THE DECLINING IN JUNK FOOD PACKAGING QUALITY

When I was babysitting for Gabby, hubby sent a few packets of 'keropok' (snacks) for us. I have never tasted this 'CRISTA' D-Jack brand before. It looks intimidating because it comes in Crab flavour. I can see how 'cheap' the packaging is, so contrasts with my taste. I'm the type who loves Pringles, Twisties, Mamee - mostly the famous brands. I'm very impressed with CRISTA size.

Took a scissor and snapped the upper part of the plastic. Poooossshhhhh.... the air expelled.


Tried to reach and sample the 'keropok'. OMG. Is this all the portion I'm gonna have??? See how little the quantity of the keropok, it makes me sick. Despite the sad view of the packaging, hmmmm, taste wise? Crispy and sweet. Price wise? Nope.

With Love,

MAGGI 'RENDAM' 1MALAYSIA STYLE

picture courtesy of www.sibintang.com

I'd like to wish all Malaysians, SELAMAT HARI MALAYSIA!!

On the 6th day of Hari Raya. People are still on a long, 2 weeks holiday. I can sniff the incoming 'tsunami' next week. I hate being alone in the office especially during this time. Whenever I am on leave there will be, at least someone sitting at my place. Now? I have to sit at two places or sometimes answering 3-4 lines at one time. So sickening.

I would like to get your attention that out of 30 people in our unit, less than 10 people are working within these 2 weeks. I highly hope that our Ministers can look into this matter. It is OK during Ramadhan, people go back as early as 4:00 p.m. as long as they start working before 8 a.m. and skip the lunch break. I suggest that JPA should hire more qualified staff from other cultural or racial background. OK?

This is my breakfast. I didn't have time for breakkie at home since I woke up late, at 7:00 a.m. How did I cook it? Microwave? Nayy... I did it old school way. Maggi 'Rendam' (soaked in hot water) Malaysian's Boarding School style. KAH KAH KAH!

MAGGI MEE, FAST TO COOK, GOOD TO EAT! - Just like the 90's commercial ads. Soak for 20 minutes using hot boiling water. Tear the flavour powder sachet, I prefer Curry, excuse me and cover the noodles. Voila!!

MAGGI MEE, 1MALAYSIA STYLE.

Me liiikeyyy!! *clap clap*

With Love,

HAPPY EID MUBARAK MALAYSIANS!

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI, MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATIN I wish to all my Muslim readers and friends.

Going anywhere this season? Visiting? Vacationing? Or embracing this hot weather at home? I don't go anywhere, no visiting or either following my Mom going back, again to Lundu. Went out yesterday to find some felt cloth for my future craft project but no to avail because Kamdar and other shops were closed! STupid.. It's Hari Raya mana ada kedai bukak nok?

With frustration of course I need something to console my soul. Excuse me, my stomach. Haha. So there we went to this old kopitiam, my late Daddy's favourite Nasi Kari.

It is located just opposite Sunny Hill School..... hubby's school last time, :p OH yes, Sunny Hill also famous for its Ice Cream. Believe it or not, I've never tasted or even tested the SH Ice Cream. Hubby promised me next time. Yes!

OK. We have arrived here in the heart of 3rd mile and the cafe's name is NAM KWONG.

Waited patiently for the rice to arrive. They served the home made chilli sauce. Very fragrant. Normally Chicken rice will be served with condiments like chilli sauce, dark soy sauce and a bowl of soup. This one? They only serve the chilli sauce itself.

The grand entree. Hail to the Queen! Uhummmm! Look at that. How tantalizing it is parading it's boneless chicken meat and the curry gravy, I tell you it isn't like the ordinary curry used out there. According to Dad, they used what they call, 'Foochow's Curry' and it is not easy to find the curry powder. Love the rice so much (I think they should make the portion bigger, lol) it topped with chicken meat, Char Sio and roasted meat. Felt like asking for another plate but no husband in this world would want to be embarrassed by his own wife. Yikes!

Oh yes, it is sold for RM4.50 per plate. Always give this platter 5 stars!

With Love,

TAROT CAFE - NICE PLACE TO EAT BUT HATE MY PICS QUALITY

Went to Tarot Cafe at Jalan Keretapi with my SIL.

