Hello, It's Been A While...
Even though it's been years since I last made an entry, I haven't deleted this blog because I still refer to it for some of the recipes but most importantly, Sonny Boy likes reading it as it reminds him of his childhood. Sonny Boy is all grown now. When I started blogging, he was around four years old, I believe. He will be twenty-four in December. So much has happened since my last entry. In a nutshell, we moved three times - Barcelona (a year) to New York (five years) to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. We have been here in Bethlehem for a year and will continue another before we see where the wind blows us off to next. In the last ten years, we also had a new addition to the family, a cream shiba inu we named Sheba. She is 10 now and quite the personality, my spirit animal. Ever since her arrival as a pupper of nine months, the Hubby says he is now dealing with two of me at home. Here are some photos of her NOT looking at the camera when I try to take her picture. That just about describes her in a nutshell. I haven't decided if I will make more entries since I don't cook as much as before. Why that is so, it's a whole other story unto itself. Maybe it is one I should tell. Let me think about it. Labels: this and that
Thursday, November 16, 2023
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 12:06 pm
Chicken Run And The Great DVD Marathon
Labels: one dish meals, this and that
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Sonny-boy and I just can't see or taste chicken anymore.
I made Hainanese Chicken Rice on Monday and from that 2.5l pot of pure chicken stock, I, like a magician pulling all manner of suprises from my hat, made a few dishes which sustained us all throughout the week. We had Kai Xi Mein (Shredded Chicken Noodles), Chicken Macaroni soup, chicken porridge and of course, chicken rice. All except Thursday when Sonny-boy cried fowl foul. I took pity on him and made him a cheese and salami pizza instead. The next evening, we were back on the bandwagon with chicken porridge.
Why am I doing this, you ask? Well, Hubs is away and to be honest, I've been feeling off skelter and wanted to make life as easy as possible. I didn't feel like doing too much in the kitchen. I can't cook when I'm moody.
However, nothing lifts me more than needlework so that's what I've been doing all week. Stitching and crochetting. And running The Great DVD Marathon. I recently purchased an entire season of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot and the first season of Hotel Babylon and have been ploughing through them relentlessly. In addition to my current aversion to chicken, I can also add square eyes to the list.
Hotel Babylon is a scream. I only caught bits and pieces of it on the BBC and was almost going to order the DVD online when I saw it on sale at the local Intertoys. It was going for 9.90 euros and I had to do a double take to check it didn't say 19.90, or 29.90 or even 39.90. Having determined it was indeed below 10 euros, I made a grab for it. The second season is on sale as well at Amazon.co for 29.90 pounds and if not for certain circumstances, it would already be in the post, on its way to me. It might still happen, we'll see. What I will be ordering, however, is the book it's based on. Anyhow, if you haven't watched it before, do - the storylines are entertainingly outrageous and the actors, natural and believable. The guest stars are cool too. In one episode, Joan Collins made an appearance but she played such a sweet and gracious mega rich widow, she was hardly recognisable. I want my beloved Alexis Carrington back!
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 11:30 am
At Random
Labels: this and that
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
It's been almost a week since I made an entry and yes, it's because I've been busy. Busy in the kitchen, busy at my needlecraft, busy with my two men and busy with the day-to-day going-ons.
I've also been feeling abit off. By off, I mean a tension headache which results in the whole of my head, face and neck feeling swollen and well, achey. As if that's not enough, it's the Time Of The Month. Big, strong, macho, manly men have been known to quiver and break when their better halves go through PMS on a monthly basis. My manly man is lucky this month, he's taken cover in Beijing on the pretext of business.
Anyhow, that's also partly the reason why I haven't written. I'm sitting out this patch of sour weather before I put finger to type key. In my current mood, I can pickle vegetables just my looking at them, what hope is there of me being pleasantly chatty here? And I've always been mindful of making this blog a gripe-free zone.
So do be patient, I shall be back.
Oh, and I'm going to do some actual pickling later on in the afternoon. I found out yesterday I'm all out of pickled green chilli and in Cookalot, that's a serious no-no.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 5:17 am
Be Back In A Jiffy
Labels: this and that
Monday, November 05, 2007
I haven't posted any food entries all of last week. Ironically, it was because I was busy in the kitchen testing out new recipes and visiting or tweaking old favourites. During the evenings, I was messing about my various craft projects, some of which have since been completed.
So if you'll bear with me, I'll be back in a jiffy with fresh updates.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 5:02 am
Ribbons And Bows
Labels: this and that
I am wearing my favourite marcasite studded ribbon brooch today.
