What's cooking, good looking?

Just the other day at the kitchen or pantry, (as it is fondly known by Malaysians), a colleague of mine commented on the 'gorgeous' smell of my bihun soup, right after I heated it in the microwave.

"Sorry, is that Thai or is that Indian? I cannot tell between those two " she asked inquisitively.

"That's more Chinese, but it has been Malay-fied." I said matter of factly.

" What's in there?" she asked, this time sniffing into my tupperware . ( I felt like I was at a tupperware party ok!)

" Well, it's just garlic and some onions" I replied, not wanting to offend her if I started going on about the rempah empat sekawan.

" But I can smell the Indian spice in there, what is it called? cardamom pod and star anise yeah?"

" Oh yeah..I totally forgot about it...yeah cinammon stick and star anise" I answered with a non too gritty smile. Damn, I wanted to be politenot wanting to be embarass her, but instead I felt the hot flush . How the hell did she learn how to differentiate the smell??? I don't think the Irish uses alot of star anise or cloves in their cooking...

It must be the many Indian restaurants and takeouts blooming in the city that poppadom has taken over the popularity of Walkers crisps.

I'm not sure if many of you out there are like me and go on an underestimate people. No, don't get me wrong, I don't do it all the time, but only when certain situation surfaces. I'll give you an example , if you were talking to a a Matsalleh, and he asks you where you are from. Chances are, you will say Malaysia, because you are afraid that they might not know where Kuala Lumpur is.

And then it turns out in actual fact , they have been to Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, Langkawi, Perhentian Island and Kuching and absolutely loves it there. Haaa, hamek kau. So then I will meekly mutter, that I am actually from Subang Jaya, which is in Selangor and not from the glorious Kuala Lumpur, but because I thought that it would be easier to not embarass both parties if I proudly announce that I am from Kuala Lumpur but only to find out that they have not even heard of Malaysia.

Some of my favourite responses when I say that I am from Malaysia are..

" That is part of Vietnam right?"

"Oh, yeah, I was in Abu Dhabi last month.." o_O. This response came from the potter who wheeled me while I was at the hospital. I replied with a very confused"Oh." I kept telling myself that he probably wants to tell me about his holidays and not making reference to Malaysia.

"Where is that?" Slaps forehad. -_-

It's difficult to be a mini ambassador ok.

Anyway, while I am at the topic of my lunch , I brought 3 pieces of bread and serunding (chicken floss) to the office today, and my Polish colleague peeped in my tupperware. No, no, not the same colleague who had some interest in my soup, but another one. She smiled and said it looks good. I wondered if she thought I brought leftovers from yesterday's lunch which was white rice, ayam goreng and yes, serunding. Biaqpi aku nak bawak serunding hari-hari..

Serunding to me, is the best savoury meal one can never leave without. You can have an express lunch of telur goreng, serunding and kicap and it will keep you satisfied to the brim.

Hmm... I wonder what will happen if I brough budu and belacan to the office? Hihihi...

I stared aghast at the 'serunding daging' ibu had prepared for my all-alone-Hari-Raya (imagine dengdang perantau crooning at the background). Half of it has gone bad, with the parts of it turned mayonaisse white.Hmm, I don;t recall mayo as any of its ingredients.Hmm. Absoultely dissapointed.My housemate and I. So I manage to salvage what little remains of it.Tsk..Tsk..

Something interesting also happenned yesterday, my friends and I, witnessed a fight, right outside a pub/restaurant. And yes, it was at night, and yes there were only us girls and patrons of other restaurants near by. Everyone just stopped what they were doing and stared. As the guy got hit and punched on the face, in the abdomen and god knows where. I was hoping somebody would go and help, but no, nobody dared to stop the fight.SO they were in a WWF position(slam,stonecold steve austin?!), one guy, pinned underneath in a 'lock' position and the top guy swearing. It really felt like a scene from Fight Club. Ngeh Ngeh Ngeh, yeah imaginations running wild).A car came and they still didn't move.Haiyoh, drama betul irish mabuk nih!. I don;t know how it all stopped, I don;t want to know, and thank god, the Herbalife lady arrived.
So I went for a free ala-facial-Herbalife. And a typical Malaysian I am, I tried all, the products they had and smothered them all over.FREE mah! Ooh, my pimple infected face feels smooth like a baby's bottom after that.I bet Achim you want to pinch my cheeks right? But sorry horh! YOu wait until you come here, and see my cheeks no more chubby lorh!.Hehe

Ok ok, I apologize for this entry being about food, but as dad said earlier, Food for your thoughts right Dad?
So I cooked a complete meal for dinner all by myself for the first time. Proud? Contented?Tired?Happy? Yeah, I don't know. I kind of like the idea that I can cook, that's about it. Don't think I'll make it a passion or a hobby, but just to satisfy everybody's taste bud.
So well, although, this does not look that appealing, I gladly name (what was suppose to be fried mushroom ) as Cekedok Cendawan, or you could also call it 'Invite-invite' Mushroom. Dad, could u translate it fer me? And mushroom has been an alternative for the lack of vegetables here.


The main dish is Sweet and Sour Chicken, which I had intended to use fish in it. The stupid thing over in Ireland is, fish is expensive, like as though it is a rare comodity. And Ireland is an island by itself.How now brown cow? So chicken it, is and 3-1 packet here we go. Haha. I did add in my own herbs,spices and the likes of it, thank you very much. Not to say it was that delicious, but I guess that's a student's way of cooking. sental udehh