On our table

We stopped by here for lunch after picked up the kids from schools.

Everyone felt like eating this and that so that was why we ended up in this coffee shop. Kids were having their tuition in the afternoon and we thought of going to someplace near our house. It was our 1st time having lunch here, so did not expect what was available as it was also a Monday.

To our surprise, while most cafes and coffee shops close on Monday, this coffee shop has quite a choice as most stalls opened that day.

We went meaty that afternoon. As a matter of fact, we had 3 types of meat rice that day.

RM7.00 curry mutton with rice

For me, I had curry mutton from the mamak stall called Vern's Spice and Herbs Kitchen. This is the same stall that serves roti canai and I had its roti tisu a while ago. The curry was very spicy I had to say but not as flavourful as in other place that I had tasted. Not much meat and even there was, the meat was not that tender to chew.

On the other hand, hubby had his dose of lo bak rice (braised meat). Mix of pork, chicken and egg in his plate. He liked it very much.

RM5.00 lo bak rice

I did not try the lo bak rice but I did came back for it another day. That is another post to tell.

The kids had steamed chicken rice from a chicken rice stall managed by an Iban couple. Chicken was tender as I tasted a piece.

RM5.00 steamed chicken rice

So that was our meaty lunch from different races. We had Indian curry mutton, Chinese Hakka lo bak and Iban steamed chicken. That is why Kuching is named the City of Unity. We can sit together and have different food cuisine from different races easily on our table under one roof. *wink*

Our big man's birthday dinner

Happy birthday to my dearest! He is turning 38 today!!

Over the weekend, the big man was been treated to a nice birthday dinner in this super chic outlet, The Swing Factory. I have bought a Groupon voucher for this dinner a month ago.

The Swing Factory is located in the new row of shops called S3 Curve, Jln Simpang Tiga (same row with France Taipei Bridal Palace).

The Swing Factory is on 1st floor so you could either walk up the staircase or use the elevator up. On the foot of the staircase, you will see what is its today's special blackboard.

I made a table reservation so we were ushered to our table directly. A golf ball on our table. Number 3!

The Swing Factory is one and first of its kind in Kuching. Its unique feature and attraction are the indoor e-golf simulator where you could learn to swing and get some tips on golf. So, good news for the avid golfers, you can take the swing any time, any day, rain or shine.

The simulator while not in use, they broadcast live news

And while you play your round, you could enjoy good food and drinks in its sports cafe. This pork-free cafe is worth visiting as it offers a wonderful dining environment to its patrons. Some more,  they serve alcohol here.

I loved the way they incorporate the golf bag on these tall tables.

Check out the food that we had last Sunday!

We ordered 4 main courses and I have to admit, I were impressed by the flavours.

I went for spaghetti carbonara and I loved it! It was creamy, delicious and the portion was just nice.

The birthday man had this lovely chicken chop. Now he is more health-conscious and cutting down on red meats, so we went "white" that evening.

He loved the tender succulent chicken and creamy smooth mashed potato underneath it.

Another chicken dish we had was this chic cordon bleu. I am never fond of this deep-fried stuffed breast meat but I had to say, this chic cordon bleu was quite delicious. Meat was not dry at all. It was moist and soft.

Kids enjoyed the fish N chips. Never wrong with this platter.

The Swing Factory. We had a wonderful birthday dinner there. Cozy dining place and the food was good.

We did not take a swing that evening as it was occupied that time. In case anyone interested, it is RM30 for 30 minutes per game.

Overall I paid RM88 for the 4 main courses exclusive of drinks because of the special groupon voucher. Normal price would be RM140.00.

It seemed a bit expensive but with a positive and nice dining atmosphere, good and friendly services and great food, I wouldn't mind pay more. I think it is an awesome chill out place for friends and family. 

Lau Ya Keng

Lau Ya Keng  as in Teochew dialect or "old place" in English is not strange to Kuchingites as it is one of the historical places in old part of the city. When you say "lau ya keng", one would automatically think of famous Lau Ya Keng temple and comfort food such as kueh chap, and porridge in the old food hawker centre.

So, here is the famous Lau Ya Keng in Carpenter Street. It is actually a food centre, but in the past, they also had Chinese opera performances on the stage in front of this place.  I am not too sure they still have the stage opera or not nowadays.

This centre was built in between 2 rows of shops and you could see the windows on both sides of the corner shops.

Some of the stalls such as kueh chap, porridge and kolok mee moved into the next door shop.  I spotted the kueh chap stall first as it was just in front of this shop. A middle-aged lady was busy preparing food while taking order from customers.

So without hesitation, I ordered a small bowl of kueh chap (RM5.00) for myself.  Just some lean meat, beancurd and egg from me; no intestine or innard! For those who loves sweeter kueh chap broth, this is the one for you!

Then a guy from the nearby kuih stall asked me whether I wanted popiah, so I obliged.  A roll of popiah for RM2.50. 