The weather is getting so chilly now - winter is just round the corner - I've had to concede defeat and pull out my winter coats and pack away the lighter ones.
This morning, I chose a simple ensemble: a white batiste cotton embroidered shirtblouse with upturned french cuffs, a v-necked antracite grey sweater and matching tailored trousers. With a lick of MAC's Mac Red lipstick to brighten up the dreary skies, I was good to go.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 4:25 am
New Lip and Nail Colour
Labels: this and that
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
After my bout of Madness, I decided it was high time to calm down and go for serenity with Lotus Rouge.
Apologies to S, for the wordplay. It was just too irrisistable. You may thump me later but not too hard - I bruise easily.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 5:49 am
Facebook
Labels: this and that
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
You read the title of this entry and you're thinking, Oh gawd, she's discovered Facebook and is going to wax lyrical about how wonderful, how funny it is.
Well, I'm not.
In fact, I'm putting out this special entry to inform my meagre list of Facebook friends that I've deactivated my account simply because I don't like it and have no use for it whatsoever.
*shock* *horror* *gasp*
You mean you don't like Facebook? How can you even say that?
Yes, I can. And I'm probably the only one on the planet who says it. That's fine, I've always moved to the beat of my own drum.
I know it's the hottest thing right now (so are leggings, ewww!) and I do agree it's fun but only if you're into that sort of thing. Well, I'm not. I'm a very private person and not at all into networking (it's not as if I have to anyway - those were the days - and I'm very happy with my select, teeny, tiny group of friends). The way I see it, thanks to the internet, the world has become smaller. Now with Facebook, it's almost claustrophobic. Every Tom, Dick and Harry knows every Lisa, Jane and Mary.
Besides, if I want to buy my friends or family drinks, cakes, gifts etc, I'd rather do it in real life. And if I want to poke, bite, throw thing or animals (poor sheep), slap, whatever, the people I dislike, I'd prefer to do it in real life too.
The other thing is, Facebook takes up alot of time. I mean, alot. Time which I already don't have or can channel into doing real activities, not virtual ones.
Now, back to the privacy issue. Why would I blog if I'm so private? Well, the thing about blogging is, while I can't really control who reads it, I can control what appears on it. I've always enjoyed writing since young and it's nice to talk about things one finds pleasurable, in my case, food. I do include snippets of my personal life but only the inconsequential bits which I don't mind sharing. You do not know half of what really happens in Cookalot. For the select few who do, you know how wacky, surreal or unbelievable things can be at times. Or how I have my low points when things don't go my way. For me to open up so candidly, it's something you have to earn.
So to all the users of Facebook, go on out and enjoy it. Me, I'll just crawl back into my niche and do things the old-fashioned way.
Oh and the pic in this entry - it was taken by Sonny-boy himself. *proud mum beam* It's been cropped of course, because like I've said before, if you want to see what I look like, you've got to meet me in person.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 8:27 am
And To All A Good Night...
Labels: this and that
Sunday, September 30, 2007
One last stitch, one last cup of tea and it's off to beddy bye.
Tommorrow it starts all over again.
Nighty night everyone and have a good week ahead of you!
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 4:26 pm
A Spoonful Of Sugar Makes The Medicine Go Down And The One About Fall
Labels: home life, this and that
Friday, September 21, 2007
I've caught one of my infamous throat infections and I've got the antibiotics to prove it. It had to happen of course, with the change in season and all.
They don't call it Fall (I prefer the word Autumn) for nothing. Everything falls. The temperature, the leaves, the rain, the damned acorns, people fall(ing) sick, the acorns... Did I also mention the acorns?
The acorn nut itself while small, becomes a deadly missile when released from say, a two-storey high oak tree. I should know. I got hit on the head by one this week. It poffed me (as Sonny-boy puts it)squarely in the middle - William Tell couldn't have done better if he'd taken aim himself. Anyhow, the pain was so excruciating (it left me with a headache for the next few hours) and the incident actually drew blood. Well, nothing as dramatic as blood dripping down the side of my head (are you kidding? I had an off-white blouse on that day!) but it did break skin. Thank goodness I wasn't hit by the acorn fruit itself (picture below). And thank goodness it didn't hit Sonny-boy who was inches beside me. That would've been fun.
And you know what the beauty is in all this? Sonny-boy and I have to play dodge the acorn nut/fruit whilst walking to and from school everyday. Our entire street and the main road are lined with oak trees, bless the town council's hearts. I'm quite sure there must have been an offer on oak saplings the day they had to decide on The Subject of Trees.
