tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120942092011-07-08T00:43:16.781+01:00persisnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-57669315808750795152009-04-15T16:18:00.005+01:002009-08-11T05:29:29.621+01:00

http://artisanedibles.blogspot.com

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-74491986660096249542009-01-06T23:28:00.008Z2009-04-15T20:21:04.016+01:00

I'm still unpacking my London boxes and building bookshelves. In getting married, The Boy and I have also instituted the union of our substantial libraries. So to Ikea it was, with a good friend and his truck. These are fantastic.Am also in the process of rebuilding my chinese kitchen in Houston, TX. Thanks to a Korean colleague of The Boy's, we discovered H-Mart - a giant Asian grocery store

persisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-26333398795456058552008-12-23T08:11:00.004Z2008-12-23T08:25:33.399Z

Just a hint of where we vacationed.Merry Christmas, everyone!Yes, I'm still here. Got married over Thanksgiving, honeymooned, moved continents/house etc. And now it's Christmas. We're leaving for sub-zero weather tomorrow to be with the family. Back before the new year.Do give me a little time to settle in and I'll be back in the loop before you can say 'spit roast'. Meanwhile, thanks for your

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-17103127834436490242008-11-11T11:56:00.008Z2008-11-12T17:04:00.201Z

I popped into the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) one afternoon. It's housed in a converted old boy's school, very colonial. The art was a little underwhelming. The building, however, I found fascinating - a piece of art in itself.Chihuly?My red toenails against the pretty floor mosaic.Through a window. God is watching over us.This captures my feeling about Singapore:A clinicized, airconditioned

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-1769415307268945212008-11-11T11:45:00.010Z2008-11-12T16:53:58.080Z

2.5 weeks to the wedding! I've been slaving till dawn for the last two nights doing revisions - they're done! Starting to pray earnestly about things (best way to get things done): Singapore, London, The Wedding, The Boy, honeymoon, Houston, The Move, married life. I wish I was more enthusiastic about The Move - maybe it hasn't hit me yet. I just get so... judgmental! It's a strange word for this

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-48611573851642996962008-10-28T15:12:00.012Z2008-10-31T05:53:47.030Z

I've been down in the dumps being so far away from The Boy. So, this week I got a grip and got off my butt and met up with old friends. There was my church group at Rider's Cafe, which I didn't take any pictures off. Many of the riding clubs have nifty cafes where the expats hang out. My spa is even located in a turf club! Food is generally ok - you go more for the colonial atmosphere, as they

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-34169284867925472802008-10-15T23:38:00.010+01:002008-10-16T00:14:40.270+01:00

Apologies for the dire quality of my pics - I'm still majorly jetlagged. Last time home in Sg as a single!Excellent Braised Beef Cheek @ Shang Palace, Shangri-La HotelThe best xiaolongbao in town @ Ming Jiang, Goodwood Park HotelI thought this was fascinating: a wasabi burger @ MacDonalds(Will try and report soon)On the way out from lunch at the new Taiwanese restaurantat Liang Court - another

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-91288319500268596052008-10-15T23:04:00.022+01:002008-10-16T00:14:53.637+01:00

We still had to eat, right?Swirl @ River Oaks Shopping Centre.A new favourite hangout. Great yoghurt, healthy, opens late.Take a tub, fill it with yoghurt/fruit/nuts/candy, weigh, pay (a lot).We really should buy shares.The Blue Nile, Ethiopian restaurant.A cosmopolitan eye to Houston.But really like any Ethiopian food I've had in London,only because I'm not an expert.The universal language of

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-78594260502573341232008-10-15T22:40:00.015+01:002008-10-16T00:15:09.762+01:00

Favourite past-time: Tea!The menu is actually upside down...Tip: A cuppa at Fortnum is much nicer thansitting in Starbucks,and for almost the same price!My favourite garden:Inner circle bench inscriptions:You have to eat an elephant bite by biteBob Wilkinson, 1935-2004The Awakening,In fond memory of Anne Lydia Evans, 1929-1999,who shared the secret of this gardenFor Audrey Etta Matthews, 1925-

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-76971335388028606552008-08-20T20:38:00.004+01:002008-08-20T20:48:26.986+01:00

Kung pao prawns last night! Recipe is up here at last. We've been serving chinese leftovers as part of a "rice bowl" (chinese equivalent of a bento box) - big bowl with fried rice, topped with a leftover dish and a side veg. The Boy got these pretty large chinese bowls from Target (which I call "tar-J" as a joke) too, which have proved very useful for our impromptu "rice bowls". I love them! The

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-3190586566273496762008-08-13T15:37:00.005+01:002008-08-16T23:33:04.412+01:00

My apologies for being AWOL for so long. I've now completed The Big Move and my stuff - all 10 years' worth - is awaiting in storage in the UK for shipment to the USA. As you would have guessed, I've also completed The Thesis - all 5 years' worth. phew. It is now awaiting the go ahead from my advisor when he gets back from his summer vacation. Have now arrived in Houston, TX and am preparing to

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-66763659592555370322008-08-03T12:44:00.009+01:002008-08-03T12:52:52.938+01:00

Asian mothers have a doomsday mentality. From the time of your birth till the day that you die, there is an ever dark cloud hovering over you:'If you don't eat up all your rice, har, your future husband will have pockmarks all over his face.''If you don't study hard, you will have no future.''If you don't lose weight, you will never find a husband.''If you don't it now, you will never do it.

