Aidilfitri is brewing

How is it possible that you're so excited about Aidilfitri but at the same time you just want to skip it?
But for my munchkin I shall remain excited.

Because peony looks good with army gears, got problem?

Her mommy was in KL for a few days, attending a course at Intan Kiara; and amidst the New York minute, she squeezed in some shopping (some is an understatement!). We spent good times shopping, watching Dark Knight Rises, sipping Chatime and mauling cupcakes. And that's her devouring tenpayaki dish at the Pepper Lunch.

Because frills go well with polka dot

Heroic paper bag

Chatime

Carnivour

You can tell she went back to KK with a big smile on her face and a thinner purse, no, yes?

A day later hubs and I drove back to Alor Setar to visit mama and abah since yours truly is celebrating hari raya in Kuching. We are midnight travellers, probably hubs is Batman in his other life. *funnyonot*

Nothing much to do in Alor Setar though, it's a quiet town, humble people...nothing much to prattle... 

During a visit to Pasar Ramadhan on the first day we were there, I have developed new cravings;

Face-sized curry puff, because they can

Why are theses cockles so sedap?!!! why? why?

Just when I thought I'll pack new kurungs for Raya, I brought these home instead. 

Giant Hypermarket & Nutella conspiracy

And on the day we returned home, I made these for sungkei; 

Gone in 60 secs

You see, the day before my MIL had taught me how to make hot dog rolls so I improvised and spread Nutella instead. *patback* We had these for sahur too.

Back to Aidilfitri excitement, my staff is so efficient that he had taken orders for our raya money exchange about a week ago. And mine are denominated by these, but being a hoarder that I am, I want to keep them, not for distribution. Sorry niece.

RM20 is for keeps

And now, awaiting for my cookies.

Baju kurung.

Shoes.

Handbag.

Fragrance.

Counting days to be back in my sweet, serene hometown. I shall remain excited.

Everything and more

It's been a while since I last posted a worthless read entry. So here's one.

As I was waiting for my lunch to be served, I flipped the latest issue of Marie Claire.
And there's an interesting feature called 'Kit 'n Kaboodle' under its Beauty compilation. It takes a peek into what four fashion and beauty industry players pack when they're travelling.

Marie Claire - June issue

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My cobalt blue darling

So I took out my crossbody purse and decided to 'examine' what beauty stuff I took with me.

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Got this cute pouch from my Kenyan intern, Monttel.

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I took everything out of that small pouch and arranged them nicely on the table. By then, S.O looked annoyed already. Judging from the frown lines he must have wanted to ask me, "What do you think you are doing?" or simply, "You're bored aren't you?"

Anyways, here is.

Nothing fancy I know right...

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Clockwise form the top: Maybelline colorsensational in 525 Peachy Scene, Maybelline Baby Lips in Smoothing Cherry, my little notebook, my 8gb flash drive, Flanil analgesic cream, Revlon PhotoReady foundation in Ocre Naturel, MaxFactor flawless perfection blush in Classic Rose, MaxFactor eyeliner in black, wet wipes from Watson's and Estee Lauder BB cream sampler.

Well not really a beauty industry player material huh? 

Told ya this is a worthless read entry.

Ok lah, ok lah I give you something worth drooling.

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Yumsss of the month. Zanmai.

All American Classic

Hello lovelies.

How did you spend your looooooooong weekend? Isn't Malaysia blessed with all the mid-breaks that we have and they came spot-on; just when we needed them the most, like this month. As for government servants like myself, I'm pretty sure we are all counting days like mad, for salary shall come late this month. We have got to endure the 5 weeks! And you bet I am keeping tab!

In the midst of wholemeal buns, French toast and whatever poor diet during this 'tight' month, I butter my hunger pangs by watching cooking clips on YouTube. In fact I was pretty much driven by my overdue desire to own a baking oven, just like this one over here.

Dream, dream, dream

Ever since I took the plunge to go on a diet and went cold turkey to my all time favourites, curry and deep-fried-everything; this appetite of mine can only tolerate anything baked, grilled or even smoked. I also fancy anything steamed. I self comfort by matra-ing that this is a good sign; that I finally compromise in the food intake department. Well at least for the meantime.

And another reason why I want an oven so badly is because I love these American classics;

Classic Meatloaf

And I used to get this on my birthday from my bestie's mom Aunt Kathleen, Aida's mom. She made the yummiest meatloaf ever!

And here's what my mom is great at;

The classic Pumpkin Pie!

All time family favourite, the chicken pot pie!

Roast chicken with gravy! Gah!

Watching these videos would surely make you drools no? *wipe drools off keyboard*

And I read somewhere that someone who's on a diet should never reward herself with food every time when she hits her target weight because this is the main reason why mostly diet regimes fail miserably! I took heed of that but in my defense, these foods are not what I deprive myself from, instead these are the recipes that I've always wanted to attempt on my own since the first day I got married and moved in to our own place! That's 6 years ago!

Okay perhaps I have once recipe that I may consider 'sinful' but I must try it nevertheless!

The classic CARROT CAKE with cream cheese frosting!! 

Mother of all yumsies!!! *please include sound fx*

And I shall make sure that mine will look as perfect as this;

There's only once carrot and they all gotta share it!
*okay I can;t help myself, must put that lyrics!*

Oh boy, now I can't wait!!

So I must not stop persuading hubs to get me that oven!!

Here you go, my loooooooooong weekend ramblings.

Laksa Sarawak

... a nose for scrumptious food that is yet to perfect.

The thing about being away from home i.e from your comfort zone, most of the times will force you to learn how to cook your hometown dish. Simply because the restaurant outside of your town would just temper the delish out of these dishes and charge us absurdly!

So we have just got to take matters into our own hands, not? Mine is of course the ever legendary Laksa Sarawak, been cooking it for years now, I think I have perfected my own version.

And just today my pregger sis texted me asking for the recipe,

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Laksa legend , okaaay!

I guess it's about time now I share the recipe with all of you, Laksa Sarawak ala Biena.

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The core ingredients:A packet of beehoon (i love Jati's)
chicken breast
tiger prawns
eggs
laksa paste (Hj Manan is my fav)
lemon grass
coconut milk (it has got to be Cocolin but M&S is equally as good)
Chicken stock cubes

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**for 2 packets of laksa paste, my ratio is to 6 stalks of lemon grass, 2 parts of chicken breast, 20 tiger prawns and a packet of coconut milk & bee hoon. 6 hours before preparing the gravy, soak bee hoon with plain water.

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Firstly, boil chicken breasts and the smashed-tip-lemon-grass together. Add 2 cubes of chicken stock or a 2 big spoon of bottled chicken stock (optional) .
Boil until tender and until the broth turns cloudy. 5 minutes before you take out the chicken breasts, put in the prawns.
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Once the prawns turn red (about 30 secs), take everything out;
the broth and lemon grass are to remain in the pot, still boiling.
Put them aside.

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Put in the laksa paste into the boiling broth. Stir slowly. Gradually decrease heat.
Maintain heat to simmer, need not boiling.
After 20 mins, pour in the coconut milk. Stir gradually. Salt to taste.
Gravy is ready after another good 20 minutes.

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While waiting for the broth to set, you can prepare the omelette.
It must be really thin. Crispy thin!! 

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Bee hoon, blanch for 30 seconds

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Shred chicken breasts to chunks, peel the top part of prawns, slice omelette into rolls.
Slice lime and add sambal to perfect the combo
(mine is ready made in a jar, got it from Giant!)  

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There, there, legendary as claimed by sis (pffft). 

All the best people!! Hail to Sarawak favourite dish!

**as I'm typing this, my tummy is growling mad!