Monday, December 30, 2013

A very Fishy and Sea-ful Christmas

Christmas Day this year was totally unplugged; more of a go-with-the-flow kind of thing where we did not really plan the venue for lunch/dinner or the itinerary for the day.
Well, wrong move, as everyone was packed to the brim when we headed out for our traditional family meal.
(We used to whip up a big meal at home, but recently we just decided it would not be bad to enjoy a day's out with the family once in a while?)

Our original plan was the good old western and jolly Christmas celebration with ribs, but due to the overwhelming crowd at the restaurant, we went for another option and we had fish and seafood instead.
Yeah, it turned out to be a good treat as well, as I was enjoying a nostalgic treat for the festive season at one of my famous restaurant; Fish and Co.

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They were offering Christmas set meals; for 2-3 pax and priced reasonably at MYR59.90 for a platter for two, soup of the day, and a drink. The platter includes chicken, fish shrimps and mussels, served with rice and was a good deal which can feed more than two, to be frank.

Passion Fruit and Tropical Fruit fiizzies for the set drinks (to select from)

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Mine was my Pink Passion, which was a lovely drink filled with fruity goodness.
I only remembered that there was cranberry, orange but it tasted great, all the same!


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Seafood chowder was the Soup of the Day

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We ordered the Garden Salad (a healthy option!)
(Loved the topping to fried anchovies)
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And the Grilled Calamari for our starters

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The Platter for Two

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And a Seafood Platter

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All in accordance with the fishy theme, and the best part was not the food but the look of enjoyment and happiness on my parents' faces as they were indulging in their meals.
That, to me, is all the food and celebration promises and the joy and smiles just say it best~


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How has your Christmas been?
Found the meaning of Christmas, besides the extravagant celebrations, and all the temptations of food?

Now...we are heading towards the last day of 2013....time to reflect and make the final touches to the resolutions for the New Year!
Or do you still make the resolutions? ;-)


Christmas Cakes

Christmas celebrations begin every year after the midnight vigil mass and rounds of cheers, hugs, kisses and warm wishes are passed from one to another.
The presents and chattering takes place after, followed by a feast!
Oh yes, even at the chimes of the clock at midnight and where strict dieters may frown upon, we enjoyed our indulgence and most importantly the family time.
In recent years, our Christmas celebrations have been graced by the beautiful and exquisitely made cakes and pastries by our lovely and aspiring family baker, and in case you are wondering, it was not me :-)

Her cakes were crafted with details and love, as she works her way to bake these cakes for the family.

This year's we were treated with a sinful and decadent chocolate fudge walnut cake, adorned with wild berries and red currants atop the melting goodness of choc.

Berry Choc-a-licious (my little name for the cake)

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An exotic combination and a picture of sinful temptation, it was a cake which melted everyone's heart besides melting in the mouth, that is.

The star was definitely the cake, but the next little goodies did share that fair bit of the limelight as they managed to squeak out a few squeals of delight when they appeared (oh, mainly from me :-)

Sweet Berry Chiffon Cakes

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These are mini chiffon cakes; a close spin-off cousin of the Hokkaido cakes but I am liking this more.
Topped with strawberries (my all-time favorite!), almonds and playfully decorated with the rich chocolate (again) - this is yet another delightful and light treat.


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With beautiful and enchanting little treats of goodness like these, who minds that extra few pounds or just letting the hair down for just one night, right?
And what is Christmas without the sweet treats, family time, laughter, and catching up?

All the more reason to love Christmas besides the birth of Christ....
Happy Birthday Jesus!

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P.S: Thank you dearest Elyn for your wonderful efforts :-)



A touch of Rose

Sweet ginger soup base for the traditional glutinous rice balls (tang yuan) may not be unheard of, and the new variations of soy milk, or tea based soup are also starting to establish their base of popularity.
How about Rose Milk?
This new yet simple concoction just turned out to be so pretty that it definitely have my attention~

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For some reason, there is just something so calming about this bowl of soup, and I am impressed with the idea of substituting the good ol' ginger soup with milk; and none other than a unique touch of rose petals and fragrance to the milk.
It sure revolutionized the traditional dessert into a fusion; with the notion of an Oriental dessert but with that exotic touch of a blooming flower; the beautiful rose - symbol of romance.


