Holiday!!

Hiya fellow bloggies/readers, we are taking a small break and going for a much deserved HOLIDAY!!

We'll be going to Seoul/VanCouver - will update when we are back!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

In the mean time, do leave your messages/queries and I'll answer them when I'm back. Thanks for visiting!

Baby Tomatoes & Mushroom Omelette

Here's another nutritious brekkie meal for babies which Kimi also enjoyed! Its moist yet due to the quick fry, fragrant.

Ingredients

• 1 egg yolk
• 1-2 ears of Oyster mushroom finely chopped
• 1/4 of a small tomato, skinned & de-seeded & finely chopped
• 1/4 slice of Cheddar sliced cheese, torn in small pcs
• 3-4 tbsp of milk
• Dash of pepper & kelp
• Some butter

Method

1. Beat yolk lightly and add milk, cheese, pepper & kelp


2. Add mushroom & tomatoe and set aside


3. Use a non-stick pan and add a little butter on a small fire


4. Once butter is melted, add egg mixture


5. Cover & wait till the sides are brown


6. Turn or flip the omelette


7. Once the bottom side and egg mixture is cooked, remove and serve immediately

ENJOY

Tips

1. To de-skin & de-seed tomato, you can use the same method which I used to de-skin a peach (click here). This is especially important for younger babies like 8-9 months old cos the skin & seed can cause indigestion or even choking.


2. However, if your baby is very good with chewing and has many teeth, you can skip de-skinning. But, de-skinning is easy & fast so take a little more time to make a good meal for your tot. :)

Kimi's 1st X'mas!

Last year this time, we were anticipating how our little baby would look like - will he have my eyes? hb's lips? will he look more Chinese or more Eurasian?

In a blink of an eye and Kimi is walking about and teasing the girls. This year's Xmas is indeed more lively with this cheeky little boy!

The Xmas Spread

Claire & Kimi

Claire, Kimi & Sarah - Look how much

they have grown!

The girls showing Kimi how to unwrap

the pressies!

Kimi with Grandpa

Merry Xmas & Festive Bakes!

MERRY XMAS TO ALL !!!

May all your dreams & wishes come true !!

My classic fudgy wudgy brownies - crispy tops & exterior with a rich, moist, fudgy, chewy & chocolatey centre! You can sink your teeth into these even when it is COLD! When warmed with a scoop of ice-cream, heavens!! To test for a really good brownie, eat it when it's cold - all brownies (or cakes) when warmed and doused with chocoalte sauce & ice cream, always taste good. If the baker allows you to eat it cold, you know it's a winner! Sorry, too much musing here cos I last ate & baked this last xmas!! So, you can understand ya?

Here's some of my festive bakes to for this year. Sadly, these were all I could afford to bake this year. Made only 6 trays of brownies... (compared to before... this is only about half).

My Gingerbread House/Men & Chocolate Chip Cookies & Fruit Cake were not possible as I didn't have enough time. Hopefully, by next year I can resume my full Xmas Baking. But, it was good to be baking again, indeed therapeutic!

My usual X'mas Log Cake instalment - Rum infused Chocolate sponge with rum-soaked dark cherries covered with medium soft Dark Chocolate Ganache. Got a feeling, the family getting quite sian of this combo liao... But so far, they are not complaining or saying anything so I just continue... kekek!

Xmas Lights

These few nights before Xmas has been quite crazy! Kimi is totally OFF his routine and I really fear when I think of it. I hope after Xmas, he will ease back to the norms or I will really have a hard time. Well, can't blame him as we had parties/outings from Sat on and so had to reschedule his whole routine as he goes to bed between 7 and 7.30pm.

Didn't know it can be so tough just to bring him for a night out as he's so tuned to sleeping early - but we HAVE to let him soak in the Xmas spirit and lights. Here's some pix taken :-

Taking a small nap in the car first ... Looks like Princess Leia hor? Keke!

Kimi, still fresh! A Gingerbread House!

Kimi wants to pose & stand on his own, With mummy again!

Father & Son, Look how tired Kimi is?

Kimi having his night feed at Taka, mummy's boy

A family pix

Happy Birthday To Me!

Another year has passed, another number added on. This year is special and different cos my position has been elevated - am a mummy.

Kimi was very well-behaved today and even displayed many cute antics. I wonder if he knew it was mummy's birthday?

