Traditional Chinese Cakes and Biscuits @ GN 满发 Food and Biscuits in Batu Pahat, Johor

GN 满发 Food and Biscuits was a lucky find. After overeating at the food stalls along Jalan Abu Bakar in Batu Pahat, we looked for a traditional Chinese cake and biscuit shop to get the customary gifts before heading home to Singapore.

GN 满发 Food and Biscuits just happened to be opposite Swee Kee tonic soups. We had never heard about GN 满发 before, so we did not set our expectations too high.

The GN 满发 shop looked ordinary enough. The retail section is at the front of the shop and the production section just behind a glass and board partition.

Applying the egg wash to give the crust that glazy sheen and golden hue.

Puncturing the dough with a pick.

Nevertheless, the finishing touches are done at the retail section, right beside the display shelves.

This large modern oven is also in front at the retail section. So we got our hot cakes and biscuits straight out of the oven J

Stepping behind, the staff were kneading the dough and making the biscuits one at a time by hand, in the old way. Each person quietly focused on their respective part of the production chain.

There was a machine humming and droning away, grinding the aromatic, freshly stir fried sesame seeds.

As we don't know yet what is good at GN 满发, we just bought a random selection to try at home and to present as gifts.

We were pleasantly surprised at the texture and taste of GN 满发 traditional Chinese biscuits. The tasty crust was flaky and among the crispiest we've tasted before. The different types of fillings were thick and generous as well as fresh, smooth and fragrant.

Lotus seed paste. Popular traditional flavour.

Traditional red bean paste. Everybody's favourite.

Kaya and red bean paste. Nice combo.

Sweet yam paste. I like.

Five kennel 五仁 paste. Not my taste but the favourite filling of many others.

The red bean paste and spicy dried shrimp paste 虾米辣 combo.

Not my favourite but others raved about its unique taste.

The next time I am in Batu Pahat, GN 满发 will be the place where I will pick up my customary gifts before heading home.

Restaurant name: GN 满发 Food and Biscuits

Address: 180, Jalan Abu Baker, Batu Pahat
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/FNQJ
GPS: 1.852745,102.927952
Hours: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Halal

Date visited: 25 Jun 2012

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Why I Love GrUVyWear

*I was blessed to receive a complimentary and ultra awesome outfit from GrUVyWear in exchange for this post.  All opinions expressed are my own. Discount code to purchase in post.*

Last week, while in Pennsylvania, my daughter's GrUVyWear swimsuit arrived.  I had never heard of GrUVyWear before I was given the opportunity to sample one of their outfits.  I had no idea what to expect as far as quality, style and fit.

To spare you the suspense, I LOVED this suit. Loved is probably an understatement.  This suit is similar to all the snazzy, non-Target clothes my kids receive as gifts.  The stuff I don't buy because I'm frugal, but it's ultra cute and comfy and awesome.

Not that there is anything wrong with Target clothes, because I love them too. 

GrUVyWear fits well, it hugs the little baby legs without squeezing too tight.  The suit doesn't fall down when it gets wet, and it offers phenomenal sun protection.  I was not fretting about sunscreen applications and too much sun on the shoulders.

I was also thrilled that this suit looks like an outfit.  I dressed my daughter in her new grUVyWear and we went to Target (told you I loved that store) before we hit the pool.  I didn't need cover ups or a dress or anything.

Just her grUVyWear.  And my daughter looked adorable.

She looked like a little surfer chic, with ultra sun protection that her mommy was thrilled about.  These suits are 50+ SPF, and can be worn all day, in and out of the pool or at the beach.  They dry fast, and are comfortable to wear.

My daughter is wearing the candy camo infant set, which retails for $38.95.

If you are interested in GrUVyWear, I am including a great discount code for your order.  You can save 15% on your order for your kids.  Trust me, it will be money very well spent if you spend time in sun, swimming at a pool or beach.

These would also make great gifts.  I love items that are different and useful. And they are perfect for camp.

I will mention that these suits run big.  My daughter wears a 2/3 (size 2 bottoms, size 3 tops) and she is wearing a 18-24 month suit in these pictures.  

I never, ever recommend a product I am not 100% in love with, because I know money is not for wasting. 

I totally recommend grUVyWear.

