Making Of Meatloaf

MY SISTER ASKED ME WHETHER I HAVE TASTED MEATLOAF BEFORE OR NOT... "Huh, what is that?" was my answer to her.  And thus the Making of Meatloaf started on one fine morning.  She said we cannot be eating Chinese food all the time, we must eat other food as well.  Alright, sounds good to me after all, I have not tried it before.

The way my sister prepared it, the recipe is not difficult at all.  Just follow the instructions behind the packet of ingredients and the preparation is done within 10-15 minutes.  Easy as A,B,C....

It's a McCormick brand and less than a dollar here... 

*Must remember to buy back a few packets*

Two pounds of minced beef....

Part of the ingredients....

Mix everything up....

And into the aluminium foil and oven... 

And after some minutes, transfer it to a plate minus the oil.... 

And the Meatloaf is done..... 

Next is the Mashed Potato....

Butter rich mashed potatoes...

Very smooth Mashed Potatoes....

My Petite Portion.... 

Come, let's enjoy!!

Mexican Bah Chang Called Tamales

I HAVE TASTED MALAYSIAN BAH CHANG DUMPLING, VIETNAMESE BAH CHANG AND NOW... MEXICAN BAH CHANG!!

Yes, Mexican choong or dumpling as my sister nicknamed it cos it is very similar to our Asian dumplings.  In actual name, this Mexican is called Tamales.  First time I heard of it, yours truly is really "backdated" one... never seen, never tasted it before my entire 50 years of life till few days ago!

Here is what a Tamales look like....

Tamales aka Mexican choong wrapped in tradition corn husk....

Yes, look like a "jagung" to me....

Need to steam it first before eating... just like our local dumplings...

When stripped of its skin, it looks like this....

Stone ground corn.... 

Upon dissecting, it is like that... 

Beneath is a chunk of meat....

Making a big mess out of a Tamales....

Yes, I like the taste.... 

A bit spicy inside... 

Definitely easier to digest than our local glutinous rice dumplings... 

If this Tamales is filled with yellow beans, salted egg, mushroom, meat...

Then PERFECT!!

Anyway, someone sure loves this... Anytime!!

Weekend Recipe With Froothie-Chocolate Shake

TIME FOR A HEALTHY DRINK again with Froothie, Optimum 2.1... Many thanks to my friend who is "blender-sitting"  and making full use of this prestigious blender while I am on holiday.  She is very innovative and makes effort in making juices and sauces, she told me that she is very pleased and thankful that I "loaned" this blender to her.  These few weeks, she has been occupying her time googling and preparing fruit juices for herself and her family and they are all pretty satisfied with the drinks, smoothies, sorbets and sauces.  To show her appreciation, she has been sending me photos of what she has done every now and then.  And in return, I am sharing her recipes here, after all, sharing is caring and most of all, these are healthy drinks and meals....

In this week's episode with Froothie Optimum 2.1 Blender, it is Chocolate Shake, a simple drink and yet so divine...
Ingredients :
1 medium ripe banana (1 cup banana)
1/4 cup walnuts
1 tsp raw cocoa powder
1 tsp honey
3/4 cup water

Place all the ingredients in the blender and select "Fruit"button.... and that is it....

My friend adjusted her own recipe replacing walnuts with cashew nuts

and adding in a small piece of pumpkin too....

Into the Blender they go....

And within seconds...

A healthy drink nowhere else can get....

Add in some walnuts if you like....

And it is ready to be served!

Thanks for the divine recipe, my friend!

Homemade Pork Jerky (Bak Kwa) In Sacramento

YES, MY SISTER REMEMBER THAT I DID PORK JERKY aka BAK KWA before Chinese New Year.... and she made me do some for her here, she just could not believe I could do that... LOL... And to prove that I "still" know how to do it without my mentor, we bought back a pound of minced meat.  With the pound of meat on the kitchen table, with my iPad opened to the recipe page here, the process began....

1 pound/453 gm of minced meat, 

100gm of brown sugar, 

1 tbsp light soy sauce, 

1 tbsp oyster sauce, 

2 tbsp honey,

1/4 tsp black sauce,

1/2 tsp fish sauce, (optional)

dash of five spice powder

salt to taste

dash of pepper

So busy I was that I forgot to take pictures until the meat was half baked.... 

In no time, the Pork Jerky are done!!

Admiring my own "masterpiece"

I could heave a sigh of relief.... now....

So...now they believe that Reanaclaire can really do this!

My brother-in-law likes them so much...

They were all consumed within a day...

And I was given a task... 

That I must do them again for a coming party!

Hongkong Noodles At TK Noodle House, Florin Road

WOKE UP TO A SUNNY MORNING... My normal wake up call here is around 8.30am to 9am, not from my handphone but from the buzzing sound in the kitchen.  Excited voices could be heard each morning around this time, blending machine, coffee making, and I could not help it but wake up... time to start off the day joining in the ladies for a cuppa of coffee in the kitchen.  Correction, I am not a coffee drinker but certainly a fruit drinker... Each morning there is a glass of fruit juice waiting for me... thanks to my lovely sister... she always say.. "Even resorts do not serve you like this!"  True.. true..