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-87323849562242872542008-08-01T22:43:00.004+01:002008-12-09T21:41:11.493Z

You can't see it, but I'm actually grinning like a brain-dead banshee.

persisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-38673946495133566802008-07-11T22:32:00.003+01:002008-07-11T22:35:48.788+01:00

Sorry, more cooking than writing at the moment. Have to eat to live, but not necessarily blog, you see. But you, blog reader, are very important to me nonetheless. Just that the thesis is more important - for the moment.Recipe for goreng pisang (fried banana fritters), with a little side ramble about Yan Kit So and chinese cook books, written. Check it out here!

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-59351192653693920952008-07-11T22:02:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:41:11.711Z

Will consult mum about this first.

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-65063305862775680962008-07-11T21:56:00.006+01:002008-12-09T21:41:24.392Z

A new dish, practice for Hunan guest.Dried preserved tangerine peelGinger! Secret ingredient. Stir fry secrets.

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-15905227313269308492008-07-11T00:23:00.002+01:002008-07-11T00:35:25.886+01:00

Whoever said that LDRs made the heart grow fonder is both right and wrong.I miss The Boy terribly. Every telephone call takes on a special meaning, because you've looked forward to much to that moment that's the right time to call - his morning on the way to work, my afternoon lunch break; my bedtime, when he leaves work; weekends, when every time is right but you can't talk the whole time, can

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-67288452627317473262008-07-10T20:52:00.016+01:002008-12-09T21:41:24.999Z

The Boy is crazy about pulled pork. When he was living in London, he discovered the American expat haunt Bodeans, which I wrote about here aeons ago. Ah, memories of their "tenner pig out" - pulled pork, ribs, slaw and chips (fries) for ten pounds. The fact that the founder and owner is from Kansas City and used to smoke his meat a few yards down from his parents, and that they show college

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-29761139055653293932008-07-09T20:08:00.006+01:002008-12-09T21:41:25.132Z

I love goreng pisang (fried banana fritters - in Malay language, which is Singapore's national language - it's a historical thing - 'goreng' means fried, 'pisang' means banana). When I was a little girl, Dad would sometimes pick a couple up on his way back from work at our favourite stall in Lagoon hawker centre on the east coast of Singapore.I think people say that pisang raja (a particular type

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-29240081474510732242008-07-09T00:32:00.008+01:002008-12-09T21:41:25.306Z

Kung pao chicken is a dish characterised by its sweet, spicy, ginger combination of flavours. Dried chilis are the main ingredients, and are the spice of life in most of Sichuan cuisine, where chilis are grown in abundance. It turns out that the dish has a history as well. The Boy had trouble finding small dried chilis at Kroger and Whole Foods, and got these large dried red jalapenos instead.

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-14004591449677607332008-07-06T02:04:00.011+01:002008-12-09T21:41:36.449Z

I've been experimenting a lot with a classic Chinese favourite - sweet and sour pork. I say "a lot" really as an understatement, but which me and my (now ex-) flatmate gladly understated. It - both the cooking process and the end result - kept us going over the period when we were extremely stressed about work (me: finishing The Thesis) and The Big Move.Sweet and sour pork is one of my (many)

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-34980266608352478322008-07-05T13:26:00.011+01:002008-07-10T22:33:10.123+01:00

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-41487463300545473712008-06-25T22:01:00.014+01:002008-12-09T21:41:36.907Z

I have what might be considered a curious way of cooking a steak, just the way I like it. Crispy on the outside, red and bloody in the middle. I heat a non-stick pan on high, season a piece of sirloin about 1 inch thick with salt pepper and olive oil, and pan fry it (careful, it sizzles), counting 120 slowly on each side.Simon Hopkinson has a much more erudite piece on achieving the perfect steak

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-71376351205740559692008-06-25T15:54:00.005+01:002008-12-09T21:41:37.068Z

Oh, if I could name one of my weaknesses, this would be it:Have an sudden impulse to serve these at wedding, stacked like a croquembouche, like in the ad.

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-65214910379052653702008-06-25T11:58:00.009+01:002008-12-09T21:41:37.341Z

The Boy has a gift for sniffing out healthy foods. When he was living in England, he used to buy muesli and porridge (oats) from Dorset Cereals, which is widely available in grocery stores. When he was gone, I got curious. So one day, I trotted down my local Waitrose with A Project in mind: to compare the nutritional values of every brand of porridge on the shelf (yes, in England, there's usually

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-56121313673147839632008-06-25T11:54:00.007+01:002008-12-09T21:41:37.580Z

Just wanted to show how versatile the Indonesian chili paste (garam belado) recipe is. Here, it is served with pan-fried monkfish. There are some stir-fried vegetable in the background. My dinner.How long should fish be cooked? I've never learned. Suggestions/tips?