Anyway, after the falling fruit comes the falling leaves. Fun for the boy to slosh around in but scary for the mum because you never know what's under all the layers of leaves, do you? I really must stop watching all them crime shows...
Photo credit goes to Getty Images for the one featuring the cup of ice-cream that will give you more than just a sugar high.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 3:19 pm
Because I Make "Housewife" Cool
Labels: this and that
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
I'm one happy camper today. *beams*
I've just been given a Rockin' Girl Blogger Award from Precious Moments. I know this award is floating around cyberspace but never thought I'd get one myself, reason being I keep a very low profile and don't put myself, or my blog out there. Well, save for the recent Foodie Blogroll of course. Also, I don't think anyone ever reads me or if they do, like what they see enough to think I rock.
According to E, I'm awarded this because ofher sense of humour and she makes "housewife" so happening and cool.
Well, I'll be! Thanks, E!
*****
I would like to pass the award along to three other ladies:
Precious Moments - not because she awarded me first but because I truly enjoy her blog and have been reading it way before I started mine. I love her accounts of daily life and her recipes are always spot on.
Beau Lotus - for her tantalising recipes and her honest, calling a spade a spade attitude.
Molly Chicken - she's funny as she is crafty, with her hands I mean.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 3:37 pm
Hell's Bells
Labels: this and that
A local TV channel aired a new season (for us over here anyways) of Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen last week. Hubs and I thoroughly enjoyed the previous run. Each week I would be in culinary heaven watching the devil himself give hell to aspiring chefs. And now it starts all over again. *swoon*
The other programme which we enjoy, also from the same said devil, is Kitchen Nightmares. Except now he comes in the from of an angel, giving help to restaurants in need of a boost.
As usual, the shows come with a huge dose of Gordy's trademark profanity. Sonny-boy watches it with us and hears everything: bollocks, shit, f*** and all. I don't stop him from listening to such words, they learn more than just reading and counting in school nowadays. The way I see it, it's better to let him know these words exist, that they are bad and if I hear the f-word coming out of you young man, you are going to get chilli powder rubbed in your mouth. And don't test me, you know I will.
So far it's worked. No cussing from him. Yet. I do allow him a swear word though - shit or in a more polite form: ships. I mean, a boy's got to let out steam too, you know.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 4:37 am
My Other Passion
Labels: my other passion, this and that
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
"Hi, it's me again! I thought I'd show you Dutchess is not all wok and no play. There's life beyond the perfect soufflé and melt-in-your-mouth carpaccio, don't you know. Introducing my other passion which keeps me away from the boring old vaccum cleaner: Cross-stitching.
The sharp eyed reader might exclaim: Hey! That's not stitching, that's knitting! Yes, I know. However, the kind people at Meez.com only had the knitting option. Besides, I have knitted scarves and sweaters so let's not quibble about a boring old detail, okay? Okay.
Where was I? Yes, as I was saying, this is my other great love apart from food and has been since I was a girlie of seven. I've tried all manner of needle or craft work but somehow, like a loyal, lovesick Japanese crane, seem to always find my way back to cross-stitching. Damn! My nails keep snagging into the yarn. Now I remember why I prefer stitching.
Well, tra-la for now!"
I've been thinking of shutting down my stitching blog and making the occasional crafty entry here instead. You see, stitching, unlike cooking, is not about (almost) instant gratification. It takes time, often because of the projects I undertake, a WHOLE lot of time. And it seems pointless to maintain a blog where I don't really post too often. Lekker! is still primarily a food blog of course but this time, I'll show you I'm as handy with the needle as I am with a spatula.
And I promise, it'll only be pictures of completed work or work in progress. I won't go into long dreary discussions such as two ply or three, linen is so much better, and what do you mean, you don't own a q-snap???!!! I have my fellow stitchaholics for that. *wink*
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 6:54 am
Designer Handbag Cake
Labels: 100% sugar, this and that
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Oi. Pink Cake Box has done it again, this time with a designer handbag cake.
I personally don't care for Louis Vuitton in all its manifestations and forms but this cake is amazing! There's some serious detailing going on in there and what's a bag without a zingy red lipstick and compact, right?
I pray to the kitchen gods they will do a Birkin or Kelly soon.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 5:13 am
Happy Birthday And The Pink Cake Box
Labels: this and that
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Lekker! is one today.