Last week, hb asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I thought and thought so hard ... can't think of anything. Have I come to a point where I do not need any materials things and I have everything? Well, let's see...

1. A diamond ring? Hardly viable when you need to be nifty and deft while manouvering around delicate diapering areas and scrubbing toilets.. anyway, I do not don any cutesy or glam manicures now to show-off the rock.


2. A designer bag?Whatever for? To parade at NTUC or the market?


3. Manolos?I can hardly balance with Kimi on 1 hip and a diaper bag on the other!
   

Really, as I thought harder, most things I wanted was either for Kimi or made work easier for me, yet again for Kimi or for the family! How twisted have I gotten? But I do have a list for things I wanted but these are such large ticket items that I don't think the hb will agree... keke! So, yes! I still crave for material things and am still a NORMAL being just that the needs are so different now! This is my wishlist (more to come too) :-

1. A spanking, new and LARGE 2 door fridge so I can store more goodies & foods for Kimi.


2. A new MPV so that there is lots of space for everyone!


3. A new larger home so that there is more room, storage and play area for Kimi.
   

Well, as reality set in, in the end, I opted for an electronic toothbrush since my old one died on me last month.

So, here's to another wonderful and radiant year for me ahead with my darling son!

Baby Cheerios Banana Pancakes

To make this, you would need a small pan or a shape holder placed in a non-stick pan. Because of the absence of egg white, it may be relatively difficult to handle as it is very soft. I use another flat non-stick pan to flip the semi-cooked pan cake temporarily before sliding it back onto the mini frying pan.

It's worth the trouble cos Kimi finished it all!

Ingredients

• 1 yolk
• 5 tbsp milk
• 4 tbsp of Cheerios blended to powder ( can substitute with wholemeal flour but I prefer to use Cheerios as high in fibre)
• 1 to 1/2 small banana (mashed)
• Some maple syrup

Method

1. Add all ingredients together till smooth (texture should be thick & sticky)
2. Add oil/butter to mini pan, once hot, pour mixture into it and smooth till fill up
3. Cook on low fire till edges are golden brown
4. Slide onto another flat non-stick pan before flipping back onto original pan
5. Once cooked, slide onto serving plate
6. Drizzle maple syrup (NOT HONEY) & serve

ENJOY

Tips

• DO NOT USE HONEY for infants under 18 months
• Be careful when serving cooked bananas as it can be very hot

A Waxed Memento

Frankly, I have a tinge of regret not mould-casting Kimi's hands & legs when he was born. But, I really do not like those 'gold' looking like ones offered at the hospitals.

So, I must make one to mark the 'coming of age' of my baby and his progression to toddler-hood. Since the wax-hand lady was at Compass Point, decided to just do it now instead of next month when Kimi will officially be ONE. Believe, a few weeks won't be a big difference right?

So far, we've only managed to capture his hand. He was flexing his feet quite a bit so after 3 tries, the lady said 'next time, your baby really very strong legs ah'! Hahaha!

Just collected this today and it's so cute!

Baby Tuna Spinach & Lentil Potato Lasagne

When I first introduced lentils to Kimi, he took to it very well. Recently, he's been rejecting it. Not sure if he's sick of it or simply don't like it anymore... Whatever the reason, I'm determined the he continue to eat this wonderful legume.

So, it was back to the 'thinking board' for me to come up with something that can hide this goody. Came up with a 'potato-lasagne' instead of the normal pasta kind. Actually can also be considered as a gratin. Well, most importantly, Master Picky finished it with gusto. Next time I will make it for myself too.. cos its pretty yummy!

The cheese layer is more burnt than I want it to be but it's alright, just remove and serve. I used a toaster oven so the heat can't be controlled. Hence, it is better to use a convention oven. But I wanted to do something so that most of my readers can use and I'm quite sure most of you would have a toaster oven at home. So, just watch the heat or simply tear off the top. ENJOY!

Ingredients

• 1 potato (boiled)
• Some butter

Filling

• 1 tbsp of lightly blanched & chopped Spinach
• 1 tbsp of lentils (boil in milk to mashy and let stand for 10mins after boiling)
• 2 tbsp of Tuna (flakes in water)
• 1 tbsp of shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

* To prepare the filling, after the lentils has been cooked, strain and drain. Add the tuna and stir till blended. Add 3-4 tbsp of milk and place in microwave for 1 min. Once heat through, stir in the spinach and cheese and set aside. You can also add the tuna to the lentils when it is almost done and bring to a boil. But must ensure not too much milk left over in saucepan or you will have to strain it and lose some flavourful juice from the tuna.