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-42599383678658685612008-06-24T15:25:00.002+01:002008-06-24T15:26:50.690+01:00

Guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-39836780923084411432008-06-21T19:42:00.012+01:002008-12-09T21:41:38.126Z

Oxtail has become more popular in recent years. According to my butcher, this is a cut they used to throw away. According to my pocket, it's also become increasingly expensive.Oxtail makes a wonderful stew, with the meat falling off the bone after a few hours on the stove. It's one of my comfort foods in winter, because it reminds me of home. But it can also be very suitable for summer, cooked

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-80530685543678170082008-06-20T17:26:00.000+01:002008-06-20T17:27:21.592+01:00

Oh. Dear.

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-38254366266878503522008-06-20T14:03:00.007+01:002008-12-09T21:41:38.566Z

I've always wanted to go to the Taste of London Festival, which started yesterday. But I never did. I don't know what it is - maybe the perversely chilly summer weather in London town, or the thought of jostling with crowds that increase every year, or the hassle of having to figure out which ticket to buy for which slot to get into the event/celebrity chef that you want to see, which entails

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-17179077721642659522008-06-19T23:16:00.013+01:002008-12-09T21:41:39.433Z

Garam belado is an Indonesian chili paste made with fresh chilis and tomatoes. It's very popular in South East Asia and you'll find it in any Indonesian restaurant (nasi padang) in Singapore. Like a lot of authentic Asian food, it's also very healthy. When I was in Singapore, I visited an old school friend - one of my best friends actually. She shared with me her secret ingredient for garam

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-6794078505073978012008-06-14T05:57:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:41:39.690Z

Running. Running, that is, is hot and sticky business. Working off all those calories from the previous post!

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-50874582847581559392008-06-07T12:42:00.024+01:002008-12-09T21:41:43.418Z

Just a sample of what I've been up to:LondonChicory wrapped in parma ham and baked in a bechamel sauce(i.e. roux of butter and flour + milk)~ recipe courtesy of The Lovely Flatmate's birthday giftof The Silver SpoonThe Lovely Flatmate's butter prawns~ courtesy of her mum's recipe(we eat very well in this household)SingaporeBanana Leaf Apollo - Indian rice (thali)served on a banana leafFish head

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-54913963254168781642008-06-03T04:47:00.005+01:002008-07-10T22:37:14.451+01:00

* Neil Humphreys (Singapore's most famous ang moh)** Bill BrysonAm still in Singapore. The Boy is now back in Houston. We're both jetlagged but happy. The Family had great time with The Boy, feeding him and such.The Thesis needs to get done, and The Wedding needs to be planned. Am dedicating this week to aforementioned thesis and The Great Dress Search (timed to coincide with The Great Singapore

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-66422730256242631152008-05-15T01:11:00.007+01:002008-07-10T21:29:35.227+01:00

Today's guest blogger - our first!!!!! - is the beautiful and accomplished, Leah, who's just sent her dissertation off. She is also a kick-ass lawyer. Pictures to come.*****Howdy, Persis fans! My name is Leah. I’m originally from Memphis, and I now live in Texas. Persis and I “met” through her blog. Actually, I found her blog through Leslie’s blog. While reading through Persis’ entries, I

persisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-21008621057797461162008-05-10T19:56:00.004+01:002008-12-09T21:41:43.693Z

I just got evicted from the gym. On hindsight, I supposed I cut quite a ridiculous figure, in pink terry cloth trackpants and a black tank top... and no tennis shoes. Was on the way to the grocery store, you see, and decided to pop in to pump out a few tricep curls and chest presses. Very unprofessional. Went home and had a little quiet laugh to myself.Sorry I've been AWOL again. Am jetlagged,

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-13554149382629715522008-05-01T17:01:00.006+01:002008-07-10T22:37:51.304+01:00

1. Chili recipe2. Shanghai Restaurant3. Papas Bros4. Patranella's5. El Rey (for The Boy)6. The Breakfast Klub7. La Dolce Vita

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-42576267239913694842008-04-10T20:51:00.008+01:002008-12-09T21:41:43.985Z

Confession: I have intense cravings for crisps (and pasta, but that's another story). They just take over my mind, especially when I'm reading. Let's face it, no matter how they spin it, crisps will never be good for you. But... they can be BETTER for you. These are two alternatives I found: less than 150 calories and 9g sugar each. Walker's SunBites claim to be made of wholegrain (but wholegrain

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-82204891335774957852008-04-05T15:58:00.004+01:002008-12-09T21:41:44.323Z

Do I really need to say more????But I will.Was craving cake the other day, and what with the array for wonderful patisseries in the village at my doorstep, I decided to bake instead. Typical. The cupcake recipe is from Delicious Days, and the peanut butter frosting recipe is from Bake Space (do you know how difficult it is to find frosting recipes for CRUNCHY peanut butter? I love peanut butter..