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 The rice balls were also served with a filling of red bean paste, which was quite a tasty combination.

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Oh, the aroma from the rose petals was just alluring and the pretty picture, just speaks a thousand words.


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This brings a new way of enjoying the traditional Tang Yuan...and we are loving it~
Glutinous Rice Balls served with Rose Milk Tea.....

The Story of Tang Yuan

Tang Yuan is the term given to the round glutinous rice balls rolled into their shapes with the dough and cooked in sweet ginger soup. Usually consumed during major Chinese festivals due to its symbolic meaning of reunion (round shape), this is specially significant in the Winter Solstice celebration.
Family members typically gather around the table after dinner to roll the dough and mould the dough into its round shape, placing them on a large tray before cooking or boiling them in a sweet ginger soup.
Pandan leaves could be added to lend that fragrant aroma to the soup when served (or even while it was cooking)

The rice balls could come in various colors; depending on the makers, and while artificial colors were used in the past; nowadays, the colors were derived from natural options such as fruits and vegetable colors (beetroot, dragonfruit, oranges, pandan juice, etc).

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Traditional tang yuan are without filling but creativity got ahead as times change and people decided they wanted to add a little more flavor to this rice balls; by filling them up with paste or even peanuts.
Common filling are lotus paste, red bean/mung bean paste, peanuts, black sesame paste, etc.

Even the soup could be innovated with the different types such as soy milk, fruit-themed, tea.

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What is your take/preference for the tang yuan?
Good old traditional and plain tastes - sweet ginger soup and rice balls with no filling
Or the variety of soups and fillings?

Perhaps there are times when the conventional version is just best, while there are times when we do let ourselves enjoy the creativity out there, as long as the good old dessert stays in style.
Whichever version it is, the most important thing is not in the dessert but rather the meaning of the dessert and the company with whom you are having it and THAT, my friends, make all the difference ~


Winter Solstice Home DIY Style - Tomyam vs Clear Steamboat

Winter Solstice was a week ago, and three days before Christmas.
Typically a family reunion occasion celebrated by the Chinese communities in welcoming the beginning of winter season, from its origins in China. It is said that this is a far more celebrated and observed festival compared to the Chinese New Year among the Chinese folks. Nevertheless, it is always welcoming to have your loved ones around you regardless of the festival and also the thought of food to mark the occasion.

As usual, Winter Solstice was a homely affair every year, and I celebrate with my in-laws with our own homemade meals which are usually as simple as a steamboat.
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I have always loved the idea of steamboats, and with the idea of the cold weather (not winter in Malaysia, but storms and monsoon season with heavy rain is close enough), a hot pot filled with lots of goodies in steaming soup just nails the spot as the main course of the festival.
This year, hubby took charge of the kitchen as he just returned from his business trip and we decided to make two versions of the soup; the spicy ala tomyam style and also the simple herbal soup.

All the ingredients were the usual fish, fishballs, meat(chicken/pork), vegetables, mushrooms, corn, etc.
Just a quick glimpse at some of the ingredients:
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We need to learn how to pick fish which are better, this was just average...but oh well, we are always learning :-)

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I love this silky smooth white tofu so much, and it went so well with both versions of the soup; spicy and plain herbal soup.
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Version 1: Tomyam style 

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Version 2: Herbal Soup Style 

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The traditional touch to the Winter Solstice family dinner made more festive with these blue painted porcelain bowls. There is just that unique Oriental touch to these bowls and the motifs, don't you think?

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I have got to stop posting on steamboats, but they are just irresistible and now they are making me thinking of steamboats....with the heavy rain outside at the moment...

How was your Winter Solstice dinner?



