13 for 2013

I'm not big on resolutions.  I've made them before, and like everyone else they fade into the blur of my life.   I last a few days, a few weeks, and before I know it I don't even remember to try and keep up with my resolutions.

I've never had much success promising to change myself.  But I have had success promising myself I will do something.

In 2013, I'm not changing myself.  I'm resolving to be myself.  And here are 13 other things I will do in 2013.

1.  Pay for someone behind me in the drive-thru.
2.  Boogie Board at the beach.
3.  Try a new recipe.
4.  Take my kids sledding.
5.  Run.  I will run.  Maybe the more appropriate word is jog.
6.  I will pay all my bills on time.  Even gymnastics. (sigh.) 
7.  Visit a museum.
8.  Every time I'm given the opportunity, I will give to charity.  Even if it's $1.00.  I will give.
9.  I will eat more fruit and vegetables.  Not much, but more.
10.  I will love more, and need less.  I will listen more, and speak less.
11.  I will teach my kids something new.  I will also teach myself something new.
12.  I will laugh.  Every single day.
13.  I will shop more downtown.  I will support small merchants.

What are some of your 13 for 2013?

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Dirty Monkey ---- Drink it Up!!

A couple of years ago we visited the Secrets St. James resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and my husband and my friend, Betsy got hooked on these drinks!

It's like a chocolate banana smoothie!

dirty monkey

Our friends, Ted and Betsy, that we travel with in the winter had a Jamaican Jerk party and she found the recipes for these yummy libations!!

So, grab the ingredients, crank up your blender and close your eyes and wish winter away!!

Dirty Monkey

taken from the recipes of Secrets Resorts

1 ounce of rum

1/2 ounce of Kahlua

1 ounce of coconut cream

2 ounces of pineapple juice

1/4 ripe banana

Blend ingredients together with 1 cup of ice an pour into a glass decorated with chocolate syrup.

Cheers!!

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BBQ Chicken Wings at Cedar Point Food Centre (near Hotel Grand Paragon) in Johor Bahru

 

Hong Kee is the only BBQ chicken stall in Cedar Point food centre near Hotel Grand Paragon in Taman Century. This was highly recommended by my Johor Yummy group friend Grace Fong. We also tried these chicken wings during our Makan Blitz on Cedar Point and all our makan kakis liked it too.

 

The slightly charred chicken wings were tender, juicy and savoury. The flesh was smooth yet slightly tacky from the warm natural juices. Like my makan kakis who raved about these wings, I liked these too, though my taste buds prefer chicken wings with a slightly sweeter marinate. This perhaps because I associate BBQ chicken with my younger BBQing party days when I had a sweeter tooth.

 

These chicken wings went very well with cold beer, especially with good company :)

MR Hong and his wife who hail from Batu Pahat had been BBQing chicken for 27 years.



The chicken wings were perfectly done with excellent heat control from years of experience. MR Hong uses only chilled fresh chicken and not frozen chicken. This accounts for the juiciness and tenderness of the chicken.

MR Hong's BBQ chicken are very reasonably priced. Each BBQ chicken wings costs RM1.60 and a whole spring chicken RM13.

When you are in Cedar Point food centre, remember to include some of Hong Kee's BBQ chicken in your orders :)

Another of my favourite BBQ chicken is Annie's BBQ at Meldrum Walk.

Restaurant name: Hong Kee BBQ Chicken @ Cedar Point Food CentreAddress: Jalan Musang Bulan 2-16, Taman Century, 80250 Johor Bahru
Map: http://g.co/maps/jtm7g
GPS: 1.481492,103.762167
Hours: Daily 6:00pm to midnight
Not certified Halal, no pork, no lard served

Date visited: 20 Oct 2012, 28 Dec 2012

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Recharge and Watch for Snowballs

It's been cold and snowy here.  Just thought I'd update anyone who does not live in the northeast.

While I usually dread winter, and the cracked dry skin that accompanies it, this week I'm good.  We're home, we're lounging and we're watching the snow fall.

