~~~BabyDoll~~~

曾经，她是个天之骄女、父亲的掌上明珠、男孩们追求的女神。

曾经，她是如此自信美丽、开朗豁达、幸福美满。

 

如今，她沦为爱情的祭品、夫家的一团狗屎。

婚姻变得沉重、负担、寂寞。

没有丈夫的荫蔽下，她受尽人间屈辱: 家翁在她新婚之际警告她不能享用丈夫的一分一毫、家翁的妻子肆意任由使唤、家婆蓄意搞破坏闹离婚、小姑的妒忌和野心想并吞一切．．．等等。她是多么悔恨，天底下好男人有的是，为什么偏偏就是看上这位男人讨苦吃。

 

每当跟丈夫和他家人在一起时，她便一文不值变得什么也不是。就连她生病也得自己摸到药房看病，什么事儿也尽量依靠娘家。

 

这五年的黄金岁月，终被耻辱、飘浮不定、背叛所淹没。如此困境，难道就如此终老一生？？

 

SATAY AYAM OR SATAY BABI

CHICKEN OR PORK SPICY KEBABS

 

Ingredient (A)

500      gm skinned chicken breast (or deboned chicken thigh meat) or boneless pork loin

1          tbsp tamarind (mixed with 4 tbsps water, strain liquid for use) – only for chicken

50        satay sticks

4          tbsps thick coconut milk (squeeze extract from 1 grated coconut)

 

Grind together (B)

1          stalk lemon grass (discard outer green layer, use white portion only)

8          shallots

Add (C)

½         tbsp coriander powder

1          tsp cumin powder

1          tsp tumeric powder

1          tsp salt

1          tbsp brown or white sugar

4          tbsps cooking oil

 

Garnish

cucumber (sliced)

onions (quartered)

 

Cooking Method

·        Cut the meat into 2cm square and 1cm thick pieces. If using chicken, mix together with the tamarind water.

·        Place ingredients (B) and (C) in a bowl. Add the meat pieces and mix well. Set aside for at least 1 hour.

·        Thread the satay sticks through the marinated meat pieces. Ensure that one end of each stick is completely covered by the meat. Brush the meat with coconut milk (do this just before grilling).

·        Grill over a charcoal fire, brushing the satay occasionally with oil. Turn the meat over several times whilst grilling.

·        Serve with satay sauce, cucumber slices and onions.

 

 

SATAY SAUCE

Ingredient

1          tbsp tamarind (mixed with 150ml water, strain liquid for use)

3          tbsps sugar

1½       tsps salt

2          stalks lemon grass (bruised, discard outer green layer, use white portion only)

5          tbsps cooking oil

400      gm peanuts (roasted and ground)

400      ml water

200      ml coconut milk (add 100ml water to a grated coconut, squeeze mixture for coconut milk)

 

Cooking Method

·        Heat a saucepan till hot, then add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the ground ingredients and lemon grass. Stir fry the ingredients till fragrant. Add the tamarind water and bring to a boil.

·        Next, add the sugar, salt, ground peanuts and water. Lower the heat and simmer till the sauce thickens.

 

To Serve: Pour sauce into individual serving bowls. Place the satay on a serving platter with sliced cucumber, onions and ketupat (compressed rice cakes).

 

 

Compressed Rice Cakes (Ketupat)

These firm rice cakes are usually cooked in individual baskets of woven coconut leaves so that the rice swells until it fills the basket and becomes firmly compressed.

 

Ingredient  (Serves 6)

500      gm short or medium grain rice

4          cups water

            Banana leaf or aluminum foil

 

 

Cooking Method

·        Bring the water and rice to boil, and cover tightly with lid. Turn to very low heat and cook for 35-40 minutes until all water is absorbed.

·        Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon.

·        Press rice into a cake tin or pie plate to a depth of about 2.5cm (1 inch).

·        Use a piece of washed and greased banana leaf or greased aluminum foil to cover the surface of the rice and put another plate on top. Press down very firmly the plate.

·        Put a weight on top and leave at room temperature for a few hours, until very firm.

·        Remove weight, plate and banana leaf and use a wet knife to cut rice into 5cm cubes.

·        Serve with spicy peanut sauce.

 

 

 

 

右膝上的肌肉萎缩至今不见好转，上月历经宫腹腔镜手术．．．只觉得身体还是虚弱。婚姻因为丈夫的家人过于介入，以至“动荡不安”甚至差点“分道扬镳”。半途杀出丈夫工作的不稳定，表面风光的日子暗地里隐藏多少辛酸委屈。

 

转眼之间，生日即将来临，但愿上帝让我贪心一次，能许很多很多愿望。我不想再走难式过生活，只想拥有一个完整健康的小家庭。

 

 

When Pooh rather spend quality time inside the poohcave, Pooh's favourite past time is to share some magnificent books with Piglet, you won't be surprise to find Pooh actually checking on the catalogue for best quality bee hives or readymade honey food menu.... for ordering take away .... grin.

 

Got back to Shanghai last week and certainly not thrilled by the weather over here. I am not sure whether we have past through the hottest month of the year here in Shanghai, but it feels like 37°C and even 40°C. Not even cute little portable fan can relieve my sweaty body, especially those few days the air condition in my living room was spoilt causing the 'sauna' effect indoor, and unfortunately my temper affected according to the temperature. Sweat flowing down like unstoppable tears, just like my body quenching for more liquid.

 

Now I wonder how I managed to spend my four seasons in Shanghai. During winter it was shivering cold outside, and when summer hits all outdoor activities have to be on hold or else will stand high chance on heat stroke attack. So, there's actually not many nice weather for me to enjoy the greens out there, oh yes, and don't forget the air pollution. In other words, I become a more and more homey person because of my dislike of UV lights.

 

Are we ready for the alarming Melting Ice Age? I have zero swimming skills, probably it would become a life safer one day when we encounter flash flood (I hope not) in Shanghai. Wish I were either in Australia or New Zealand right now, it's really an unbearable summer for a winter baby like me... Guess I better off as an Eskimo then.