Friday, December 20, 2013

Traditional Christmas Food - A Food Guide List

Like all other festive occasions, food always play the most important role in bringing everyone together and Christmas is definitely no exception; with its glorious theme and flamboyant style in the scale of the celebration in welcoming the birth of our Saviour; Jesus Christ the Lord.
While Christmas's origins are deeply rooted in the faith of Christianity, it is a delight to see the world joining in as Christians rejoiced in the joyous occasion. Though the rest of the world (non-Christians) may not be celebrating it for the religious reason, it is still enlightening to see the ripple effect stemming from a meaningful occasion.

Parties, gatherings were all held, and it is amazing to see how overwhelming the celebrations are all over the world (and on the streets of their cities).
It is a fun time for people to gather their friends for a night of fun, followed by feasts and laughter.
Christians however, set up this merry environment in their homes and churches (the house of God), and it is a time for families to gather and enjoy their time together, to rejoice in the birth of the baby Jesus.
Church masses/services are celebrated, the choirs will sing with joy to the carols, and Christians will all pray for their loved ones (including the deceased), dressed in their best attires and wearing smiles as wishes of "Merry Christmas" and "Blessed Christmas" are uttered to their families and friends.

Then it is time for the celebrations to begin; and there are variations in the types of food which Christians worldwide serve and enjoy during this jubilant festivity.
It would be a long list to go through, but I have compiled a comprehensive list of the most common, popular or better known to our local culture.
(Actually, these are the main dishes/food found in most of the Christmas celebrations worldwide).

1. Roast Chicken/Turkey/Goose

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History: 
There is not much history really, but turkey was one of the biggest misconception for Christmas as it was considered the main dish for Thanksgiving. As there are many parts around the world which did not celebrate Thanksgiving the same way as the States, the roast turkey quickly became one of the celebratory food they adopted from the festival.
It would also be interesting to note that the festivities of Christmas started from the British where goose was the main highlight of a Christmas meal. Pork ribs were much favoured and considered a festive food in the Northern part of America. It was only in 16th century when America was discovered and they found a rather generous population of turkeys (referred to as wild and large-breasted birds) on the land, which they later shipped back to Britain. King Henry VIII was the first to enjoy the turkey for Christmas, and then it was phenomenal as the British started consuming turkey, and as it was in abundance, they could enjoy turkey meat throughout the year.
Culture/Tradition:
Goose was more commonly associated with the celebrations of Christmas, and turkeys were more sought after in other parts of the world such as Asia. Roast chicken was also served in Asia, and particularly popular in Japan.

2. Fruit Cake/Stollen
I decided to categorize these two cakes together as I find them similar although they hail from slightly different origins; with the fruit cake originating from Rome while the stollen, from Germany, but the main connection was to Rome; in some way...

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Traditional fruit cake made with rum

History:
The fruit cake has an early start with a recipe from ancient Rome which listed sweet ingredients such as raisins, pomegranate seeds, pine nuts where it evolved to include more sweet and preserved fruits. This cake quickly spread its flavors throughout the continent of Europe, with varying versions appearing in the different countries - modified according to suit the respective culture. As it happens, the story of the Stollen too coincide with this fruit cake with the forbidden use of Butter and the "Butter Letter" - please scroll to read the story of the Stollen as below. (Stollen is a variant of the fruit cake in Germany)

Culture/Tradition:
The traditional fruit cake would be made with sweet ingredients such as preserved/candied fruits, raisins, butter, nuts and in some countries, they would soak the ingredients in rum to create a deep and rich flavor.
Some would even add an additional layer of icing atop the cake. As the cake is naturally sweet (with its whole lot and long list of sweet ingredients) and discovery of how sugar could preserve fruits in the form of candied fruits in the early 16th century with sugar from the American colonies, the oversupply of candied fruits helped to increase the production of fruit cakes and making it a popular cake for celebration.
Fruit cakes, are favorite cakes for weddings and Christmas due to its sweet nature.