Topping

• 1 slice of cheddar cheese or shredded cheddar/mozarella

Method

1. Smear the bottom & sides of an oven-ready dish


2. After the potato is soft from boiling (check with fork), pour away the water and heat it in the dry saucepan, shaking & moving the potato till dry, approx 1 min.


3. Use a fork or knife to mash lightly the potato and lay a little at the bottom of the dish


4. Spoon some of the filling and repeat the mash potato process


5. Fill top layer with the mash potato, press lightly to compact it


6. Tear up a pc of the sliced cheese and arrange till covered or sprinkle the shredded cheese on top till covered


7. Place in toaster oven for 5 mins or oven at 190 degrees for 8-10mins or until the cheese has browned


8. Remove and slowly scoop out & serve immediately

Tips

• Use a good quality, powdery potato (for baking) so that it can be mashed easily and taste sweet and soft.
• Boiling the lentils in milk enhances the taste and removes more the nutty flavour, giving it a sweet, creamy texture
• Recipes not suitable for freezing
• You can substitute other kinds of meat like salmon or other veg like broccoli or cauliflower
• Dry heating boiled potatoes after it is done is to remove the moisture that has accumulated especially in the centre of the potato. This will help to remove/reduce the sogginess and makes handling it easier and improves the texture.

Steamed Pork Ball On Mushroom Saucer

This is one of the dish that I made for dinner today. Didn't include the pix of the whole dinner as I was running late. The other 2 dishes are Steamed Pomfret With Ginger & Chinese Wine and Watercress Soup.

This is an easy to do dish although it may be a little more tedious. But, we enjoyed it as it's juicy & healthy!


Ingredients
150g minced pork
4-6 large fresh Shitake mushroom
4-6 medium prawns (shelled & de-veined.Marinate with some pepper, chinese wine & cornflour)
Some cornflour
Some wolfberries (gou qi zi)

Seasonings
2 tbsp of chopped Chinese parsley
2 tbsp of dried shrimps (soaked, dry-fried till fragrant & blended to coarse powder)
2 tbsp of chopped Mushroom (Chinese dried variety, soaked & chopped)
1 tsp Maggi Chicken powder
2 tsp of cornfloour
Dash of pepper, sesame oil & Chinese wine

Sauce
1 clove of chopped garlic
2 tbsp of oyster sauce
Some thinly sliced Dried Chinese mushroom (pre-soaked)
some sugar to taste
1 tsp of Maggi Chicken powder
2 tbsp cornflour dissolved in some water

Method

1. Add all the seasonings to the minced pork and let it marinate for a while
2. Wash & remove centre stem of shitake mushroom and set aside
3. Spoon pork into the cavity of mushrooms, dab the prawn with some cornflour and press on top of the pork ball
4. Place some wolfberries on top of prawn & transfer to plate and steam till cooked
5. Saute garlic and add sliced mushrooms, fry till fragrant.
6. Add oyster sauce & the rest of seasoning.
7. Pour in the cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil
8. Remove the steamed mushroom saucers and place on serving dish
9. Use a spoon to drizzle the sauce over and around the saucers
10. Serve immediately. ENJOY!

Tips
- Keep some of the broth derived from the steamed mushroom. Use this and add some to the sauce for added fragrance.
- You can also use salted fish instead of dried shrimps. Just pre-fry till crispy and chop till broken down. If using salted fish, reduce seasoning slightly to avoid to much salt. Keep some of the oil from the salted fish and add a little to the pork for seasoning

Inaugural Pix With Canon

Well, who else would have such honour to be the model for my 1st pix taken with my new camera? My darling Kimi, of course!

New Camera for Mummy!

Yeah! Hb bought a new camera for me! It's the latest Canon Powershot SX100is. After evaluating both Canon & Sony cameras, I've decided to go for this as it's such a good buy for a semi-pro camera.

We bought the camera at Sitex but didn't collect until today as we wanted the black one instead of the silver.

I can't wait to learn how to use its various features. Tried a few shots and it's so cool & easy to use, what a great buy! I'm ecstatic!

Hmm, got a sneaking suspicion that this is going to be a 3-in-1.... wedding anniversary, birthday cum x'mas pressie. The bane of being a Dec baby! It's always 2-in-1!