The kids are alternating between watching movies and bundling up and playing outside.  They're playing with Christmas toys, making snowmen and building snow forts. 

Apparently, they're also throwing snowballs.

Hope you're enjoying the same relax and recharge time wherever you are.  January and all its resolutions are just around the corner.

Watch out for snowballs.

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Otak Otak Muar at OT Frozen Food Trading in Taman Desa Jaya, Johor Bahru

 

My foodie buddies Joe and Kumes have been talking about OT Frozen Food Trading for a while and I finally made a visit yesterday. OT Frozen Food Trading makes otak otak at a shop lot in Taman Desa Jaya and supplies many traders and stalls in JB.

OT Frozen Food Trading was started 13 years ago in Taman Desa Jaya in JB by MR Goh who hailed from Muar, the Johor seaside town famous for otak otak. The otak otak at OT Frozen Food are made using the recipe handed down by MR Goh's grandmother.

MR Goh's workers have been with him since OT Frozen Food Trading started. The simply organised work area had a calm and quiet efficiency and purpose.

MR Goh's shop felt more like kampung style communal cooking than a mass production factory. It still relies on traditional recipes and methods, only that MR Goh has organised his workers and work flow to produce the volume required by his customers.

MR Goh makes his otak otak with fresh Ikan Tengiri, Ikan Parang and shrimps everyday. 

Fish otak otak in leaf

Besides supplying to traders and stalls, OT Frozen Food also sells its otak otak to walk in customers. The current walk in price list is as follows:

  Fish in leaf (cooked) - 60sen per piece
  Shrimp in leaf (cooked) - 70sen per piece
  Fish head in leaf (cooked) - 90sen per piece
  Fish 200 gram slab in box (cooked) - RM5 per box
  Shrimp 200 gram slab in box (cooked) - RM5.50 per box.

I brought home an assortment of flavours. We just steamed those that came in slabs and tossed those that came in leaves in the mini toaster oven. I am eating them as I wrote this post.

Fish otak otak

The otak otak made entirely with spiced grounded fish or shrimp meat and coconut milk was tender, sweet and juicy. There was none of that stiffer, lifeless mouth feel that betrays the overuse of starchy bulk fillers. As OT's otak otak do not use artificial colouring it only had a light orangey hue from the curry spices instead of the bright, almost inky red colour we see in other average otak otak. 

Shrimp otak otak

OT's otak otak is spicy without being stinging but the spiciness lingers pleasantly like a fragrant, mint in the mouth for a while after the meal.

Photo courtesy of Kumes

I love the fish head otak otak as I enjoy picking through the head bones for the interesting tastes and textures of the gelatinous bits :)

It is worthwhile making a trip to OT Frozen Food Trading, if you want to stock up on otak otak at home.

Restaurant name: OT Frozen Food Trading
Address: 28, Jalan Permatang 12, Taman Desa Jaya, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/eOeOC
GPS: 1.558235,103.803795
Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (rest on Sunday)
Certified Halal

Date visited: 28 Dec 2012

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Heritage Photos of Johor Hawkers

This post shares the precious heritage photos of Johor hawkers. If you have old photos of Johor hawkers which you would like to share here, please email a copy to johorkaki@gmail.com, thank you.

 

Photo of the family that owns the Hock Chiang Hin dim sum shop. The founder is the gentleman on the left and the present 3rd generation owner is the little boy at his front. In the background is the 15 storey Lumba Kuda flats (now demolished to make way for the CIQ building). 

 

 

Taman Tasek kway teow kia started as a push cart stall under a big tree at a street corner.

 

 

The dad of Ah Kiang, the present 3rd generation owner of the mee pok stall at the 15 storey Lumba Kuda flats.

 

 

In 1994, when Ah Meng was working in the restaurants of New York City, he was invited to demonstrate his skills on America's News 12 Network. Ah Meng is probably the only Johor hawker who has been featured on USA TV.

 

 

IT Roo is still famous for their chicken chops. 



