Dream Trip to Macau: Day 1 (Fly with Air Asia)

Hello loyal readers and travelers!

It's time to finally blog about my Dream Trip to Macau. No more procrastination. This trip is made possible by Nuffnang and Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO). Huge thank you to Veron Ng from MGTO for all the arrangements in making this trip a success. If you have time you can read on my winning entry. It takes a lot of hard work and research for a great achievement. Macau in February has temperature around 18-20°C and can be a little chilly at night so long sleeves apparel, jacket or cardigan will come in handy.

Located 2km away from the Main Terminal Building (MTB), KLIA2 started operations on 2 May 2014 as a replacement of  former Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT). The terminal has a built-up area of 257,845 square meters with 68 departure gates and retail space to accommodate a total of 220 outlets.

Dream Trip to Macau: Itinerary and Budget

Hey peeps!

Referring to my previous entry, yes I am one of the 3 lucky winners for the Dream Trip to Macau Blogging with Nuffnang contest. Woohoo! Thank you again and again to Nuffnang and Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO). I decided to go public with my plans coz I'm super duper excited to share with you. We received a 3 days 2 nights all expenses paid trip for one person but the details below will be for two person coz I wanted to bring my husband along. It will be our wedding anniversary trip as well as experiencing Chinese New Year ambiance. We also planned to extend one night coz we just can't get enough of Macau.

At the fort surrounding the museum will give you a gorgeous view of Grand Lisboa.

Recipe: Big English Breakfast

Type: Mains
Servings:1
Category: Non-halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
1 egg
2 bacon strips
2 sausages
2 cherry tomatoes
1 sliced mushroom
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
pepper
olive oil

Preparation

Bacon and Sausage
1. Start with a cold pan and lay the bacon strips.
2. Fry each side for about 5-8 minutes depending on how crispy you want them to be.
3. Make shallow slices along the sausages to cook faster.
4. Fry the sausages for about 10 minutes or until brown.

Egg Nest
1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Separate egg white and yolk.
2. Beat egg white till fluffy with stiff peaks.
3. Make a nest shape with the beaten egg white with a shallow hole in the middle on baking tray.
4. Bake for 3 minutes.
5. Place the yolk on he center and bake again for another 3 minutes.

Sauteed Mushrooms
1. Heat olive oil on pan.
2. Fry garlic till fragrant.
3. Add sliced mushrooms and halved cherry tomatoes.
4. Pour half a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce and some pepper then stir fry for 5 mins.
5. I served them on potato skin which I have used the inside for something else like soup or mashed potato.

Recipe: Eggs Benedict

Type: Side dish
Servings: 1
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
1 Egg
1 Egg yolk
2 drops Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon melted butter
salt
pepper
vinegar

Preparation

Holandaise sauce
1. Fill the bottom of a double boiler halfway with water. 
2. Bring water to a gentle simmer and on top of the double boiler, whisk together 1 egg yolk, lemon juice, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and 1 teaspoon water.
3. Add the melted butter to egg yolk mixture while whisking yolks constantly. 
4. Whisk in salt then remove from heat.  

Poach egg
1. Break egg into a small bowl.
2. Fill a large saucepan with 3 inches of water. 
3. Bring water to a gentle simmer then add few drops of vinegar.
4. Stir water in circular motion then place egg gently into simmering water and allow to cook for 3 minutes. 5. Yolks should still be soft in center. 
6. Remove eggs from water with a slotted spoon and set on a warm plate.
7. You can spread toasted muffins with softened butter followed by one poached egg and drizzle with hollandaise sauce.

Recipe: Omurice

Type: Mains
Servings:1
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
1 cup cooked Japanese rice
1 diced chicken breast
1/2 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1 clove garlic
1/4 diced onion
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 eggs
1 tablespoon milk
olive oil
salt
pepper

Preparation
1. Cook rice overnight and store in fridge to absorb moisture.
2. Heat the oil in a non-stick pan and sauté the onion and garlic until translucent.
3. Add the chicken and cook until no longer pink.
4. Add the mixed vegetables and season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the rice and break into small pieces.
6. Add ketchup and soy sauce and combine everything evenly with a spatula.
7. Transfer the fried rice to a plate and wash the pan.
8. Whisk the eggs and milk together in a small bowl.
9. Heat the oil in the pan over medium high heat.
10. When the pan is hot, pour the egg mixture into the pan and tilt to cover the bottom of the pan.
11. Lower the heat when the bottom of the egg has set.
12. Put the fried rice on top of the omelette.
13. Wrap omelette around the rice then slowly roll on to the plate. It takes some skill to do so so all I did was place my plate over then flip the pan upside down.

Recipe: Rice Burger

Type: Mains
Servings:1
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
1/2 cup cooked Japanese short grain rice 
2 eggs
50g ground chicken/ beef
1 piece cheddar cheese
2 sliced onion rings
2 tablespoon chopped onion
1 piece lettuce
2 sliced tomato
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Sesame seeds
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce
Any sauce you like (mayo/ketchup/chilli/black pepper etc)


Preparation

Patty
1. Mix ground meat with chopped onions, egg, cornstarch, salt, pepper and a few drops of Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce.
2. Pound the blended meat to reduce air.