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-30867982312835332692008-04-05T15:49:00.006+01:002008-12-09T21:41:45.272Z

My flatmate has lovingly cooked for me several times when I've been working hard. I feel so loved. This is The Lovely Flatmate preparing her star dish : Chicken Pot Roast stuffed with Rice. She is massaging the chicken - bet her fiance's jealous!Another lovely person brought us flowers the other day. It really brightened our living room! What a happy gift.

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-91812598538184973202008-04-05T15:00:00.006+01:002008-12-09T21:41:45.509Z

In addition to the ubiquitous pasta, my next favourite easy dish is mushroom risotto. I always have in my pantry wholewheat pasta, brown and wild rice, risotto, vermouth, and olive oil (not to mention peanut butter, chilli oil, Japanese benito flakes, oatmeal, and an extravagant range of tea and coffee). Being a lazy Saturday afternoon today, and alone at home, and having picked up mushrooms at

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-52113332911322408472008-04-05T14:32:00.007+01:002008-12-09T21:41:45.642Z

Editor's note: Have been AWOL. Burying head in sand at work. Light at end of tunnel is near. Hope not mirage. But a girl's still gotta eat, right?I was flicking through Molly Steven's fantastic book All About Braising and came across something familiar: Chicken Dopiaza. How many times have you seen it on the menu at your local Indian? While Chicken Tikka Masala might be Britain's undisputed

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-37703690895298215552008-03-19T13:08:00.002Z2008-03-19T13:19:29.375Z

These interviews from Fortune Magazine look at the working styles of 12 leaders and gives an insight into their approach to leadership. Marissa Mayer - VP, Search Products and User Experience, GoogleI don't feel overwhelmed with information. I really like it. I use Gmail for my personal e-mail -- 15 to 20 e-mails a day -- but on my work e-mail I get as many as 700 to 800 a day, so I need

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-83855482806609456482008-03-14T01:16:00.004Z2008-12-09T21:41:45.913Z

I bought a similar dress today. I looked alright in it just now, but have had several crisps (American read: chips) and a bowl of curry since then, so... How does one reconcile a love for fashion AND food??

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-3981148966385966432008-03-08T01:57:00.007Z2008-12-09T21:41:46.056Z

As promised, I made Elise's chicken parmesan recipe. It didn't look the same in the pictures, but it tasted really good - hot, buttery, garlicky kinda good. Like the chicken parmesans I had in Houston, I also topped it with Elise's basic tomato sauce, and blitzed it at the end in the blender to create a smooth consistency. Served with brown/wild rice and rocket salad w/ truffle oil

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-23874012557143782222008-03-05T17:04:00.006Z2008-07-10T21:32:47.943+01:00

Have been pretty jetlagged, which means falling asleep at 5am and waking up at noon. But it also means tranquil nights and wakeful days. Am exploring The Village a little more too. On Monday night, I had just got back in town and was so tired that I dropped into bed almost immediately. This meant the pleasant feeling of waking up hungry and, since I didn't have anything in the fridge, had an

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-81665815816196465042008-03-02T04:28:00.005Z2008-07-10T22:39:05.104+01:00

01:15:55.30The finish was a bit lame - I feel a little bummed about that. Next time, I'll know where the cameras are!Also, I could not have done this without The Boy. Thank you!

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-28788465909385956392008-02-18T17:25:00.039Z2008-12-09T21:41:48.564Z

I've been looking through my list of Houston eat-outs this trip and my photos, wondering where to even begin. As I get more under the skin of the city and vice versa, new epicurean ventures open up. Friends, especially friends, now familiar haunts and favourite hangouts, the weather, and of course, being with The Boy - have all helped me warm one more degree to the city. Nowadays, whenever I have

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-92051909137850863712008-02-14T20:54:00.011Z2008-12-09T21:42:07.057Z

My simplest CNY so far, but also the cosiest. This year, a few of my closest girlfriends congregated at my sweet little apartment for a simple reunion dinner. Because of my work commitments, Eszet volunteered to cook - isn't she a dear? But suspecting that dinner might be a little late, I swung by the grocery store to pick up a few extras. "A few extras" turned out to be a rack of pork belly (

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-79598270570073794352008-02-14T20:50:00.009Z2009-02-09T15:17:08.490Z

I paid $9 for this salad at The Providores the other day. Scrumptious as it was, it was still $9 for a salad. So I tried to recreate it at home:THE PROVIDORES SALMON SALADHot smoked salmonGreen beansCos lettuce (substituted w/ Romaine hearts)AvocadoMangoPecans (substituted w/ pine nuts)"Ikura" / salmon roe (substituted with coarse sea salt)Rosemary ginger dressing (substituted w/ olive oil+

