My Joanna Can Cook !!!

Looking at this spread of food on her plate makes me happy and today I know that she can really cook and look at those fresh herbs she uses on all her food. I am glad that I trained her to eat fresh herbs which is so good for health.  And here I was worrying about her , thinking whether she can cook something good and nutritious for herself besides cooking an egg and survive on instant meal.  Now that I know she eats proper healthy food , I can finally sleep well.  I stole this picture from her blog :p but this picture comforts me a lot. I guess all mothers are made that way. Worrying about their children's meal and their future. I am one I admit.  A confession to make here...:)) And know what , she knows how to buy artichokes and cook them....that really surprised me for over here I seldom buy them....so still waters run deep ... LOL!

I look forward to see more of her cooking from her blog

but she is up to her neck with assignments at the moment

 so no time to post up all the

food she cooked for herself

.....so I have to  learn to wait patiently...:P

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Italian Chicken Stew

It was Pot Bless time again last Sunday!   I just didn't know what to cook and bring for the pot bless and after putting the brain in full motion, I decided that I should cook Italian Chicken Stew....a dish , to be enjoyed by the  the young and old  :) And you know what ? This dish turned out to be the house favourite that night.  A very flavorful and tasty chicken stew infused with aromatic italian herbs ....a beautiful stew to serve with pita bread, pasta or steaming hot rice.

Happy Birthday Joanna :)

To Our Darling Jo 

( we did this cake together ...remember ? )

read this post dated February 3rd 2009

Happy Birthday Today !

May God's richest blessings be upon you  today and 

throughout the year - and may those blessings flow through you 

to touch the lives of everyone you meet.

~ Gary Smalley And John Trent ~

( stole this from Jo's blog :p )

Many ,  many years , in time long ago

The day that God gave me you

I got a very precious gift indeed

Blessed me many years  through

But, years seem to pass so rapidly

For it seems as if, only yesterday

Your little frame, was in my arms

Yet see how you’ve grown today

As you celebrate this Birthday

We wish, the very best for you

Life be filled with joy and peace

And countless dreams come true

Today you may well have grown up

But in our heart, you will always be

Our special tiny little Baby Girl

The one that God gave to us

Have a wonderful birthday in Sheffield !

we miss you........ <3 <3 you so muchie

can't wait to have you back with us :))

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Candied Yams

Candied yams...hmmmm this is the first time I read of it. Over here we called this yam , sweet potato and we don't normally candied it for it is already sweet by nature. Depending on the country, the term "yam" is used to embrace many tubers, including the sweet potato, which is no relation. But after I found out how Curtis Stone candied these yams, I knew I had to try it out, just for curiousity sake and true enough, it was great and great as a side dish for any meat dish. It goes well with roast meat especially. Yumm Yumm !

I will normally cook these yam into  sweet yam soup with coconut milk or just have them steamed or deep fried in egg flour batter with glutinous rice cake but roasting them and candied them is my first time !  :)

Kaffir Lime Leaves Flavored Chicken Bits

Another dish that Josh likes is this Kaffir Lime Leaves Flavored Chicken Bits. Very exotic in taste, a blend of spiciness with the strong aroma of preserved black beans and enhanced by local fresh herb , the lovely fragrance of kaffir lime leaves . Appetizing to the dot. Chicken breast, cut into bite size making it easier for the aromatic flavor to be infused into the meat. If you like something savoury, this is a flavor packed chicken dish :) Simple and yet easy to prepare dish. Good for people like me who just want to sit in front of the idiot box and watch the soapy korean drama :p  These korean dramas are so addictive....just like their kimchi !

Pan Grilled Salmon Steak With Mango Salad

Piggy Josh came back last Friday and I was so happy to cook something he likes . He has not been back since the sister Jo  flew off to Sheffield . He loves cod and salmon. But cod is so super expensive here , we do not have much opportunity to eat them except on special occasion :(  it is about  RM90 approx USD30 per kilo )  So I bought salmon instead ( about RM49 approx USD15 per kilo ) . He likes it pan grilled till the outer layer is crispy. Instead of using italian herbs or fresh herbs, I used balsamic vinegar and sea salt. Simple yet delicious. I love the taste of balsamic vinegar and I have been using it quite often lately in my cooking. Balsamic vinegar is a condiment originating from Italy . You will be surprised that it blends well with meat, fish and veggies though it is basically used for salad dressing.  I am adventurous when it comes to cooking. I know no boundaries where cooking and baking is concerned :p