Quick Meals: Fish And Vegetable Kurma Curry

This is a one pot dish. I used Sting Ray as my son adores the fish. He loves the texture and that it flakes off in layers. It is also a hardy fish that absorbs the flavours in the curry. Of course, you can substitute it with any other kind of hardy fish. The other thing about the dish that I like is that, I can add any combination of vegetables that I have in hand. Or non at all. Here is how I cooked the dish today:
200g - String Ray, cut into cubes
1 - medium sized white onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
4 - cloves garlic, left whole
2 inchs - ginger, quartered
2 stalks - curry leaves
1 carrot - large size, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cauliflower - medium sized bouquet, cut into bite sized florets
2 tsps - tumeric powder
3 tbs - kurma curry powder 
1/4 - 1/2 tsp - kurma curry powder to add into dish towards the end of cooking *
* Note: I added the last teaspoon of kurma curry powder 5 minutes before turning off the fire to give the dish a fresh hit of the kurma spices in the kurma curry powder mixture. Of course this step is optional.

Suicidal Vegetables

I often find myself staring intently into my fridge trying to pick and choose the ingredients that would make a wonderful meal for my family for that particular day. I like to have the option of picking whichever ingredient, be it fish, meat, vegetable, etc. that would work best for the dish.

This time, my problem was that I had a head of broccoli, chinese cabbage, oyster mushrooms and green peas which were all threatening to wilt and expire that very night. There was no way I could choose to use any of it the next day. Making a mix vegetable dish was the obvious option, but I couldn't put my boys on another vegetarian meal two days in a row. I knew I'd have a mutiny in my hands and dinner would be a failure. So to save the vegetables and at the same time not incur the wrath of my family, I decided to incorporate fish.

I used three pieces of medium sized dory fillets and cut them into bite sized cubes. After giving it a light dusting of salt and pepper, I lightly fried it in olive oil to give it texture and color. Next, I did justice to all the above vegetables that insisted on being cooked this very night. After removing the nearly cooked fish, I stir fried a medium sized white onion (roughly chopped), a thumb sized garlic (thinly sliced) and grated three cloves of garlic right into the pan. Before adding the vegetables one by one, starting with the most hardy, I added a drizzle of saseme seed oil for added flavour. I also added some fish sauce, sweet soy sauce and a tablespoon of oyster sauce. I wanted a bit more soup in the dish so that my son could wet his rice with it and so, added half a  up of water.

I love my vegetables crunchy and so, in minutes the dish was done. I returned the fish to the pan, gave it a chance to mix with the vegetables and the sauce and turned off the heat within a couple of minutes. Walla. I saved the suicidal vegetables and made a delicious and healthy dinner.
 

I'm reading "Twice Born" - http://www.wattpad.com/story/1829976 - on the Wattpad app http://www.wattpad.com/download

PHASE THREE THROUGH HIS JOURNEY OF EDUCATION

We are in the process of transfering my son into the Cambridge programme at school. The decision to move was made within the last three weeks. You can imagine the stressful time I've had in ensuring that I got the right information and process all the paper work and everything that needed to be done. Between having various meetings with the Vice Principal, programme coordinator, administrative staff and the accounts department, it all finally came together. Of course, I have to give the biggest credit to my son who passed the Cambridge entrance exams.

He starts this third phase in this exciting journey of his education on Monday, 25th March 2013. The first phase was when he went to preschool at the age of three and a half. It was the hardest day of....my life. I remember standing outside his classroom window and watch him take in his new surroundings like a champion. He sat between a little boy and girl and with ease they started chatting away like old friends.

When it was time for us parents to leave, I waved to signal him that I was leaving and blew him a kiss. He returned it with a big smile and an enthusiastic wave and I knew he was going to be alright. I remember getting back to my car and bawling my eyes out with mixed emotions running through me. My baby was growing up. I was feeling proud and fearful among many other emotions. I remember being a wreck for awhile during that first couple of weeks.

The second phase was when he joined primary school at age five. The next three years saw him attending the CBSE-I programme. He completed Year One through Three without any incident that sticks out. Oh yes, there was one. In Year One he was unfortunately picked on by a bully. This may have gone on for a few days but luckily, he told me about it. We managed to settle it with the school and it was definitely a learning experience for my son and I. Since then, he has learnt that there should be zero tolerance of any sort of bullying and what had to be done in the event. I am relieved to say it has never happened again.