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-13942644582729104672008-01-25T14:50:00.004Z2009-02-09T15:17:32.410Z

I recently moved house, to a fabulous little apartment with a conservatory skylight over the kitchen and living room. It's clean, bright, next to the park, my church just down the road, and people are nice (including my wonderfully godly housemate who's also getting married this year!). Work's been pretty hectic, hence blogging has taken a backseat. But on the other hand, it's going spiffy - work

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-60630957435938996042008-01-22T15:46:00.003Z2008-12-09T21:42:17.177Z

So, Christmas seems like so long ago now. It's almost the end of January and I have been back in London for 2 weeks now, started a new term, moved house, settled back into church life, and adjusting to a long distance relationship with The Boy. This year seems more intentional, in the sense that I'm thinking more (and praying) about what I do, and it's a good feeling. I hope it lasts. Hit the gym

persisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-54130584507015047912008-01-18T11:18:00.001Z2008-01-18T11:21:49.398Z

Very sorry for the lack of blog updates since Christmas (which was great!). Yes, I'm still alive! I've just flown back to London, moved house and was/am in the midst of packing/upacking, and don't have internet access yet. But I do have lots of pics from our Houston/Kansas City trip, as well as some cool eateries I found in Houston and pics of food and my lovely new flat and such. So watch this

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-26184129229960126992007-12-19T14:50:00.001Z2008-12-09T21:42:18.010Z

Coq-au-vin and English breakfast really have nothing to do with Houston TX, except that I'm blogging from the eat-out capital of the United States, and there's lots to tell. Firstly, there was SZ's birthday party, for which I made coq-au-vin, a traditional French casserole that is also a very popular party dish in England (with an entire 750ml bottle of red Burgundy in it, why not?). This recipe

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-60725786668554141202007-12-02T22:48:00.001Z2008-12-09T21:42:18.418Z

OK. I had been dreaming about duck ragu for three days, after I came across it in Molly Steven's excellent book, which is All About Braising. There's something magical on a cold winter's day to think of a meaty stew very slowly transforming at a low temperature in the oven, the continuous convection of air and space drawing out every nuance of flavour from the meat and its aromatics. All the

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-21040614130066909722007-12-02T22:33:00.001Z2008-12-09T21:42:18.636Z

No matter how hard I try, I can never get my perkedels to taste (or look) remotely like the ones made by The Makan Shop (Race Course Road, Singapore) - my favourite. "Makan" means "eat" in the Malay language. But these are pretty good still. One of my comfort foods.RECIPE: PERKEDEL6 potatoes, peeled and cubed8 shallots, chopped finely300g cod, skin removed1 tbsp curry powder2 eggsflour1. Boil

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-7339194468725987252007-12-02T01:02:00.000Z2008-12-09T21:42:18.773Z

BNC was performing at the Barbican tonight, and I told myself I couldn't let this chance to watch her live go by! I've been a fan of her music for the longest - I'm listening to her Sand and Water album even as I type this post. It's my fav, the album she wrote after her husband succumbed to cancer. She's (and others like her) filed under 'Girls with guitars' in my iTunes, but most sensible

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-25148502109807440992007-12-01T16:24:00.003Z2008-12-09T21:42:19.135Z

* Warning: Children might be disturbed by some images in this post. Parental guidance required. *This is the famous Melton Mowbray pork pie. Melton Mowbray is a protected pork pie region in Leicestershire - only pork pies from that region can carry the "Melton Mowbray" name, like champange... ok, the analogy stops here. Hm, but "cheddar" isn't necessarily produced in Cheddar Gorge... I

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-23078729557738491672007-11-29T02:18:00.000Z2008-12-09T21:42:19.399Z

Richard Goode is The Boy's favourite interpreter of Beethoven's piano concertos. Tonight, I heard him live for the first time, at the Royal Festival Hall, playing Beethoven's 3rd piano concerto accompanied by the London Philharmonic. It was a simply moving - I felt tearful at a few points. I think it's wonderful when something so intangible and transient can stir the heart so. It reminds me of

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-12709698262365988562007-11-28T14:34:00.000Z2007-11-28T14:38:25.143Z

As you can see, the blog is now brighter and cheerier. I've had problems with font and all, but am going to try to keep it simple from now onwards. Try, at least. No more distracting self from work by tinkering with html. I'm not sure about how night-time photos fit into this new template, but... yes, I said no more tinkering. *grin*

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-28591819645255695022007-11-26T18:13:00.001Z2008-12-09T21:42:19.763Z

I was testing out the overlay function in Photoshop- see! I do try a little for my blog.Continuing my series on Thanksgiving leftovers, presenting:THANKSGIVING LEFTOVER TURKEY PIENote: Turkey or chicken pie is actually very easy. The secret to good chicken pie lies, I believe, in good chopping. All ingredients should be chopped uniformly into small cubes approx. 1cm by 1cm.FillingA - Aromatics2