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Another variation is the German version of Stollen

History: 
It is interesting as this was originally a tasteless bread made only of flour, oats and water as a pastry for Christmas. Due to the baking and preparations taking place during the Advent season (the season of abstinence and reflection for Christians before Christmas), the bakers were not allowed to taste their own baking and butter was not allowed at all. It was all in adherence to their fasting period. While many appeals took place; led by Prince Elector Ernst and his brother, Duke Albrecht in Germany, where letters were sent to the Pope but was rejected. The first Pope who denied their request was Pope Nicholas V, in 1450 and it took a long wait of five popes and four decades before Pope Innocent VIII finally granted permission to only Prince Elector's family and household in a letter, famously known as the "Butter Letter" in the year 1490.
The rest of the country were allowed to used butter but with the condition of having to pay a fine and it was finally removed when Saxony became a Protestant.
This pastry evolved to become a sweet pastry filled with sweet ingredients (perhaps due to the lack of taste in its earlier days?)
Source: Stollen on Wiki
Culture/Tradition:
It is commonly served in German households during Christmas time; not surprising since it originated from its long battle then. It is also known as Weihnachtsstollen or Christstollen (source from Wikipadia)

3. Gingerbread
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Gingerbread man

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A stall selling Lebkuchen in Nurnberg, Germany (taken during my trip to Germany)

History: 
It started from the preservation of ginger and the term originated from a Latin term 'zingiber' and an old French connotation of gingebras. This sweet bread which comes in both soft and hard version, went all the way back to as early as the year 992! (somehow it seemed very long ago to have a year with only three digits), where an Armenian monk brought it to Europe and taught the recipe of making the gingerbread to the French priests and the Christian followers in Bondaroy in France where he stayed for 7 years. Its origins rooted deep to the preservation of ginger soon brought about its benefits and it was not long before it was used for medicinal purposes by the Swedish nuns when the gingerbread was introduced by the Germans during their immigration in the early 13th century. As the popularity of gingerbread grew, one of its earliest records of making it to the market was in the 17th century when it was widely sold in monasteries and markets.
Culture/Tradition:
There are different versions of the gingerbread; some in the form of cookies or some in a softer form.
In Germany, they are popularly known as Lebkuchen or Pfefferkuchen (pepper bread) and can be found in their Christmas markets. Most of the shapes of the gingerbread are found to be that of the gingerbread man (perhaps popularized by the children's story of the Gingerbread Man?)
They were presented by Queen Elizabeth I to her foreign dignitaries guests where they first made their appearances. The gingerbread is more commonly found in the western countries, although in recent years, we are starting to see it making its way to our local supermarket shelves.

4. Mince Pie/Minced Pie

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Photo from Wikipedia

History: 
This was introduced in the early 13th century and was first adopted by the British using the recipes brought back from the European troops from the Middle East. Most of these recipes focused on the ingredients of fruits, meat and spices and the minced pie became a type of sweet mix of fruit and meat in a pie.
Served during Christmas, it was also fondly known as a Christmas pie alongside its other names (mutton/shrid pie). Its association with Christmas and the Catholic church displeased the Puritan authorities during the English Civil War. However, this did not stop the mince pie's popularity through the Victorian era and until this very day where it is still regarded as a savoury treat though its shape has taken on the ages of evolution from its beginning.
Culture/Tradition:
Commonly found as a Christmas dish, and maybe occasionally throughout the year in the United Kingdom. It can also be found in our local bakeries but it is more of a seasonal item and not as popular during Christmas.

5. Christmas cake (Yule Log)

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There is not really a history to it; just a simple tradition of having something sweet and celebratory.
The original culture was to have the fruit cake which is the Christmas cake; but there is no stopping to an additional cake for dessert and for the festivities.
To commemorate the festive mood, the Christmas cake is often referred to one that is shaped like a yule log. No hard fixed rule; any cake will do - it is a preference thing :-)