We were lucky because we went there during working days and the cafe was full with housewives gossiping with their friends. Haha! Serious. There were around 15-20 people accommodating the place but only 3 guys were spotted sitting outside smoking. The rest, hail to the Queens!

This cafe was here for more than a year ago but I only had my golden chance to sample the dishes there few days ago. Initially, I told hubby that (thru a blog) there is Tarot Card reading service available and patrons may try by just paying RM30 and bla bla. When I said 'Tarot' he thought it was a taboo so he scolded me and refused to go there. Whenever we pass by the place at night, I will point to him and say, "See? So many people there... having fun sipping mocktails with friends" but he quickly outwits me and says, "Tarot.. ridiculous, Jesus non-believer..." :p. Lame. Yes, that's my hubby.

To cut the crap short, let me show you what did I try at Tarot. We start with; before that, let me ask for forgiveness. My pictures are all in bad quality. I miss my Sony Ericsson G900, the 5 megapixels camera phone never failed me. A new phone? Yes, I am now using Blackberry Curve. I'm a BB user! lol. *acting stupid*


Presenting the menu book. We took nearly 5 minutes to decide what to eat and drink. Everything sounds/looks so nice in the menu!!!!!


Very refreshing! Just pour in Coke, pop in few slices of lemon and top it with vanilla ice-cream. Oh, I'm in 7th heaven!


My 2nd drink. Yes. My second drink. I was thirsty like a camel. It's nothing weird. Nice lemon tea, the tea is quite 'thick'.


The appetizer. Nothing much to rave about this toast except the crunchiness that leads me crazy. Thanks to the swipe of butter, it makes the cucumber and lettuce taste nicer.


The most awaited dish. The moment of truth. OMG. Hefty amount of Nasi Lemak with Ayam Masak Merah. One plateful of divinity. Everything is so freshly crunchy. The cucumber and fried anchovies. The sambal is very mild. Mind the 'keropok' appearance. Since everyone now can afford the Air Asia tickets to Indonesia, as long as there is a considered Malay food must be accomplish with keropok. So typical. I have been to many halal food outlets out there run by Chinese proprietors, whenever they have Nasi Goreng or Nasi Lemak this type of 'Keropok Sayur' will parade themselves on the plate. Tell you what, the right type of Keropok is actually Keropok Melinjo.

Back to the topic. Excuse me. Tarot Cafe, I would give them 4 stars for their reasonable price, fast service, cleanliness and the deliciousness of their dishes. Oh, you will get your eyes crossed to see the varieties of their mocktails and beverages.


With Love,

SLOW PRODUCTIVE MONDAY, SO DOES THIS ENTRY

My lovely Sunday morning was gorgeous. When I woke up, I could smell the aroma of fried rice. I quickly took my towel and rushed to the bathroom. Normally, I am the weekend's Chef but this time, I knew it wasn't my MIL's usual cooking. When I entered the kitchen, "Good morning!!!!!" Hubby greeted me. He cooked Nasi Goreng Belacan!! OMG OMG my fav! I knew it! I knew it wasn't her Mom who cooked it. I can just tell by one sniff!


A descent but very aromatic and delicious. Thanks love! I had 2 plates with hot black coffee to wash 'em down.


OK. To show my appreciation, I cooked his favourite 'Sambal Sardin' (Sardines in Sambal gravy) for lunch. Mild in spiciness but really 'kaw' and its best partner is Omellette. Yummy. Later, in the evening we went to Kopitiam No. 6 for our tea time. I captured Gabby's picture, love it.


...... figuring how's her future like, perhaps?


With Love,

FAKE GREEN PEAS (KACANG HIJAU)

I believe that many of our Muslim friends have started buying cakes, sweets and other titbits to be served during Hari Raya. Not forgetting those nuts like Pistachios, cashew nuts and green peas. Talking about the green peas, I received and email from my friend regarding the 'fake' green peas. Aiyoyo amma!! I thought that people in China can only imitate electronic devices and garments but green peas too???

Green peas are green rounded pea seeds that are sweet and starchy in taste. Green peas contains twice the protein of most vegetable, so they are a healthier substitute for meat. Three quarters cup of peas provides 6 grams of protein, plus thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and 645 units of vitamin A.