The popiah was nice, fresh and spicy. Hubby actually ate most of the popiah since he did not ordered other food.  He is on diet now and cutting down on food intake. And it did made me extra guilty of enjoying my sinful food while he goes light. *wink*

 

And to complete our breakfast, we had lek tau suan!  Ooooh!  Sweet green bean soup topped with the salty yue tiaw is always a popular dessert during the olden time and now. 

Okay, since I seldom venture to this part of the world, it would be good to take a few shots while I were here! The view from our table!! That tall building at the back is Plaza Merdeka, a shopping mall.  You could see the arch from here too, welcoming people to the Carpenter Street!



And here is the famous temple opposite the Lau Ya Keng.

Hiang Tiang Siang Ti Temple



When life gives me spring onions

There is a famous quote, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade".

I have not yet plant a lemon tree so no chance of making fresh lemonade from my humble garden. But what would you do when life gives you spring onions?? 

Never throw those empty egg cartons away as you could re-cycle them and turn them into a spring onions planter.

Make small hole on each egg holder using kitchen scissor on the carton so water flow out at the bottom. Do the same on few other cartons. Stack the cartons and start planting those onions. Water them twice a day and keep them under shed.

But again those grow on the soil would strive faster!! Now I have so much spring onions to use!! I basically put spring onions in most of my dishes.

As garnishing in my fried noodle.

Some day, I made a delicious spring onion stuffed omelette for dinner.

Ingredients:
2 medium sized egg
1/4 cup of chopped spring onion
1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp fresh milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Methods:

1. In a bowl, break and slowly stir the egg with milk.

2. Add spring onion, cheese, salt and pepper. Mix well.

3. In a greased pan under low heat, pour in the egg mixture. Cook for about 2 minutes before fold the egg. Cook for a while till egg is done.

So, when life gives me spring onions, I say let's make omelette! *wink wink*

Hello Saturday with a song

Hello Saturday, everyone! Yes, I know, I am kind of MIA this week but I am back to blog again. Is my blog growing mushrooms after few days of inactivity?? 

Been busy as usual with kids' schools, afternoon classes and finally the girl has finished her school exam this week. Time to relax this weekend.

Bought Jan the current colouring faze few weeks ago and she has been counting to the day she could get her hands on colouring it! I bet she would be handful for the next couples of weekends.

Wish I could do nothing at all on this lovely Saturday! If only it is that simple! 

Already prepared my lunch. Since we had a hearty breakfast, lunch would be simple for me and hubby. Salad! There was some leftover grilled chicken from dinner so will mix the grilled chicken with the salad; and our simple lunch is ready!

After our breakfast this morning, we went for a little shopping. Saw some Christmas decors, so bought few ornaments for our tree. Could not wait to get some more and decorate our tree soon!

I am planning to do few scheduled posts this afternoon. If the little one does not disturb me. Only his older siblings or the help of iPad could entertain him for a while. *wink*

And I found this photo of beautiful jasmine in my photo folder. Lovely isn't it? I love its small white petals and mild scent. The flower reminded me of the beautiful rendition of Jasmine Flower by Kenny G. 

Weekend Menu #73: Sticky cola prime ribs

I tasted cola glazed pork rib before but I forgot where I had it. Then I tasted cola pork belly during Jay's birthday few months ago when my bil helped with the bbq. 

I may not be too fond of the drink but when it is used in cooking, I don't mind the carbonated drink as it gives that extra sweetness and flavour.

The other evening, I adapted this recipe for my sticky cola prime ribs. I love prime ribs as they are meaty.

Ingredients:
500g prime ribs, cut into bitable size
1/2 portion of Coca-Cola (I used the bottle)

Marinade:
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp Shao Xing wine
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tbsp cornflour

Methods:
1. Marinate the prime ribs with marinade for at least 2 hours in fridge.
2. In heated flip pan, arrange the prime ribs. Close the lid.
3. Let it cook for 2 minutes on each side. Then open the lid and pour in the Coca-Cola. Close the lid.
4. Lower the heat to the lowest and let it simmer for 30 minutes.  In between the cooking time, flip the pan thrice.
5. Let it cool down before arrange in a serving plate and garnish with spring onion.

Notes for November

Woke up this morning to be greeted by the rain outside. Hmm. Look like it is going to be a cold and wet November.

My dearest hubby's birthday is coming soon and by then, he would not be poking fun at me for being older!! He usually does that to annoy me because we are born in the same year but I am older by a couple of months.

I have planned and booked a surprise dinner for him and hope he likes my choice. A new place that we have never been before. 

This month, my Jay would be graduating officially from the kindergarden. A new milestone for him! And oh boy! My 2nd child is growing up so fast to be a young lad.

Soon, he is joining his sister in primary school and a whole new world for him. I am a bit anxious for him. Maybe because he is not like his sister, so I am worry about him adapting into Chinese-medium school. I know, I got to have faith in him and leave everything in God's hand. But still, I could not stop worrying about him. That's what a mother do best!! *wink*

What would we be doing over the long school holidays? Nothing much. Not going anywhere. Economy is bad, so got to save for the rainy days and not planning any expensive holiday this year end. But there is thought for a family vacation next year.

So guys, Happy November! I always love November because after November, it is December. The best and joyous month of all!!