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-68199157847823679882007-11-26T16:38:00.001Z2008-12-09T21:42:21.421Z

We had thanksgiving dinner at Challie's on Saturday. There was A LOT of food. Notice those yellow plastic cups in the picture? Or the pumpkin print napkins? They sure travelled a loooong way to be in London that night. You can't disposable cups THAT size at your local Sainsbury, that's for sure. Come to think of it, almost everything had been lovingly "shipped" (via various people's suitcases)

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-24397909002654959412007-11-26T16:35:00.002Z2008-12-09T21:42:21.745Z

These are chips, fried in goose fat, seasoned with nothing but rosemary. The oil must be very very hot, to get it crispy on the outside but fluffy on the inside.In the background is the some cow, to make up the eponymous steak frites.

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-70584508730847960932007-11-22T15:51:00.001Z2008-07-10T22:41:38.724+01:00

This afternoon, I popped out to grab some grub. I wandered intoand intoto pick up a smalland also intofor a very small treat in the form of a- both representing the best of London, IMHO.But the best part of my afternoon lunch break was sitting in the piazza, bundled in my warm winter coat, with my pasty and cookie, and a grande skinny caramel macchiato from Starbucks, watching, who can also be

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-79612235244825788842007-11-21T23:36:00.001Z2008-12-09T21:42:22.742Z

(my excuse for picture quality: taken with mobile)Rules is London's oldest restaurant. You know that cos it's got a picture of Churchill (Winston) hanging over the door, by the rolling flames of the grand fireplace. It serves primarily game too. Interestingly, the warning on the menu says: Food might contain lead shot. I had been warned. I gamely (sorry) went for the hare with creamed brussel

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-52059139576603297642007-11-17T00:09:00.002Z2008-12-09T21:42:23.213Z

(Am secretly ashamed of state of photographyand will try harder with poor ignored SLR and Photoshop.But hey, after you've had a whole day's work in the office,then grocery shopping, then cooked dinner for two.I know I know, all women are superwomen (to misquote Mr Bingley),but still...)My pots had arrived, one two three, mini maxi me. And I was dying to use them. But a sauteuse (maxi) like this

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-28781910568725650902007-11-15T23:44:00.001Z2008-07-10T23:06:43.612+01:00

I'm starting a new series of posts to chart the run up to our wedding next year. It's only been 3 weeks, but there's been a lot to think about already. I am now of the firm belief that any bride who's gone through the wedding planning process can be a wedding consultant, and it's early days for me yet! But I thought I'd also share some of my personal thoughts too, particularly not just on wedding

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-386955373611820562007-11-15T00:16:00.000Z2007-11-15T00:21:18.326Z

The Daily Mail always carries sensational stories like this aimed at provoking a response, which they rightly do in the sense that there is no smoke without fire. But one must nonetheless question why these terrible incidents largely never see the inside of a courthouse?I'm still wary about NHS hospitals though.

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-76591690920790777042007-11-14T01:17:00.001Z2008-12-09T21:42:24.686Z

Oh, and I forgot to say, The Boy asked me to marry him, and I said yes! We got engaged three weeks ago. =)Engagement cupcakes from a friendCute dimsum at Shanghai BluesThe Boy with some deft chopstick kungfu movesWith Mr G. Sauer

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-4881529845022608652007-11-14T01:10:00.000Z2008-12-09T21:42:24.832Z

I succumbed to the urge to shop again. Showing off... my new pots! I also bought a milk pan (for those evening mugs of Horlicks that have become part of my daily life), and Harts of Stur (amazing bargains!) threw in a free saute pan to top everything off! Go check out their deals. Their Le Creuset range is still cheaper than anywhere I've looked.How am I going to lug everything to Houston next

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-85520751432642821282007-10-21T12:12:00.002+01:002008-07-10T21:35:48.277+01:00

I have to confess: I'm not a big fan of pancakes in the morning, even Sunday mornings. But that does not mean I don't like dough in the morning. Crumpets, I love. Them cripsy crunchy "pancakes", slightly salted, with their pie-eyed holes and lopped with butter oozing out of their pores. I found this interesting article about muffins, crumpets and pikelets and their different names across Britain

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-59074287352629570062007-10-20T00:21:00.002+01:002008-12-09T21:42:25.212Z

I have a Cantonese mother so, as my dad puts it, I will be drinking soup until the day I die. Which is not as bad as it sounds, cos I happen to like soup. The Chinese do not distinguish between food and medicine. For them, food is part of the healing and rejuvenating process. Many of the so-called "health foods" that I ate as a child have only recently become popularised in Western culture, like

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-34515401020281788132007-10-20T00:18:00.000+01:002008-12-09T21:42:25.506Z

Something smells fishy!Pan-fried cod, with dill and capers,accompanied by a small rocket & tomato saladTesco's fish cakes (cod and haddock),accompanied by a small rocket salad