Rice bun
1. Sprinkle about a tablespoon of starch into the cooked rice and this will act as the binder.
2. Next add a pinch of salt for taste and sprinkle in sesame as well.
3. Shape into bun patties.

Cooking
1. Heat the pan with a tablespoon of oil.
2. Scoop out the meat mixture from the bowl and place it on the pan.
3. Cook each side for about five minutes.
4. After both sides are fully cooked, glaze both sides of  patties with water and cover lid for about 5 minutes.
5. Fry your egg sunny side up or make a small circle omelet.

Serving
Layer your burger: 1st rice bun, 2nd lettuce, 3rd meat patty, 4th cheese, 5th egg, 6th tomato, 7th onion rings and finally top with another rice bun. You may add your choice of sauce in between layers.

 Additional Video

 Video is not the exact recipe because did not have rice patty but it is somehow similar.

Recipe: Cheezy Salisbury Steak

Type: Mains
Servings: 2 patties
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
100g ground chicken or beef
1/4 cup bread crumb
1 stick cheese (Swiss, Mozzarella, Cheddar)
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/2 diced onion 
2 diced mushroom
1 sliced mushroom
1 teaspoon soy sauce 
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup of chicken/ beef broth
Mustard 
Mixed herbs
Salt
Pepper
Butter 
Flour

Preparation
1. Fry diced onions, garlic and mushroom. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Mix the fried onions, garlic and mushroom into the ground meat.
3. Mix 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, 2-3 drops of Worcestershire sauce, 1 drop of mustard and a dash of mixed herbs and cheese into the meat mixture.
4. Mix in a tablespoon of cornstarch.
5. Heat a tablespoon of butter on pan.
6. Shape into two or more patties and fry both sides for 5 minutes.
7. Pour a bit of water and cover for 5 more minutes then serve.

Gravy
1. Do not wash the pan after you fry the patties. Add a bit of butter if necessary.
2. Fry some mushroom slices.
3. Sprinkle some flour to make rue about 1:1 ratio with the butter.
4.  Add broth then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened and the steaks are cooked through about 10 minutes.

Additional video

Video is not the exact recipe because did not have cheese in the meat patty but it is somehow similar.

Review: FreshKon EOTD Contest

Hello beauties!

Today I will be reviewing the free gift I got from FreshKon. I have chosen Misty Grey and Blooming Pink coz I never tried those colours.

I'm a loyal fan of FreshKon for years.

Review: Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Complete Set

Hey beauties!

Sorry for the long awaiting update. Anyway here's what I received from Clarins for the 2nd time. You can read about the samples I reviewed few months ago here. This time I got the complete set in larger size. Damn happy!

Does my dress match Clarins? Maybe a little darker should do.

3 Styles of Skirts Every Woman Should Own

Hello gorgeous!

While most of us girls prefer wearing dresses, it ain't a secret that a lot of women do not own much skirts in their closet. Hey ladies, don't underestimate the power of skirts! Skirts are a versatile piece to own especially when it comes to matching your top or shoes and you can flaunt it at casual or formal settings. The trick is to always know how to style your skirts and you can definitely create a new fashion look. To me, the function of a skirt is to cover the shape of my thighs and my wide hips which I'm not confident of. Pants can't do the job. Skirts can also accentuate your waistline giving you a slimmer figure. There are three skirts style for women to own and might find in handy.

Review: Photobook Malaysia

Dear readers,

I have finally received all of my free Photobooks. Yes, they are free! All you have to do is just look out for deals in Groupon. Usually Groupon will have offers on 6" x 6" 40page Mini Square Softcover Photobook worth RM79. So be sure to subscribe to Photobook Malaysia and Groupon for great deals.

 6" x 6" Mini Square Softcover

I have a total of 7 mini Photobooks. All travel except one specially for my Bruno.

Recipe: Mushroom Risotto

Type: Main
Servings: 2
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
200g risotto rice
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
150g porcini mushrooms
500ml chicken stock
1/2 chopped onion
40g parmesan cheese
salt and pepper

Preparation
1. Heat olive oil on medium heat and stir fry chopped mushrooms.
2. Add butter and saute onions.
3. Add rice and stir until fully coated about 2 minutes.
4. Add a ladle of chicken stock stiring constantly until becomes almost dry.
5. Continue adding stock one ladle at a time for about 10 - 15 minutes until risotto is al dente. The texture should be thick and not too soupy or dry.
6. Stir in grated parmesan.
7. Season with salt and pepper. If it's already salty to your taste, omit the salt.
8. Best served immediately.

Scallops and balsamic vinegar in the picture are optional.