So come Monday, we will begin phase three. An exciting chapter as he begins Year Four in the secondary campus, in the Cambridge programme. I know he is excited, especially since his best buddy will be transfering with him. With a partner to share all his firsts during this transition, his mind is at ease. I can't say the same for myself, as it's natural for a mother to worry about literally everything. I can, however, promise not to cry.

I Have Missed You

I have not blogged for a long time but those who know me from twitter have seen me around. I just haven't had the time for a long entry as I have been extreamly busy with this and that. School is in full swing with exams around every corner. Projects have to be completed. Games have to be attended. Then our family members have had birthdays, anniversaries and visitors from overseas. I can go on and on about why I have not blogged, but I believe you get the general idea. But I have missed blogging. I will get back here soon and share with you things that I have been up to.

2013: A Promise To Myself

I am not making any New Year resolutions for 2013. I have made resolutions over the past years, but this time, I don't feel like I want to. Instead, I've decided to make myself a New Year promise.

Firstly, after my recent success with my 28 Day Diet, I am confident that I have figured out what I should do to have my weight under control. My biggest challenge is carbs. Therefore, this would be my main focus in managing my diet. As I find it easy to skip rice during my main meals, I have decided to only have it a couple of times a week, if I must. Other carbs like bread, pasta, etc. will be managed by controlling it's portions. Basically, I will manage my diet better this 2013.

Secondly, I am thankful for whom I have in my life. I am who I am today because of my son. Being his mother has been the greatest gift he has given me. He is my life, my soul. I have cherished him from the moment he was conceived and he will always be my precious baby.

My hubby and I have shared a lifetime together. We have been in each others lives for 23 years and we will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this year. You can imagine the many, many things we have gone through together, both wonderful and difficult. I am grateful to him for everything so far, and look forward to many more years to come. I love my precious little family and thank God each and everyday for them. On a slightly broader circle, I love and cherish my parents, siblings, darling neice and others who make up my wider beloved family.

Finally, 2013 would be a milestone for me, as I would be turning 40. I simply can' t wrap my mind around it yet. The big 40! I somehow don't feel as if 40 years of my life has gone by. All my memories feel like it just happened yesterday. Maybe I should be glad I feel this way, as it could indicate that I am still young at heart. Whatever it is, in 2013, it would be even more important for me to focus on my mind (reading, learning and exploring new things, discovering something new to enrich myself), body (exercise, diet, general well-being), and soul (peace of mind, faith).

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013 everyone!

Our Phuket Holiday, December 2012

10.45 a.m. : Our lives are never without drama. We are to leave for our long awaited vacay on the 12.40 pm flight this afternoon. Its 10.45 a.m. now and we are racing in two cars to the airport as the van transportation we pre arranged to pick us up from home at 9.30 a.m. never showed up. After numerous phone calls, panic attacks and temper flares later, we decided to jump into our own cars and head to the airport ourselves. We are stuck at the damn toll now. My son sitting at the back seat is so upset that we may miss the flight. Keeping our fingers crossed.

11.55 a.m. : We are in line at the check-in counter at the LCCT. We have made it on time, thank God. It's pretty crowded here, as it's the holiday season and there are numerous flights taking off to the four corners of the world. We are making a dash for it.

1.05 p.m. : We missed the flight! Damn it! We are all so upset. Especially the kids. It's all because of the transport guy this morning. We now have to check into the next flight. More running around to get the flight tickets changed. Drama.

3.15 p.m. : We have changed our flight tickets to the 6.10 p.m. flight. We have claimed our bags from 'Lost and Found' as they had to unload it from the orginal flight that we checked it into. Then we repeated the whole process we did when we got to the airport this morning. My feet are killing me as for some reason, I decided to wear heels. It's still very early for our next flight, but I've parked myself at the waiting area in front of the boarding gate with my book. I pray, no more drama.

 

9.35 p.m. : Well, there was a bit of drama, i.e., the flight was delayed by about a half hour. Nevertheless, we are finally here at the Marriot Vacation Club, Phuket, Thailand. In the end, we had a beautiful surprise waiting for us when we got here. They upgraded us from the second floor villa to the first floor villa. The difference? It comes with a beautiful garden and an attached pool. Yeah! Perfect ending to a drama filled day. Here's to a wonderful time in Phuket!