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-35184563866494772742007-10-15T23:02:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:42:25.771Z

This is my variation of Tamasin Day-Lewis' British Classics. Did you know salmon bagels are Jewish? Also that you should look for visible white fatty lines in smoked wild salmon but not smoked farmed salmon. Just a few tips from Tamasin.RECIPE: SALMON BAGELJust stack them in the following order:Bagel, toasted.Cream cheese, with chopped dill or chives and a squeeze of lemon juiceCapersSmoked

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-72669349749611804792007-10-15T22:59:00.002+01:002008-12-09T21:42:26.196Z

My second homeFrom the heightsLondon horizon

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-26808130815590855052007-10-15T22:56:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:42:27.998Z

Roses are so fragrant too, like our prayers to God.My roses, the next morningClassic roseUnusual rose

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-80372763048138158902007-10-14T00:37:00.001+01:002007-10-14T01:09:12.707+01:00

From The Boy, from across the pond. Huge bouquet. Huge. The roses are lavish, luscious, and luxuriant - just like God's blessings on us.

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-29052691742425866112007-10-14T00:17:00.000+01:002008-12-09T21:42:28.588Z

For Matt & Becky's engagement party.

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-38107829204517642992007-10-12T17:22:00.002+01:002007-10-12T17:27:35.762+01:00

The fact that it was a JOINT win between Gore and the IPCC is only evidence that it was the ISSUE that won, not the man.

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-44320155063515985492007-10-12T15:54:00.000+01:002007-10-13T02:31:19.387+01:00

The recent case of hospital bugs has escalated to an investigation into potential criminal prosecution of one NHS trust. And whatever Alan Johnson says, targets - another big government idea by the Labour party - are the problem. It's very simply really. Results-based policies never work if they are not accompanied by a set of incentives and values. Put in another way, if you make hospital staff

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-48375187436902160682007-10-10T02:03:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:42:28.758Z

I've been suffering from insomnia for the past coupla weeks. Mum suggested some sleeping aids. Now, it's been a long time since I've had Milo, or Ovaltine, or Horlicks. I remember loving Nestum as a kid, but I haven't seen that on British supermarket shelves. It's kinda like porridge, and I suspect it's different from Nesquick, which is available in the UK. Anyways, due to my memory lapse, I

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-13869213119763661382007-10-10T01:40:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:42:36.617Z

With leftover pasta and chivesI've been watching a lot of late night tv on The Boy's huge projector screen, which includes Gordon Ramsay, Kylie Kwong (beautiful fingers) and Tamasin Day-Lewis (I love her aga!) - magnified. I love watching other people cook. But I always wonder if I could be bothered to do all that at home, when I get back to work. I guess that's why people like Rachel Ray are

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-77102108385930967112007-10-07T15:12:00.000+01:002008-12-09T21:42:47.073Z

Bah Ku Teh (pork ribs in peppery broth)(with leftover pasta - proof that pasta is Chinese?)Quickie lunch omelette(with leftover chives and mushrooms from Steak Diane)

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-20520156875280091752007-10-03T22:01:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:42:47.236Z

The Boy was on the phone from the US today, and complaining that I've been cooking a lot lately when he's not around, and he's jealous. I took that as a compliment. =) The truth is, cooking isn't the only thing I've been doing a lot of recently. I've also been writing a lot (rather, trying a lot to write), reading a lot, practising the piano a bit more, surfing the internet too much, watching too

persisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-64892253562883565282007-10-02T22:40:00.003+01:002009-02-09T15:17:59.933Z

OK. I saw Gordon Ramsay eat a Steak Diane, flambed, on tv last night and, well, it was steak, so I immediately started craving one myself. Never having made Steak Diane in my life, I decided to do some research and experiment.So, note I have not listed this as a "recipe", cos it isn't. It's an experiment. There's a difference.Here's what I did after cobbling different recipes together:1. Saute 3

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-5709782097596549932007-10-01T22:38:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:42:47.968Z

I have pasta cravings. And Mac cravings, that is, the burgers, not the laptop that I'm typing on. Tonight, I had a pasta craving. So, I decided that was what I was gonna have tonight.My approach to making pasta sauce is: What do I have in the fridge? Obviously, some basics are needed:1. Onion, one, chopped finely - fry in 2 tbsp of olive oil for a few minutes till soft.2. Garlic, one clove,

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-48880011885476093142007-09-30T13:58:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:42:48.472Z

Ok guys, I guess I'll have to admit it: I love beef. No beef about that! (sorry, I couldn't help it) As we speak, my hamburgers are sizzling on the stove and I've got myself a slab of juicy sirloin steak waiting in the fridge for dinner tonight, when I get back from church.So, I was trawling the internet to see what other people were saying about hamburgers, and you won't believe the number of "

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-52433893655119192632007-09-29T15:58:00.002+01:002008-12-09T21:42:48.889Z