Unfortunately most of food industries in developing nations cheating the customers with fake greens peas which are prepared from toxic chemicals (dyes). These industries preparing the green peas form brown peas (cheaper) by soaking them in dye solution for overnight.

All these chemicals have been banned by US food and drug administration in 1974 itself. Frequent consumption of fake green peas leads to colon and bladder cancer. All these fake green peas banned in US, Canada, all European countries and other developed countries.

Identification of fake green peas:

1. Put the peas in boil water for 30 seconds, water turns to green color.

2. After consumption check your tongue to observe green color stains and light bitter in taste.

Symptoms:

1. Stomach irritation, pain or acidity.

2. Urine turns to light green color.

3. Mild head ache.

Therefore, I suggest that everytime we eat the dried peas, don't chew them first. Let them sit on our tongues for a couple of minutes. If our tongues turn green then that's it. Green dye is involved.

For more info, you may read the articles regarding the fake peas here:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03/31/content_9664992.htm

http://foodsafety.suencs.com/?p=10647




With Love,

EXTRA! EXTRA! SPICY NASI LEMAK, OH, IT IS CHEAP TOO!

So far, this is the spiciest Nasi Lemak I've ever tasted in my life!  It's like having a tree of chillies and then your lips will go plumpy like Anita Sarawak after having a packet of it.

Nope. I don't sell it. Hubby bought it for me from a kuih vendor at Kenyalang, next to the new Toto Foodcourt (Previously, it was a TOTO 4D parlour). The lady seller has been selling the kuihs there for more than a decade.

It's very rare nowadays to find a cheap packet of Nasi Lemak.  I am satisfied with the amount of rice with that price.  =D.  I don't mind if it doesn't wrapped in banana leave of the brown paper, as long as the sambal gives me a 'kick'!!

Plus the super-duper hot and spicy chillies sambal tumis.  Every scoop of it comes with divinity.  I always buy two packets, hehe.


With Love,

I MISS THEM, ALL..

Wow....

It's been ages since I last updated my blog. Very sorry readers, I'm packed with my office stuff what else? Works. This week has been so cruel to me and I feel guilty as the impact also hit my girls - Surie, Elfyna and Zuriana. Don't worry guys, I have now found the way to tackle the obstacles. Just snap my fingers!

Oh yes, this time I'm gonna share some pictures which I find so nostalgic. The first two pictures were taken at Hijau, BDC. Let me share you the story.



This is Curry Mee, made by Asep of Zaihana Corner. RM5.00 really worth it. What I love about this particular dish is the condiments are unlimited! Haha. I shared this with hubby and yet, I felt so bloated. The level of spiciness is definitely OK for me. I love spicy food. Sad to say, this dish is no longer sold at Hijau.



Another one hit, or should I say one night (stand) wonder of Hijau was this particular dish. Penang Char Mee @ Mee Goreng Pulau Pinang. I love this type of noodle, it is fried yet not too oily. Love the condiments like fresh sweet prawns and cockles. Yum. Again, it was sold for one night.




Huh???!! Calm down. Haha. Got this from my old Photobucket album. Gabby was 4 years old then. Cute ain't she? She's now a beautiful tween, sleeping alone and has started using deodorant!

Yippie!!!!


With Love,

CHILDHOOD SNACK - CHICKADEES

I still remember Mom always bought this for me whenever she went out to do grocery shopping. Chickadees was so damn delicious that time. It was considered a pop culture in the 80's - famous 'keropok' was Chickadees, famous instant noodles were Maggi and Indomie. Famous detergent - Fab, famous ladies pad - Modest and Daun ahaaaaahhahh!!

I bought a few packets last week and to my surprise, the taste isn't as the same I had 20 years ago. I find it saltier.

My current favourite snack? Cannot tell. I just love banana chips. Kerepek Pisang as what they are known locally. Very crispy and crunchy!


With Love,

FAREWELL TO MY HOLIDAYS

A happy Gawai picture at my cuzzy's house. From left, Sayra, Cynthia, Gabby, Lancelot.


Olaaaa!!!!!

This is my final holiday entry. The honeymoon is going to be over soon. Gonna say goodbye to all the heavenly things I do daily, - waking up late, mugs of caffeine fix, conquering TV, unlimited online activities, cooking (oh, I miss cooking!), visiting the shopping malls when everyone is dying working in the office haha!