28 Day Diet - Day 27 & 28

I have completed my 28 day diet! This is an amazing feat as I have never stuck to a diet for this long. My style is often erratic where, I do watch what I eat, but at the same time, I have days I let myself indulge. Sometimes these days of indulgence becomes too frequent. The end result is that my weight fluctuates just as erratically. This is the longest stretch I have ever completed and so, it's a memorable milestone. The second news to celebrate is that I have lost 3kg's! I knew I'd loose some weight, but 3 is an awesome number.

Looking back now, being on the diet wasn't so bad. I never had to starve myself and the alternative meals I choose to have were pretty tasty. The only thing I completely eliminated from my meals was rice. 28 days without rice has really made a big difference on my weight. Rice is such a main part of our diet that it's very easy to over indulge. We have such a wide variety of dishes in our culture and a large percentage of them go with rice.

To add to the guilt, alot of these dishes are rich as they are cooked in lot's of oil, fat, coconut milk, etc. With such ingredients it's no wonder they are all so delicious, especially when eaten with rice! So it's very easy to put on weight when such meals are a norm. It's not that I cut out carbs completely. I've enjoyed my bread and noodles among other carbs during these 28 days, but in smaller portions.

Anyway, I am happy my diet was successful. I am happy with the way I feel. And I am very happy that the whole process wasn't as difficult as I feared it would be. I will continue with this diet plan, i.e., I would watch what I eat, never over indulge and rice would not be a staple in my diet.

28 Day Diet - Day 25 & 26

My neice and nephew left today (Thursday) after spending a wonderful week with us. My kids throughly enjoyed themselves as they only get to meet their cousins once a year. Nevertheless, they have managed to remain really close. I enjoyed watching them interact and have fun too. I liked seeing them share all their stories and memories of the past year. Even their little quarrels were sweet as I watched them take sides at first, and then, make up.

The only downside was that it was challenging on my diet. When I think back to the meals we may not otherwise have had, I wonder if it would have made a difference to my diet. We ate out quite a bit. There was also the fast food and junk food. Ok, honestly, there will never be a perfect scenario for anyone on a diet. Whether or not the kids were down, there'd always be situations that pose a challenge to dieters like me. However, I believe I had my meals under control and really, I would rather have the kids down anyway.

So these last couple of days I've managed to keep my meals light and nutritious. In fact, I went over to my sister's place yesterday and stood on her weighing scale (mine broke a couple of years ago and I've yet to get one) (no, it wasn't because of me). Let's just say, it's looking good ;)

28 Day Diet - Day 22, 23 & 24

It has been a crazy few days. It started with a second trip to the Big Bad Wolf bookfair on Monday. My sister (another avid reader) and I managed another haul of wonderful books. Between us, we bought over a hundred books! I am telling you, we were literally salivating and couldn't wait to dive into the books even before we left the place. To think we had another equally large collection from our first trip at home. Yummy.

Anyway, after all that hard work of lugging the books around, we were understandably exhausted and starving. The only place close enough to grab a bite at before we dropped dead on our feet was a McD's. I confess I throughly enjoyed a Value Meal consisting of a McChicken burger, medium fries and coke. Only when I demolished the burger and fries did I feel guilty. A little bit. To make up for it, we had steamboat with the kids for dinner.

Tuesday was good. I managed to have the multigrain bread and eggs for lunch. We took the kids to dinner at Chillies and while everyone else had their burgers, steaks and chops, I had a grilled chicken salad. The funny thing was, I felt like everyone at the table was a little sorry for me as I was on my diet. Truth be told, I throughly enjoyed my salad and had no regrets about my choice. One of the things about this diet is that I learnt that I like feeling good before, during and after my meals.

Wednesday was my mother-in-laws birthday. We had her favourite Nasi Lemak for dinner. Nasi Lemak literally translated means fat or really rich rice as it's cooked in thick coconut milk. Served with it were a variety of condiments such as fried anchovies, fried chicken, fried groundnuts, boiled eggs, a thick anchovy sambal and spicy chicken curry, both cooked with coconut milk. You get the picture, right? Infact, the only vegetable served was sliced cucumbers which is the norm with this meal as it helps cut the spiciness of the food. Well, as you may have guessed, I skipped the rice as usual and had a small serving of the condiments, especially the eggs and cucumber. It nevertheless was a delicious meal as I happen to like Nasi Lemak as well.