6. Christmas Pudding/Plum Pudding

History: 
A type of sweet pudding starting from Medieval England, with dried fruits as its main ingredients and egg and suet to hold the cake as a whole. There is no actual plum in this; although it is also commonly known as Plum pudding as the Victorians often refer to raisins as plums. There was a custom then that relates to Christianity as this pudding was meant to be made on the 25th Sunday after Trinity. Ingredients included in the making should be a count of 13 to signify Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles.
The process of making the pudding should also be a family affair, as each family member takes turn in stirring the mix in a direction from east to west as a symbolic commemoration of the journey of Magi in the particular direction. (Refer to the culture/tradition below)
The recipe for this pudding slowly evolved as it took on many forms before finally making it in the Victorian era and was said to originally created as a method to conserve meat in the 1420s. Excessive livestock were slaughtered to compensate for the lack of fodder during the fall season back then and these made it to the pots of boiling cauldron bringing the large amount of meat, vegetables and fruits cooking slowly before served.
Another version states that King George I, in 1714, requested for a Plum pudding to be served for his first royal Christmas feast at that time.
Recipes have since gone through various enhancements and the sweet contents have slowly replaced the meat in the pie; though maintaining the name of mince pie.
Culture/Tradition:
These puddings were usually or supposedly made a month before Christmas.
(Text below taken from Wikipedia)
Traditionally puddings were made on or immediately after the Sunday "next before Advent", i.e. four to five weeks before Christmas. The collect for that Sunday in the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England, as it was used from the 16th century (and still is in traditional churches), reads:
"Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"
The day became known as "Stir-up Sunday".[8] Traditionally everyone in the household, or at least every child, gave the mixture a stir and made a wish while doing so.
It was common practice to include small silver coins in the pudding mixture, which could be kept by the person whose serving included them.[1] The usual choice was a silverthreepence or a sixpence. The coin was believed to bring wealth in the coming year.
Other tokens are also known to have been included, such as a tiny wishbone (to bring good luck), a silver thimble (for thrift), or an anchor (to symbolise safe harbour).[1]
Once turned out of its basin, decorated with holly, doused in brandy (or occasionally rum), and flamed (or "fired"), the pudding is traditionally brought to the table ceremoniously, and greeted with a round of applause. In 1843, Charles Dickens describes the scene in A Christmas Carol:
"Mrs Cratchit left the room alone -- too nervous to bear witnesses -- to take the pudding up and bring it in... Hallo! A great deal of steam! The pudding was out of the copper which smells like a washing-day. That was the cloth. A smell like an eating-house and a pastrycook's next door to each other, with a laundress's next door to that. That was the pudding. In half a minute Mrs. Cratchit entered -- flushed, but smiling proudly -- with the pudding, like a speckled cannon-ball, so hard and firm, blazing in half of half-a-quarter of ignited brandy, and bedight with Christmas holly stuck into the top."[9]
Interesting Fact:
The pudding can last for a month or a year; and some families would save it for the next feast in Easter.

The list is only a gist of the long list I have but I have selected the most comprehensive and meaningful ones with unique (and quirky) traditions from its beginnings.
Another interesting thing to note is that Christmas was not really celebrated before the 19th century; and there were many stories which could lead to the reasons Christmas has grown in the scale of the celebrations so quickly over the centuries (and it is still growing!)
Source: BBC 

Also, did you notice how each of the food on the list seems to be 'Sweet'?
Ahhhh, like most of the festive food, what is celebration without a little sweet savoury treat?
Just keep the watch on the blood sugar.....(just kidding!)

Are you ready to drool over Christmas feast, I meant, celebration,  which is five days away now?

*Excited*
*Sings along to the Christmas carols~*





Friday, December 13, 2013

A pie for Christmas

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Another goodie from last year's Christmas - an apple pie which was simply delicious!

Baked with love, joy and wishes for a Merry Christmas - thanks to the lovely baker, Elyn :-)
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I am not the baker, but thanks to the passionate baker, we get goodies treats like these :-)

A slice of apple pie, anyone?
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Cute Christmas muffins

Muffins, cupcakes still delight me with their adorable appearances and their petite servings.
Perhaps it was this cuteness factor which placed them on the list of most festive food.

This is not intended to be whole long post, but just a snapshot back in time of muffins and cupcakes made by a budding and passionate baker in the making who delighted all of us in the family with her art and results for Christmas.

What do you think these resemble?
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Almond and carrot muffins, which did not turn out the way the baker had intended to, but still presentable to us :-)
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Thanks to her, we get these cuties to grace our tables during our celebration and midnight gathering...

Our tables were filled with goodies for a midnight partyyyyy
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That's why I say, Christmas is always filled with goodness~