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Christmas

Today I'm lounging, still in my snowflake pajamas.  Aside from blogging, I've been stepping over toys and stepping on tiny figures.  I've been recycling boxes and crunching up wrapping paper.  I'm doing all of this in total and complete peace because all the munchkins are happily entertained with all of Santa's toys.

The true magic of Christmas.

I don't think any of them has eaten yet.  Other than Moopa I haven't seen a morsel of food cross their lips.  Unless of course I count myself and the three chocolates I had about fifteen minutes ago.

More Christmas magic.

Recovering from Christmas is a beautiful time.  The family is home, the kids are entertained, and the food is still abundant.  The wrapping is done, the craziness has subsided.

Today, we recover.  And eat chocolates for breakfast.

Happy recovery day.

Mommyhood Christmas Album

Hope yours was merry!

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Merry and Bright

Our weekend, so far, has consisted of lounging around. 

Of watching Christmas movies.

Of baking cookies. 

Of eating take out.  Or our Christmas cookies.

We've even sewed a stocking, from an old shirt, for our pup Penny.  My oldest did this, on his own, because he now knows how to sew thanks to "Family Science."

Such a fancy word for Home Economics.

Excitement is in the air.  This time of year is all about giving, about loving and about family.  In our house it's also about good behavior, because my munchkins can see the finish line.  It's in sight, and they up the amount of sharing and helping and loving by at least 50%.

It never fails.

Happy almost Christmas.  Make these days merry and bright, because Santa's packing his sleigh tonight!

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Christmas Cheer

This morning I attended a "Spirit Assembly" at my kids' elementary school.  They have one of these every month, and several students are recognized for different achievements and behaviors.

Today my little guy, LLG, was recognized for his kindness.  His teacher told me how he defended a boy that was being teased, without anyone asking him to do so.  My little guy went out onto the playground, on his own, and asked his friend to leave this boy alone.

Is there any better award?

While there were police outside when I arrived at the school, and security was at an all time high, the mood inside the gym was cheerful.  Kids were wearing reindeer antlers and Santa hats, and they were chattering in excitement as usual.  These kids were unaware of the sadness and the cruelty and the trauma outside their little worlds.

It was wonderful.

I am a staunch believer that kids need to be kids.  They need time to believe in Santa, and believe in fairies.  They deserve time to imagine a world where anything is possible.  They need to play with toys and play with friends.  They don't need the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Tiny shoulders can't carry it.

My oldest is eleven.  He is aware of the tragedy in Connecticut, and he hears plenty at school.  Today he stayed home, and joined me at his old elementary school.  He needed the breather, the space away from rumors and chatter about threats and the end of the world.

He needed to be with his family, in his home.  Like so many of us, he needed to step back and take comfort in the love surrounding him.

Hug your babies.  Play your Christmas music.  Bake your cookies.  Bring your family and your friends together these next few weeks and celebrate a new year of happiness. 

We all need a little Christmas Cheer.  Wishing you plenty this weekend, and in the weeks ahead!

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Hai Zhi Lian Seafood Restaurant 海之恋海鲜楼 in Sungai Rengit, Pengerang, Johor

Ah Hing, the friendly manager of Hai Zhi Lian Restaurant 海之恋海鲜楼 in Sungai Rengit, Pengerang invited Johor Kaki to try out their menu.

Hai Zhi Lian restaurant is just at the outskirts of Sungai Rengit town, smacked in the middle on the coastal road between the "Lobster Town" and the famous Ostrich Farm.



Opened only six months ago, Hai Zhi Lian had used this time to establish itself in the area and to smooth out its operations. The new restaurant, though not lavish, had a well organised and well equiped feel about it. Hai Zhi Lian has a breezy al fresco dining area under a thatched attap roof and a spacious air conditioned dining hall. Plenty of parking in the adjacent residential and commercial area.

The first dish I want to mention was actually the last dish served during our visit.

Black Jade Crab 墨玉蟹 RM96 per kilo

 

This was the most unusual crab dish that I have ever tasted. This dish only has a Chinese name 墨玉蟹 which translates literary to "Black Jade Crab".