GrUVyWear Discount code: SAVE1530

Happy Shopping!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Home Sweet Overpriced Home

We are back in New York State after a wonderful week in Pennsylvania.  My daughter loved camp, but she did battle a pretty nasty case of homesick-ness.

I knew this was a possibility, she is only just nine.  It's no piece of cake to be without mommy hugs and rules, siblings to bug you, and daddy kisses before bed.

All in all, she did phenomenal.  I did have to move the troops (aka myself and my three other munchkins) to campus the last two days.  Her phone call Tuesday night was filled with tears.  And I knew after she said her stomach hurt all day she was homesick enough to feel sick.

I went into mommy mode and moved the troops in.  We drove the hour from our friend's house (we stayed with them to be closer to Penn State in case we were needed) to State College.  We smiled from the window of the training gym, hugged her between sessions and walked around campus in between. 

The boys and Moopa were awesome.  Our mini trip was a blast.  We stayed at the Ramada, and the boys could have been at a five star hotel for how excited they were about the pools.  And the free breakfast.  And the plush beds with flat screen television. 

Since no dad was present, it was pretty much a free for all.  We drank Frappuccinos, ate at the Waffle Shop for lunch and walked to the Creamery after dinner. 

I even let them watch Nick at Nite until 10pm.  They were counting their lucky stars.  And Moopa trucked right along with everyone like a champ.

Now that we are all home in New York, I would like to point out how ripped off we all are in the Empire State.

Pennsylvania property taxes are half (sometimes less!) what we pay in New York.

They have no sales tax on clothes.

I swear their clearance racks are cheaper than ours.  Our maybe it rolls back to the no sales tax thing.

Gas is cheaper.  I filled up for $3.19/gallon!  Goin rate downtown for us?  $3.59.

Oh, and gymnastics training is waaaaaay less in Pennsylvania.  I spoke to many parents in that waiting area at the camp.

The moral of my post?

I love Pennsylvania.  I love State College.  And I love my munchkins.  They all were pretty cool campers this week.

Have a wonderful Friday!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

葉记云吞面 Flying Wanton Mee 飞面 in Taman Johor Jaya, Johor Bahru

Looking at this gold hued, glowing ball of wanton noodles makes my mouth water.

The friendly towkay, Bernard Koo, has been serving happy customers this delicious wanton noodles and entertaining them with his flying style of cooking wanton mee for 23 years. Bernard said, his unique cooking style is his way of expressing his passion for wanton noodles - in the same way as musicians play muscial instruments like the guitar and piano as a form of joyful self expression.

Let's watch Bernard having fun.

The performance begins with blending the lard, sesame oil, soy and chili sauce for the bowl of wanton noodles.

Bernard then unbundled and loosened up the ball of noodles which he made himself everyday using only higher grade wheat flour and fresh eggs.

The ball of noodles was blanched in the steel pot of piping hot water.

Bernard then gave the blanched noodles a quick rinse in a steel pot of cool water.

Bernard dunked the noodles in piping hot water a second time, making artistic splashes. The rhythmic sound of the wire mesh ladle and ball of noodles smacking the water was music to my ears, and I think, to Bernard's too.  

Look at the bliss and joy on Bernard's face. He was working and playing, and obviously having fun, all at once J Don't we all want to experience, work and life in the same way?

Suddenly, Bernard executed a sharp and powerful flick with a twist of his arm and wrist, and like a champion badminton player, shot the ball of noodles high into the air. Bernard's eyes, followed the flying ball of noodles like an eagle.

The soaring ball of noodles at the top of its flight.

What goes up, must come down. Catching the ball of noodles as it returned to earth.

The flamboyant Bernard twirled the wire mesh ladle like a marching band drum major, to celebrate yet another safe landing of wanton noodles.

Bernard gave the noodles a vigorous toss and stir in the blended sauce. Even this final step was executed with gusto and immense concentration.

Doesn't this simple and humble RM4 bowl of wanton noodles look like a piece of art? Did it tasted as good as it looked? Oh, yes. The slender noodles felt heavy and rich with eggs. This is among the crunchiest wanton noodels that I have tasted. They were deliciously coated with the blended fragrant sauce of lard, sesame, soy and chili paste. The noodles were topped with slices of tasty char siew which Bernard made at home using charcoal fire.

MRS Koo makes the delicious wantons at the stall.