For this morning, after our first drink, we went out for a Hongkong breakfast at TK Noodle at Florin Road.  To me, it is the best noodles I ever have out of Malaysia!  LOL.....

My morning exercise with the flurry member... 

Then it is time to pull out the car... 

One of my favorite spots for a good Chinese Breakfast....

The man with tattooed arm is the Captain....

We were presented with the menu....

Everything looks so good and they cost only a few $$...

Not few ringgit... LOL.... 

I ordered a bowl HK wanton noodles.... 

And it come in Super Large portions!

I surely cannot finish a bowl by myself... 

This is a combination of Wanton noodles and Flat Sticks aka Koay Teow...

Daikon with eggs.... 

Yes, we need to share.... no doubt about that.... 

A very fulfilling breakfast for me, 

that is for sure!

4 Must-Try Unique Activities in Tasmania

Once regarded as the least interesting state in Australia, Tasmania is now one of the top travel destinations in the country. Buzzing with unspoiled wilderness, awe-inspiring art, gourmet cuisine, and cutting-edge culture, the state has become a remarkable place for visitors of all ages. There are a ton of things to see and do while here, making it an ideal destination for everyone.

Spending your vacation is Tasmania is a brilliant idea. This gorgeous state won't disappoint you because there are various places to visit, so you will absolutely enjoy your stay here with your family or friends. It also offers exciting and one-of-a-kind activities like the following:

Go on a ghost tour

If you want to try an exciting and unique activity when in Tasmania, then head to Hobart for a ghost tour. This thrilling activity is more fun with family or friends. Face your fears while having a walking ghost tour at Battery Point or Hobart. You will walk among different spirits, such as sailors, convicts, and bushrangers. So, if you are up for a supernatural activity, then try this one out. Additionally, you can take a DriveNow car hire in Hobart to get to where you want to go conveniently.

Visit the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park

Another activity you should not miss when in Tasmania is the face-to-face encounter with the Tasmanian devil at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park. Your visit here also contributes to the research needed into the devil facial tumor disease, which has become a big threat to the endangered creatures in the park. More so, aside from the up-close animal encounters, you will get to discover the Tasmanian Native Botanic Garden, experience wildlife adventures, see Tasmanian original art, and most of all, help save endangered Tasmanian devils.

Chase the Aurora Australis

Tasmania is one of the few places where you can see an intergalactic action, like the Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights. In case you are up for a different kind of adventure like this one, then go Aurora chasing. You will get to witness the most awe-inspiring natural light display, so plan your visit here properly. Since Auroras don't happen each night, you have to make sure to sign up to Australian Space Forecast Centre and receive emails and updates about the Southern Lights where the entertainment lives. 

Catch a water taxi

Stroll along the beach of Bellerive Boardwalk with your loved ones through a water taxi. Simply choose a perfect day and enjoy the beautiful view. Definitely, you will have a great time spending the day with the people you love the most.

Tasmania is not a forgotten state like it was known in the past. You will have a lot of things to do once you arrive and won't regret anything. This impressive state is absolutely a perfect travel destination, especially if you are want to try some unique things, like the ones mentioned above. So if you are looking for a place to spend on your next vacation, why not have a Tasmania escapade?

5 Key Things to Consider Before You Move

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The place you live is one of the most important aspects of life. Where you choose very much depends on what your priorities are, but pretty much everyone is looking for a good neighbourhood with great facilities nearby. However, looking from the outside, it can be difficult to make sure that where you are moving actually lives up to expectations.

Here are just a few of the top things to consider if you are planning on moving home anytime soon.

Cost of Living

As well as the actual cost of the property itself, you will also need to calculate roughly how much the cost of living will be. Ultimately, it’s worth doing your research so you are well prepared. It’s no good moving to a new place only to find out that you will be totally priced out from enjoying a decent standard of living while you are there.

Commute Distance

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You may well have found what seems to be the perfect area to live, but if you end up spending hours of your day travelling to and from work, this may well significantly reduce your enjoyment of being there. Mainly because you won’t actually be there, but in your car instead! Think about how far away you are from your current home so you can work out the logistics of the actual moving process and then research moving companies in the local area. It’s also worth checking out what other type of transportation is available nearby. You may find out that public transportation will end up being the most efficient way to travel.

How Well Does the Area Match Your Lifestyle

It may well be that you love the hustle and bustle of a big city, preferring to be close to bars, restaurants and cafes. It may be that you love the great outdoors, so prefer to be in an area where there are more parks, cycle paths and open space. Ultimately, the type of lifestyle you live will be significantly affected by the area in which you call home.

The Type of People Who Live Nearby

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If you have a young family, you will probably want to live in an area with other people who are in a similar situation. The same goes if you have kids who have already left the house, or are a young person looking to meet other young people. Though it’s nice to socialise with different types of people, it’s also good to know that there are other people in a similar situation to you who live nearby.

The Types of Jobs Nearby

You may already have a job before you move, but it’s nice to know that there are other options out there. There are some areas that are perfect for certain types of job, so it’s worth checking this out before you make the move.

Hopefully this list will have given you a bit of a better idea of the things that you need to consider before making your move. It’s worth taking the time to do your research so you are sure that this neighbourhood is the place for you.