What have I achieved so far? I gained weight, I got more pimples, baggy sleepy eyes, more fun, (should I mention it over again?). Room clearance? Only the box that full of gadget craps. I need to clear them. More of sorting works to come. I hate sorting stuff, just to be frank.

Oh, just to add the torture. My Streamyx modem has gone to heaven. Need to buy a new modem, money again. I hate to think about spending more cash, more and more. Didn’t celebrate Gawai but we did spend extra this month, going back and forth twice to Sri Aman, plus the Sematan thingy, plus the ‘jalan jalan cari makan’ or ‘Jalan Jalan Buang Duit’ as what hubby always says. Pity hubby, you have married a big spender. Not the underwear ok? Yes, that one we will talk about later.. big spender, big size spender haha.

It’s not Miss Coki’s blog without foodie pics right guys? Yes. We visited cousin Venni at their crib, located in the greenery MJC Sanctuary Courtyard last week and we really had good jolly time there.



Lemang and Kelupis. Yum.



This is our family's recipe, inherited by the Unaks haha. This is called Rendang Bawang, no, no, it doesn't contain all onions in the world but we normally use extra bawang in this Beef Rendang. Less kerisek.



This is Chicken Pansoh. Served piping hot from the bamboo!



Mutton curry. Hubby loves this too much but I warned him already, for his high blood pressure.

Well, that’s it. Blogging from my bedroom via some 'generous' neighbour's internet line. Sorry dude, please install password next time. Haha.




With Love,

KACANG TUMBUK @ KONG TH'NG

Kacang Tumbuk or Kong Th’ng is one of my favourite snacks. I don't know the process to produce this candy (candy? it's sweet what?) but when it is 'tumbuk' means literrally pounded and pressed very very hard right?


Whatever it is, am proud to be a Malaysian because I still remember the moments when we used to get this for free. When? When do you think? When my dad's Chinese colleagues sent an engagement invitation for sure will get this free. But it comes with price so I still remember Dad's would joked around, "another summon ticket comes!" . It's a Chinese custom, we understand. So do with the Ibans, Malays, Bidayuhs etc. Yes, we are living in a harmonious and beautiful vivacious country. It's like everyone is living under the same roof.

By looking at this pictures, I feel like going to the shop again and buy............. *sigh*. (OK people, I finished 2 packets of my stocks yesterday). :p



With Love,

UNCLE LIM’S CHICKEN RICE @ SEKAMA

Hubby and I went out to pick up our Kek Lapis ordered thru a friend and we met up just nearby the famous Wisma Hopoh. After that we tried to look for a good spot to have our lunch and ended up at Sekama. Oh, did I tell you that I was trying to skip rice and replace rice with noodles and other goodies? Well, I took that day as my escape day and we chose to eat Chicken Rice! Yayyy! So here we are at Uncle Lim’s Chicken Rice.

It is actually one of the stalls that operated by Uncle Lim’s Café. Serves basic meat for Chicken Rice dish like Char Sio Bak, Steamed Chicken, BBQ Chicken and they serve Chicken Curry Rice too!

We ordered everything, all type of meat plus a bowl of Chicken Curry and it comes with a complimentary Chicken Soup. That hot afternoon, I washed down everything with a can of Coke.

I definitely would like to recommend this shop because the premise is clean and the price is reasonable too.

With Love,

MY FAVOURITE PAU!

Every family has their own favourite spot for their favourite snack. What? Ours?? Oh yes, of course we do have one. This time is none other than Bak Pau. Check this signboard that lies before the 3rd Mile Bus Terminal and Boulevard Mall.



Recall this signboard anyone?



That is my Shrek, picking his favourite pau - the Char Sio Pau. Uh uh, not my favourite but....



Look at my favourite, Bak Pau with egg. Have I made you drooling already by looking at this picture? Be careful, the Pau is steaming hot! Go early as normally after 5:00 p.m. only Chai Pau (Veggies Pau) are left, the yummy ones finished by big eaters like us. Haha.

Oh, one more thing. Please don't forget buy the freshly home made Tauhu Chui (Soy Bean) drinks. So refreshing to eat the hot pau inside the car and strolling around Kuching city. That's how we normally do our evening driving while enjoying the sunset.



With Love,