This was the last dish of the day for us and at first sight, I wasn't overly enthusiastic about it. After all, I was already filled with lobsters :P  But, after just one spoonful of the broth, WoW! I was gushing about it. That jet black broth was herbal, and deeply lusciously umami with savoury and sweet notes.

The best way I can describe the broth is that it tasted like the best, robust, full bodied prawn soup but in a distinctive way that only crab can.
 

Apparently, this dish is the home recipe of the Hakkas in Sungai Lembing near Kuantan, Pahang. The broth was made by boiling the crab with herbs for a few hours. The crab flesh was still sweet and tender, but it was that unusual looking jet black broth that left the deepest impression.

This was the most memorable crab dish that I have tried for a very long time. Needless to say, I drank it all up, to the very last drop. This is a DDMT or Die Die Must Try dish.

Lotus Root Lobster RM190 per kilo
 

Next up was the Lotus Root Fried Lobster. This lobster was delicious, as lobsters should be, needless to say :) 

 

 

But it was the batter used to keep the lobster flesh tender and juicy that fascinated me most. This fluffy, crackly batter made with a blend of 5 different types of flour and generous chunks of butter was so good that I found myself scooping up the tasty bits sprinkled around the dish. I was chomping the bits of batter like the way people enjoy greasy popcorns. 

Lobster sashimi RM170 per kilo

Ah Hing wanted us to try their Lobster sashimi.

 

 

Lobster sashimi reminded me of slices of pomelo fruits. Juicy with hints of natural sweetness and firm yet bouncy mouth feel.

 

 

The savoury house blended dipping sauce highlighted the lobster's exquisite, subtle flavours. Served also with wasabi for those who like eating sashimi the traditional Japanese way.
 

Crystal Jade Tofu RM12 for small serving

The innovative chefs at Hai Zhi Lian came up with this interesting looking dish which they named "Crystal Jade Tofu". It reminded me of Nynonya pandan kuih. The bottom layer is a slab of soft tofu while the top layer was made with spinach. Tasted pleasant and interesting though I would still opt for old style tofu. Give this a try, if you have a mildly adventurous palate. My companions liked it.
 

Medium serving Salted Egg Yolk Pumpkin RM12
 

Salted egg pumpkin.

The sweet pumpkin paste blended well with the savoury salted egg yolk. The soft pumpkin paste balanced well with the crispy buttery batter. Best eaten hot as it was a little greasy.

Small Scallops with Brocolli RM18

Scallops stir fried with broccoli. Made with imported German scallops. My companions loved the scallops while I was captivated by the crunchy fresh broccoli stalks. I like only live scallops :P


Small Claypot Loh Shi Fun 老鼠粉 RM6
 

Last but not least, and I don't mean to use this cliché, because this was the first dish served yesterday. I was looking forward, in great anticipation to a sumptuous seafood feast, when the first dish that arrived at the table was this Claypot Loh Shi Fun or "rat noodles" 老鼠粉. I wasn't too thrilled and sub-consciously muttered silently under my breath, "Why this?" LOL, I didn't realised that I was loud enough for restaurant manager, Ah Hing, to hear me. Ah Hing quickly told us, "We wanted you to try our popular dish." I politely scooped an obligatory spoonful of this humble 老鼠粉. It was good! The broth was savoury and the 老鼠粉 QQ-licious. I found myself taking one scoop after another until my companions reminded me to "save some stomach space for seafood". LOL.

All these delicious dishes were created and brought to us by the two creative Chefs of Hai Zhi Lian 海之恋海鲜.

 

Would I recommend driving all the way to Pengerang for these? I say, Yes, definitely.



Restaurant name: Hai Zhi Lian Restaurant 海之恋海鲜楼

Address: 2, Jalan Ramunia Jaya 1, Taman Ramunia Jaya, Pengerang, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/M0cEd
GPS: 1.359344,104.231500
Hours: 10:30am to 10:30pm
Not certified Halal - no pork, no lard served

Date visited: 20 Dec 2012

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