center.
2. Beat white eggs until soft peaks formed. Then add sugar, a tablespoon at a time and continue to beat until the egg whites are stiff and not gritty.
3. Sprinkle vinegar and corn flour ove the top and fold in very carefully with a spatula. Don't over do it or you'll introduce too much air inside the egg whites.
4. Gently spread the meringue on a large baking tray which had been lined with a baking sheet and make sure to make a well (not too deep) on the center for you to put the cream later. Bake for 1 hout to 1 hour 15 minutes, til the meringue is dry and crispy.
5. Let it cool when it's baked and while waiting it to cool down, whip the cream with sugar till it's double it's size. You can put extra flavoring in it, I put 4 tablespoons of Milo.
6. Spread it on top of the meringue and arrange fruits on top of it.
&. Serve it immediately.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Minor Surgery on Impacted Wisdom Tooth

I was suppose to have an appointment with a specialist at Miri General Hospital this coming 21st December 2010 regarding my impacted wisdom tooth but I just couldn't wait anymore because the pain was unbearable. After watching me crying, my hubby decided to bring me to private clinic although I disagreed at the first place because it will cost around RM450 and above. But after thinking it over, I agreed. So, we went to Dr Ho's Dental Surgery at Jalan Raja. I was very surprised at first to find out that he charge RM600 per removal of impacted wisdom teeth! I was thinking of leaving when an inner voice inside me asked me to just see the dentist first and talk to him. I was very relieved but worried when he told me that it only cost RM120 because the bacteria had eaten some of my gum and it exposed most of the impacted wisdom tooth.
I asked him so many questions before he did the procedure and I even asked him which is more painful, giving birth or doing the minor surgery. He laughed and answered, "Definitely giving birth is more painful". I relaxed a little bit but when I saw the very long needle that he's about to use to inject me with some local anesthetic to numb my mouth. A few minutes later, my lips felt like Angelina Jolie's lips but actually nothing happens to my lips, except for the numbness that occurred.
After making sure that I'm absolutely numb in the mouth, the doctor started to try to pull out the teeth to see how deep it is and luckily it's not too deep inside the gum, so he carefully pull it but the bad news is, because of the infection caused by the bacterias, some of my gum's sticked on the tooth! He had to use the scalpel to cut the gum and finished the extraction of the wisdom tooth. It took about 20 minutes for the whole procedure and lastly, he asked me to start another course of antibiotic to kill of the bacteria. He couldn't do any stitching because of the infection and with that, I have to bear with the pain of the open gap on the gum! I never stop chanting Allah's name inside my heart through out the procedure and Alhamdulillah, there's no complication whatsoever.
Finally, after paying at the counter, he prescribed me with Amoxicillin 500 mg and Paracetamol 600mg x 2 for one week course. I even bought whitening tooth paste that cost RM25 per tube because I really love coffee and it had yellowed my teeth. I went home after that and drink V Soy Soya bean milk and ate the medicines. Now, 10 hours after the surgery, I couldn't open my jaw and I slurred when I talk. It's very hard to swallow because the side of the throat that involved with the surgery is very painful.


 I hope I will have speedy recovery because it's hard to take care of 5 small children with this pain. And as for the tooth, I buried it under the Ciku tree at our back lawn. May you rest in peace, dearest wisdom tooth...