End 2021 with A Bang to Start 2022 on A Higher Note

 

May 2022 be the year you experience bliss, awesomeness, magnificence, and cheerfulness! Make this new year another year to love, laugh, and give! Happy New Year!

 

Having said that, let me do some recap of some notable anecdotes that I'd like to blog about as part of my annual summary.

 

• I have started cooking again, not so very often but when I did, I enjoyed the process. Most of my meals are on my Instagram - fried rice, pancakes, porridge, pasta, sliders, curry laksa, Bak Kut Teh (attempt 1), Bak Kut Teh (attempt 2), rice cooker "Claypot" chicken rice, and masak lemak Chinese style.
  

• I was hospitalized for knee arthroscopy in May. Check out my past IG post below.
  
  

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A post shared by Joyce Rachel | Mom Blogger (@joycescapade)

• My recovery after the surgery was pretty smooth - 2 weeks post ops, 1.5 months post ops, and 2 months post ops.

 

• My boys and I celebrated our birthdays at home - mine, L1, L2.

 

• Created my Linktree profile.

 

Check out my compilation of annual posts since 2007. 

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Handpicked Notable Meals in 2021 After MCO is Lifted

 

 

 What's life without food and friends? I'm so blessed! Here are some handpicked photos from my recent makan-makan adventure after the dreaded MCO is finally lifted, hopefully for good. Woohoo!

Above is lunch at Breakfast Thieves, Jalan Riong, Bangsar. Terry Benedict (bottom plate) is highly recommended. It comes with slow braised black pepper Aussie beef brisket, mushrooms, renkon (lotus root) chips, crisp potatoes, crisp kale, English muffins, tomato salsa, two poached eggs, and silky brown butter hollandaise.

 

 

 Then, on a rainy afternoon, I ordered Korean food for lunch. This bowl of Kimchi Jjigae served with rice and a sunny-side up egg is super comforting for the soul. I couldn't remember the name of the restaurant on GrabFood though. Gotta find out later so that I can reorder again.

 

 Indian food at Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar at Jalan Telawi, Bangsar for lunch with colleagues.

 

 Japanese food at the ubiquitous Pasta Zanmai during a weekend staycation with the hubby.

 

 Good food is best enjoyed with good friends too. This is at my favorite hideout in Bandar Kinrara Puchong. If you're in the area, look for Bayou Diner. Pretty decent food, not super crowded, and it's really a peaceful diner to just chit-chat and chill.

 

 The Chicken Rice Shop. What's your verdict? I think it's pretty decent. I love the chili and ginger paste that they serve together with rice and chicken.

 

 I'm told that Baba Low's 486 Bangsar, Lorong Kurau serves one of the best Nyonya Laksa in town. I agree! It's super flavorful and hearty. The generous serving of cucumber julienne is refreshing as they provide another texture to the entire dish.

Not forgetting Arabian food at Bedouin Arabian Cuisine, Jalan Wan Kadir, TTDI. You have to come with at least another 3 friends and order this humongous plate of food. I don't remember what is it called but it comes with 2 types of rice, 2 types of chicken, and 2 types of lamb shank.

If you're a fan of spiced tea, you must order their Adeni Tea.

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Simple Homey Christmas 2021 Spread

 

 

Christmas 2021 was celebrated in a simple and homey way. We had sugee cake, fruit cake, chicken and beef satay with spicy peanut sauce.

 

My parents-in-law also taught their grandkids how to make putu mayam from scratch! I forgot to take a photo of the apparatus used to make these delicious putu mayam.

My mom-in-law cooked a pot of delicious chicken curry with so much potatoes and all I did was to eat all the potatoes I could scoop from the pot. Hahaha!

 

Not forgetting the iconic Roti Paung and some local kuih-muih for breakfast and tea time.

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Masak Lemak Chinese Style Ala Mom-in-Law

 

Masak Lemak Chinese Style Ala Mom-in-Law

 

The last round I went back to my husband's hometown, my mom-in-law cooked her masak lemak which I truly loved! I asked for her recipe, modified it a little bit based on what I have in my fridge, and tada! Here's my masterpiece.

Ingredients: Fish balls, fish cakes, tomatoes, firm tofu, fu chuk sticks, mushroom seasoning, coconut milk, and turmeric powder. Not seen in photo are 2 cili kering (dried chili) and some black peppercorns.

How to: First, I heat up some cooking oil and add in dried chili and black peppercorns. Once they are fragrant, I add in fish balls and fish cakes and cook until fragrant. Then I add in tomatoes, firm tofu, and just enough water to cover the ingredients. Once the water is boiling, I add in mushroom seasoning and fu chuk sticks. I let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes over medium heat.

 

Then, I turn down the heat to low, add in coconut milk and turmeric powder and let it simmer for about 5-8 minutes over low heat. Finally, I season with some salt before I turn off the heat.

Serve this masak lemak piping hot with mixed grains rice. My ultimate comfort food!

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Recent life quotes

 

"Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do." -  Brené Brown

Key takeaway: You're the main character in the story of your life. Always. Forever. Don't forget it. Acknowledge it.

Yes, you have all the rights to grow at your own pace and your own time. Don't feel guilty about it. Don't be gas-lighted to think that you're left out for not being in the game.

How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come? So much truth!

Self care truly means love yourself. No one will ever love you like how you love yourself. I'm getting better everyday!

Key takeaway: Struggling is not a sign of weakness. Never forget the strength behind the struggle.

Trust is what will bring us to where we want to be.

Finally, don't forget to appreciate all the progress you've made; allow yourself to feel how you feel; remember you're still learning; focus on what you love and enjoy; define "success" on your own terms; I'm a work in progress!

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My boy's five-year-old birthday celebration

First, let's talk about the birthday cake. It's a beautiful Burnt Cheesecake decorated with Avengers superheros figurines as requested by the birthday boy.

The birthday boy stared intently at his birthday cake. He's very impressed!

Next, the birthday cheese & fruit tarts.

Beautiful, aren't they?

If you're guessing who's the baker, you can look for Whisk of Joy. Check out my other orders from the same baker.

Finally, let's see what we had for lunch. We ordered two regular pizzas from Domino's and these delicious dishes from EzPz Pasta & Such.

Shepherd's Pie, Seafood Spaghetti Aglio Olio, Grilled Beef Meatballs in Gravy, Roasted Mixed Vegetables, Mixed Fruits Salad, and Butter Herb Rice.

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