I can't believe I've been at this for twelve whole months. What's more incredible is this: me huddling over the 'puter trying to figure out HTML all by myself. Just because I wanted My Own Layout and not use the ready made templates from Blogger. For almost five straight days (and nights) I, who struggle with math or anything remotely technical, grappled with the strange jargon, only coming out for air, to shower and to make sure I hadn't starve the family and then disappearing into the bowels of our basement study again. I tell you, I scored some serious geek cred with Hubs, the resident IT guy when I showed him the finished layouts.
******
Isn't the cake photo in this entry smashing? It's called the Topsy Turvy Cake and I felt like Alice in Wonderland just looking at it. It's exactly the sort of cake I dream of making.
This whimiscal confection is from the Pink Cake Box. Anne Heap (the founder) and Indira Wiegand are the magical hands behind the Pink Cake Box creations. Do check out Ms Heap's blog too. I'm sure you'll agree she's quite the bees' knees in cakedom.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 7:02 am
The Smeg FAB28
Labels: this and that
Monday, July 30, 2007
Oi. I so need a Smeg FAB28 Retro Fridge. In what else but red, of course.
And a set of these fridge magnets from Celia Birtwell to go with it too.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 12:22 pm
Barbecue
Labels: home life, she cooks, this and that
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Would you believe it, we haven't had a decent barbecue all summer until last Sunday?
For some reason, Mother Nature decreed it should rain only on the weekends and when it was relatively dry, we had other things on the agenda. Anyway, the weather broke and we were promised sunny conditions on the aforementioned Sunday. Plans were hurridly made with the hubby's parents to come over for a barbecue.
I kept it simple because I was still lazy worn out from the holiday and the aftermath of post holiday cleaning and laundry.
On the day itself, my husband got it into his head it would be a great idea to eat under the tree so that's what we did.
We brought out the patio table and I set it accordingly. I also considered the best placement of the table so everyone would be under the shade come early evening. My husband sort of rolled his eyes abit but I can't help it. It's little details that make all the difference sometimes.
So that was that.
Now on to the food... Like I said, I kept it simple.
On the grill we had various sorts of meat and fish kebabs, spare ribs, skewers of red onions and slices of pineapple.
For the sides, I made two types of salads and a yoghurt mint dip for the Turkish bread:
To finish off, we had thick slabs of freshly cut watermelon.
After the meal, my son decided we should all play Uno. He's mad about it now eversince I introduced it to him a few months back. Ironcially, I was about his age when I first started playing. Back in the 80s, it was new and all the rage then. It's also something new for opa and oma who are bridge fanatics.
Having cleared the table to make space for the game, I brought out coffee, tea and Turkish Delight. My husband popped open a bottle of port and we were good to go. I think we played for a good two hours, I can't remember as were having too much fun. Before we knew it, it was 9pm and still bright.
Something must be said for dining under a tree with the grass beneath your feet. It's such a relaxing and pleasant experience. At one point, I kicked off my sandals just to feel the grass. Couple the aroma of char-grilled food with the scent of freshly cut grass - my husband had just mowed the lawn earlier on in the morning - and you get a bit of heaven.
I'm already itching for the next barbecue.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 6:01 am
The History Of Cake
Labels: this and that
Saturday, February 03, 2007
A lady from a food forum of which I'm a member of, posted an interesting thread on the history of cake. Me, being a history buff, decided to do some more research on my own. I found some really cool sites bursting with information.
If you have the time, and I do mean, have the time as these make for lengthy reading, do visit here, here and here. And if you're still up to it, you might want to read about wedding cakes and tiramisu.
Just another thing I want to point out. Marie Antoinette never said "Let them eat cake!" An excerpt taken from a book I recently finished:This story was first told about the Spanish Princess who married Louis XIV a hundred years before the arrival of Marie Antoinette in France; it continued to be repeated about a series of other Princesses throughout the eighteenth century. As a handy journalistic cliche, it may never die. Yet, not only was the story wrongly ascribed to Marie Antoinette in the first place, but such ignorant behaviour would have been quite out of character. The unfashionably philanthropic Marie Antoinette would have been far more likely to bestow her own cake (or brioche) impulsively upon the starving people before her. - Antonia Fraser, author of "Marie Antoinette - The Journey"
Now, let me go eat cake!
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 4:52 am
Singapore In A Nutshell
Labels: just for fun, this and that
Monday, September 25, 2006
I saw this a while ago but never got round to sharing it until today.
It's all about Singapore according to Hossan Leong in his inimitable style. He is just as funny on stage as he is off. There are loads of insider jokes or rather jibes that every Singaporean worth his/her weight in char kway teow will understand.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 10:13 am