I like to be here early to grab a front row seat before showtime starts at 5:00pm to watch the flying wanton noodle maestro in exhilarating, high energy action.

. .

The video of Bernard's high flying performance edited by my friend Paige Tan. If you like to watch and taste more flying wanton noodles, you may also like to check out 吉纪 in Taman  Pelangi.

. .

葉记云吞面 Flying Wanton Mee was featured on the excellent Fatbook 非食不可 programme.

 

 

Restaurant name: 葉记云吞面 (飞面) Flying Wanton Noodles @ Restoran Khong Kee

Address: Jalan Bakawali 13, Taman Johor Jaya, Johor Baru

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/hsoV

GPS: 1.543006,103.793667

Hours: 5:00pm to 11:00pm (closed on Tuesdays)

Non Halal

.

.

Date visited: 28 Jun 2012 .

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Lemonade Cake with Blueberry Filling

One night while I couldn't sleep, I was lying there dreaming up something to make for my Aunt's 50th Birthday celebration.

Do you do this when you can't sleep?? 

Sometimes I forget what my feeble mind came up with, 

thank goodness I didn't forget this one!

Lemonade Cake with Blueberry filling and Lemonade Buttercream

My Mom grew up with three sisters.  She is a twin, and her twin, Janette,  lives here in Omaha.

She has an older sister, Ellen that lives in Washington D.C., and a younger sister, Edie, that lives in Henderson, Nevada.

My Mom's Mom, my grandmother, was such a super lady.  She is missed so much still, even though she hasn't been with us since 1994.

June has always been a busy birthday month for us.

My Mom and her twin were born on June 7th, my birthday is the 9th, my Aunt Edie's birthday is the 19th, my cousin, Heather, (my Aunt Janette's daughter) has a birthday on the 20th, and my grandma's birthday was on the 21st.  

(still with me??)

My Aunt Ellen, is the only one that didn't have a June birthday out of all of us girls!!

She made up for it though and got married on my grandma's birthday on June 21st!

Ironically, June 21st of this year, was her 25th wedding anniversary!

Thank you to her husband, Rick, for sharing her with us!!

My Mom and I always celebrate our birthday on the 8th, right in between our birthdays, and then we try to celebrate with Aunt Janette and Heather for ALL of our birthdays on the 21st to toast my grandma.

This year, my Mom had a great idea, and that was to see if we could get her other sisters here to celebrate with us!!

visiting my grandparents grave

My Aunts, Ellen, Edie, My Mom, Jane and and my Aunt Janette

Later that night we went to the Bone Fish Grille and ate dinner together, 

then back to my Mom's to have cake!

yummy, yummy, buttercream!

the perfect summer cake!

here is a peek at the filling inside

yes, please

Lemonade Cake with Blueberry Filling and 

Lemonade Buttercream

I made the filling the day before, so it would thicken and spread easier.

Filling:

Combine in a saucepan:

1 cup frozen blueberries

1/4 cup water

1 T lemon juice

1T lemon zest

Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Desolve 1 T corn starch in 1 T water, add to blueberries and stir until thick, about 5 minutes.

Place in refrigerator for 24 hours.

Cake:

1  box of white cake mix

3/4 cup frozen concentrate lemonade

1/2 cup water

4 egg whites

1/3 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir ingredients together with mixer on low then increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes, scraping bowl.

Grease and flour baking pans.

Divide batter evenly between pans, bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool in pans, then on cooling rack until completely cool.

Frosting:

6  cups of powdered sugar

2 sticks of unsalted butter

3 T lemonade concentrate

pinch of salt yellow food coloring

Beat ingredients until thick.

Add blueberries to bottom layer of cake, some will drip down side, I cleaned it up with a paper towel.

Do a "crumb layer" of frosting on entire cake, place cake in the fridge for about 30 minutes, frost with remaining frosting.  I piped an edge around the bottom and made a decorative "ring" of piped frosting in the center, where I added fresh blueberries to the top.

Place fresh blueberries around the bottom of the cake.

Happy 50th Birthday, Edie!!

Here is a picture, albeit not a very good one, but the only one that I had of us girls on our celebration night!

My Mom, Jane, me, Edie, Ellen, Janette and her daughter, Heather

reade more... Résuméabuiyad