I realise that, despite several posts on the topic of chicken curry, I have never actually posted a recipe. Since I made a pot the other night, I thought this was a good excuse to do so here.I have to confess that my mum's recipe is a lot tastier, but requires somewhat more work too. Hence I've posted my own recipe here, and qualified it as "Easy". Also, if you are looking for a recipe to make

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-13851401974453693082007-09-26T20:48:00.002+01:002008-12-09T21:42:49.275Z

My dinner- a bit overcooked tonight as I was on the phone!I love a good steak. While The Boy's comfort food is pizza, a home-cooked steak and some bits of rocket do it for me every single time. Eating out, when I was down, I used to mosey to The Well in Clerkenwell for one of their steak frites and a glass of house red. But steaks are as easy to make at home as they are to order.My all-time

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-5466865470664899382007-09-21T22:29:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:42:49.960Z

Cookie buttons'I love you' starsC's cookie jigsaw birthday cardMission report: I'm going to get a dang piping set tomorrow.

persisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-52518046283241480712007-09-18T11:25:00.000+01:002007-09-18T14:34:07.879+01:00

I cried when I read this in the London Lite yesterday: 7 month old baby shot while strapped in car seat in an apparent botched home robbery.How can anyone point a gun to a 7 month old baby's head, let alone execute a young life so pointlessly? I think there is a moral difference between killing an adult and a child - the difference lies in degrees of helplessness.Anyways, it's not always that a

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-71301235131558817962007-09-12T16:20:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:42:50.798Z

Note leaning tower with flag in distance!The first things that hit you about Pisa are (a) the smell (open sewers, which Matt warned me about), and (b) the flies. Regarding the latter, I actually had 3 good friends who accompanied me in turns on my free Sunday afternoon jaunts. But enough about that.The conference dinner the night before had involved many drinks and a long evening, so my Sunday

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-85907890306841124472007-09-10T01:36:00.001+01:002007-09-10T01:38:38.788+01:00

A very old video that the Rev Meynell dug up and posted on his blog:

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-33943454227511101902007-09-04T00:21:00.002+01:002008-07-11T17:16:27.634+01:00

Picture coming up!It's past midnight and I just got home from work. It's been an eventful and long day, and the week's only begun! So I was very glad to come home to some home-cooked goodness.Pei dan chok is commonly found on dim sum menus in London. In Singapore, it is also something mummies make for children when they are sick, or for weekend breakfasts. It's healthy, yummy, and never tastes

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-66380767287874519162007-09-01T18:02:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:42:51.105Z

Thursday. Was really bad. Woke up feeling very irritable. It didn't get better as the day progressed. Talked to mum (stalwart supporter). Felt better, than nosedived again. I wanted to cry, but the tears didn't come. I didn't know what to do. Insomnia set in again.Friday. Was better after falling asleep - finally - talking to God, and picked up the conversation in the morning. Talked also to mum

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-70400133368782887342007-08-29T16:23:00.000+01:002008-12-09T21:42:51.234Z

Albrecht Durer, The Praying HandsI have a prayer calender on my office desk. I turn it everyday, but glance at it but so often. Today though, O. Hallesby caught my eye and spoke my heart:"The real purpose of our wrestling in prayer is to render us so impotent and helpless, not only in connection with our physical and spiritual needs, but, above all, our inability to pray, that our prayer really

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-17892886900519008322007-08-28T15:59:00.002+01:002008-12-09T21:42:51.336Z

I wanted a quick cheap lunch on the way to the drycleaners (The Boy had TWENTY-FOUR shirts to be washed and pressed!), and decided to try the new Mexican joint we walked past on Sunday.Wahaca claims to serve Mexican street food, restaurant style. You have a choice of antojitos (Mexican tapas/dimsum) or a bigger mains. I like the flexibility of the former, cos it means I can eat a variety of small

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-16595098610550164492007-08-23T14:46:00.000+01:002007-08-23T14:48:52.893+01:00

Which Sex and the City Character Are You? You are Charlotte. Fairytales were made for you. You've had your share of heartbreak, but that doesn't stop you from opening your heart to others and searching for your happily-ever-after. To some, you may appear naive and your romantic ideals far-fetched, but you know that someday, your Prince will come.Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-5116230831479700932007-08-17T10:55:00.001+01:002008-12-09T21:42:51.546Z

Pulled pork sandwich (with sweet potato in focaccia)and broccoli soup(Not to be confused with Food for Thought, the delightful vegetarian dungeon in Covent Garden, London)It probably hasn't crossed your mind (or maybe I'm just slow) that good food and social enterprise can go together. Either that, or it resurrects memories of selling slush and cream puffs befuddledly bunged together at home at

persisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094209.post-10899404084672001362007-08-17T10:45:00.000+01:002007-08-17T10:47:28.413+01:00

From The Boy. Flowers make me feel all cuddly inside.

persisnoreply@blogger.com0