Recipe: Cream of Wild Mushroom

Type: Soup
Servings: 2
Category: Halal, Vegan

Ingredients
Wild mushrooms:
20g shiitake mushrooms
20g portobello mushrooms
20g oyster mushrooms
20g porcini mushrooms
 or any kind of mixed wild mushrooms you like

25g butter
1/2 chopped onion
1 chopped garlic clove
400ml vegetable stock
100ml heavy cream
2 tabespoon all purpose flour
thyme
chives
truffle oil
salt & pepper

Preparation
1. Heat butter in saucepan.
2. Stir fry onions, garlic and thyme for 5 minutes.
3. Add all the sliced mushrooms.
4. Add equal ratio of flour as the butter to create rue.
5. Stir for a minute then add vegetable stock.
6. Stir in heavy cream for about 5 minutes then add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Blend the soup in a blender.
8. Serve with croûtons and chives and drizzle with truffle oil.

Review: Cerelac Infant Cereal

Hello there, parents!

It's a great pleasure to share with you my views on Nestle's Cerelac infant cereal. Cerelac is promoted for infants 6 months and older as supplement to breast milk. The soft and smooth texture also acts as introduction to semi-solid food.

Whoa...that's a lot! Thank you so much Nestle! If you want a giveaway do let me know. I was given rice and brown rice cereal.

Review: Pedigree Dentastix

Good day pet owners,

Thank you so much Pedigree Malaysia for sending some samples of Dentastix for Benji. Dentastix is a unique "X" shaped treat clinically proven to reduce plaque and tartar build up.

A Dentastix a day keeps the cavities away.

Logos Hope World Largest Floating Book Fair

Hello bookworms,

Last week I went to Logos Hope Book Fair at Swetteham Pier Cruise Terminal. The special feature about this book fair is it is the world’s largest floating book fair and probably one of its kind. My husband and I went for a short visit on the weekends and it was a fun one. Love the ice-cream.

Logos Hope is back in Penang from 3rd to 28th September 2015 for the second time before heading to Africa.

Review: Olive Tree Hotel buffet

Hey foodies!

I ain't really a food blogger but I have my personal reasons to share with you about the buffet I had in a long time. What's so special about the buffet in Olive Tree Hotel, Penang is the Alaskan snow crab. I've had many buffets in Penang but never encounter any that serve snow crab legs however recently it seems like a lot of prominent hotels here serves them. I don't want to mention names of other hotels so you Google yourself.

Recipe: Onsen Tamago

You can serve it on top of noodles or simply eat by itself.

Type: Sides
Servings:4
Category: Halal, Non-vegan

Ingredients
4 room temperature eggs
1 liter tap water for boiling
200ml room temperature tap water

Preparation
1. Pour 1 liter of water into a pot and bring to boil until bubbly.
2. Turn off the stove.
3. Pour 200ml of room temperature water into the pot to bring the temperature down. Onsen means hot spring so ideally it should be 68 - 71°C.
4. Laddle in the eggs one by one and close the lid of the pot.
5. Set timer for 12 minutes.
6. After 12 minutes, take out the eggs from the pot and set aside for 5 minutes.
7. After 5 minutes you can put them into cold water if too hot to hold or you can immediately crack them.
8. The yolks are meant to be soft but not runny. If still runny try 13 or 14 minutes. I have trial and error many times.

Recipe: One ingredient Dulce de leche

Dulce de leche is caramel made out of milk and sugar unlike the traditional caramel. The taste is mind-blowing.

Type: Dessert sauce
Servings:as much as you like
Storage: A month in the fridge
Category: Halal

Ingredients
1 can of condensed milk
(I used Gold Coin Kopi & Teh Tarik coz mamak stalls use them so I thought it's more fragrant)
As much water as needed

Preparations
1. Remove label from can.
2. Place can in a large pot.
3. Fill pot with water until covers the entire can or risk explosion.
4. Simmer for 2 hours on high heat.
5. Always check water level and pour more water if it no longer covers the can.
6. To achieve the toffee colour like mine 2 hours is enough but if you want darker colour can boil for 2.5hours.
7. Do not attempt to open can while it is still hot due to pressure. I wanted to let the can cool for at least 3 hours but in the end I set it overnight in fridge and still came out awesome.
7. For my dessert, I just layered a scoop of hazelnut ice cream with slices of bananas topped with cocoa powder and drizzled some dulce de leche. Enjoy!

Second attempt came out more perfectly caramelized. Optical illusion test: is my jar fully circular or squarish with rounded edges? I was asking myself since when did I have a square jar?

Oh and you really gotto make dulce de leche lava cake. Its heavenly. Get recipe from Tasty's YouTube.https://youtu.be/4S7mWOkpLDE

Europe: Day 10 (Back home)

Hey dearies!

Phew! Finally this is the last post of my European winter trip. I have put a lot of effort into finding history, recall the timeline, getting info on places of attractions, flights, hotels and many more in order to write my entries as accurate as possible. Thank you for supporting me. Luv ya'll. In this post I will be showing you a bit on Schiphol Airport, my flight from Amsterdam to KLIA with Etihad Airways and back to my sweet little island via MAS.

Technically this is still Day 9 but will become Day 10 in a few hours.